Why do most Irish people travel to SE Asia instead of South America on the way to Oz?

Pisco Sour

Nearly everybody I talk to from Ireland who heads to Australia travels through South East Asia on their way down there, and very few seem to do South America. Why is this? Is it completely down to the place being cheaper or are there other reasons?

I went to South America on the way down to Oz and it was incredible. I just cant understand why less people go there.

Civilian_Target

It's more expensive to go that way.

Any single male I know who went there was solely motivated to shag the brassers for tiny sums of money. Most of them deny they are brassers though, they just like western men and the money you pay is to get them out of their shift in the bar :rolleyes:

6ix

Have any of those people left Oz yet?

A lot of people I know have gone via SE Asia and travelled in South America on their way home. That's what I plan to do myself over the next couple of years.

Asia is cheaper though by all accounts, so perhaps if they're choosing one, that's the deciding factor.

whatsyourquota

Most flights will go through Asia to get to Oz much much cheaper that way.
And of course south east asia itself is cheaper and has the defined backpacking route of singapore, malaysia, thailand , laos, cambodia and Vietnam.
Im sure the full moon party influences a few people too

dory

People see SA as a big more work. Long buses and all that. Plus, they hear about SEA more often so that puts the idea in their head. And, as much as people may love the landscape of SA, many just want to go to Asia's Playa Del Ingles for some drunken shenanigans on their way to Oz.
And the flights in that direction are cheaper.

tower08

my friends and I were goin to do south america on the way to oz but decided we'd do it at a later stage, decided instead to fly to san fran and going to the burning man festival from there and then were flying san fran to fiji and on to sydney. should be good!! something different anyway and we'll probably hit aisa whenever we decide to head home, would prefer to do south america but aisas just seems to be more convinient on the way home

filthymcnasty

As said above its wayyy cheaper to go via SE Asia- to go through Sth America involves at least 2 x 12 hr flights IRL/Europe to Rio/BA or somewhere similar and then another from BA/Santiago onto Oz or NZ.

Its all good , my two cents both directions are great and if you can experience either you are doing well, never mind the travel snobs.

Pisco Sour

tower08 wrote: »

would prefer to do south america but aisas just seems to be more convinient on the way home

If you would prefer to do South America then do South America. Dont see the point in picking places based on convenience. Its not too much more expensive anyway. I got one way flights to Oz (Dublin-London-Rio, Santiago-Auckland, Auckland-Melbourne) for around 1200 euro, while to go the Asia route one way would be about 900 euro. Its not a huge difference in the grand scheme of things, and South America is cheap to travel aswell (not as cheap as SE Asia of course). Yes theres long buses involved but they buses are absolute luxury.

Up-n-atom!

I'm one of those who chose SEA over South America en route to Aus/NZ. There were a few factors invovled (price, meeting friends there, feeling that Asia would be a bigger culture shock etc) and in an ideal world I would've went home through SA (I didn't have enough time or money in the end). I've decided I want to do South America again on its own for a really long trip, think it's a better place to go when you're a bit older (vs SEA), while SEA is probably better when you're in your 20s and looking to party with the tubing and Full Moon Parties and all.

Pisco Sour

Up-n-atom! wrote: »

SEA is probably better when you're in your 20s and looking to party.

Ever heard of Carnival?

dory

04072511 wrote: »

Ever heard of Carnival?

Again, soooo expensive. Full moon party is far more affordable that accommodation/drink at Carnival.

Up-n-atom!

04072511 wrote: »

Ever heard of Carnival?

Of course there's partying to be had in South America (other than carnival season too I might add) but I reckon overall the scene on the well-beaten track in SEA is a wee bit younger than in SA. As Dory said, SEA probably is cheaper, is more focused on the whole 'just get off your face' partying than any culture involved. Plus, I think SEA covers a smaller area and seems a bit more digestible than SA. Not to mention that Asia is closer too!

Daisies

I travelled SA on my way to Oz and I can honestly say it was the best decision I made. Would go back in a heartbeat. Met lots of Aussies who are now friends here!

Hope to travel SEA on my way home but I do feel I'll be old in comparison to everyone else!