In Reply to: booking flight and accom separately posted by dwyera on Sunday, 22. February 2009 at 13:26 Bali Time:
We have recently returned from a holiday with 2 nights in Singapore, 9 nights in Bali and 3 nights in Kuala Lumpur in January 2009. I booked everything online, and booked all of my flights and accommodation separately. For 2 adults and one 8 year old child, including airfares, taxes and accommodation cost me around $1200 each (from Perth).
I originally booked flights to Singapore for around $500 return each including taxes. I then searched for flights from Singapore to Bali, and these cost us approximately $120 each. From Bali I booked to fly to KL, around another $80 each (all including taxes).
Once you are in Asia, it is very cheap to fly from one place to another, and there are always specials coming out.
While in Bali we stayed at Masa Inn, which for the family room (we had 4 adults and 1 child in the 2 connecting rooms) was 500 000rp or about $70/night. Other rooms range from 250 000 to 300 000 a night. Masa Inn is very good value for money, but there are many other places just as nice - or nicer - for a similar price.
I believe I got a much better deal booking everything myself rather than going through an agent, and we had no problems at all with any of our bookings.
As I can only travel on school holidays, (as well) the secret to booking an affordable holiday is to keep an eye out for airfare specials, and spend some time in the internet looking for accommodation.
I have just booked to fly to KL in January 2009, and for the 3 of us it cost just over $1000 with Airasia. Airasia were having specials, fly free - only pay taxes.
Once I had booked that fare, it was extremely cheap to fly to Bali, Phuket, Langkawi, etc.
Now I am on the lookout for some affordable accommodation during that time.
cheers