Solo travel Southeast Asia: 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Travelling (especially to Bali, Lombok & the Philippines!)
Are you planning your first big trip? Or maybe you’re about to jet off solo and hoping it all just works out? We’ve been there! At Wanderlands Travel, we run epic group tours across Bali, Lombok, and the Philippines – so we’ve seen all the common travel mistakes and the simple wins.
Whether you’re backpacking Southeast Asia or joining one of our all-inclusive small group tours, there are 5 key things we wish we knew before travelling – and you need to know them too, especially if it’s your first time travelling or you’re heading to Indonesia or the Philippines!
Are you ready for some top tips that are sure to save you some stress (and money)?!
1. Visa rules change all the time:
Don’t just wing it at the airport. Most nationalities can enter Bali and the Philippines visa-free or with a Visa on Arrival (VoA), but conditions apply:
Bali (Indonesia): VoA costs USD $35 and gives you 30 days, extendable once for another 30 days.
Philippines: Many travellers (from the UK, AUS, EU and USA) can get 30 days free, but you must show a return or onward ticket.
Always make sure your passport has at least 6 months validity before you depart, and be sure to double-check the latest entry requirements:
2. Travel cards beat bank cards:
Foreign ATM fees and blocked cards can ruin a good day – fast. To avoid unnecessary trouble we recommend using a travel money card, such as Revolut, Wise, Monzo if you’re from the UK, and ING or Up if you’re based in Australia. These cards let you spend in local currency with no hidden fees, give live exchange rates, and make it easier to budget. Win-win!
And don’t forget to keep a small amount of local cash on you for island bars, market stalls, and street food!
3. Layovers can be free mini trips!
Flying long haul? You could unlock free hotels, meals, or city tours through your airline just by having a longer layover!
Some of our favourite layover deals include Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways and Emirates, as they all include a combination of a free hotel, transfers, and even excursions!
Turn your layover into an adventure – for free. What’s not to love about that?!
4. You don’t really need that much stuff…
Everyone overpacks on their first trip, but the truth is you’ll end up wearing the same few items over and over. And Asia has all the shops you need if you need to pick something extra up!
To get started, a few of our packing essentials for a solo travel Southeast Asia trip include:
- Swimwear
- Light clothes
- Trainers or sandals
- A microfibre towel
- Rain jacket
- Power bank
- Travel adapter
Insider tip: always choose a backpack over a suitcase; they are way easier to carry when hopping between islands!
5. Get an eSIM or local SIM:
Avoid outrageous roaming charges by downloading an eSIM (like Airalo and Holafly) or buying a local SIM when you arrive, plus download the essential apps you will need for your travels such as WhatsApp (groups are used for all our Wanderlands tours), Google Maps (bonus points if you download it so you can view it offline), and transport apps like Grab and Gojek.
If you forget to download your eSIM before you depart, no stress! You can get your SIM sorted at the airport, and if you’re travelling with us, your group leader will help you out on day one.
Ready to experience all the fun of a Southeast Asia trip without the time and stress of planning?
At Wanderlands Travel we run weekly group tours through Bali, Lombok, and the Philippines for 18–30s looking for culture, fun and adventure!
What makes us special? For a start, all Wanderlands tours include:
- Visa and arrival support
- Boutique hostels and hotel accommodation
- Epic group activities (from diving to waterfall trekking!)
- Optional extras like cooking classes, sunrise volcano hikes, PADI scuba diving courses and more
- All transport, sorted
Whether you’re a first-time traveller or just want a stress-free experience with good vibes and new friends, we’ve got you covered.
