Indonesia Unites Thailand, Malaysia, and Philippines with New Year Deals– Are You Ready for the Ultimate Holiday Rush?

Published on December 9, 2025

The dawn of 2025 brings a surge of travel incentives across Southeast Asia as governments and national carriers roll out official New Year promotions. These programmes aim to revitalise tourism, stimulate domestic spending and encourage travellers to explore the region during the holiday period. From transportation discounts and subsidised hotel stays to heavily reduced airfares, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines each provide unique opportunities for travellers planning a festive getaway. Below is a comprehensive overview of the major deals approved by government agencies or announced by national carriers for the New Year 2025 season.

Indonesia: Nataru discounts for planes, trains, ferries and toll roads

Indonesia’s government is again implementing its “Nataru” holiday programme (Christmas and New Year), designed to keep travel costs affordable during the busy year‑end period. The Ministry of Transportation, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and state‑owned operators, is cutting costs across several modes of transport. Air travellers using domestic economy class flights can expect reductions of roughly 12–14 percent on fares because the value‑added tax is borne by the government and fuel surcharges have been lowered. The policy also applies to routes served by national carriers, ensuring fares remain stable rather than spiking during the holiday rush[1]. Booking is open from late October 2025, and the travel window runs from 22 December 2025 to 10 January 2026, covering New Year’s Eve and the days that follow[2].

Train travel is equally subsidised. State rail operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) offers a 30 percent discount on commercial economy‑class tickets for long‑distance routes. The discount applies only to the economy segment and is not available for business or executive classes. Seats can be booked from 21 November 2025, and travel must occur between 22 December 2025 and 10 January 2026[3]. With limited quotas, early booking is essential.

For sea travel, PT PELNI, the state‑owned passenger shipping company, reduces basic fares by 20 percent for economy‑class passengers travelling between 17 December 2025 and 10 January 2026[4]. The discount applies only to the base fare and is subject to limited quotas. Those planning inter‑island road trips benefit from further savings: ferry operator PT ASDP provides discounted port service charges and ferry tickets on seven key routes, with tickets available from 21 November 2025 and travel valid from 22 December 2025 to 10 January 2026[5]. Land transport will also be cheaper; the government is cutting toll fees on selected road sections by 10–20 percent during peak travel days and has arranged funding to lower ferry charges at busy ports. Together, these measures are expected to move millions of people across the archipelago while keeping costs down.

Malaysia: Year‑End Sale and airline promotions

Malaysia’s tourism authorities have launched the Malaysia Year End Sale (MYES) 2025, a national shopping and travel campaign that runs from 15 November 2025 to 1 January 2026. Visitors and locals can enjoy discounts of up to 85 percent on retail goods and promotional events, with midnight sales, Black Friday specials and themed festivities like the Durian Fest. The campaign also includes discounted airfares throughout the period and culminates in fireworks shows and live performances to usher in 2026[6]. It forms part of the build‑up to Visit Malaysia Year 2026, and the Ministry of Tourism expects the sale to reinforce Malaysia’s reputation as a premier shopping and holiday destination.

Malaysia’s flag carrier, Malaysia Airlines, supports this push with its “Time for Malaysia Airlines” campaign. Announced in early November 2025, the promotion allows travellers to book all‑in return Business‑Class fares from RM 699 and Economy‑Class fares from RM 159. These fares are available for bookings until 20 November 2025 and are valid for travel until 31 October 2026. The carrier emphasises routes across Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Europe, from beach escapes in Kota Kinabalu and Phuket to winter celebrations in London, Tokyo and Sydney. In addition to low fares, passengers receive a 15 percent discount on extra baggage across all cabin classes, encouraging them to travel comfortably[7]. Families benefit from thoughtfully designed economy cabins with 13.3‑inch entertainment screens, parental controls and a Kids’ Giveaway Pack filled with colouring books and stickers[8]. Members of Malaysia Airlines’ frequent‑flyer programme, Enrich, enjoy an additional 5 percent discount and special redemption offers[8]. The sale reinforces the airline’s reputation for premium service while offering affordable options for New Year travellers.

Complementing these air deals, Malaysia’s Year‑End Sale campaign works with online travel agencies to provide up to 30 percent off Malaysia Airlines flights booked through Trip.com, Expedia, Agoda and Traveloka. The campaign also features hotel deals starting from RM 99 per night, discounted theme‑park tickets, spa promotions and exclusive packages for resorts around the country[9]. Shoppers visiting major malls like Mitsui Outlet Park, 1 Utama and Sunway Velocity will find extended‑hours events and fireworks displays, making year‑end shopping part of the holiday fun[9].

Philippines: Seat sales and Lunar New Year fares

Travellers heading to or from the Philippines in early 2025 can take advantage of several official promotions. Philippine Airlines is running its much‑anticipated Year‑End Seat Sale (YESS) from 17 November to 30 November 2025. During this window, domestic one‑way economy base fares start at PHP 149, while round‑trip economy base fares for international routes begin at USD 60 (exclusive of check‑in baggage). The sale covers flights to and from Manila, Cebu and other hubs, giving travellers affordable options to explore destinations such as Hong Kong, Singapore, the United States and Japan. Full‑service perks like free snacks, seat selection and generous baggage allowances remain part of the experience, making these fares particularly attractive to families and business travellers.

Low‑cost carrier Cebu Pacific also targets early 2026 travel with its P99 seat sale, available for bookings from 1 to 3 December 2025. Base fares start at PHP 99 for domestic routes, with travel valid from 1 January to 31 March 2026. A simultaneous promotion running from 1 to 15 December 2025 offers flights to Singapore, Hong Kong, Nagoya and Sapporo from PHP 699 one‑way, and passengers can travel from 1 December 2025 to 30 June 2026. These promotions provide budget‑conscious travellers with an opportunity to lock in affordable fares for both domestic and regional trips.

For those celebrating the Lunar New Year, AirAsia Philippines hosts a “2.2 Sale” timed for the February festivities. Announced in late January 2025, the sale features one‑way base fares from PHP 122 to selected domestic and international destinations[10]. Bookings are accepted from 27 January to 2 February 2025, and travel is valid until 31 July 2025[10]. Destinations include Taiwan, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo and Osaka, as well as Philippine favourites such as Iloilo, Boracay and Puerto Princesa[11]. AirAsia notes that fuel surcharges remain at manageable levels, helping keep overall ticket prices low[12]. By offering half a million discounted seats, the airline seeks to capture holiday traffic and stimulate travel within the first half of the year.

Thailand: Discounts, extended holidays and proposed free flights

Thailand’s tourism authorities continue to innovate to sustain travel momentum. One of the key initiatives for late 2025 is the “Amazing Thailand Passport Privileges 2025” campaign. Running from November to December 2025, this programme invites international visitors to present their passports to access discounts at more than 300 participating businesses across the country, including hotels, restaurants and tour operators. It aligns with Thailand’s “5 Grands” concept (Grand Moment, Privilege, Invitation, Festivity and Celebration) and encourages travellers to experience Thai cuisine, fashion, cultural performances and new destinations. A highlight is the “Amazing Bag” giveaway available at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket airports from 1 November to 15 December 2025, with lucky recipients receiving community‑made souvenirs and the chance to win travel vouchers worth over 1 million baht[13]. The campaign is supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and aims to boost spending during the high season.

To encourage domestic travel and spending, the Thai cabinet has approved an extended five‑day New Year holiday for 31 December 2025 to 4 January 2026. By adding 2 January 2026 as a special public holiday, the government gives citizens more time to travel, stay in hotels and participate in events across the country. Tourism officials expect the longer holiday to increase hotel bookings, transport usage and spending on food, souvenirs and local experiences[14]. The extended break also supports the government’s sustainability goals by encouraging visits to eco‑tourism sites and lesser‑visited regions, spreading economic benefits beyond traditional tourist hubs[15].

Looking ahead, Thailand is exploring a free domestic flight scheme for international visitors. In September 2025, officials proposed allocating 200,000 free domestic flights for travellers who book international tickets to Thailand. Under the plan, participating airlines – including Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air and Thai Vietjet – would allow passengers to add a complimentary domestic round‑trip flight to destinations such as Chiang Mai, Krabi or Sukhothai. The programme is expected to run from September to November 2025 and requires government approval and funding of about 700 million baht[16]. If implemented, it would encourage visitors to explore secondary cities and spread tourism revenue more evenly.

Thailand’s 2025 travel incentives also include domestic subsidy schemes. The “Half‑Half Thai Travel” programme, launched on 1 July 2025, provides Thai citizens aged 18 and above with up to 50 percent off accommodation (capped at THB 3,000 per night) during weekdays and 40 percent off on weekends, with entitlements valid until 31 October 2025. A total of 500,000 allotments are available, encouraging locals to explore both primary and secondary cities. Meanwhile, Thai Airways’ winter promotions offer discounts of about THB 1,000 per person on selected routes to Taiwan, Korea, Japan and China, making it more affordable for inbound travellers to include Thai destinations in their multi‑country itineraries.

Planning your New Year getaway

The 2025 New Year period offers an unprecedented range of officially sanctioned travel deals across Southeast Asia. In Indonesia, comprehensive transport discounts mean that domestic flights, long‑distance trains, ferries and toll roads are more affordable than usual, as long as travellers book within the designated windows. Malaysia’s Year End Sale and airline promotions combine deep retail discounts with competitive airfares and added baggage allowances, allowing travellers to shop and explore across the country. In the Philippines, major carriers are competing to offer the lowest fares through year‑end seat sales and early‑year promotions, ensuring that both domestic and international trips remain within reach. Thailand’s array of campaigns – from international visitor privileges and domestic travel subsidies to extended public holidays and potential free flights – underscores a commitment to revitalising tourism while encouraging sustainable exploration of lesser‑known regions.

Travellers should check eligibility requirements (such as citizenship or age restrictions), note booking and travel periods, and act quickly because many discounts come with limited quotas. With careful planning and an eye on official announcements, New Year 2025 can be the perfect time to experience Southeast Asia’s diverse landscapes, cultures and hospitality at a fraction of the usual cost.

References

1. Indonesia transport discounts: summary of government transport discounts for planes, trains, PELNI ships and ASDP ferries, including booking and travel periods, from the IndonesiaJuara article[17].
2. Malaysia Year End Sale 2025: description of sale period, discount levels and event highlights from Malaysia’s tourism portal[6].
3. Malaysia Airlines Time for Malaysia Airlines campaign: details of fare levels, travel validity, baggage discount and promotional features from Malaysia Aviation Group’s news release[7][8].
4. Malaysia Year‑End sale air and hotel promotions: summary of up to 30 percent airfare discounts and hotel deals from Pocket News[9].
5. AirAsia Philippines Lunar New Year sale: description of the 2.2 sale with base fares from PHP 122, booking and travel windows, and included destinations from the AirAsia Newsroom[10][11].
6. Amazing Thailand Passport Privileges 2025: details of campaign period, participating businesses and “Amazing Bag” giveaway from TAT Newsroom[13].
7. Thailand’s extended New Year holiday: information on the five‑day holiday and economic objectives from Travel and Tour World[14][15].
8. Proposed free domestic flight programme: description of proposed 200,000 free domestic flights, participating airlines and funding from Travel + Leisure[16].