Frequently Asked Questions
About Your Trip
How much do you spend on food in SE Asia?
On average, a lunch should cost no more than £3 and dinner up to £10 including drinks. The standard and quality of the restaurants is very good while still retaining a traditional ambience. In the more remote locations, it's amazing how the local people can prepare such delicious meals!
Diane Knight - Sales
What's the standard of accommodation like in SE Asia?
The hotels are of a very good standard, roughly comparable to a 2/3 star standard with air conditioning, spacious rooms and centrally located. Because certain areas have only opened up to tourism relatively recently, in the past 15 years or so, most of the hotels are newly built but in a traditional style. More remote areas can also have slightly more basic facilitiers, but these are usually more than compensated for by the location.
Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations
Are the visas easy to get for this trip?
All visas except (Vietnam) are easy to get upon arrival. Check in the trip notes for the latest costs and the leader will be on hand to advise as well. If travelling to Laos or Cambodia, the leader will advise you when crossing but just have some US$ ready and make sure you have some pages free in your passport! For details on Vietnamese visas, please see the question regarding this below.
Other passport holders should check with their nearest embassy.
Aurelija Selvestraviciute - SE Asia Operations
What vaccinations do you advise for South East Asia?
Unfortunately we are not qualified to answer all your questions in regards to travel health, so we strongly recommend you contact your GP or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information.
Nomad Travel Clinics are experts in preparing people for travel, providing advice on vaccinations, anti-malarial and staying healthy whilst overseas. We have arranged a special 10% discount for Exodus passengers on any vaccinations that you may require! Take along your Nomad discount card, sent with your confirmation pack, or call Exodus for your special discount code.
Visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/exodus for further information.
For additional information please visit: www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
Charlotte Taylor - Customer Operations
Thais like their food spicy, but in most resturants they will assume that farang (foreigners) won't want their food quite as spicy and you'll be asked if you want it "Thai style" or not. Vegetarians who don't eat fish may find it difficult to avoid fish oil, as this is used in the vast majority of Thai food. Ask your tour leader to ask that this not be used in cooking, even if you are ordering a vegetarian meal. Street food is wide ranging, cheap and generally of excellent quality. If a vendor is busy, it's generally a sign of the food being good. Som Tum (spicy green papaya salad) is one dish I highly recommend. Grilled chicken (gai) with sticky rice is another. If you fancy a drink, Heineken, Singha and Chang are all available widely and will cost from 60 to 120 baht, depending on where you are. All three are brewed in Thailand.
Kai Aylward - Sales
How should I take my money to SE Asia?
With regards to money, it is easy to change cash or travellers cheques in most of the major cities and towns in South East Asia. ATMs are available everywhere (to give you some idea, there is a gloabally connected ATM at every 711, and there are two 711s for every one bus stop in Bangkok alone). However, there is now a flat fee added for every withdrawal made from an international bank account at ATMs (in addition to any fees charged by your own bank) so it's advisable to only make large cash withdrawals rather than taking out small sums as you go.
Kai Aylward - Sales
Cambodia Specific Questions
Staff member Imran Arshad travelled to Cambodia and you can read his article here to get a personal viewpoint of the country and its highlights.
Cambodia country guide (including plugs!)
Please visit the Exodus Travel Guide to Cambodia where you can find out what plugs they use, as well as more detailed Country information in the menu on the left of the page.
Thailand Specific Questions
Thailand Country Guide (including plugs!)
Please visit the Exodus Travel Guide to Thailand where you can find out what plugs they use, as well as more detailed Country information in the menu on the left of the page.
Vietnam Specific Questions
Staff member Imran Arshad, recently travelled to Vietnam, and you can read his article here to get a personal viewpoint of the area.
Can I get a Vietnamese visa on arrival?
No, it must be gotten in advance. We suggest applying for the visa at least six weeks before departure. It is normally valid for 30 days and will ask for your entry and exit days. You can add the exact dates or, because you can use the whole 30 days, you can put the start date down as a week before you're due to get there and extend it for 30 days beyond that. This way you are covered in case there is any changes to your plans. Either way is fine.
Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations
Vietnam country guide (including plugs!)
Please visit the Exodus Travel Guide to Vietnam where you can find out what plugs they use, as well as more detailed Country information in the menu on the left of the page.
Like a lot of South East Asia, Vietnam meals consist mainly of rice, vegetables and frilled or stir fried meat. The staple dish is Pho, which is a noodle broth with veg and meat. You can buy it off many small roadside stalls very cheaply, as well as the more established restuarants you will be visiting during the trip. Due to the French colonial influence, another item you shouldn't miss is the fresh baguettes, filled with cheese, pate or meat, again available from small stalls in most towns.
Brendan Phelan - Customer Operations
Not Found What You're Looking For?
Exodus staff - expertise on hand to help
All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!


