Preparing for the Raya Journey Back Home

By Michelle Brohier

It’s that time of the year again! After a full month of fasting, prayer and reflection; Raya will be upon us. This festive season will see a huge outflow of Malaysians from the city center to their various hometowns throughout Malaysia.

Undertaking the balik kampung journey can be a trying time if you are not prepared – both for your sanity and your wallet. But with a little pre-planning, you can definitely mitigate any untoward event. Depending on how you plan to get home this Raya season; check out our quick guide on planning a smooth and enjoyable trip.

Driving

It’s almost expected for the highways to be jam-packed during the festive season and there’s also the risk of car breakdowns and additional expenses but don’t let that put you off. Keep your mind at ease by taking the following measures.

Service your car before the trip

Before you can start driving, you need to get your car serviced. Yes, you will need to spend in this department but it’s a necessity and it’ll save you a lot of frustration and further spending required to fix your car in the event that it does break down. So rather than spend thousands of ringgit when your car does break down, better spend a few hundreds to get it serviced.

Depending on the car that you own, the cost may vary. But the basic rule of thumb goes this way; if the cost of your car is below RM50,000 mark, you can expect to pay around 0.8% to 1% of your car cost. If your car is above RM50,000, it would be about 0.6%.

So assuming you bought a car for around RM42,000, it could cost around RM336 to service your car. This number will also depend on the service centre you choose. Be sure to make appointments well in advance because you can bet you’re not the only one planning to be safe on the road this Balik Raya.

Avoid tyre troubles

Avoid tyre troubles by making sure you have a properly inflated spare tyre in your trunk in the event of a flat. Changing car tyres are easily done and you can save a tonne on calling your tow-truck or mechanic if you know how to do it yourself and have the equipment. On that note: it’s also important to have a jack and other tools necessary for tyre changing and other simple repairs.

Whilst doing so; don’t forget to properly inflate the ones you’re driving with as well! Inflating your tires is not only free, it can save you a lot more money. Properly inflated tyres means your car uses less petrol so you’ll save about 3.3% of petrol with well inflated tyres. Make sure you check the appropriate tire pressure for your car on the label in the door groove of the driver’s side door so you aren’t pumping too much or too little.

Plan your timing

It’s easy to think that traffic jams are to be expected with your balik kampung journey but it doesn’t have to be. After all, being caught in a traffic jam means you’ll be using up more petrol and that equals money. If possible, aim for a time to drive when there are fewer cars on the road. If you plan to go early in the morning, make sure you’re properly rested if you’re driving. There are highways with published schedules on the best times for people in different areas to drive, so look out for that and make sure you follow the timings if necessary!

Bus

To those of you taking the bus home, and have done so before, you would understand how legendary the packed bus stations can be during the balik kampung season. There are even people who would be lining up at the last minute to get their tickets only to have it all sold out. So it’s best to make your bookings as early as possible!

You can make your booking online either through the bus company of your choice or using comparison sites such as easibook. Here’s a simple table on the average prices for a one way ticket if you’re traveling up North (Penang) or to the East coast (Terengganu) to take note of if it’s your first time to buy a ticket.

Flight

It’s not common to hear of many people having to take a flight to Balik Raya, but that’s no excuse to forget those in East Malaysia. Timing to book your tickets here is key. If you weren’t lucky enough to get all those free seat promos or other airline promos, you’ll have to resort to the usual prices. Flying in days before Hari Raya may be a little more expensive but traveling on Hari Raya day itself may be cheaper.

Here’s a table with the list of one way tickets to Kuching with different airlines. Airlines like MAS and Malindo Air already includes the cost of checking in your baggage so despite how high their price may seem, those may be a better option if you’re bringing heavy baggage.

*Editor’s note: Prices are subject to change depending on the time you book and various other factors. The above prices are examples and should not be taken as accurate final prices of flights. Always get your official quote from your airline of choice. Prices correct as at 3pm, July 18 2014.

Balik in style

It may be nerve wrecking to ensure a smooth balik kampung, especially with so many things to plan and consider but don’t stress yourself too much. As long as you reach your destination safely you’re all good. Besides, the excitement of being with your whole family and the celebrations should be enough to keep you motivated to do what you can. Have a great Hari Raya and stay safe on the roads!

* Michelle Brohier is an Investigative Journalist of SaveMoney.my, an online consumer advice portal which aims to help Malaysians save money through smart (and most of the time painless) savings in their daily banking, technology, and lifestyle spending habits.