That RM199 Hotel Room Looks Tempting, But Have You Budgeted for the Whole Trip?

It’s payday, you’ve survived another month of work, and with a long weekend coming up, that RM199 hotel room suddenly looks like a perfectly reasonable reward for being a functioning adult.

A weekend away from emails and deadlines? Yes, please! But before you start packing your bags, here’s a little reminder: the room might be RM199, but your holiday probably won’t be.

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RM199 for the room. But who’s paying for everything else?

Imagine booking a one-night getaway with a friend. The room is RM199, and splitting it makes the deal even sweeter.

Then reality joins the group chat.

Petrol, tolls, parking, meals and that café you simply have to visit because everyone’s posting about it.

Here’s how a hypothetical weekend could add up:

That’s RM499 in total, or about RM250 each if you’re splitting everything equally. The additional RM300 covers separate travel and leisure expenses, not hotel charges.

For context, Tourism Malaysia’s Paid Accommodation Survey reported a nationwide average room rate of RM238 in 2025. Actual rates, of course, vary by location and travel dates.

It’s always the little things, isn’t it?

You budget for the hotel, but somehow forget the snacks at the petrol station, the extra coffee stops and the souvenirs for people who didn’t even come along.

And if you’re flying? Don’t forget baggage, airport transfers and getting around your destination.

Even a longer road trip shows how spending extends beyond accommodation. Malaysian traveller Hazwan Hafiz, previously featured by WORLD OF BUZZ, reported spending RM2,496 on a 12-day trip around Peninsular Malaysia with his parents, including RM410 on petrol, RM1,163 on accommodation and RM923 on food and drinks.

Different trip, same lesson: there’s more to budget for than just a place to sleep.

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Before you book, do this quick wallet check

No need to cancel your holiday and spend the long weekend staring at your ceiling. Just check these five things:

• Transport: Petrol, tolls, parking, flights or transfers.
• Accommodation: Applicable taxes, local fees and any refundable deposit.
• Getting around: Ride-hailing, public transport or car rental.
• Food and fun: Meals, attractions and spontaneous café stops.
• Extra spending: Snacks, souvenirs and a little money for surprises.

Add everything up, split the shared expenses fairly and see whether the total still works for you.

If it does, book that getaway and enjoy yourself! If not, perhaps somewhere closer or a shorter trip will do the trick.

After all, there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself after payday.

Just make sure your bank account gets to enjoy the long weekend too.

What’s the one expense you always forget to budget for when travelling?

Also read: M’sian Traveller Shares How He Spent Just RM800 on a 3-Day Trip to Hat Yai, Thailand