Suitcaser or Backpacker? No..no.. I prefer Flashpacker (my version off course)..

 

My Version of Flashpacker…

According to Cambridge Dictionory, Flashpacker is “someone who travels to different places on holiday in a similar way to a backpacker, but has more money to spend on hotels, meals, transport, etc“.

Not so far from that definition, my version of flashpack is also prioritizing the comfort of both residence and transportation but with budget as minimum as backpacker spent it. But how is that?

 The key is in preparation. First thing I usually do before doing flashpackering is determine when I want to travel to that location. Then check it if it at peak season or not (you will spend more cheaply at non- peak season time). After choosing my destination and date estimation,

Step 2 – I will hunt the flight/train/bus/etc. ticket for that destination. And as you know, direct flight is usually pricier than transit flight, but also more convenient in travel time. That’s why I usually try to get promotion for direct flight or if it must use transit flight, I search for the most suits for my itinerary, so I don’t waste my time on the way to the location and have enough rest before start explore the destination. Tips from me: don’t start your hunt too close to the flight date and use help from internet such as skyscanner to make comparison and choose the most suitable way to you.

After I have the ticket and the exact travel date, I would start arranging my itinerary. I will do browsing what destination I want to go to, how to go there, whit what and how to… including the transportation availability option. All this help me when I start search for the accommodation. Calculating the distance from places I want to go on the destination and decide if I do need move from one accommodation to others. Tips from me: If you go to the places that already have good public transportation, you can choose the accommodation near the MRT/LRT/BTS/Bus station. If you search at any travel platform, choose hostel or non-star hotel is ok as long is a nice place, safe, and enough privacy to your likely (dormitory, bunk bad, share bathroom, private bathroom, mix room, etc). Don’t forget to see the picture of the property and see the satisfaction score from some newest visitor to check if the advertising descriptions are true.

Then next step is to book the accommodation.

For me, I usually do all that steps above in 2 to 8 weeks before the departure day. And I use my credit card (cc) or bank transfer to purchase them. And at the D Day, I already have my cc free to use as back up at the destination, and I also could bring enough cash to spend there because the transportation and the accommodation already paid in advance. For the itinerary, I arrange it parallel and non-binding schedule with much alternative choice, depending on my ability to be able to visit several places in one day.

If I can fulfill all my itinerary on that destination this time... that mean I still need to come back their next time 😋