Price of South East Asia

Hello

Just wanted a few opinions from fellow travellers out there on the cost of south east asia.

We%26#39;re working from the Rough Guide, but I%26#39;ve googled the LP also and it seems to me that they are in most cases seriously underestimating the cost of living for S.E.A.

We thought it was just because initially in Thailand, as it was our kick off point, that we flashpacked. Nice hostels, a little above the odds, but we%26#39;d accounted for that.

Moving on we%26#39;re noticing that accommodation is a lot more pricey.

Example - Vientiane, it quotes the Mixay and Mixok at $6 for a double - not nearly, we got quoted $14 only this morning.

Vayakorn - should have been in the region of $10-15 according to the legend in the book, but we went there and were thrilled with the digs, only to find that they were $30!!!!

This seriously eats in and affects our budget if rooms are twice the price.

Is anyone else noticing this - our Rough Guide is from November 2008

I%26#39;d appreicate some feedback and some ADVISE if anyone out there has some tips.

We%26#39;re heading to Vang Viang and Louang Phabang next -tips on digs greatly appreciated!

Price of South East Asia

Have you tried bartering? We barter for accomodation too. Give it a try, cause if people feel they can get more money out of you, they will

Price of South East Asia

These guides are out of date as soon as they are published and are rarely correct. Also many of these guides just recycle old information.

You can get cheaper accomodation - you just need to look or it.

I don%26#39;t think you will have much luck bargaining. As for ';bartering';, (sic) as the previous poster suggests, what are you going to barter or swop for accomodation?

Hi

Thanks - we have hunted around a little for accommodations in other places, Pakse was one, but anything cheaper was a dump - even the ones within the price range we%26#39;d budgeted weren%26#39;t all that great.

In vientianne now and the standard of margin of standards for guest houses is remarkable. We%26#39;d probably have done well here but we booked in advance as after the 10 hours bus ride we knew we%26#39;d want somewhere instant without having to hunt.

We have tried bargaining, in Cambodia and got a few dollars off but in Laos it%26#39;s not working - they have SET prices on boards in reception and won%26#39;t vere from it.

We did find that the place we are staying wanted to charge 120000 for the double room but which is near to 15usd but online it was 13 - so if we paid in usd it was cheaper... which is what we did.

It%26#39;s a good room - clean enough, just worn. AC and fan and tv and fridge - overkill really, we just wanted a private bath.

Anyway don%26#39;t forget ANY SUGGESTIONS ON PLACES IN VANG VIENG OR LUANG PHABANG send them on pleeeeasssse