Hello, I’ve been to Thailand three times a long time ago, and I’d love to visit neighboring countries too: Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia (while returning to Thailand 😛). The catch is that I’d like to go at the beginning of the year, but I’ve heard that’s peak tourist season for these countries. Ideally, I’d prefer to avoid peak season to save money (I’m not exactly rolling in it) and to be able to travel without reservations—without being forced to take a room in the local "palace" that still has availability because of its exorbitant prices.

From my distant memories of Thailand, I usually paid around the equivalent of 20 € per night (with a hearty breakfast) for a hotel room with a mini-bar.

What are the average prices for this type of accommodation in Thailand and its neighbors during "peak" season these days? Do prices fluctuate a lot depending on the season, or is tourist demand not that different from one season to another, keeping prices relatively stable? Are the chances of finding a "budget" room without a reservation still high, no matter the season, in this part of the world? 😇

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 everyone!

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.

Thanks everyone, take care and stay happy! ❤️

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 a die-hard fan of India, but it’s time I discovered Thailand too to broaden my Asian horizons. I’m heading there on January 19, 2025, for a 46-day trip (no visa needed as I’m French). I’ve pored over a few guidebooks and travel blogs. Based on what caught my interest, I’ve put together a rough itinerary and list of sights. But since I know absolutely nothing about Thailand, I’m kind of flying blind here. Since I’m not exactly a spring chicken anymore, I’ve opted for a few bases where I’ll stay several days in the same place. That way, I won’t have to change locations and hotels every day or so, packing and unpacking my suitcase constantly. Instead, I plan to explore the surrounding area each day, within a maximum radius of 50 to 70 km. So, first question: Is that kind of round-trip distance manageable in a day in Thailand? In India, renting a car for a day—with a driver—currently costs around 35 to 40 € per day. Knowing that 1,300 to 1,500 THB would be my absolute max, and even then, only if I don’t rent a car every single day. Which brings me to my second question: Am I being unrealistic? Otherwise—third question—once I’m settled in the city I’ve chosen as my base, can I get around within that 50–70 km radius using public transport? I’ve already booked all my hotels—with free cancellation—on booking.com at an average price of 950/1,000 THB per night. Does that put me in a good range for value for money? Or am I dreaming?

Here’s my plan:

BANGKOK (13 days, 14 nights): 1 week for exploring Bangkok – Kanchanaburi/Erawan National Park? – Ayutthaya/Lopburi? – Muang Boran – Samut – Songkram/Amphawa

Bangkok -> Chiang Mai by overnight train in first-class sleeper

CHIANG MAI (6 days/6 nights): Mae Hong Son – Hot springs – Chiang Dao – caves – Lamphun – other places to be decided on the spot based on what’s worth seeing and transport options

Chiang Mai -> Chiang Rai

CHIANG RAI (7 days/8 nights): Fang – Tha Ton – Chiang Saen – Doi Tung – Chiang Khong – Doi Ang Khang, Phu Chi Fah, etc.

Chiang Rai -> Phrae

PHRAE (4 days/5 nights): Lampang and surrounding areas, depending on what’s interesting to see

Phrae -> Loei

LOEI (4 days/5 nights): Phu Kradung – Chiang Khan and surrounding areas, depending on what’s worth seeing

Loei -> Buriram

PHIMAI (Nakhon Ratchasima/Khorat) (5 days/6 nights): Phimai – Prasat Muang Tam – Phanom Rung – Prasat Phanom Wan

Phimai -> Khorat (airport or train station) -> Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok)

Day 46: BANGKOK -> KOCHI

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice!

Hi there, During our Thailand trip, we're planning to arrive in Bangkok and then head up to Chiang Mai. So far, so good. But after that, we'd like to go to the islands—either Krabi or Koh Samui. However, the flights listed on 12go.asia seem complicated, with a layover of about 1 hour in Bangkok where we'd have to collect our luggage and check in for the second flight. That feels way too tight.

So, I'd love to hear about your experiences with this route and any tips you might have. Thanks everyone!

Hi everyone,

I’m about to head to Thailand with my kids and I’ve been put in touch with a French-speaking driver who’ll be with us for 3–4 days (for a little "tour" around the provinces near Bangkok).

I’d love to know what the "going rates" are for this kind of service so I can make sure I’m not overpaying.

So if any of you have used this kind of service recently and could let me know what you paid, I’d really appreciate it!

Thanks in advance and have a great week! 😉

Amy

Hey everyone, We're currently in Thailand. I'm opening this thread to share practical info for those planning their trip. As for impressions and feelings—I love it, but I'll let everyone form their own opinions. The goal here is more about: how to do this or that, how to get there, etc.

Hi there, we’ve planned our itinerary, but how does it work on the ground for getting a taxi? For example, we want to go to Borobudur Temple for sunrise—how do we get a taxi that early? Same question for other cities—is there a website to contact a taxi? We don’t want organized tours. We’re used to renting a car, but we’re a bit lost here... Thanks so much for your help!

Hi, Flight from Phu Quoc to Langkawi via Kuala Lumpur with a self-transfer layover of 2H10. No terminal change, but you’ll need to collect your carry-on luggage, recheck in for the second flight (same airline, AirAsia), go through customs and security... I’m not familiar with this airport, which I’ve read is quite large. For those who’ve done this before—is the layover time enough? Thanks for your reply.

Hi, Which site can I use to book ferry tickets (from Cebu to Panglao and from Coron to El Nido)? Everyone recommends 12Go, but they only offer 2 companies and 2 schedules for this route, even though I assume there are more... Same issue with buses... For short trips, I’ll check on the spot, but these are in high demand, and I think booking in advance is a must. Thanks for your tips!

Hi there,

I arrive in Jakarta on July 24th and want to head to Flores Island the next day. Do you know which airlines offer direct flights to Labuan Bajo (or elsewhere)? Is it possible to book tickets directly on Indonesian airline websites (I get the feeling that when connecting from France, access is blocked...)

Also, are there direct flights from Maumere or Ende back to Jakarta for the return trip, or do I have to go back through Labuan Bajo?

Thanks and have a great evening

Hello everyone!

In early July, we’re heading to Indonesia for a solid three weeks as a family (my partner and I are in our fifties, and we have two daughters aged 17 and 20). We’ll be arriving and departing from Denpasar. Our itinerary is still entirely up in the air, and we’d like to explore islands other than Bali (we’ve already been there a few years ago).

I’d love to gather your tips and great recommendations to help us plan our route. For now, we’re thinking of visiting Lombok, Flores, and the Komodo archipelago. Here are some of our questions: - I visited Lombok myself back in 1999. I loved it, but I’ve been reading very mixed reviews in recent travel journals. Some are as enthusiastic as I was back then, while others are much more lukewarm (due to the overly strict and visible influence of the island’s governor on the population and because of massive hotel projects—I’m not sure if they’re on hold, underway, or completed). What’s the current situation? Is Lombok still a must-visit? And do you have any tips (hotels, places to visit, health, etc.)? - Still on Lombok, I did the Rinjani trek back then. I remember the hike wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t as tough as what I’ve read in quite a few recent travel journals... My partner and I are in decent shape, but that’s about it, and especially, my partner and our two daughters really don’t like the cold. What’s your experience with this trek? And do you have a trekking agency to recommend? (If we do it, I think we’d want to make sure we have good support, including quality gear, tents, jackets, etc.) - Flores and Komodo would be a completely new experience for all of us. Any tips and recommendations are welcome (sightseeing, accommodations, transport, etc.)! In particular, we’d like to explore the Komodo archipelago with a trusted agency that will take the time to show us the archipelago’s treasures in good conditions (safety and "decent" comfort). Do you know of any such agencies? - Are there other nearby islands you’d recommend? Any advice on places to visit and where to stay?

We’ll have three weeks on the ground... and we like to mix sightseeing with downtime where we just enjoy the moment. So we’re not looking for an overly packed itinerary, but still something rich (no point traveling so far just to lie on a sunbed all day ;-))

Thanks so much in advance for your advice!

Albin

Hi, I’m traveling with my 13-year-old son in June and July 2025 for 6 weeks—2 weeks in Flores and 4 in Sulawesi. I don’t want a super "roots" trip because long transport times eat up too much time, so I’d prefer to use only private or shared drivers whenever possible since I’ve read that public transport really slows you down. That said, I don’t want to hire the same driver for the whole trip because I think it’d be way over budget.

My first question is about transport times and approximate costs. I’d like to double-check the times I’ve seen because it’s not clear to me whether they’re for private vehicles or public buses: - Labuan Bajo – Denge (Wae Rebo): 5–6 hours ???? - Denge – Ruteng: 3 hours ???? - Ruteng – Bajawa: 4 hours ???? - Bajawa – Moni (Kelimutu Volcano): 3.5 hours ???? - Moni – Koka Beach: 1.5 hours ???? - Maumere – Koka Beach: 2 hours ????

My second question is about the Maumere–Makassar ferry. It’s impossible to find a clear answer—PELNI’s website shows only about 2 ferries per month, but Rome2Rio mentions a daily departure (with a return the next day, like the Labuan Bajo–Makassar route, I assume). I’d really like to avoid flying since it’s so expensive on this route.

My third question: I’ve read that flight tickets are more expensive when bought from France than from Indonesia. Has anyone else heard this?

Thanks so much for your help! This is my first post on the forum in ages, so I hope the length doesn’t scare anyone off.

Best, Vanessa

Hi there

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?????

Thanks for any tips—I’m stuck!

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! !

Hi there, we’re landing at Hanoi Airport and would like to head straight to Cao Bang without going into Hanoi. Does anyone know if there are buses that go directly from the airport to Cao Bang (especially in the early afternoon)? Thanks in advance!

Hi there! We’ll be in Bali from July 28, 2025, to August 28, 2025, and we’d love to know which spots are worth visiting. If anyone has a travel journal or tips to share—especially since we’ll be spending our first week in Uluwatu—thanks in advance for your replies!

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.

Hi everyone, I have a Visa card with international option. How do I pay in Vietnam? Hotels booked on Booking—do hotel owners charge a commission? How do I withdraw money? ATM fees? Where can I exchange euros at the lowest cost? Thanks in advance for your tips! Larri

Hello, I’m heading to Thailand for two weeks at the end of February with my family. I went there 20 years ago. I’d love your thoughts on a relaxed two-week trip that lets me show my kids the joys of travel while also taking time to unwind (after all, it *is* vacation! :)) I’m planning to spend 2 days in Bangkok, then take the overnight train to Chiang Mai (so my kids can experience that) and stay for 2-3 nights. After that, I’ll fly to Phuket for a few nights, then head to Koh Lanta for a few days before returning to Phuket to make my way back to Bangkok for the last two days before departure. Tons of people travel for two weeks during this time—any recommendations? So far, I only have my round-trip flight ticket to Bangkok. Thanks in advance!

struggling to find a decent flight to Thailand?????

Hi everyone, I’ve been traveling in Asia for over 30 years, often to Thailand, but only during the school holidays in February, April, and especially in the summer, departing from Marseille or Lyon.

For some time now, I’ve noticed it’s really hard to find a flight at a reasonable price (under 900 €) and, more importantly, with a decent itinerary (we’re often offered 2 or 3 layovers with total travel times of 40 or even 50 hours), and this is the case almost a year in advance. This is something we never saw even 4 years ago—I’m wondering: are there fewer flights available now...?

Marsyork

Hi there,

We have the opportunity to get away for a little two-week trip at the very beginning of January, just the two of us, without our kids. Because of the kids, we haven’t traveled much in Asia, so we’d love to take advantage of their absence to explore Thailand. Even though I’m used to planning our trips, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed this time.

We’d like to visit Bangkok and head south by renting a car (we have an international driver’s license, and my husband has driven on the left before). I’ve managed to sketch out a rough itinerary that might work for us, and I’d love to hear your thoughts.

To set the scene: we haven’t booked anything yet, we don’t like spending hours on the beach (though a little time at the end of the day is fine), we love walking and sightseeing, and what we enjoy most is being independent (so if we can avoid group tours, that’s ideal).

After that intro, here’s the rough outline of our itinerary: Day 0: Paris-Bangkok flight Days 1, 2, and 3: Bangkok (Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Wat Arun, markets, boat ride through the khlongs, Jim Thompson House) Day 4: Ayutthaya Day 5: Pick up a rental car and head to Sam Roi Yot Day 6: Sam Roi Yot and Prachuap Khiri Khan Day 7: Drive south – overnight near Surat Thani Day 8: Uthayan Tham Khao Na Nai, then drive to Ao Nang (staying near Tubkaek) Days 9 and 10: Boat trips (Railay, Ko Hong, etc.) Day 11: Drive to Phang Nga with a few stops along the way Day 12: Boat tour (mangroves and Ko Tapu) Day 13: Drive to Phuket Airport and return flight

A few questions and doubts: - I’d considered Cheow Lan Lake but read some not-so-great reviews (crowds, just 3 viewpoints, and the rest was meh). What do you think? - Can we start from Ao Thalane Pier for trips to Ko Hong and Ko Tapu? - I’m not thrilled about driving through Bangkok, but I’m not sure where to rent a car west of the city (since we won’t return it to the same place, I assume it’s best to target rental companies at airports).

Thanks in advance for any tips or feedback you can share to help me (or not 😛) refine this plan before I start booking!

Hi there, Has anyone got any great tips for long-term car rental (1 month, maybe more) in Chiang Mai?

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’re planning a family trip (with 2 teens) to Java in June 2026 (2 to 3 weeks). After reading a lot of forum posts and travel journals, I’ve put together an itinerary and would love your thoughts and advice on the stops and routes.

Day 1: Arrive in Yogyakarta in the afternoon Day 2: Prambanan in the afternoon Day 4: Explore Yogyakarta Day 5: Morning at Borobudur, then visit the surrounding area for the rest of the day Day 6: Train to Malang, then Grab or private driver to Tumpak Sewu. Overnight in Tumpak Sewu. Day 7: Visit waterfalls and explore the area for the rest of the day. Overnight in Tumpak Sewu. Day 8: Trip to Cemoro Lawang by Grab or private driver. Hike up Bromo in the afternoon. Overnight in Cemoro. Day 9: Sunrise at Bromo. Trip to Surabaya by Grab or private driver. Overnight in Surabaya. Day 10: Trip to Jepara. Overnight in Jepara. Day 11: Karimunjawa Day 12: Karimunjawa Day 13: Karimunjawa Day 14: Karimunjawa Day 15: Bus back to Yogyakarta. Overnight in Yogyakarta. Day 16: Return flight

Does this itinerary seem doable? My main question is about optimizing the route between Cemoro and Jepara. Can we connect to Jepara from Surabaya? Any suggestions for things to see along the way?

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions!

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!

Hi there,

I’m currently in Hoi An—I hadn’t set foot here for 8 years. The city has already changed a lot, with lots of construction, and even in the old town, along one side of the riverbank, there are huge residential buildings going up that take away some of the charm of this place. But the worst part is the overtourism—it’s impossible to walk across the famous bridge in the middle of the canal in the evening because it’s so packed with people. There’s also a new trend: massage parlors have opened in the old town and around the city. I was shocked—people call out to you or even grab your arm on the sidewalk, and it’s everywhere. Bangkok and Phuket might start shaking—Hanoi’s the same way.

Anyway, let’s talk about the dual pricing specifically for non-Vietnamese tourists. We went to a restaurant near our hotel last night, and they gave us an English menu—okay, fine! But I noticed the table next to us, where Vietnamese tourists had a different menu. Weird! I asked to see the same menu as my neighbors, but the waitress refused, saying it was in Vietnamese and we wouldn’t understand. I insisted, and she finally agreed. Surprise!!! The prices on the two menus were different, with the English one up to 50% more expensive. I asked why, and she got flustered, telling me to just order from the Vietnamese menu, which I translated with my phone to see the local prices. I mentioned this to the hotel this morning, and the receptionist told me to go to restaurants where prices are displayed at the entrance to avoid getting ripped off. I just bought fresh bread this morning, and it was the same thing—the little loaf costs 4000 dong for Vietnamese people and 5000 dong for non-Vietnamese. It’s not a huge difference, but this way of doing things isn’t right. At supermarkets like VinMart+, prices are displayed, so there’s no surprise or dual pricing there.

Hi everyone,

This September, my partner and I are heading to North Sulawesi for 3 weeks. Our international flight is with Malaysia Airlines, departing from Paris. We have a layover in KL, then fly to Denpasar, followed by a domestic flight from Denpasar to Manado. We land in Bali Denpasar on 05/09 around 12:00 PM, and our flight to Manado is on 07/09 at 1:30 AM. The plan was to have at least one night (from the 5th to the 6th of September) between our international flight and our flight to Manado, just to recharge a bit since we're not 20 anymore 😛. My question is, given the very short stop in Bali (a day and a half), is it better to stay in Denpasar rather than go to Ubud for the night? I’ve been to Bali before, and from what I remember, even though the distances are short, transfers take a long time because of the extremely heavy traffic—but I was there in July, not September. I’m not sure if that makes a big difference? If the answer is "it’s better to stay in Denpasar," are there any nice places to visit? There’s very little feedback about the city since tourists usually don’t stick around. Thanks in advance for your replies.

Dear VoyageForum members,

For the past two months, I’ve been checking flight ticket prices to spend 4.5 weeks in Thailand from early July to early August. I’m traveling from Brussels with a young child, so I want to avoid layovers. That’s why I’m only looking at Thai Airways’ website and only choosing direct flights.

At the end of August, I saw tickets for 955 € per person. On October 1st, they were 1,225 €. Today (October 22nd), the price is the same as on October 1st. (Same dates: Departure: July 4th, Return: August 7th.)

My question is: Is it possible these prices will drop significantly in the coming months?

Note: I clear my browser cache before every search, which I always do during the week and in the evening. This time, I also checked with my work computer, which has a VPN. So, the price isn’t influenced by cookies.

Thanks in advance for your feedback and tips.

Damien