15,000 HKD for two people to travel abroad! These 3 visa-free countries let you have a blast, with a precise expense breakdown included
Just got back from a visa-free country trip with my bestie. With a 15,000 HKD budget, the two of us enjoyed 8 days, including flights, hotels, food, and activities—all covered. We even bought a bunch of souvenirs! Here’s a “nanny-level guide” with taxi fares calculated for you, so you won’t get tricked when you travel~
🌴 Top pick: Malaysia (30-day visa-free! Best value for money)
💰 Expense details (total for two)
- Flights: Chongqing → Kuala Lumpur round trip 4,200 HKD (booked 2 months in advance during AirAsia promo, one-way including tax 600+ HKD)
- Hotels: Kuala Lumpur 3 nights in a homestay (2 bedrooms, 1 living room with kitchen) 1,200 HKD; Semporna 2 nights sea view room 1,600 HKD
- Transport: City taxis + Kuala Lumpur → Semporna flights 1,800 HKD (AirAsia to Tawau, then 40-minute taxi to Semporna)
- Food & activities: 4,000 HKD (includes 1-day island hopping tour + seafood feast)
- Total: 12,800 HKD (still have 2,200 HKD left for souvenirs!)
📍 Must-do itinerary (7 days 6 nights)
- Day 1-3 Kuala Lumpur
✅ Petronas Towers: Go to KLCC Park at 7 PM, the lights come on and the panoramic view is amazing! Don’t miss the “Jalan Alor grilled chicken wings” at the mall’s ground floor—crispy skin and tender meat
✅ Petaling Street: Go early at 9 AM to avoid crowds, try “Kim Lian Kee” fried kway teow with egg and chili, paired with barley water to cut the grease; buy dried meat from “Bee Cheng Hiang,” sample as much as you want before buying
✅ Batu Caves: Climb 272 colorful steps, wear shorts but bring a scarf to cover yourself (10 HKD rental at the entrance), the hilltop offers a panoramic view of Kuala Lumpur
- Day 4-6 Semporna
✅ Island hopping tour choosing “Mantanani + Timbun Mata” route (600 HKD for two): Snorkel and see turtles! Bring bread crumbs to feed the fish, they’ll surround you
✅ Kapalai water bungalow photo shoot: No need to stay! Rent a boat at the pier for 50 HKD to go take photos for half an hour, the water is so blue it looks filtered, the sunlight is softest at 3 PM
✅ Seafood market bargaining tips: Ask the price per kilo for the shrimp or crab you want, then say “half price, possible?” If not, pretend to leave, the seller will call you back
🍜 Food highlights
- Semporna “Tianxia Seafood Restaurant”: One green lobster for 80 HKD, baked with butter and super fragrant; tiger prawns sold by piece, cheaper than by weight
- Kuala Lumpur “No. 10 Alley”: Grandma’s curry puffs 3 HKD each, crispy to the point of crumbling; luo han guo longan tea must be served iced
🕌 Second choice: United Arab Emirates (30-day visa-free! Half desert, half sea)
💰 Expense details (total for two)
- Flights: Guangzhou → Dubai round trip 6,000 HKD (China Southern via Bangkok, luggage checked through, very convenient)
- Hotels: Dubai 3 nights 4-star hotel (breakfast included) 2,400 HKD; Abu Dhabi 2 nights homestay 1,200 HKD
- Transport: Metro + taxis 1,500 HKD (Dubai metro uses “Red Card,” take M1 line directly to Burj Khalifa)
- Activities: Desert safari + Burj Khalifa tickets 2,800 HKD
- Total: 13,900 HKD (within budget!)
📍 Must-do list
- Burj Khalifa: Buy tickets for 6:00-7:00 PM (600 HKD for two), watch sunset + night view, 124th floor observation deck is less crowded, 148th floor is too expensive and not worth it
- Burj Al Arab: No need to stay! Go to nearby Jumeirah Beach for panoramic photos, the sunlight is best at 4 PM for stunning shots
- Desert safari: Choose the BBQ package (500 HKD for two), thrilling dune bashing in a 4x4, bonfire party at night, and an Arab guy will teach you the head-shaking dance
- Abu Dhabi Mosque: Ladies wear long sleeves and long skirts (free black robe rental at entrance if you don’t bring one), don’t miss the golden doors and crystal chandeliers, least crowded at 10 AM
💡 Money-saving tips
- Don’t eat at trendy restaurants in Dubai Mall! The basement “Panda Restaurant” serves authentic Sichuan cuisine, mapo tofu only 30 HKD per serving
- Buy perfume at the “Spice Souk,” 50ml Dubai perfume costs 200 HKD but you can bargain down to 120 HKD, one spray lasts 3 days
🏰 Alternative: Serbia (90-day visa-free! Europe’s hidden gem)
💰 Expense details (total for two)
- Flights: Beijing → Belgrade round trip 7,000 HKD (Aeroflot via Moscow, luggage limit 23kg)
- Hotels: Belgrade 3 nights apartment 1,500 HKD; Novi Sad 2 nights homestay 1,000 HKD
- Transport: Intercity bus + city taxis 1,200 HKD (Belgrade → Novi Sad bus 2 hours, 20 HKD per person)
- Food & activities: 3,500 HKD (includes spa town tickets + specialty meals)
- Total: 14,200 HKD (kept within budget!)
📍 Hidden gems
- Belgrade Fortress: Go at dusk, sit on the riverside bench, watch the Danube sunset, locals feed swans with bread, super healing
- Novi Sad Freedom Square: Weekend flea market, find vintage postcards for 10 HKD; “EXIT Music Festival” venue (held in July) is great for photos with an abandoned factory vibe
- Zlatibor Mountains: Take the “wooden train” (80 HKD for two) through the forest, stops at small stations, buy a raspberry juice (5 HKD) to sip while walking
🍖 Must-try food
- “Three Hats Restaurant”: Grilled ribs for two 80 HKD, served with Serbian sour cream, rich and delicious
- Street stall “burek”: Cheese-filled freshly baked pies, 3 HKD each, best when fresh out of the oven
✈️ Pre-trip essentials (learned the hard way!)
1. Must bring water shoes for Semporna, Malaysia! The beach has many sharp stones, walking barefoot will hurt (my bestie got pricked)
2. Bring SPF50+ sunscreen for UAE! Desert UV rays will burn your skin, don’t forget arm sleeves and a sun hat
3. Serbia uses “European standard” plugs, buy a universal adapter in advance (20 HKD each, hotel rental costs 50 HKD)
4. All three countries accept Alipay! But small stalls only take cash, exchange 2,000 HKD into local currency to be safe
15,000 HKD for two people to travel abroad is really not hard! Malaysia is perfect for sea views and seafood, UAE is great for luxury experiences, and Serbia suits friends who love niche cultural spots~ Save this guide and go straight this summer!