Redpoint Destinations

Asia

Traveling to Asia: What to Know Before You Go

Essential Information for Travelers to Asia

With 48 countries, Asia is the biggest continent on earth, covering one-third of the world's land area. Its landscapes span everything from Siberia's arctic north to the tropics in the south. For that reason, the possibilities for adventure travelers in Asia are limitless, and the continent has seen a huge growth in popularity over the last decade from long-term travelers, remote workers, and experience-first explorers who want to visit multiple countries on a single trip.

Asia is a great region for travelers who want a budget-friendly trip that packs in a huge amount of adventure. But with all that exploration, there is some risk. Language barriers can be a challenge in Asia, and healthcare quality can be inconsistent across the continent. If you're traveling to multiple countries, including some remote or rural regions, you definitely need a comprehensive travel insurance policy that protects you against things like flight delays, medical emergencies, and lost luggage. Read on to find out more about what you need to keep in mind when purchasing travel insurance for Asia and how to get pan-Asia travel insurance that's designed for flexible, multi-country trips.

Health & Safety in Asia

Medical Care and Hospitals

The quality of healthcare services will vary greatly in Asia. Major cities like Bangkok, Singapore, and Tokyo have modern, internationally accredited hospitals with English-speaking staff. However, rural areas may lack reliable care or trauma services. For minor issues, private clinics are often faster and more accessible than large public hospitals. However, no matter how you access care, it’s likely that you will need to pay for your treatment up front. Emergency medical expenses can quickly add up, which is why having comprehensive travel insurance with emergency medical and evacuation coverage is so important.

Finding English-speaking clinicians in some areas may be challenging. If you need help finding care, you can contact Redpoint’s 24/7 helpline or the U.S. embassy or consulate located nearest to your location. In addition, if you visit any remote or underdeveloped parts of Asia and have a medical emergency while there, you may require emergency evacuation. This will help you access the urgent care you need in a more advanced private facility. However, these evacuations are not free and can be extremely expensive. This is why emergency evacuation coverage is also essential for your trip to Asia.

Health Risks and Vaccinations

Most countries in Asia do not require vaccines for entry, unless you are arriving from a country with a high degree of yellow fever risk. However, if you’re traveling to multiple countries during your Asia trip, it’s wise to be cautious and get fully vaccinated against potential risks in the region. The CDC recommends that, in addition to being up to date on all routine vaccinations, U.S. travelers who are traveling to certain regions in Asia must also be vaccinated for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, cholera, Japanese encephalitis, and measles, which is on the rise worldwide. For the risk profiles of each country, you can visit the CDC’s country specific pages. The CDC also recommends making an appointment with your healthcare provider up to six weeks before departure, as some vaccines take a while to take effect.

Asia is also home to several mosquito-borne illnesses, which vary by region, season, and elevation. Malaria, dengue, Zika, Japanese encephalitis, and chikungunya are present in various countries at certain times of year. In addition to taking reasonable precautions to prevent insect bites, the CDC suggests taking other preventative measures (vaccine or preventative anti-malarial medication) if you’re going to spend large amounts of time in affected regions. Speak to your healthcare provider before you leave to understand the risks.

Food and water-borne illnesses are also prevalent in Asia and travelers can experience gastrointestinal illness from consuming contaminated food and water. To avoid this, stick to bottled water, especially in rural areas, peel any raw fruit and vegetables you consume, avoid ice, and try to eat food that’s properly cooked from trusted vendors. It’s also wise to carry a basic medical kit with common over-the-counter medication, as well as spare prescription medication or copies of your prescriptions. This is especially true if you will be visiting or hiking in remote areas.

Insurance Benefits & Coverage for a Trip to Asia

What does travel insurance Asia cover?

When considering travel insurance coverage for your trip to Asia, you will want to make sure your travel insurance policy covers all the areas below so that you’ll be prepared, no matter what happens during your trip.

Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance:

Unexpected trip cancellation insurance reimburses your non-refundable trip expenses if your trip to Asia is canceled or cut short due to a covered reason, like illness, severe weather, family emergencies, or certain government advisories. Traveling across borders and to multiple countries in Asia can come with unexpected disruptions and cancellations — and not to mention extreme weather incidents — so it’s wise for your trip to be covered in case you have to cancel or delay your travel due to unforeseeable events.

Travel medical insurance:

Travel health insurance covers unexpected medical expenses incurred for any injuries or illnesses that happen during your trip. Medical care varies across Asia, from state-of-the-art facilities to small rural clinics. However, no matter where you receive care, you’ll probably need to pay for emergency medical expenses up front. That’s why it’s so important to have travel medical insurance so you can recoup these costs. In addition, if you have pre-existing medical conditions, don’t forget to apply for a waiver when you purchase your policy.

Emergency medical evacuation insurance:

Emergency evacuation coverage reimburses you for transportation to the nearest medical facility or back to the U.S. in extreme or emergency situations. Asia has countless adventure travel opportunities, but medical facilities in remote regions of the continent can be very basic and lack trauma care. If you need urgent care in one of these settings, you may need to be evacuated to a more advanced medical facility in the same country or somewhere else on the continent. These flights can be extremely costly, so it’s vital to have this coverage as part of your travel insurance.

Lost luggage and personal belongings insurance:

Baggage coverage is a benefit that covers loss, theft, or damage to your belongings should they go missing during your trip to Asia, thanks to petty theft or airline error. Petty crime can be common in tourist areas throughout Asia, so it’s definitely worth having this coverage.

Trip delay insurance:

Trip delay insurance compensates for additional expenses if your travel is delayed before it starts or during any connections or transfers.

Optional add-ons:

There are several additional policy benefits you can add to your travel insurance, depending on the nature of your trip. These include cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage, if you think you may need to cancel for a reason not covered by the typical cancellation policy; extra protection for specialist or expensive gear; adventure sports travel insurance if you plan to do any extreme or dangerous activities; and car rental protection.

Choosing the Right Plan

Ripcord has a variety of plans suited for different trips to Asia. For travelers seeking adventurous activities like surfing in Bali or Himalayan treks in India, Ripcord is an extensive plan with high coverage limits and enhanced coverage, such as emergency evacuation and repatriation, perfect for trips to remote or rural destinations. Cavalry is suited for urban or business travelers who are seeking luxury and cultural experiences while staying in some of Asia’s five-star resorts or world-class cities like Singapore, Tokyo, and Shanghai. Meanwhile, Harbor offers robust coverage to the budget-minded leisure traveler who may be backpacking through the continent on a shoestring. You can compare all of Redpoint’s comprehensive plans and figure out which one might be right for your trip here.

Entry Requirements & Practical Information

Entry and Visa Requirements

Countries in Asia will have different visa rules for visitors, however, many popular countries including Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam offer visa-free entry or visa on arrival for short tourism-related stays, making it easy for Americans to visit. China is a notable exception, which does require visitors to obtain a tourist visa prior to arrival. Be sure you check the entry requirements of your next destination before you arrive by checking the country’s embassy website. In addition, if you’re backpacking or remote working and plan to stay in countries for longer periods of time, be sure not to overstay the period of time you were granted at entry to the country. Even just a couple of days extra can result in serious fines or legal trouble.

What To Do in an Emergency

If you have an emergency, passport issue, or legal problem while you’re traveling in Asia, you should contact the nearest embassy or consulate office where you are located. The U.S. State Department has a country-by-country list of these locations on its website. Make sure you visit a location that provides the service you need, as not every embassy or consulate provides passport services or general assistance to the pubic.

In addition, it’s wise to sign up for the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which is a free service that will send you updates and notifications for Americans abroad. It can help you keep track of any threats or conflicts developing in the regions you’re traveling in, or if the U.S. State Department issues any travel advisories for countries in Asia.

In addition, Redpoint offers 24/7 support on its helpline to travelers who have an emergency or need assistance. If you are having trouble locating help locally, Redpoint’s associates can help connect you to the help you need on the ground.

Popular Activities and Adventure Travel in Asia

Asia is a massive continent known for its adventure travel opportunities. If surfing amazing breaks is your passion, head to Bali or Sri Lanka for world-class waves. If you want to take your scuba diving to the next level, visit the incredible reefs of Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. And there’s no better way to cover lots of ground in the region than motorbike touring through Vietnam, Laos, or India. Or, if you prefer to take things slow overland, you can trek through the Himalayas, the Great Wall of China, climb Mount Fuji, or cross India’s majestic Thar desert. Wherever you go, you need to make sure you have adventure travel insurance that covers what you choose to do while you’re in Asia. These activities come with higher risks, and many of them take place in less developed parts of the continent, so coverage for emergency medical expenses and emergency evacuation is a must.

FAQs for Asia Travel Insurance

Is insurance required to visit Asia?

Travel insurance is not mandatory to enter most countries in Asia, but it is always a risk to embark on overseas travel without trip protection. Should anything go wrong during the course of your trip, such as a serious medical emergency or disrupted itinerary, your out-of-pocket costs can easily reach into the tens of thousands, exceeding the price of a travel insurance policy.

Can one plan cover multiple countries in Asia?

Yes. Redpoint’s coverage follows you across borders, so if you're a long-term traveler or digital nomad who plans to visit multiple countries during your trip, you don't have to worry about switching insurance plans.

What if I’m motorbiking or scuba diving?

These activities can be covered depending on your insurance policy. If you choose Ripcord or a plan with adventure sports coverage, then you'll be covered if you have a medical emergency or require a search and rescue effort while doing these activities.

Will one plan work if I get sick in one country and need treatment in another?

Yes — Redpoint's evacuation and repatriation coverage are region-agnostic, meaning as long as you stick to countries that are covered by your plan, it doesn't matter where you receive treatment.

What if I’m working remotely while traveling?

If you're working remotely and plan to be away from home for an extended yet undetermined period, then you should look for plans that offer longer coverage windows and evacuation flexibility. Also, make sure that you don't plan to visit any countries that are excluded by your policy.

How much does travel insurance cost?

Travel insurance premiums are priced based on a range of factors including trip duration, cost, age, and activities. Most of Redpoint's insurance plans range from 6% to 15% of total trip costs. You can also opt to buy an annual multi-trip policy if you are planning multiple trips in the year.

Protect your trip with Redpoint travel insurance

Protecting yourself on your trip to Asia requires comprehensive travel insurance, and Redpoint Travel Protection has a global reputation for providing high-quality policies to fit every traveler. It also offers 24/7 support — even if you’re traveling to Asia’s most underdeveloped regions — to give travelers peace of mind and help them enjoy their trips. Explore Redpoint’s policies here, which can support backcountry adventurers and city hoppers alike