Hi there,

I just booked my round-trip flight ticket to visit Cuba for two months, from January to March 2025. I’ve heard about the challenges Cubans are facing and the recent changes the island has gone through—economically (like the end of the dual-currency system) and administratively (the introduction of an e-visa)...

This is my first time visiting the country, so I’m still figuring out all the administrative steps I need to take before I go.

1) Can I apply for the electronic e-visa now (still 22 €?) from home on the website evisacuba.cu?

2) I read that I need to fill out a form 48 hours before departure on the site dviajeros.mitrans.gol-.cu/inicio. Is it possible to do this now to save time?

3) I’m a bit confused about the currency. From what I understand, there’s now only the Cuban Peso. Should I exchange my euros at the airport, or wait until I arrive at the *casas particulares* in Havana that I’ve already booked and ask the owner?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hello,

We’re leaving in November 2025 for a stay of more than 60 days in Khao Lak and need to apply for a 30-day extension on-site to be allowed to stay nearly 90 days. Should we declare the flight ticket dates (November 13, 2025, to February 9, 2026) directly on the electronic form (if it’s applied from May 1st) before leaving, at the risk of being denied entry (over 60 days), or declare 60 days and quickly apply for a 30-day extension once there? Are flight tickets checked upon arrival (Phuket) or earlier on the electronic entry request? I remember that the arrival check is quite "serious" and after 18 hours of travel, you’re pretty impressionable! Thanks for your help, Best, Bruno.

Hi there,

This will be my first trip to Thailand, which will be the first stop on my Asian journey. This time, I’d like to leave with a one-way ticket so I can return to France from the last country I visit.

First and foremost, I’d like to confirm whether it’s possible to get a VOA (Visa on Arrival) when I land in Thailand without any prior steps? Is proof of onward travel (like a return ticket) required to get this visa?

If so, does it have to be a round-trip ticket from the country I’m arriving from, or can I use a flight or train ticket from Thailand to a neighboring country as proof of exit?

For Cambodia and Vietnam, is it also possible to get a VOA on the spot?

I’d also love any tips or important info you think might be useful about Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam—my planned destinations—especially regarding accommodation, transportation, points of interest, and, of course, any personal advice or experiences you’d like to share!

Thanks so much to everyone, and I wish you all an amazing 2025 filled with health, travel, and discoveries! !

hi I’ve got a flight planned for mid-November from Chennai, India, to Chiang Rai with AirAsia via Bangkok, obviously. My question is: where do I go through immigration—Bangkok or Chiang Rai? Thanks in advance, Christian

Hello everyone,

My partner and I would like to travel to the Philippines at the end of August for a 4-month stay. We can’t apply for a tourist visa in advance because (from what I understand) we’d need to provide proof of hotel reservations for the entire stay. But planning a 4-month trip so far ahead isn’t something we want to do.

So my question is about extensions once we’re there:

After the initial 29-day extension request, we’d like to apply for another 2-month extension. Do you know if the same supporting documents are required for this one (pre-booked hotel, 2000 € in the bank account per month requested)?

Or can we go ahead without risk and request the extension without these documents?

Thank you so much for reading, and for this forum existing. Take care,

Boris

Hi everyone, I’m heading to the United States in August, specifically Grand Junction, Colorado, and I’d love to hear about your experiences with renting a car in this slightly tricky situation:

I still have my old French driver’s license (the pink paper version, still valid),

I didn’t have time to get an International Driving Permit (IDP),

And I plan to use a Visa debit card, not a credit card.

I’ve booked a car with Budget. I’ve seen that they *can* accept debit cards under certain conditions, especially at airport locations, but there are often high hold amounts for the deposit, and sometimes requirements like a return ticket or an extra ID. - Has anyone rented a car in the US under these conditions before? - Was the paper license accepted without any issues? - Did the debit card cause problems when putting down the security deposit? Any tips, personal stories, or warnings are super welcome! 😊 Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, Two years ago, I got a 5-year visa. But I had to change my plans and haven’t used it yet. Do you think it’s still valid? I’d like to go to India at the beginning of the year. I’ve got a big doubt. Do you know where I can find this info? Thanks a bunch!

Hi, I’m arriving soon in southern Laos and the 4000 Islands, with plans to head to Cambodia next. The latest news I got this morning (Paksé, La Boulange) isn’t great—the Cambodian border is also in a latent conflict with Laos for the same reasons as with Thailand...

So, what’s the best site to check for updates on the border opening? Since the situation isn’t stable right now and could change from one day to the next?

Thanks for your input.

Hi everyone!

What a joy to be back on this forum where I’ve spent so many hours traveling and gathering info—let’s get started! 👋

Almost everything’s in the title, but just to clarify: As far as I know, you currently need a full French motorcycle license (A) to legally ride a scooter in Thailand, since they don’t recognize A1 or A2 licenses. Yes, I know most rental places only ask for an international car license (B), or sometimes nothing at all… but that’s not what I’m asking. What I’d like to know is whether you think this might change in the future, allowing A1 licenses (which are easier to get) or even car licenses (B), since you can ride a scooter in France with one. I don’t want to get a motorcycle license—I’m scared of motorcycles, even though I’m comfortable on a scooter. I’m a bit confused by their regulations. Thanks for any insights you can share!

Lulu56😅

Hi fellow travelers!

I’m planning a backpacking trip to the USA for autumn 2024.

I’ve already been to New York in February 2024, but my ESTA expires on September 27, 2025. However, I’d like to leave in early September. Is it possible to apply for a new ESTA before my trip so that the new one is valid instead of the old one when I’m there?

Thanks for your help! Antoine

Hello, I’d like to hear from travelers (French nationals) who have a B2 visa (tourism) about their experiences. I read on the U.S. Embassy in France’s website that the B2 visa allows travel for up to 6 months (at the discretion of the immigration officer) within U.S. territory. It’s possible to renew the stay multiple times during the visa’s validity period.

If I understand correctly, I must leave the U.S. BEFORE the date stamped in my passport (or on the I-94 form) by the immigration officer upon entry.

What’s the minimum amount of time I should wait between two stays?

If I land in Washington (USA), travel to Halifax (Canada), stay in Canada until Calgary (Canada), visit Alaska (USA) for 2 months, and then re-enter the U.S. a few weeks later via Canada—how are "stays" and days counted?

I can’t find any official documents explaining how this counting works. From what I’ve heard from recent travelers, practices have changed in recent years. Is the counting left to the discretion of the immigration officer, or is there something less arbitrary I can rely on?

Thanks to anyone who can answer this question.

Hi, I’m planning a trip to Thailand from April 1st to 24th. I’m flying with Qatar Airways. My passport is valid until October 7th, 2025. My question: For entry into Thailand, my passport is valid for more than 6 months (6 months and 6 days). For my exit, my passport’s validity will be 5 months and 14 days. Do I need to renew my passport, or is it okay? Thanks for your answers!

India inaugurates the new Navi Mumbai International Airport and the final phase of Mumbai’s Metro Line 3—a major turning point for the country’s infrastructure. Mumbai, India’s economic capital, is entering a new era of modernization. The Indian government has officially inaugurated the Navi Mumbai International Airport, one of the country’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, along with the final phase of Metro Line 3, a key axis to ease congestion in the megacity. The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), located about 35 km from the city center, aims to eventually handle up to 60 million passengers per year. Built to reduce pressure on the already saturated Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport, it features ultra-modern facilities, sustainable design, and cutting-edge technologies for air traffic management and energy efficiency. At the same time, the completion of Mumbai’s Metro Line 3, connecting Colaba to Bandra-SEEPZ, marks a major advancement in urban mobility. This 33.5 km underground section will significantly reduce travel time and congestion in a city known for its chronic traffic jams. These two projects reflect the Indian government’s commitment to transforming Mumbai into a global hub, combining connectivity, sustainability, and economic development.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), a project two decades in the making, has finally come to fruition. Phase one of the airport was inaugurated Wednesday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. Although the first phase, which includes Terminal 1 and Runway 1 with 10 bus gates and 29 aero bridges, has been inaugurated, flight operations will not begin immediately.

"Post-inauguration, the airport will be handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for a security sweep, which could take 30 to 45 days. We also need to mobilize customs and immigration teams and complete end-to-end testing, which is a 45-60-day process," said Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airports Holdings Ltd, developer and operator of the NMIA, during a press briefing at the NMIA premises Monday. Even though an exact date hasn’t been announced, NMIA CEO Captain B V J K Sharma and Bansal said commercial flights are expected to begin in December 2025. Plans of major carriers Three major airlines—Air India, Akasa Air, and IndiGo—have already signed on to shift part of their operations to NMIA. Last month, Air India announced plans to start with 20 daily departures (40 air traffic movements) through Air India Express, connecting 15 Indian cities in the first phase. By mid-2026, it aims to scale up to 55 daily departures, including up to five international flights. IndiGo, which made its announcement in May, plans to operate 18 daily flights to more than 15 cities from the first day of commercial operations and intends to expand to 140 daily flights—30 of which will be international—within 18 months. In June, Akasa Air said it will start with 15 daily domestic flights, scaling up to over 300 domestic and 50 international flights a week within a few months. When asked which airline will operate the first flight, Bansal said, "We want all three airlines to be there on Day 1. It depends on who has the earliest slot that day, and the destination choice lies entirely with the airlines." Operations to begin with 12-hour window In the first month, flights will operate between 8 am and 8 pm, with the 12-hour window likely to be extended as operations stabilize. Although NMIA’s full capacity is 40 air traffic movements (ATMs) per hour, the initial phase will handle 10 ATMs—allowing 10 aircraft to land or take off every hour. Airlines are expected to announce routes and ticket sales soon. Touted as an international aviation hub, NMIA positions Mumbai alongside global twin-airport cities such as London, Dubai, and New York, and plans to launch both domestic and international operations from Day 1. Concession for international carriers When asked if international carriers will be given any concessions, Bansal said, "For international airlines, we will not charge them parking fees for the first year." The duo added that NMIA aims to reclaim Mumbai’s rightful place on the global aviation map. "For a decade… travelers didn’t have a choice—airlines couldn’t get additional slots (at the Mumbai airport), so traffic shifted to Delhi. We are course-correcting that with NMIA. It won’t happen overnight, but over the next five–seven years, you’ll see the change," said Bansal. He noted that Mumbai currently lacks direct flights to major destinations in Europe and the U.S., something NMIA hopes to change. "If you see east-to-west flights, Mumbai is a natural stop," added Sharma. As reported earlier, NMIA will eventually feature four terminals and two parallel runways, with a total capacity to handle up to 90 million passengers per annum (MPPA), compared to 20 MPPA in the first phase. In the long term, the airport aims to serve as a key transfer hub between the East and the West, enabling passengers from Southeast Asia to connect seamlessly to Europe and North America.

Hello everyone, I’m going on a trip to Egypt, and I booked it through a travel agency (Fram). The trip is in October... After reading my contract more closely, I saw that the visa would cost me 95 €, but if I apply for it in advance, it’ll only be around 25 €. I can’t find the link that lets me do it myself, for a fee of course. Can anyone help me? Thanks a million!

Hi there, We're heading to Japan in November and planning to rent a car. According to the Japanese embassy, the rules for translating the license have changed. You can no longer do it from France since April 1st. Has anyone already tried the new process?

Hi. Does anyone know what time the Superrich on level -2 at Suvarnabhumi Airport stays open for currency exchange? I’ve got a flight arriving at night. Thanks.

Hi there, I'm in Paris and looking to exchange some Tugrik bills. Maybe someone has some they brought back? Thanks so much! Have a great day

Hello,

Last year, we stayed for 3 months in Thailand, north of Khao Lak, and were able to benefit from the 2-month visa exemption, renewable for one month by going to Takua Pa to validate a 1-month extension (1,900 baht). This year, it’s a disaster for us—not only were we planning a 4-month stay, adding a visa run in between (which some say is quite risky), but the law is apparently changing in the coming months with the return of the 1-month exemption (plus the usual 1-month option). So, we looked into applying for a 6-month multiple-entry visa, allowing a maximum of 60 consecutive days in Thailand. However, I can’t find anywhere the minimum time required outside Thailand between two stays—do any of you have an idea? Thanks for the info! If you’d like tips on Khao Lak and the surrounding areas, we’ve got some experience, though things change fast! Cheers, Bruno.

I filled out the B2 form to apply for a visa, created an account on Atvis to pay the visa fees and schedule a meet-up, but every time I try to pay with my Boursobank Visa 1st card, they refuse the payment with a message telling me to check my details (address), even though everything is correct. Does anyone know why this is happening, or maybe they don’t accept Visa cards? Are you aware of this? Thanks for your feedback! Elisabeth

Hi there. I’m reaching out to ask for your advice about travel insurance for my trip.

I bought Eurostar tickets back in January, but I forgot to take out travel insurance right away.

I’d like to get multi-risk travel insurance now, but most insurers say you have to sign up within 48 to 72 hours after buying your transport tickets.

Do you know of any insurance that doesn’t have this deadline and lets you sign up even months after buying your tickets?

Thanks so much for your help in advance.

Best regards

It’s currently possible for a French national to enter Belarus through any land or air border point and stay for up to 30 days, for any reason. I did this last November, driving my own car from France, entering at Terespol and Brest-Litovsk (7-hour queue on the Polish side for political reasons and 3 hours of formalities on the Belarusian side), and exiting through Lithuania (1.5 hours on the Belarusian side and 3.5 hours on the Lithuanian side for political reasons). The rest of the trip was a real pleasure...

Hi there, has anyone got recent updates on getting the "PAP", the permit to enter Arunachal? The info I’ve gathered from here and there—pretty unreliable!—suggests it’s impossible to get this permit in Assam (Guwahati) and that it takes about 15 days if you go through an agency (but where are these agencies located???). Thanks for your reply (urgent!).

Hi there,

A few weeks ago, my partner and I filled out the ESTA form, entering the address of a hotel in Chicago as our contact address in the USA since that was our planned destination. But in the meantime, we changed our minds about where we’re going in the States—we’ll be heading to California instead.

Will this be an issue when we arrive in the US? Or do they honestly not really care?

Thanks for your replies!

Micka

Need your advice—this is a bit urgent! 😅

I’m leaving in 1 month for 7 months in South America (mainly Argentina, with a quick stop in Chile and Bolivia). I still haven’t decided on: 👉 Travel insurance. 👉 The best bank card for abroad.

I’m a bit behind schedule and would really love your feedback: 👉 Which insurance do you recommend (reliability in case of trouble)? 👉 Which bank do you use while traveling to avoid fees (mainly in Argentina)? Boursorama? 👉 Any idea about fees with Western Union?

For now, I’m planning to bring as much cash as possible to avoid fees and exchange money locally. My bank (La Poste) gave me a Visa Premier for insurance/repatriation, but after reading the terms, I see it’s limited to 180 consecutive days—so 6 months, not 7.

Thanks in advance for your tips—it’ll help me make a decision quickly! :)

Hello, We’ll soon be moving to Madagascar long-term. As a French national, I need to obtain a short-stay visa that can be converted to a long-stay one. To do this, I have to send the required documents to the Madagascar embassy in Paris. No issues with that procedure so far. If I get this visa, once I arrive in Madagascar, I’ll need to provide the same documents to the Ministry of the Interior in Anosy. I’m trying to find an email address or website for the Ministry to check which documents I need to submit (I think they ask for additional ones). If you have any info on this, I’d appreciate your replies. Best regards, M. Buisson Eric

Hi there, we’re spending March in Sri Lanka, and on several blogs travelers mention they’ve rented scooters or mopeds. On government info sites, it seems they say you need a Sri Lankan license to rent these vehicles. Have any of you run into this kind of issue? Thanks, Marie

Hi, I’m arriving at BKK—how does exiting the airport work? I’m guessing: Immigration, then baggage claim, and then exit? Thanks!

Hi fellow travelers, Can you tell me if it's possible to exchange money at Ivato or if it's better to do it at banks in Tana? Which banks are the most "reliable"? Regarding ATMs, what's the maximum amount you can withdraw in one go? Thanks for your tips!

Hey everyone, hope you're doing well! :) I’m planning to go back to Thailand at the start of next year—once just wasn’t enough 😅 I’ve seen that nothing’s official yet, but they’re considering reducing the visa-free stay from 60 to 30 days. If I book for 58 days like last time and they change the rules last minute, what happens? It takes forever to get a visa—I saw you have to prove you have enough funds to cover your stay. How much money do you need in your account? Thanks!

Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Laos in February. I tried to apply for my eVisa online, but the system keeps telling me that both my address and the address of my hotel upon arrival are invalid, without any further explanation. I’ve modified them, shortened them several times, but nothing changes. I sent a message to ask for clarification but haven’t received a response. Has anyone else run into this problem? How was it resolved?

Thanks in advance, and happy New Year! 🙂