So I'm heading over to Singapore with the $88 scoot opening airfares. My 1st ever Asian adventure! Going to head to kuala lumpur and Bangkok as well. Wondering what type of electrical stuff I should by and if it's worthwhile buying it from overseas because of warranties etc. Was thinking if it's cheaper would buy the kids iPads for Xmas and a few hard drives etc?
Asia Adventure
mel82 on 08/09/2012 - 21:31
Comments
Are you taking the train between the three cities?
I'm flying from Bangkok to Singapore and back. But I'm taking the train into Kuala lumpur. Thanks Yada Yada Yada that's exactly what I was thinking, I'm just trying to work out what type of shopping I'm going to do. Looks like it my be just clothes, shoes etc
You can't go wrong with clothes & shoes! :)
Yeah I personally wouldn't take the risk with electronics. A friend bought a HDD from HK (not saying this is a representative case!) but the drive stuffed up after a few months in Australia and he wasn't going to bother mailing it back.
The iPads will be ok because Apple offer an international warranty with their products, but I don't know if it'll be much cheaper than here.
I'm not sure how apple warranty works but apple HK wont fix my apple products as it was purchased in australia.. even thought i thought the warranty was international
Have you bought your tix yet?
Malaysian trains charge double if you book from Woodlands Singapore to KL. If you Book JB to KL you pay half. Just buy a single stand alone ticket from Woodlands to JB.
Check out the man in seat 61 website for clues on how to do this.
That's what I'm thinking! I'm going to shop shop shop then send it all back to oz in the post I think? Clothes to last me kids in every size they'll need to for the nxt couple of yrs, just got to find all the factory outlets! Bit nervous about flying with scoot, haven't heard much on tem since they began flying here.
I don't know about factory outlets, but even buying in the markets + shops is generally cheaper!
Alternatively, rather than mailing stuff back, you could always buy extra luggage from scoot (if you're game to drag it all back) - it might be more economical. Also if you're planning to shop like crazy then try and pack as little as possible when you go there (plus try and bring lighter-weight suitcases or bags if possible). Or if you're super keen you could always just bring about one or 2 changes of clothing + a practically empty suitcase or 2 (you could always buy a suitcase there too!).
I also don't know what the deal with how the luggage works with scoot - double check what you're allowed to bring and how many pieces. Some airlines are adopting the US way now - which means they charge by the piece of luggage as opposed to total weight of all pieces combined.
A good thing to have would also be a luggage scale in case where you're staying doesn't have a bathroom scale or something to use.
Mustafa Centre in Singapore has excellent selections for suitcases (from kmart quality to samsonite, american touristers, etc.) that are wayy cheaper than anything in oz. open 24hours 7days a week. they have everything imaginable there!
I bought an American tourister there. I am very happy with it and lend it to family all the time. It is large and weighs about 4 - 5 kg. Hard shell 360 wheels. So easy to use my daughter can manage it easily. None of that tilting business that can really stuff things up. Paid about $110 aud I think.
Yep great tips! I'm def taking 1 practically empty suitcase! Can't wait. I'm going to check scoot out now, thanks :)
Consider buying new luggage while in Asia, rather than bringing your own empty.
I am going to asia for 5 weeks in Dec / Jan. I'm going to bring a carry on backpack and that'll do me for the whole trip.
I am a woman and I'll be bringing my GHD and makeup and a laptop or tablet plus my kindle and a couple of phones. And, I like looking good, so I won;t be feral. I'll just be wise.
I reckon you should do the same and just send the crap you buy back via seamail. It is so cheap and tracked (at least from KL).
I would definitely buy the luggage in asia. I bought some Hush Puppy luggage from Tangs department store in Pavilion mall KL and the quality is excellent. Was definitely much cheaper than buying it here. I should have bought even more. I filled the huge suitcase I bought easily in KL, Bangkok and Phuket.
EDIT: For suits in Bangkok go to Rajawongse Clothier at shop 130 Sukhumvit Rd. (Don't go to Raja's by mistake, which looks similar and is shop 147). Raja's (Mike) is good, but Rajawongse (Jesse and Victor) is better.
By the way, have fun.
How long does the sea mail take? Sounds like a good option I just checked an it's $60 for 40kg of luggage with scoot. Im only taking absolute bare essentials, im taking my 2 kiddies though. No I haven't bought my ticket thought I would just do it all from over there when I see what I think of Singapore and how much there is to do there, but thanks for the tip Man in seat 61 will check it out now. :)
seamail takes roughly up to 3 months
In my ebay experience it takes up to a month to receive from Malaysia. It will be extremely cheap to post in Malaysia too. About $17 for 10 kilos. My experience in late August was that Scoot were combining weight so our 3 bags all up had 45k. I don't know about Ipad but we did check out the apple air 17" screen at Sydney Duty Free and found it was about $600 cheaper than in the Apple Store. If you do find something good at dutyfree they will keep if for your return. Have fun!
Thanks nynaeve, postage from Malaysia was that via airmail? I wI'll def be checking out duty free at the airport :)
I am having so much trouble trying to work out how to use money in Asia! Can anyone help. The commonwealth bank whom Im with is going to charge me 3% every time I use my MasterCard debit card. As well as $5 n 3% for every cash withdrawal! Thy offer some traveller card although it is only offered in Singapore $ not MYR or Baht so in those currencies it will be 2.9% plus $5 withdrawal fee. What am I best to do carry heaps of cash in the different curriences or make 1 large cash withdrawal in each country or is there another option?? So confused by it all!
You can do a mix of both - carry around the minimum cash that you think you'll need and then charge the rest to credit (no idea on how accepted credit cards are where you're going since I've never been). Charging to credit is going to be cheaper than withdrawing cash if there aren't extra fees passed onto you from the merchant, since it is usually ~3% conversion fee.
Or alternatively, I like to carry around about enough cash that I think I'll need in foreign currency and then some 'backup' AUD to convert over there. This would depend on how safe you'd feel carrying around all that cash though.
The traveller cards (look around if you want one since they all have different advantages and disadvantages) are good in that you'll be charged a lower fee, and it locks in the currency exchange rate from the moment you load money onto the card. They usually give you more than 1 so if you lose one, you'll always have a backup.
In some countries in Asia, AUD is accepted as currency, but the exchange rate is generally not in your favour. Sometimes it is - but always a gamble.
mel82, don't bother using the big4 cards overseas, they will rip you off to pieces with those extra costs!
yada is right, i usually carry a mixture of both currencies and change what i need as i go along (for example every 3 days). the fluctuations in the rate will only result in a couple dollars gain/loss which im perfectly fine with.
additionally, i bring my australian visa debit card as emergency funds. you can do some research but i use ING direct's Orange Everyday Account and they've been awesome (no monthly account fees! http://www.ingdirect.com.au/everyday/whereAreTheFees.htm). it's $2.50 for every cash withdrawal outside Australia and $2.5% for international purchases with the card (none of that $5 bullsh*t from the commonwealth). in my experience, their foreign exchange rate is also very good. actually paid for hotel Disney Sea Miracosta in Tokyo on the card and it ended up being cheaper than any other method.
i know this may not be the cheapest option but for me this is the most convenient as applying for a 28 degree is quite a lengthy process.
please don't hesitate to pm me if you need any help :)
28 degrees
28 degree MasterCard maybe a good idea for paying for things maybe?
Yep. I normally bring no cash and just withdraw money when i get to my destination and anywhere that accepts credit cards would accept it. I think the only time it didn't work for me is when the bank on the other side is an Islamic based bank
A tip when flying Scoot - you can't change your booking once your first flight has been made. I wanted to add more luggage from my recent Thailand trip as we did a bit of shopping and knew we'd be close to our luggage limit. I tried to add extra luggage online whilst in Thailand and the online system wouldn't allow me. You can do the pay at the airport thing, but best to plan ahead or post back.
BTW - Cash is king in Asia, so don't expect to be using any cards like EFTPOS here. I generally get cash out from an ATM at the airport of the country I arrive in and generally only need to withdraw money one other time.
Hi beejay, i managed to add extra luggage on my returning flight with Scoot back in July. you would have to call them up though (used the hotel's telephone). this is because in my case, the journey has already started, therefore adding luggage online wasn't possible. however, this does end up being cheaper than paying for extra luggage at the airport.
great tip
And secondly - never get money changed in Australia. The rate Travelex and other similar places were offering for SGD for example - 1.16 Australia - Singapore airport 1.25
That depends on the country you are going to - for instance you would get a better exchange rate for the JPY in Australia rather than Japan, but it is the reverse for other currencies.
Okay, is there 2 kids and 1 adult or are there two adults?
If 2 of each it'll work out good to get two private compartments on the Sing - KL train. If you wait, the private compartments may be booked up. Book and buy on the Malaysian website. Only from JB to KL, not SING - KL. Definitely read Man in seat 61 for advice. You will pay double if you add the 10 minute SING - JB sector.It sounds like you are very keen on shopping. ALLEGEDLY shopping in JB is significantly cheaper than Singapore. You may consider going to JB the night before or in the morning and then taking the night train. Hotels are significantly cheaper in JB from what I understand.
I just buy all my crap online now. I have no real desire to shop while overseas. Other than some items that look handmade for my daughter (and as much grog as I can), I don't buy anything OS. I wouldn't buy ipads OS. I'd buy them in OZ and get the tax deal on the way out.
Shopping and accomodation in Malaysia is generally cheaper as opposed to Singapore. However, I find that the quality of stuff is far better in KL when compared to JB (eg tshirts and souvenirs). For trinkets, go to Chinatown where as best place for cheap clothes would be in Times Square or Sungei Wang. Hope this helps
Thanks voteoften great advice! Cannot believe how expensive Singapore is to stay compared with te rest of Asia. Looking into JB now :)
I have posted on JB under the Travel forum. I am a bit surprised no one has abused you for not putting this thread in that section. Hopefully someone will be able to answer. It would probably be too much of a pain with kids, crossing the border daily.
Even the shuttle buses from the Singapore airport to JB are double the price from JB to Singapore airport. The Malaysian government seems to think their ringit is on par with the Singapore dollar so private companies take the idea and run with it.
Oh and it's 2 adults 2 kids :))
In Thailand, apparently very few 1st class compartments are available online in advance. You need to check with the train people, in Thailand. I don't know if it is the same in Malaysia.
Second class is more interesting. It is luck of the draw who is around you however. Being a Muslim country and also because I won't be on that train, there is unlikely to be too much heavy drinking in second class.
I drop my daughter off in Singapore in late december for an unaccompanied flight back to oz and continue on in asia on my own for a few more weeks. I have a (not quite) fantasy) of being in second class on the train in the muslim country, on christmas day, getting absolutely pissed drinking my absolut elix straight out of the bottle. I don't know why it appeals to me. Sadly, it'll be too inconvenient. I'm going to spend Christmas on the two day boat from Thailand to Luang Prabang Laos or in Burma. Haven't decided. The getting pissed part doesn't change, just the host religion. (I'm a quiet drunk)
Hahaha u sound like u don't mind a drop or 10! Lol I'm just excited to open my kids eyes up to the big wide world new experiences etc. I no it sounds terrible really I do but I don't think I could think of anything worse then being in second class on the train you have just described haha. We r just goin on a short trip to work out where is better for future trips.
Second class sleeper is quite alright. When travelling with my daughter, I will probably get a first class compartment wherever possible. It is incredibly cheap, saves on a hotel bill and is easier than going to the airport and all the nonsense that entails.
The train is the only way to go between Bangkok and Chiang Mai in my opinion.
Thanks tugnabs, I'll look into that now. Yeh I can't believe why they r trying to charge me, ANZ is just as bad it's highway robbery!
keep up the travel tips.
I'm going to KL, singapore, HK in march for 2 weeks.
Just come back from a Singapore/Thai trip, oh and I have been to Malaysia too in April
here's some immediate observations
28 degrees card and a small amount of pre-purchased cash = win (unless you are going to very rural areas)
If you have a long transfer wait in singapore you are still going to need to go through customs to get your baggage (unless you want to take the risk of having it treated as "lost luggage"/claming it later). You cannot get back in until you have a boarding pass. Scoot does not do early checkin, or travel thru.
second class sleeper will be shared accomodation with quite effective curtains to block people seeing you. It does not however stop noise and should you have a heavy snorer in the cabin you will have a crap nights sleep.
Tipping in Thailand is well entrenched and expected. Its built in at the fancier places in Singapore/Malaysia but otherwise does not seem to be expected.
The train from Bangkok to Changmai will not be on time - its just a question of by how much
Learn how to say hello, goodbye, thankyou, no thankyou, yes etc. Its an awesome icebreaker when you try and massacre the local language. And interestingly the hawkers seem to take "no" in their own language as an indicator that you don't want to buy, rather than keep trying.
Should you get the skybus from KL airport to the city ensure you keep the ticket they give you when you deboard. They will want to see it as "proof" despite their being no drop-off points on the way
Pack a plastic poncho, insect repellant and sunscreen
I can recommend a place in KL if you need a "home-stayish" option
Thanks Natt! Did u stay anywhere cheap in Singapore? Great places to buy brand name stuff in Thailand, k/l or Singapore?
Husband & I stayed at the Grand Mercure Roxy - a little out of town but good for us as we were after a quieter area before hitting Bangkok
It was roughly AUD $120 a night - which was part of a sale
Not the cheapest on offer, but it was pretty good - the best feature was that from 6-8 there was free flow beer/wine and nibbles which could double as dinner.
And breakfast was included
We liked the location as it was near the sea as well
The place in KL was Sarang Mutiara - it was a condo but the owners also operate a guesthouse/hostel
The owners both spoke great English, Michael had a wicked sense of humour and they helped organise tours.
We are not shoppers, so I won't be terribly helpful there.
Based on people we met along the way though Thailand might be best if you can bargain hard and are not fussed if what you buy is not genuine
Grand mercure roxy and mayo inn are the 2 I'm trying to decide by. Glad you have said it was good I was wondering. It says it's only 4 or so Kms from the city centre.
Roxy is not worth the full price they ask - it was a bit dated but if yo get a good price you could do worse
Not sure about the 4 km - its not a quick trip into the city
They run shuttles to paya Lebar station one way but not back - but the local shopping centre 112 katong has a courtesy bus which is free
If you do narrow it down and it looks like you might stay there just pm me, I can try and get you the bus numbers you will need etc
A tad stuffed atm as it was just yesterday we arrived home -hopefully I am making sense
Yes ur making perfect sense and thanks for the advice :)
Well the catch with buying harddrives is that if they stuff up you'll have to mail them back to the store you bought them from for warranty purposes which is probably not worth the money you save. Chances are you could also be getting fakes if you don't know what you're doing, or the drives could be lower quality. and the bigger deal is the data loss if they stuff up. So you have to ask yourself, is it worth the risk?
iPad pricing is pretty similar around the world - if there was a saving because of the exchange rate, I wouldn't imagine it to be a huge amount - check the official Apple site for the countries you're visiting for prices.