Hi there, We’re heading to Malaysia for 10 days (landing in Singapore). We’ll spend 4 or 5 days on Tioman, but what after? I’m really struggling to find an itinerary or a second spot to settle in—any suggestions?

Hi there! We’ll be in Singapore for a few days and have 9 days off from there. We’d love to visit Borneo, obviously not everything since we only have 9 days. Ideally, we’d like to spend the last 2 days near the sea in Sabah. Of course, we know we’ll only be able to see a small part of Borneo, but the logistics seem a bit tricky in such a short time.

There’s so much to do that I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. Any feedback from people who know the area (I imagine not many have been there for such a short trip...) would be great! Thanks!

Hi there,

I’m spending 4 days in Kuala Lumpur.

Could you let me know what’s absolutely worth visiting and what’s not really worth the effort?

Any suggested itinerary?

Apart from Batu Caves, I don’t have many ideas...

I’m traveling with my partner and our 16-year-old son.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Hi there,

I’d love to get your thoughts and advice/tips for my trip to Malaysia.

I’m heading to Malaysia for 20 days starting in mid-August with three other people.

My plan was to go straight to Kota Kinabalu. I’d like to go rafting (if you have any agencies to recommend, I’m all ears), climb Mount Kota Kinabalu (is it worth it? And again, if you have an agency in mind), and check out the night market (I’m not entirely sure what it’s like).

After that, I’d head to Sandakan (not sure how yet) and do a little 3-day, 2-night safari.

Then from Sandakan (still not sure how), go to Tawau to visit Sipadan for some diving.

And then head back home.

Nothing’s set in stone yet—I’m open to tons of suggestions. I feel like I could do more. I’d seen Taman Negara jungle, but it’s way off the route, so I’m not sure if it’s doable. I’d also love to find other interesting diving spots.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi everyone,

I already posted not long ago because I was planning to go to Kota Kinabalu, but there’s been a slight change of plans.

I’m still in Malaysia, but I’ll be staying on the peninsular side, so I need some tips/reviews.

Here’s what I’m planning to do:

- Arrive in Kuala Lumpur on August 16th and do some sightseeing. I saw that you can do a firefly and blue tears tour. Is it worth it? If so, how do you recommend getting there or which agency should I book with?

By the way, do you have any particular recommendations for things to do in Kuala Lumpur?

- Next, I’d like to visit Taman Negara for 2D/1N, but I’m not sure how to get there or which agency to book with to organize everything. Should I figure out how to get there first and then find a guide on the spot? We’d like to do the canopy walkway—is there anything else to do there? I know you used to be able to make your own blowpipe at the village—is that still a thing?

- After that, I’d like to head to the Perhentian Islands. How do we get there? Do I need to go back to Kuala Lumpur to take a bus, or can I leave from Taman Negara? Are there overnight buses? Or should we book the ferry?

I wanted to go there for diving—do you have any reviews or tips on that?

Do you also have any activity recommendations there? Like cooking classes, dance lessons, shows, or great snorkeling spots...

- Then we’d go to Kuala Terengganu. Do you know how to get there? How long do you recommend staying in the city? I think you can do rafting and the Cherating River—is it good, and do you have an agency in mind for that? I’m really not sure if it’s worth stopping in this city.

Is it interesting to visit Kapas Island? Or is it better to go straight from the Perhentian Islands to Tioman?

- Tioman: we really want to go for diving, but again, we’re not sure how to get there. And as always, if you have any activity recommendations, I’m all ears.

From there, I’m not sure yet if I’ll go to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, but I thought there were flights from Tioman to Kuala Lumpur, but I can’t find any.

That’s my itinerary.

If you have any hotel, activity, or even city/island recommendations, I’d love to hear them.

Thanks so much! :)

Maalya

Hi everyone, My 16-year-old son, my partner, and I are planning a trip to Malaysia in August.

Here’s what I’m thinking so far:

- KL (4 nights): The first day is a write-off, so that leaves 3 full days. - Cameron Highlands (2 nights): 1 full day for Mossy Forest, etc.

Now, the big question. I’m planning to go to Penang—either 3 or 4 nights. If I do 4 nights, I’ll have 3 full days to explore. If I do 3 nights, I’m thinking of spending 1 night in Ipoh.

Is Ipoh worth it for a day? Is 3 full days in Penang too much? - Perhentians (4 nights).

To finish, back to KL and a visit to Malacca, or maybe Singapore—but if it’s just for a day, it might not be worth it.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Hi there,

What are the transport options for getting from KL to Taman Negara National Park, please?

Where can I book the transport?

Thanks for your help! 😊

Hi, Are there any banks that don’t charge fees for withdrawals? Thanks

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.

What do you all think? Thanks in advance!

Hi, I tried to book 15 nights at Abdul Chalet in the Perhentians for May 2025 starting on the first of December, but I noticed that this year, in April 2024, we stayed there for 10 nights. Today, the response was: "you can only book 7 nights—it’s the new way of operating for 2025." I’m really surprised because we’ve stayed at this guesthouse five times in less than 10 years without any issues, even if the staff isn’t very friendly and the restaurant is just okay. But it’s such a peaceful place that we love. Do you know of any quiet, reasonably priced hotels or guesthouses in the Perhentian Islands you could recommend? Have any of you stayed at Coral View Island Resort recently?

Thanks in advance.

I'm heading to Malaysia in March and I'd like to know if it's possible to find a GRAB to go from Mersing (I'll be coming from Tioman) to Kuala Lumpur Airport? Any idea of the time and price? Thanks

Hi there,

We’re arriving in Singapore for 3 days before heading to Malaysia. We wanted to start with the south of the east coast and make our way north, but transfers from Singapore are complicated. Has anyone been to Tioman Island? How did you get there? I saw a route involving a bus and car. Has anyone taken a Grab for this trip to avoid switching transport modes, especially since we have luggage and kids? 🙂 Thanks—I’m open to all your tips, since we don’t want to rent a car and we’d like to head up to the Perhentians afterward.

Thanks so much!

Chris

Hi, I'm looking for the best snorkeling destination from Singapore for August. Any thoughts on Tioman? Is it easy to get there by bus or taxi?

2 nights there or more? Thanks for your help

Hi everyone, We’re planning a trip to Malaysia from March 16 to 31, 2026, and we’d love to hear your advice and experiences. There are three of us girls, and we’d like to visit a few islands, but we’re not sure which ones to choose yet. Could you recommend:

The most beautiful islands to visit at this time of year (is it the right season?)

How to get there easily

Mistakes to avoid and essential info

Must-do activities and sights

Useful things to bring back

The budget to plan for

How long to stay in Kuala Lumpur and the city’s must-sees

Any tips you have—whether you’ve traveled in March or another time—will be super helpful for planning our trip. Thanks so much in advance! 🌴✈️

Hi, I’d like to travel from Terengganu to Cameron Highlands in July. Could you tell me if there’s a direct connection by minivan, bus, or anything else? There are 5 of us: 2 adults and 3 kids (7, 12, and 14 years old).

Hi there,

My partner and I are heading to Malaysia in early July. We arrive in KL on 03/07 in the late afternoon and leave from KL on 18/07 in the evening.

We’ve planned: Day 1: KL Day 2: Cameron Highlands day trip from KL Day 3: KL → Taman Negara (bus) Day 4 & 5: Trek in Taman Negara Day 6: Taman Negara → Perhentians (bus + boat) Day 7 & 8: Perhentians Day 9: Perhentians → Pulau Redang (boat + bus + boat) Day 10 & 11: Pulau Redang Day 12: Pulau Redang → George Town (flight) Day 13: George Town Day 14: George Town → KL (flight) Day 15: KL + return flight at 23:45

I feel like this might not be the most efficient route. Any tips on how to optimize the order of things (even though I’d prefer to start with Taman Negara)? How’s the best way to travel between places?

Should we book everything (transport, accommodation, activities) in advance, or can we figure it out day by day? I prefer spontaneous travel to keep things flexible, but will there be availability, or will we be struggling constantly?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can share!

We're a family with two kids aged 15 and 12 planning to visit Malaysia and Borneo. We'd like to travel from 23/07/2025 to 20/08/2025, which is almost 4 full weeks on the ground. We've made good progress but would love some advice. We're planning a flight from Paris to Singapore.

Singapore – 2 days Malaysia: Malacca Kuala Lumpur Cameron Highlands Pulau Pangkor Taman Negara National Park Georgetown and Penang Island Perhentian Islands Other islands on the west coast Tioman

Borneo: Semporna Archipelago Turtle Island National Park Traditional village in Sarawak Gunung Mulu National Park Borneo jungles to see orangutans

Do you think this is doable or not?

Thanks in advance for your replies

Hi,

I’m planning a trip at the end of October/beginning of November to meet up with friends in Penang. My itinerary includes 2 days in Singapore, 2 days in Kuala Lumpur, 2 nights in Malacca, 2 days in Penang, and 4 days in Bali. Originally, I had planned a side trip from Ipoh (1 night) to pass through Cameron Highlands and especially to see Mossy Forest. But I just realized it’s not Taman Negara. So now I’m not sure if I should just cancel this excursion or still go to Mossy Forest. Is Ipoh worth it, Cameron Highlands (knowing I’ve already visited tea plantations in Sri Lanka), and the primary forest? Thanks for your help

Hi everyone, we’ll be in Thailand from August 2nd to 21st, arriving in Bangkok on the 2nd for a visit. From the 5th to the 8th: Angkor temples. Then, starting on the 9th, we’re planning to head to Chiang Mai, and by the 14th or 15th, we’d like to be on an island until the 19th, when we return to Bangkok. Five days in Chiang Mai seems a bit long to us. What do you recommend between the 9th and 15th, and which island? We’re not big fans of sunbathing—we’d love to snorkel and explore the island. Ideally, I’d have liked to find a house to rent, but every time, I end up with places far from the beach, whereas we’d really like to be able to walk to the beach for strolls. By the way, are there a lot of shells? Can we collect them? It seems that in August, swimming can sometimes be tricky due to tides—is that true? Thanks to all the contributors! 😊

Hi everyone, I’m currently planning a trip to Malaysia for January 2025. I’ve got three transport questions for you all!

1: I arrive at 3 PM at Kuala Lumpur Airport and plan to take a direct bus to Malacca. Is booking a bus for 5 PM feasible, or is it too tight after collecting luggage? And which platform is the most reliable? Redbus, 12GO Asia, Rome2RIO, busonlineticket? Or can I buy a ticket on the spot without a reservation? Is that too risky? Alternatively, is it better to take a Grab? I saw the fare was around 60 €. Can you confirm this price? And is it easy to find a Grab from the airport for this distance?

2: Penang to Cameron Highlands (Tanah Rata) route—I saw there’s a direct bus that takes 5 hours. Can you confirm this? And is this duration realistic?

3: Cameron Highlands to Pangkor: This one’s tricky... The best I’ve found is 2 buses + a ferry + a taxi. Do you have a better suggestion?

Thanks for your help! Guy

Hi there,

We’re thinking of heading to Cambodia in August for two weeks with our three older kids (after considering Sri Lanka, Malaysia, etc.). We know it’s the rainy season, but the kids are a bit worried they won’t enjoy the trip. They’d love to end with two or three nights by the sea, but I’ve read that the weather can be even worse on the islands. For those who’ve visited Cambodia in August—would you still recommend it? Given that, apart from Thailand, we haven’t had the chance to take them on any long-haul trips yet... And with three young adults/older teens? Thanks in advance for your tips!

Hi everyone! I’ve booked flights to Phnom Penh for August 26 (no layover in the Emirates as a precaution...). We arrive on Sunday, August 2 in the morning and leave on August 19 around 9 PM (also from Phnom Penh). We’re a couple traveling with three kids aged 9 to 16. Among the many questions I have about our itinerary, a few are standing out: If we arrive in Phnom Penh exhausted, I imagine we’ll need to stay one night there before heading to Siem Reap... but how much time should we spend there to enjoy Angkor in good conditions? Then, Mondulkiri or Battambang? (Because I don’t want it to be a total rush, changing accommodation every two days and praying that bus transfers or private drivers go as planned...). Where does Tonlé Sap Lake fit into all this? And if we end with a beach stay: is Koh Rong a must, or is there another spot? Also, what about the return logistics: should we spend the night before our flight in Phnom Penh to be safe... or do we do everything on August 19... like taking a boat and then the road from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh, risking missing our flight if anything goes wrong? Anyway, a huge thank you in advance for your valuable tips and feedback!

Hi there,

It’s all in the title. I’m starting to think about my destination for summer 2026, and Cambodia is currently at the top of my list. Among the spots frequently mentioned for a 2- or 3-week trip to Cambodia, Battambang comes up often. However, so far, I haven’t found any truly remarkable features that would justify spending 2 or 3 days (including travel and visits) in this city during a 3-week stay, especially since I’m primarily looking for stunning photography spots—whether natural landscapes, urban scenes, or architecture. Where can I find some enlightening documentation on Battambang to help shift my perspective? Sorry for exposing my ignorance about this city like this, but all the photos I’ve seen online and the travel journals I’ve read don’t really showcase what makes it appealing, even though the descriptions suggest it’s very charming.

Thanks for any insights you can share!

Gollum ;-)

Hello! We’re heading to Cambodia for a month in March. We’re planning to visit Phnom Penh, Battambang, Siem Reap, the Angkor temples, Kompong Luong, then head down to Kampot, Kep, and finish our trip on the islands of Koh Rong. Has anyone done this trip recently? Any great spots to recommend? Neighborhoods to stay in Phnom Penh (lively but not too touristy)? Tips for getting around between the major cities—bus, train, boat, motorbike? Thanks for all the advice! Fabienne

Hi everyone, I’m starting to plan my next trip to Southeast Asia this winter (2.5 months, leaving in early December), and here’s a rough outline of my route—I’d love to share it with you and hear your thoughts and tips.

- I’ll start in Bangkok and already have three spots I’ve marked: Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, and Uthai Thani (I haven’t been to any of these places yet). - Next, I’d like to cross the country from west to east to reach the Laos border. I’d love suggestions for any interesting stops along this route—I don’t know this part of Thailand at all... - Then I’ll head into Laos, probably at Savannakhet (you can usually get a visa at the border). - > I’m tempted to spend a week in Hoi An, Vietnam, since I loved that city and the area when I visited two years ago. No visa needed for Vietnam now, so it could be a nice little detour. On the map, it doesn’t look too far, but I know you’ve got to be careful with these things, and I’m not sure if it’s a good idea. Any opinions on this? - Back to Laos (maybe via Dakta), and I’ll head south along the Mekong, probably doing the Bolaven Plateau loop that I missed last time. Then Paksé, the 4,000 Islands... I’ve been before, but I’d happily go back. - Crossing into Cambodia, I’ll follow the Mekong down to Phnom Penh (I know this area and love how untouristy it is). From there, I’ll probably spend a few days in Kep (quieter than Kampot). Still undecided, though. - Then back to Thailand (BKK), likely by plane from Phnom Penh since the borders between the two countries are currently closed (plus, let’s be honest, Cambodian roads... ;-). We’ll see how things look when the time comes. - After that, I’d like to explore southern Thailand, taking it slow with short hops. I’ve got my eye on Khao Sok National Park, and I’ve heard good things about Krabi... Again, I don’t know this region well, so any info or tips would be great.

So, I think this should be doable in 2.5 months, especially since I prefer short hops of 300 km max to avoid getting too tired, and I like staying 2-3 days in each place to explore. Plus, I’ll take a week off to relax if I find a spot I love—maybe by the sea for some real downtime.

Thanks for your feedback and for sharing your favorite spots! Pascal

Thailand/Cambodia – Tensions at the border Posted on 12/12/2025

Fighting between Cambodian and Thai forces continues across the border area between the two countries.

Travel in this zone (up to 50 km from the border) is dangerous and strongly discouraged.

Furthermore, given the latest developments in the security situation, French travelers and residents are urged to exercise extreme caution in all northern and western provinces bordering Thailand, especially when traveling outside major urban areas (Siem Reap - including Angkor, and Battambang).

In these regions, it is recommended to closely monitor local news.

Facebook page of the French Embassy in Cambodia Website of the French Embassy in Cambodia

Border with Thailand Updated on 26/06/2025

The land border between Thailand and Cambodia has been closed since June 23 for an indefinite period. It is therefore necessary to take an air route to enter or leave Cambodia.

Nearby tourist areas are strongly discouraged: the Mom Bei region (Preah Vihear province) and the temple complexes of Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Tauch, and Ta Krabei (Oddar Meanchey province).

Access from or to the Laotian and Vietnamese land borders is not affected by this restriction.

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

Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Southeast Asia and would love to do a cruise on the Mekong. The thing is, I’m finding surprisingly little info on the topic—way less than I expected. Especially when it comes to prices, the few times I’ve managed to get a quote without doing a full booking simulation (and even then, I didn’t succeed), the costs seem way too high for me (500 €/night is way out of my budget).

Ideally, I’d love to travel the river cruise by cruise, country by country. 😇

But I’ve heard that even with an unlimited budget, it wouldn’t be possible—if only because of the dams in certain areas. And well, my budget is far from unlimited... 🤪

Cambodia? Yes, please. Laos? Yes, please. 🙂 500 €/day? No way. 🏴‍☠️

Has anyone here cruised the Mekong on a modest budget but with decent comfort (so you’re not counting the minutes until you dock...)? If so, which part of the river? 😐

Hi there, We’re heading to Cambodia for 15 days in February 2026. We’ll spend 3 nights in Siem Reap for the Angkor temples, then check out the floating markets. I’d love to know if Battambang is worth the detour. If so, we’re thinking of taking a ferry across the lake, staying one night, and then flying to the islands for the second week. Which islands would you recommend—Koh Rong or Koh Rong Samloem—or is there another that’s better for relaxation, downtime, and snorkeling? Thanks for your tips!

Hi there, I need your thoughts on the rest of my itinerary. We’re spending two nights in Phnom Penh and five in Siem Reap. That leaves us with six days, and we’d like to do Kampot-Kep and Koh Rong Sanloem. Originally, I wanted to go to Battambang, but I’m worried it might be too much. Our flight back is on 22/03 at 6:30 PM from Phnom Penh. Thanks in advance for your feedback and tips!