Thursday 30 October 2014

TripAdvisor reveals the most affordable island destinations in SE Asia in TripIndex Island Sun

Gili Trawangan offers the best value for Singaporean travellers this year when it comes to an island getaway, according to a cost comparison report released today by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site.

The results are taken from the second annual TripIndex Island Sun report, which compares the cost of a day out and an overnight stay for two in sixteen popular island destinations across Southeast Asia. The study takes into account the combined costs for two people to enjoy a one night stay in a four-star hotel, a two-course meal with coconut juice, beers, a massage as well as rental of bicycles and kayaks.

The most affordable island for a day out and an overnight stay for Singapore travellers is Gili Trawangan in Indonesia, with a total TripIndex cost of S$283.42. At the other end of the spectrum, a trip to Sentosa will cost three times more at S$1,005.53.

“TripIndex Island Sun gives travellers an overview of where their money will stretch the furthest as they plan their upcoming end-of-year holiday getaway. This year’s results show that despite their popularity, Indonesia and Thailand are still home to some of the most affordable island getaways in Southeast Asia with Gili Trawangan, Bali and Koh Samui topping the list,” commented Jean Ow-Yeong, TripAdvisor spokesperson.

“Travellers who still want to visit the more expensive islands can still find ways to reduce the cost of the trip by visitingTripAdvisor destination pages where they can search for hotels and restaurants more in-line with their budget,” she continued.

Indonesia Dominates with Most Affordable Islands

This year’s results show that travellers heading to islands in Indonesia can expect to save the most, with Gili Trawangan (#1), Bali (#2) and Lombok (#4) ranking amongst the top five most affordable islands at combined TripIndex costs of S$283.42, S$326.74 and S$350.78 respectively.

Gili Trawangan and Bali were also recognised amongst the top ten islands in Asia, ranking fifth and second in the 2014Travellers’ Choice Islands Awards respectively.

Other Islands More Affordable but Sentosa Home to World-Class Attractions

With the highest total TripIndex cost, Sentosa also recorded the biggest costs for meals, drinks, bicycle rental and massage for two. However, the island is home to a diverse selection of themed attractions and leisure experiences that appeal to guests with different interests and of any age group, including Singapore’s first integrated resort, Resorts World Sentosa, which operates South East Asia’s first Universal Studios theme park, S.E.A. Aquarium, Maritime Experiential Museum and the Adventure Cove Waterpark.

Universal Studios Singapore and S.E.A. Aquarium were also awarded the 2014 Travellers’ Choice Attractions Awards, placing first and seventh in Asia in the Amusement Parks and Aquariums categories respectively. Sentosa also provides free transportation within the island with the Sentosa Bus, Sentosa Express, and Beach Trams.

Hotels hike up costs but rental of bicycle and snorkel gear cause of biggest disparity

Sentosa Island
Hotels are the most expensive item in the TripIndex basket of items, making up approximately half of the total cost for most islands. The most affordable stay in a 4-star hotel room is in Penang in Malaysia costing travellers S$154.48, while the most expensive, at more than three times the price, is in Palawan at S$533.90. However, Palawan is also home to the most affordable meals, drinks and massage for two, with a meal for two costing S$23.55, drinks for two $2.85 and massage for two at a spa in a four-star hotel S$47.50.

TripIndex Island Sun (prices in SGD):
From most to least affordable

Island
Hotel for two
Meal  for two
(with coconuts)
Beer for two
Bicycle rental for two
Massage for two
Kayak rental for two
TOTAL
Gili Trawangan
 (Indonesia)
$161.57
$34.49
$7.77
$12.35
$55.60
$11.65
$283.42
Bali
(Indonesia)
$210.67
$32.19
$7.48
$5.29
$59.44
$11.65
$326.74
Koh Samui
(Thailand)
$196.75
$30.41
$7.08
$11.80
$78.65
$23.59
$348.28
Lombok
(Indonesia)
$192.08
$35.30
$7.27
$10.94
$94.60
$10.59
$350.78
Cebu
(Philippines)
$178.37
$25.26
$3.59
$42.77
$121.62
$23.78
$395.39
Phuket
(Thailand)
$227.67
$28.58
$4.98
$11.80
$117.97
$15.73
$406.73
Phu Quoc
(Vietnam)
$306.41
$34.14
$4.38
$5.98
$50.67
$25.32
$426.89
Boracay
(Philippines)
$218.60
$42.08
$4.45
$48.47
$93.11
$20.93
$427.64
Penang
(Malaysia)
$154.48
$67.95
$13.93
$43.35
$161.54
$20.95
$462.19
Koh Phi Phi Don
(Thailand)
$355.00
$24.59
$6.25
$9.44
$95.03
$19.66
$509.98
Pulau Redang
(Malaysia)
$194.53
$63.40
$17.83
$39.05
$198.51
$44.00
$557.32
Pulau Tioman
(Malaysia)
$264.71
$56.23
$10.93
$54.67
$162.45
$38.27
$587.28
Langkawi
(Malaysia)
$276.15
$71.40
$11.85
$54.67
$178.33
$27.34
$619.74
Palawan
(Philippines)
$533.90
$23.55
$2.85
$26.63
$47.50
$17.11
$651.53
Bintan
(Indonesia)
$305.95
$92.94
$26.19
$79.42
$150.80
$39.39
$694.70
Sentosa
(Singapore)
$431.86
$100.67
$26.67
$90.00
$315.33
$41.00
$1,005.53

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