Bonjour à tous.
En arrivant le 10 février à 7h30 à l'aeroport de hat hay, a quelle heure est-il possible d'etre a pakbara ?
Quelle est le meilleur moyen de transport ? J'imagine qu'en taxi c'est jouable mais un peu cher...
De Pakbara, à quelle heure sont les ferry du matin pour ko tarutao et ko lipe.
J'ai lu : respectivement 10h30 et 11h00 ...
Mon idée, vous l'avez compris, est de faire le trajet depuis bkk dans la matinée.
Merci d'avance.
Bonne fin d'année à tous
Pour aller de Hat Yai à Pakbara, il y a des bus et des minibus.
Le plus rapide est sans doute le minibus direct qui se prend en face de la gare ferroviaire.
Dans cette petite gare routière, tu peux acheter les billets de bateau et même réserver l'hébergement sur les îles (ce que je ne te conseille pas, c'est mieux et moins cher de choisir sur place).
on revient tout juste de ko lipe, via pakbara.
oui, les ferries partent bien le matin, donc pas de souci pour toi. Tu files direct de Hat Yai a pakbara sans probleme.
De pakbara, prends plutot le ferry, c'est long 4 heures mais c'est beau. pour plus cher (peu), tu peux prendre le speed boat : ca demenage mais c'est 1 heure et demi jusque Lipe.
Tu peux prendre les trajets en aller retour, c'est moins cher.
Ne prends PAS ton accomodation a Pakbara : fais le SUR PLACE. A LIPE, Le ferry te laisse sur la plage de Pattaya (prevoir 50 bhat pour le longtail qui te depose sur la plage). Pour dormir, je te conseille plutot les autres plages avec entre autre :
Le FORRA bambou bungalows avec Antoine : c'est vraiment super chouette (environ 700 bhat), sinon les ADAMAN bungalows ou MOUNTAIN resort (env 500 bhat).
Autre TIP : sur LIPE va voir BOI Friends tour, elle est super et arrange les tickets pour bateau et avion.
Enfin pour la plongee ou snorkelling, on conseille l'equipe de FORRA, avec un super accueil de Pascale, la Frenchie de pattaya . Avec tout ca, y'a plus qu'a ... Lucky you !
En arrivant à Lipe, on peut demander à être déposé en long tail sur la plage de L'Andaman Resort (environ 50 bahts/pers).
L'Adaman Resort fait un peu camp de concentration, je trouve, et l'accueil avait été très froid, nous l'avions fui.
Le Moutain Resort est bien, mais ce n'est pas toujours facile d'avoir un bungalow avec ventilateur, le proprio préférant louer ses bungalows avec AC, beaucoup plus chers.
A proximité du village, il y a le Tarutao Cabanas avec ses bungalows à 300 baths à l'ombre des arbres et à 50m de la plage.
De ce côté, il y a un spot de snorkeling accessible directement de la plage, en face de l'Asian Beach GH.
On se rend sur la grande plage de Pattaya en 10 mn par un sentier bordé de restaurants, d'agences et de boutiques.
A Lipe, la journée snorkeling en louant un bateau coûte 1200 bahts, l'idéal étant de partager avec des compagnons.
De Pakbara, il y a aussi des tickets "round trip" pour les 3 îles, Tarutao, Lipe et Bulon.
A Pakbara, il y a beaucoup d'arnaqueurs. Par exemple, on te dit que
l'hébergement est complet sur l'île où tu veux aller mais, par miracle,
on te trouve LE bungalow qui vient de se libérer. Renseignements pris
sur place, le prix annoncé à Pakbara était majoré de 70% et il y avait
de la place dans plusieurs GH.
Merci pour ces infos, précises et à jour...
Il me manque l'info sur le transport entre l'aéroport et la gare routière d'ou partent les bus.. Je suppose que vue la taille de Hat hay, ce ne doit pas être trés loin...
Sinon votre impression sur ko lipe en cette fin 2006 ?
Erreur, Hat Yai est une des 5 plus grandes villes de Thaïlande, l'aéroport est situé assez loin de la ville.
Pour le trajet aéroport/gare routière, je suppose qu'il y a des bus, mais n'ayant pas pratiqué, cela reste au niveau de l'hypothèse.
Mes impressions sur Lipe datent d'avril dernier, j'en ai de bons souvenirs.
Mous y etions il y a encore qqs jours. Apparemment entre noel et nouvel an, ca ete un peu le rush, mais c'est sur, rien a voir avec les autres iles, type koh lanta etc.
De toute facon, c'est top. Il fait chaud, les plages sont belles !
Juste un mot pour dire que je ne suis pas d'accord avec certains commentaires sur l'ile. Elle reste encore vraiment charmante, les gens sur place aussi. Si seulement les camps de concentration avaient ete comme a adaman resort ! Il faut parfois faire attention a certaines comparaisons ...
Pour le snorkelling, tu peux louer du matos pour 50 bhat par jour et y aller de la plage de pattaya, ca c'est gratuit !
Suite à la question en message privée d'un membre de VF, je post ici ma réponse comme ça tout le monde en profite.
A l'aller, nous avons fait le trajet en taxi directement de l'aéroport jusqu'à Pakbara.
Nous étions en couple et avons juste partagé le taxi avec une autre personne, ce qui restait accessible même si pas vraiment routard.
Je crois que cela revenait autour de 50€ en tout (donc 15€ chacun à peu près), mais plus trop sûr du prix.
Le gros avantage de cette formule c'est qu'on arrive tôt à l'embarcadère.
L'autre solution est de passer par Hat Hay, et c'est ce que nous avons du faire au retour bicose pas de taxi allant directement à l'aéroport.
Là pas de souci si ce n'est que c'est plus long. Il y a des quantité de mini bus a Pakbara qui le proposent pour une somme trés raisonnable.
Une fois à Hat Yai, il y a une navette qui relie l'aéroport depuis un endroit précis en ville. Maintenant que j'y pense, il me semble que nous avions payé tout le trajet de Pakbara à l'aéroport à Pakbara, simplement c'est fragmenté en deux : il y a stop à Hat Yai.
Bien sûr les infos ont peut-être changé mais je suis sûr que cela se fait super facilement. La seule contrainte c'est d'arriver assez tôt à l'aller en avion et de repartir pas trop tôt au retour pour ne pas dormir à Hat Yai qui ne présente pas d'intérêt touristique.
Voilà, j'espère que ça répond à tes questions.
En photo les horaires de ferry à Pahabra en février 2006.
A bientôt.
La seule contrainte c'est d'arriver assez tôt à l'aller en avion et de repartir pas trop tôt au retour pour ne pas dormir à Hat Yai qui ne présente pas d'intérêt touristique.
Pas d'intérêt touristique, cela se discute, la ville ne présente pas d'attrait architectural mais c'est une grande ville bon marché, très agréable pour faire du shopping avant le retour chez soi. Le centre ville est concentré sur 3 artères où on trouve de nombreux hôtels au bon rapport qualité/prix. Le matin, il y a un marché tout proche.
Il y a un bon restau-buffet panoramique au sommet d'une tour, très agréable le soir.
Le marché de nuit (excentré) est immense et très couleur locale, on y trouve de tout, une allée est consacrée aux stands de restauration, on y croise très peu de visages pâles.
Le 1er samedi du mois, il y a les plus célèbres combats de buffles du pays, ambiance garantie dans les tribunes, et là aussi pratiquement pas de touristes.
Non franchement, j'ai trouvé que Hat Yai mérite qu'on s'y arrête.
Je voulais dire pas d'intérêt touristique majeur (allez, disons pour le touriste moyen), faute de quoi, ils seraient bcp plus nombreux...
Pour le voyageur (différent du touriste selon moi), c'est différent.
Bien évidemment que la ville, relativement importante n'est pas dénuée d'attraits et d'intérêt en soi.
Après, reste les questions relatives à la sécurité, il semble que les attentats y sont ponctuels.
Lors de mon passage en tous cas je n'ai bien sûr rien remarqué de spécial, la ville est très calme et agréable à arpenter.
J'ai trouvé un vol intéressant pour descendre de Chang Mai à Hat Yai (en février) ce vol arrive à Hat Yai à 12h15. pensez vous qu'il est possible de rejoindre…
Comme le dit le titre je veux rejoindre Chiang Khong en arrivant àl’aéroport de Chiang Rai à 19h. A cette heure ci il n’y a plus de bus. Je dois donc prendre…
J'atterris le 3 mars à l'aéroport de Phuket, et souhaite aller directement à Khao Sok:) Je me suis renseigné sur le forum, il existe "boss cheaper than taxi"…
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for addresses for guesthouses or, even better, houseboats or rafting houses on the River Kwai, between Kanchanaburi and Sangkhlaburi, to spend a few weeks contemplating this beautiful river.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Premaria
Hi there,
we’re currently in Mai Chau and tomorrow we’re hitting the road back to Hanoi to head up toward Bac Ha and Sapa.
We haven’t really had a set plan since we arrived—we’ve already done the Halong Bay on land and by sea.
I’ve got 2 free days before heading to Bac Ha and Sapa.
Any tips?
Thanks, and looking forward to hearing from you.
Hi fellow travelers,
First trip to Vietnam.
We’ll be arriving in Ho Chi Minh City during Tet.
Is it complicated to find accommodation and get around during this period?
Any tips would be welcome.
Thanks for your replies.
Silly question—backpack or hard-shell suitcase for the Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Tioman, KL trip?
I’m struggling to fit all my son’s and my stuff into the 70L backpack... and I’m thinking a suitcase would be easier, but I’m not sure if it’ll work for getting around.
Hi there,
I didn’t plan to return to Thailand this year, but my health conditions mean it’ll be the best place for me to stay between two trips to India. The tourism setup there is so well-organized that it’s the most "comfortable" country for a short visit. Thailand feels too sanitized for my taste, and there’s too much religion, Buddha, and the King, but it’s still the best option given how my health has been evolving. I’d considered two weeks in ThaTon for hiking, but I got too sick from the burn-offs during my trips to the mountains around Chiang Rai. So I’m not sure where to go this year. Definitely not the sea, touristy spots, or the mountains with burn-offs...
Hello.
In 1996, we crossed Vietnam from Saigon to Hanoi by motorbike—Minsk bikes we bought in Saigon. I haven’t been back since, and it seems like a lot has changed.
- We’re heading to the south (well, the north and center) with the family in July-August (3 people).
- Is the road network more developed now? Back then, there was only National Route 1 from south to north. I’m thinking of renting a car this time (no motorbike with the family—though in ’96, they had a Jawa sidecar for sale, and we hesitated… maybe it’s for the best).
- Is Halong Bay really something to avoid because of overtourism? Even back then, it was pretty crowded. Is there a less touristy alternative?
- We’ll be traveling from Hanoi down to Danang (the only city we didn’t stop in back in ’96). Even though it’s a bit overhyped in a Chinese-tourist kind of way (from what I’ve read), we’re only going for the beach—pure relaxation for 7 days. The beaches are stunning, and I know the South China Sea is warm like coffee.
- Then, we’ll visit Hoi An, where I stopped in ’96. It was already popular with backpackers back then, but no glowing boats or all the touristy fuss!
- After that, Hue, where I have great memories—it’s a beautiful city.
- And also the nature around Ninh Binh, followed by 2-3 days in Hanoi.
That’s the plan. I’d love to hear any tips to avoid mass tourism, and if anyone’s done this before:
- Is it possible to rent a car in Danang and drop it off in Hanoi?
Hey everyone,
I’m over in East Borneo in mid-July.
I’m struggling to wrap up the end of my itinerary, even though it’s pretty straightforward (long but simple).
Last year, we did Malaysia (KL and the mainland + around Kuching).
Day 1 – Arrive in Kota Kinabalu early, stroll around town and hit the must-sees.
Day 2 – Excursion to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, snorkeling at 3 islands.
Day 3 – Hike around Mount Kinabalu without summiting (450 per person, no way).
Day 4 – Poring Hot Springs + evening flight to Sandakan.
Day 5-6-7 – Kinabatangan River (still looking for the right guide).
Day 8 – Sepilok for the orangutans, the Sun Bear Centre, and Rainforest Discovery Centre.
Day 9 – Selingan, turtle island.
Day 10 – Head to Semporna.
Day 11-12-13-14 – Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai.
Day 15 – Bohey Dulang.
Day 16 to Day 25: I’M STUCK.
I looked into Danum Valley, but for 3 days/2 nights, they’re quoting 650 € per person—come on, that’s ridiculous.
I checked out a detour into Indonesia (still East Borneo), but I’m having trouble deciding what would be amazing.
I read about Sangalaki + Kakaban (2 islands, 1 base) / Mahakam Delta - Kutai (orangutans and river) / Sungai Boh (Dayak Kayan) – jungle & culture.
But honestly, I’m struggling to finalize this itinerary.
If we venture that way, we’d head back to KK from Balikpapan.
For a 4-month stay in Egypt, I had ENORMOUS problems. The regulations are very bureaucratic and extremely nitpicky there. For a 4-month stay in the Philippines, I was wondering if the procedures are just as complicated? I’m bringing my cell phone with an eSIM. Should I choose a plan from Canada for use in the Philippines, or should I get a plan only once I arrive? After 30 days, do I renew with the Canadian provider I chose before leaving, or do I switch to a local company? Do I need to register my phone with the authorities in the Philippines? (That was the case in Egypt.) For the 3rd and 4th months, will it be just as simple—renewing with a Canadian or local provider—or should I expect problems?
Hello,
I’ll be in Malaysia with my wife, mainly in Langkawi and Penang for Christmas and New Year’s at the end of 2026.
If you’ve had the experience—and since I’ve read (though it’s not very clear) that these two islands get quite crowded during this period—would you recommend booking accommodation well in advance, or is it easy to find something on the spot?
Hotels or Airbnb?
Do you have any great tips for accommodation or any practical info to share?
We’ll be staying 5 to 7 days on each island.
Thanks in advance for your replies
Hi there. To make the most of Lake Toba, is it better to find accommodation on the lake’s shores (which one?) or on Samosir Island? Thanks for your tips!
Hi there,
We’re heading to Vietnam as a family on July 8th for a little over 3 weeks (north and center). We’ve only booked the first 3 nights in Hanoi, and nothing else after that. We like to decide things on the spot and go with the flow, without rushing everywhere. But I’m still a bit unsure: when heading down to the center (Hue), is it better to book the overnight trains in advance? We don’t want to take any flights while we’re there—just use the overnight train for the long trips. But I’m worried we won’t get seats if we buy the tickets on the spot, say, 2 days before. What do the experts here think? And which website can we use to book the tickets? Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hi everyone!
I’m heading back to Thailand in July 2026 with a stopover in Cambodia to visit the Angkor site.
After Angkor, I’ve booked a stay on Ko Chang island. Does anyone know if there are direct transport options from Cambodia to Ko Chang without having to go back through Bangkok? That would be amazing!!
I think there are, but I’d need more details!!
I went to Thailand in February 2025 and don’t remember having to apply for a visa—is that still the case now? And for Cambodia too?
Thanks so much!!!
Laurence from Bayonne
I’d love to get some feedback on our itinerary—it’s probably pretty basic! This is our second trip to Asia and our first to Indonesia. We have three kids aged 20, 18, and 12. We land in Jakarta at 4 PM, spend 3 nights/2 days there, then take the train to Yogyakarta for 3 nights/2 days, followed by the train to Surabaya for 2 nights/1 day, then the train to Bromo for 1 day/1 night, a private driver to Ijen for 2 nights/2 days, then on to Bali (Ubud) for 4 nights/3 days, followed by Gili Air for 3 nights/2 days, Senggigi (Lombok) for 2 nights, and finally 5 nights in Kuta. I’m considering cutting the 2 nights in Senggigi to just keep Kuta and extend it to 7 nights. In Lombok, I’m not sure how to get around since I’m not comfortable with scooters... Your thoughts on all of this, and any advice, are more than welcome—don’t hesitate!
For those wondering why cities like Jakarta and Surabaya: we don’t often get the chance to visit big Asian cities, so we wanted to include that discovery in our trip. The trains between Jakarta and Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Probolinggo are booked. The return flight from Lombok to Jakarta is also set. Accommodations are booked but flexible (same for the trains).
Hi,
After our trip to China, we want to spend a week in the Philippines for some beach time and snorkeling.
We're looking for the best spot to settle in—nice beaches, great marine life, and short transfer times.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Does anyone know of a private transfer or taxi company that organizes transfers from the Sukhothai area to Chiang Mai?
Our routes are Sukhothai-Lampang, Lampang-Chom Thong, and Chom Thong-Chiang Mai.
My searches on Google Maps, 12Go, and others haven’t turned up much...
For our Bangkok-Sukhothai trips, I use a company I’ve already tried, but they don’t have a fleet available from Sukhothai and have to go through third-party companies—which, understandably, take their commission. This nearly doubles the prices...
There are four of us, and we’re not traveling light, so a minibus isn’t an option. ;-)
Hello,
While traveling in Thailand, I’m looking for a Buddhist kumlai reed bracelet.
Does anyone know where I can find one?
In Bangkok, I visited a few temples but didn’t see any in the nearby shops.
If you have any ideas, I’d love to hear them! Have a great day! :-)
My trip’s coming up, and I’m having a bit of trouble with three bus/minivan routes. Usually, I find everything at this time of year, but this time—yikes!
Sandakan → Sepilok:
No app for this one—you just hop on bus #14 at the local terminal (pay cash on board). But where do I catch it, and where’s the stop??
Sandakan → Semporna:
From what I’ve heard, it’s the Sida Express company (great name, right? 😄).
Can’t book online, but apparently, you *have* to because there’s only one bus at 8 AM.
Where do I board, and where does it drop me off?
Semporna → Tawau:
Found this via AI—is it legit?
No online booking, as far as I can tell.
Minivans leave from a stop in the Jalan Hospital area, near the Milimewa supermarket, supposedly????
And when you arrive, does it drop you at **Sabindo Square** in Tawau?????
Hi there,
we’ll be in Mai Chau in June and we’re thinking of heading to Sapa, but first spending a few days in Bac Ha to do some hiking and explore the area.
Is this a good idea for those who’ve been there?
How do you get there?
Thanks for your feedback.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cédric.
Hi everyone. As I’m planning my trip for next winter, I’m looking for hotel suggestions in Camotes, Bantayan, Malapascua, Bohol, and Siquijor. The ones I had in mind seem to be fully booked (unless it’s too early?). For those familiar with the area, is it easy to find accommodations on the spot in January/February? I’m specifically looking for hotels with a pool, beachfront, air conditioning, and easy scooter rental nearby. Thanks for your tips!
Hi there,
I’m planning an itinerary and would love some feedback on whether it’s doable and if the number of days per destination is enough—or too much. I was also debating whether to add an extra night on an island or spend an extra night in Kampot to visit Kep or Battambang.
March 23: Arrival in Phnom Penh in the morning
March 24: Phnom Penh
March 25: Phnom Penh
March 26: Depart for Kampot
March 27: Kampot
March 28: Depart for Battambang
March 29: Battambang
March 30: Tonlé SAP to Siem Reap
March 31: Siem Reap
April 1: Siem Reap
April 2: Siem Reap
April 3: Siem Reap
April 4: Siem Reap
April 5: Departure
Hi there,
Yesterday in the Thailand section, 100% of the new threads were just about beach destinations 😕...
So here’s the counterattack in the form of this photo thread, dedicated solely to the countryside: the locals, their livestock, fields, farms, rice paddies, small rivers, and agricultural machinery. If you’ve got any pictures that fit these categories, feel free to add them!
Comments welcome.
For each photo, I’ll (or you can) indicate the area where it was taken.
Hope you're all doing well! It's been a while since I last traveled, but I'm finally heading out again soon!
For those familiar with SOUTHEAST ASIA, I'm planning to leave in mid-June (with the trip ending at the latest in November), and I don’t have a precise idea of exact places or itineraries yet. The thing is, this period is usually the rainy season...
Any advice? I was thinking of Malaysia or Indonesia, like Sulawesi, for example (all countries and islands in Southeast Asia interest me except Bali).
Any recommendations? I’m doing my research online, but if anyone here has the time and knowledge, I’d love to hear from you.
My partner and I are planning a trip to Indonesia in September-October 2026. It’ll be our first time in Asia, and we’re thinking of hitting the classic spots in East Java and Bali, then wrapping up with a cruise around Komodo for some snorkeling/diving. Here’s a rough draft of our itinerary—I’m wondering if it’s doable.
20/09: Flight from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, arrive around noon, afternoon/evening and overnight in Yogyakarta.
21/09: Borobudur
22/09: Prambanan
23/09: Travel to Bromo (Cemoro Lawang)
24/09: Bromo
25/09: Kawa Ijen
26/09: Travel to Bali, overnight in Pemuteran
27/09: Excursion to Pulau Melujan, overnight in Pemuteran
28/09: Travel to Munduk, overnight in Munduk
29/09: Explore Munduk and surroundings, overnight in Munduk
30/09: Explore Munduk and surroundings, overnight in Munduk
01/10: Route to Ubud (via Pura Ulu Danau Bratan, Jatiluwih?), overnight in Ubud
02/10: Explore Ubud and surroundings, overnight in Ubud
03/10: Explore Ubud and surroundings, overnight in Ubud
04/10: Travel to Denpasar, flight to Labuan Bajo, overnight in Labuan Bajo
05/10: Komodo cruise
06/10: Komodo cruise
07/10: Komodo cruise, flight to Denpasar in the late afternoon/evening or overnight in Labuan Bajo.
08/10: Flight to Denpasar (if not taken the day before), afternoon in Jimbaran, overnight near Denpasar
09/10: 10:00 AM flight Denpasar - SIN, overnight in Singapore
10/10: Flight SIN-YQB
Hi everyone,
My girlfriend and I booked our tickets with Saudia Airlines for a trip to Thailand this summer, from July 5th to August 3rd. Given the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, we’re keeping a close eye on the news.
I was wondering if anyone here is in the same situation as us?
• Have you heard anything about possible mass cancellations or if the airline is still maintaining its routes to Asia?
• Are there any travelers who’ve recently returned who could tell us if air corridors have been changed (longer flight times)?
The idea is to know what to expect so we can prepare as best as possible. Thanks for your replies! !
Thanks for all your contributions on the forum—they’ve really helped me plan my trip. There are four of us friends heading to Sulawesi for 20 days. Based on all your advice, I’ve put together the following itinerary:
July 30: Makassar – sightseeing
July 31: Makassar – sightseeing + overnight bus to Rantepao
August 1–7: Tana Toraja with a guide
August 7: Tana Toraja to Tentena + visit Tentena
August 8: Early departure with a private driver to Ampana, then ferry to the Togian Islands
August 9–15: Togian Islands (2 different resorts)
August 15: Depart Togian Islands for Luwuk
August 16: Flight Luwuk to Makassar
August 17: Rammang Rammang
August 18: Stroll in Makassar, then return home
Overall, what do you think?
I also have a question about the connection between Tentena and the Togian Islands: Is it doable to leave early in the morning as planned and still be sure not to miss the ferry?
Hi everyone,
I’m currently working on a 30-day itinerary for May/June 2027.
10 days in eastern Java (Malang, Bromo, waterfalls, Meru Beriti Park, Banyuwangi, and Ijen), a short transit in Ubud for a few days, then Flores before heading back to Jakarta.
We’ll spend 15 days in Flores (the classic route: Moni, Bajawa, Riung, Ruteng, ending in Labuan Bajo).
I’d love some firsthand feedback on flights to Maumere or Ende from Bali Denpasar. I know there are no direct routes and that you have to connect through Labuan Bajo or Timor (I think), which isn’t an issue in itself.
But I’ve read here and there that flights to these destinations can be delayed—or worse, canceled—and that it’s better to fly in and out of Labuan Bajo, which isn’t exactly ideal...
Thanks for any tips or experiences you can share!
