The Best Budget Trip for Chinese New Year

This year Chinese New Year vacation is expected to be from February 13^th to 21^st. It’s already a bit late to buy tickets, and many flights are already sold out, but there are still some good deals to be had.

Since Thailand and the Philippines are both relatively cheap countries with postcard beaches and vibrant cultures, and are usually cheaper to fly to than other Asian countries, they’ve become favorites among expats in Taiwan and are your best bet for an economical Chinese New Year Vacation.

With this in mind, this morning I compared prices from three popular budget airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, Asia Air, and Eva Air, for Chinese New Year tickets from Taipei to Bangkok and Manila.

First, I ran into a problem. Eva Air had no tickets flying to Bangkok on Saturday, February 14^th. They were sold out. So, the prices I’ve listed for Bangkok are for flights flying out on the 15^th and returning on the 21^st.

BANGKOK
Airline	Travel Dates	Price
Eva Air	02/14 – 02/21	NT$16,961 -18,961 (depending on flight times)
Air Asia	02/14 – 02/21	NT$19,120
Cebu Pacific	02/14 – 02/21	(no flights available)

MANILA
Airline	Travel Dates	Price
Eva Air	02/14 – 02/21	NT$15,266 – 16,266 (depending on flight times)
Air Asia	02/14 – 02/21	(no flights available)
Cebu Pacific	02/14 – 02/21	NT$11,544

The cheapest airline tickets to a cheap and beautiful destination are from Cebu Pacific Air from Taipei to Manila by a significant margin. So, Manila will definitely be your best bet if you want to fly somewhere in Asia, but you should be prepared to purchase ferry tickets or a flight to another island because Manila is not the kind of place most people enjoy spending their vacations. Of course you will have the same issue if you fly to Bangkok, Phenom Penh, or any other major Asian city.

About the Author, Matt Gibson

Matt Gibson is a the owner of Matt-Gibson.org, a blogger for the Huffington Post, a columnist for Transitions Abroad, and a freelance writer and photographer everywhere.

7 Comments

Beatdom

24 Nov 2009 03:11 am

I better get my tickets booked.
derek murphy

06 Jan 2010 03:01 am

great info – thanks
Elizabeth Taylor

23 May 2010 12:05 pm

i always prefer to travel using those budget Airline travel, they seem to have some good service too.”`:
- Matt Gibson
  
  28 May 2010 12:05 am
  
  Well, I won't comment on the service or comfort. But they are nice and cheap, just the way I like 'em.
Thomas

03 Jun 2010 11:06 pm

Thanks for the tips but I have to disagree with your last statement. You cannot compare Manila to Phenom Penh or Bangkok. I have spent quite a bit of time in the capital cities of Cambodia and Thailand and I loved them. Manila, on the other hand, is a different story.

If you fly there, try to get out as soon as possible!!!
- Matt Gibson
  
  08 Jun 2010 04:06 am
  
  I stand corrected. You are absolutely right. Bangkok and Phenom Penh are very different from Manila.
  
  Myself, though, not being a city person, feel the need to flee whenever I land in a large metropolis :-)
Calcium Ascorbate

04 Dec 2010 02:12 am

i am afraid of travelling by plane by i might just get an airline travel when i go to europe this month ~;’