Ive read some awful reviews on it when going to purchase it, ive borrowed it from the library and it seemed fairly comprehensive, but i just wondered if it was helpful in reality to planning your trip?x
Reply to this Hi abi,
I found it to be pretty useful during my 4 months in S.E Asia last summer, I would recommend it especially if you're visiting quite a few countries. There is definitely room for improvement though!
Nyla x
Reply to this Hello Abi 😊
I have the yellow one. I dont know if a new one came out since then. I have had it for 4 years now. I find it useful.
Mel
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I have a love hate relationship with Lonely Planet. They are useful but not reliable. Its good for maps and a few bits of information. The guesthouses, hostels, restaurants etc, that are all named in it, have put up their prices considerably since been mentioned in it. Add to this the length of time since the information was gathered and then published and it can be completely misleading. As well with SE Asia, places close down all the time.
In Vietnam if a hotel does well they open up more under the same name except call it 'Hotel 2' or 'Hotel 3'.
Its helpful for 'where to go next?' but that's about it. I'd still bring one with me though.
Reply to this Travelers coming from a destination or who have recently been to where you are going is the best guide you can have. Unfortunately they're not always reliable either, as in you might not meet one with the info you need.
Travelfish.org was my bible for SE Asia. It's named in the essential websites for SE Asia on this site.
Reply to this would there be another guide you'd use instead?x
You could consider the Rough Guide. How good any particular Rough Guide or Lonely Planet book is depends on the particular authors who wrote and updated them.
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