Sometimes (okay, maybe more often than not), we see Facebook or Instagram posts from friends and can't help but think to ourselves, "where do people get all their money from?"

We see them traveling to Europe for month-long graduation trips/honeymoons (made even more amazing by the fact that some haven't worked a day in their lives).

All right we admit, we're just jealous. But hey, if you or your parents don't have several grand to go on a much celebrated eurotrip, don't despair. Here are 5 alternatives that are just as (if not more) epic — and they're much more wallet-friendly:

1. Diving in the Riau Archipelago (Indonesia)

If the only places you have travelled to in Indonesia are Jakarta, Batam, Bali and Bintan, you arguably haven't seen anything yet. There's plenty more to do just south of Singapore in the Riau Archipelago, on and around the two lesser-known islands of Pulau Lingga and Pulau Singkep.

These very much inhabited islands are a little-known destination for diving. Untouched coral reefs still thrive here, while sunken ships from World War II are scattered underwater, waiting to be explored. Sheltered from the northeast monsoon, the waters are usually calm and conducive all year round for diving and snorkelling.

If you hate getting into the water, the good news is that you can spend your time pulling things out of it. Chartering a boat for fishing is another option and you might even spot the orang laut that frequent the area (yes, they are the same nomadic sea-people we read about in our Social Studies textbooks).

To get to the islands, catch a ferry from Singapore to Tanjung Pinang in Bintan, then another from Tanjung Pinang to either Lingga or Singkep. There are small boats that ply between Lingga and Singkep for a small fee. Because so few of the islands' inhabitants speak English, knowing Bahasa Indonesia is a definite plus. Overnight accommodation is available in the city, but don't expect bathtubs and buffet breakfasts.

Recommended duration: 2-3 days

What's the damage? $120 (ferry rides) + $60 (ground transport) + $60 (accommodation) +  $30 (meals) + $350 (diving) = $570

2. Traversing the Annapurna circuit (Nepal)

Tackle one of the world's highest hiking routes, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and the hardy creatures of the Himalayas. The circuit takes between 17 to 21 days to complete and is touted to be the world’s finest trail.

Flights from Singapore to Kathmandu operate several times a week, with prices starting as low as $450. And if you don’t live like a baller, you should be able to get by on around 1000 NR (approx $20) a day. While the trail can be attempted independently (if you are an experienced trekker or mountain-climber), we'd strongly encourage the not-as-gehkiang to go with a trekking company for an additional fee.

Recommended duration: 17-21 days

What's the damage? $450 (return flights) + $40 (permits) + $80 (ground transport) + $420 (food and accommodation) = $990

3. Cycling from Vietnam to Cambodia

There are guided tours for things like this, but in the age of GPS, Google Maps, and smartphones, why bother with that? (ALTHOUGH we should qualify that if you are completely hopeless at navigation or don’t know how to choose a bike suited for a long journey, perhaps it is indeed worth forking out a thousand bucks or so for a tour package.)

Start your trip in Hanoi and pedal your way down to Siem Reap. Pass emerald rice fields to the tranquil blue waters of Halong Bay and down to the ancient temples of Angkor Wat. You will make your way down through what used to be the French empire in Southeast Asia.

You can survive on as little as $20 a day if you want to (excluding bike rental). The locals are known to invite visitors into their homes to spend a night, so even if you fail to find accommodation of some sort, you can try relying on the kindness of strangers.

Recommended duration: 9-10 days

What's the damage? $300 (return flights) + $240 (bike rental) + $200 (daily expenses) = $740

Still have energy after 10 days of cycling? Continue your trip by… 

4. Taking the road to Mandalay (Myanmar)

In his famous poem, Mandalay, 19th century British poet (and also imperialist) Rudyard Kipling swooned over exotic Burmese girls and lamented that London paled in comparison to the British colony. We don’t know about the girls, but what we can tell you is that the magnificent golden temples of Myanmar are truly a sight to behold.

Mandalay is easily accessible by bus and train from Yangon, though we recommend taking the bus as it is faster and cheaper. Apart from Mandalay and the ancient city of Bagan, a visit to Inle Lake is also in order. The 22 km lake is a melting pot of numerous tribes. Many travellers opt for a dawn/dusk boat trip that provides numerous opportunities for your Instagram feed to explode with #nofilter #100happydays and #travelporn hashtags.

From Lake Inle, one can also embark on a 3-day, 50 km trek through to the hill village of Kalaw which will set you back a mere $60 (including meals and accommodation). Don’t worry, apart from the porters that will carry your luggage, there are guesthouses along the way, so you won’t need to rough it out in a tent. 

Recommended duration: 5-6  days

What's the damage? $180 (return flights) + $90 (bus rides) + $60 (food and accommodation in Mandalay) + $30 (Inle Lake boat ride) + $60 (3-day Kalaw trek) = $420

5. Traveling to Europe over land, because flying is too mainstream

We’ve saved the best and most expensive for last.

For a journey of a lifetime (that also makes for an epic bar story), try travelling to Europe by land.

By land, you ask?

Yes, it is possible. Start your journey by going across the causeway to Malaysia. From there, take the KTM to Thailand. A series of train rides will bring you up north to Beijing. From the Chinese capital, catch the Trans-Siberian Railway, which takes you to Moscow. From there, Western Europe is very much within reach.

Your itinerary should look something like this (prices are approximate, and assuming you travel 2nd class):

Singapore to Johor (no more than $4)

Johor to Penang ($22)

Penang to Hat Yai ($12)

Hat Yai to Bangkok ($30)

Bangkok to Vientiane (Laos) ($30)

Vientiane to Hanoi (Bus) ($37)

Hanoi to Nanning (China) ($43)

Nanning to Kunming ($40)

Kunming to Beijing ($109)

Beijing to Moscow via Mongolia ($1,000)

Moscow to Paris (fares vary, book earlier for best prices)

Paris to London (fares vary, book earlier for best prices)

London to Singapore (We recommend flying back home at this point, but feel free to take the train back.)

How much to bring, you ask? Well, approximately $1,400 up till Moscow. Not a bad deal at all given that you will be visiting numerous countries along the way. And as flights from London back to Singapore cost about $800, we recommend you set aside at least $2,200 for travel expenses, just to be safe.

Alternatively, if you’re not a big fan of vodka and ushankas, you can end your journey in Beijing. It will save you a ton of money.

Do note that while train/bus tickets are considerably cheaper than flights, travelling overland takes much longer than flying. If it’s any consolation, you’ll probably be able to get a seat on these trains, unlike your daily commute.

Hurhur.

For more detailed information on train travel, the messy but informative Seat 61 is a good resource.

Happy planning!

*All cost breakdowns are represented in Singapore Dollars.

Top photo from JSC Russian Railways.

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