Hi, I’m really interested in the "SUPREME bus" and especially the "Wiang Ping Super VIP Class Bus" with Sombat Tour for traveling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. But you can only book through their website, and it’s entirely in Thai. No agency allows booking for these buses from this company either. I haven’t found any way to make a reservation for either of these two buses... Has anyone traveled from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on one of these buses? Thanks so much

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

Hello,

After a successful first trip in 2025, with the help of forum members, we’d love to return to this amazing cultural melting pot in 2026 for three weeks (2 adults, 2 kids aged 13 and 16).

We’d like to explore new places in the Northeast: fly into Khon Kaen and explore the region—Loei, Nong Khai, perhaps? A detour to the center to visit Sukhothai would be a great addition.

I’ll admit, planning this itinerary is a bit trickier for me since I’m less familiar with these areas and what they have to offer. The distances also seem longer than our previous transfers (BKK-Kanchanaburi-Kaeng Krachan-Sam Roi Yot...).

Do you have any suggestions or hidden gems to explore in the Northeast and Central regions that keep travel time between stops reasonable (3-4 hours)?

Thanks for your input!

So, my flight tickets have just been booked for a trip to Cambodia from November 4th to 27th, 2025. I’ll be traveling solo and want to explore this amazing country while getting a bit off the beaten path. I’m arriving in Phnom Penh and also departing from Phnom Penh. My goal is to travel as much as possible by bus and scooter. What itinerary would you recommend? What are the must-do things? I’m open to all tips and info. Thanks in advance for your help and responses.

Hi there,

The question’s in the title—should I buy a map locally or bring a detailed one from France? If so, which one?

Thanks! 😉

Hi there, what do you think of this itinerary, please? Do you think it’s doable? We’re two adults—it’s our honeymoon trip! 🙂 Our main interests lean more toward nature and landscapes than cultural visits (though we won’t rule out one or two temple visits).

01/10/2025 W 10:30 AM – Departure from CDG (overnight flight) 02/10/2025 Th 11:25 AM – Arrival in Denpasar -> Ubud (south of the city) – overnight in Ubud 03/10/2025 F – Excursions around Ubud – overnight in Ubud 04/10/2025 Sa – Excursions around Ubud (Jatiluwih) – overnight in Ubud 05/10/2025 Su – Excursions around Ubud – overnight in Ubud 06/10/2025 M – Ubud -> Amed – overnight in Amed 07/10/2025 Tu – Amed – overnight in Amed 08/10/2025 W – Amed -> Padangbai – overnight in Padangbai 09/10/2025 Th – Padangbai -> Gili Air (first morning boat) – overnight on Gili Air 10/10/2025 F – Gili Air – overnight on Gili Air 11/10/2025 Sa – Gili Air – overnight on Gili Air 12/10/2025 Su – Gili Air -> Nusa Lembongan – overnight on Nusa Lembongan 13/10/2025 M – Nusa Lembongan – overnight on Nusa Lembongan 14/10/2025 Tu – Nusa Lembongan – overnight on Nusa Lembongan 15/10/2025 W – Nusa Lembongan – overnight on Nusa Lembongan (or return to Bali depending on sea conditions) 16/10/2025 Th – Jimbaran or Seminyak – overnight in Jimbaran or Seminyak 17/10/2025 F – Jimbaran -> Denpasar – departure at 6:45 PM (overnight flight) 18/10/2025 Sa 8:00 AM – Arrival at CDG – overnight at home

Thanks in advance for your feedback! [;]

Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Laos in November 2025. I’m not really sure what to visit. I’ve heard there are local festivals around that time. Open to any suggestions for planning my trip. There’ll be 4 or 5 of us. Best,

Time to hit the road again!

Summer seems to be the best time weather-wise for Bali. And since summer’s when we can take a long trip, let’s go for Bali... even though we know it’ll be *packed* with people! So we’ll steer clear of the island’s south...

Our current plan (19 days on the ground, 7 stops): - 4 Nights (3 days) in Ubud 2 days for rice terraces / activities (Tegallalang, Campuhan Ridge, Monkey Forest, Bird Park, coffee plantation, market (?), dance "pestacle," cooking class and/or spa) 1 day with a driver for the Temples (Pura Gunung Kawi, Tirta Empul Spring, Pura Mengening, Goa Gajah...) - 2 nights in Sidemen (1 day for Pura Kehen + Batur Caldera + Pura Besakih and 1 day to relax in the rice terraces) - 3 nights on Gili Meno (Rest and beaches) from Padangbai - 2 nights in Amed (1 day from Padangbai with the Abang rice terrace and Tirta Gangga baths, and the next day a boat tour in Amed) - 4 nights in Pemuteran (1 day for transfer and rest, 1 day to visit Kawah Ijen, and 2 days of snorkeling at Menjangan Island) - 2 nights in Munduk (1 day with the Dayang rice terrace and the 3-waterfall hike, 1 day at Pura Ulun Danu Bratan) - 2 nights in Jatiluwih (1 day in the rice terraces, and on the last day, we’ll stop by Pura Taman Ayun in Mengwi and Pura Tanah Lot before catching our red-eye flight).

Accommodations in homestays or hotels. Transportation to be arranged on-site with the lodgings (?) Boat to Gili Meno to book in advance (?) Kawah Ijen excursion to plan ahead (?)—check with the homestay (?)

Thanks for your thoughts/comments to help us explore this destination...

We’re planning a month there, and there are definitely some beautiful—*very* beautiful—islands, but which ones to choose? Can you point me to the must-sees, the ones that are easiest to reach by boat, bus, or flight if it saves a ton of time and isn’t too expensive? Also, which island should we start our loop on, given we’re coming from Vietnam and our return flight to Paris is already booked out of Manila? Thanks in advance for all your tips. Philippe

Hi everyone! I’m reaching out because we’re planning a trip to Thailand next year (around March/April), and we’d like to visit Chiang Mai and then Krabi, plus a few islands near Krabi. We’ve been to Thailand before, 10 years ago, and this time, we’d just like to focus on 5 days in Chiang Mai and 10–12 days in the Krabi area. I’ll admit, I’m really struggling to pick an island near Krabi. We hated Phi Phi: dirty, noisy, and the food was gross… such a letdown! Which island would you recommend for snorkeling, nature walks, and beautiful beaches? Maybe we could also make a stop between Chiang Mai and Krabi—perhaps Sukhothai? Is it easy to travel between these three cities? Thanks so much for your help! 🙂

Hi there,

I’m about to take a trip around the region in March. According to the "experts," which cities are really worth the detour? My key criteria: a slightly lively downtown + walkable. I’ve already been to the region a few years ago, but my memories are pretty mixed (Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen).

Thanks😎

Hello and happy to be back on this forum! We’re planning our trip to southern Vietnam in February. We visited central Vietnam two years ago. For now, based on reading various posts, we’ve drafted the following itinerary, keeping in mind that we travel by public transport and rent bikes or motorbikes when needed. We also like to take our time! So far, we’ve only booked our flight tickets: 1 Paris – HO CHI MINH 2 & 3 Visit HO CHI MINH 4 Day trip to Cu Chi 5 Transfer Ho Chi Minh / Cat Tien 6 & 7 Cat Tien 8 Transfer Cat Tien / Cai Be 9 & 10 Cai Be 11 Transfer Cai Be / Vinh Long or Binh Island 12 Vinh Long or Binh Island 13 Day trip to Sa Dec 14 Bus transfer Vinh Long / Can Tho 15 & 16 Can Tho 17 Transfer Can Tho / Chau Doc 18 & 19 Chau Doc 20 Transfer Chau Doc / Ha Tien 21 & 22 Ha Tien 23 Boat transfer to PHU QUOC 24, 25 & 26 PHU QUOC 27 Flight to Paris

Actually, we’re on a rhythm of 1 transfer day and 2 visit days, which doesn’t fully satisfy us. That’s why we’re wondering: Is it possible to stay in one accommodation for visits to Cai Be, Binh Island, and Vinh Long (including our day trip to Sa Dec)? Do you see any other ways to adjust the itinerary? Any oversights? We also still need to look into the transfer details. Thanks for your tips! fg

hi we want to visit the Philippines in January but we’re not sure where to go—there are so many islands! We’d also love some advice on where to land. I’ve checked a few discussions, but they’re not recent. thanks for your help

Hi there,

The round trip to Bangkok is almost booked.

Here’s the itinerary I’ve planned for this new trip to Thailand:

Arrival – 2 nights in Bangkok (any hotel recommendations? Very quiet, near Chinatown or by the river)

Train or taxi (which app should I use for Thailand?) to Phetchaburi – 2 nights (any hotel recommendations?)

Daytime train to Surat Thani – 1 night there (any hotel recommendations?)

Pick up the rental car and head to Khao Sok – 1 night there (any hotel recommendations?)

Drive to Ko Kho Khao – 3 nights – relaxation (any hotel recommendations?)

Drive to Phang Nga Bay – 1 night (any base recommendations?)

Excursion in the bay, then drive to Krabi – 2 nights (any hotel recommendations) or any other spot with beautiful, quiet beaches that you might know?

Return to Surat Thani – overnight train to Bangkok, then Ayutthaya (any hotel recommendations?)

Visit the site and transfer to the airport – sniff, time to head back!

If you have other suggestions, keeping in mind the trip’s vibe: beach time without crowds or entertainment, a bit of nature, a bit of culture, no stress... No domestic flights and charming accommodations (not at 150 € per night, even though the budget is reasonable!)

Not sure I’ll follow them all, but all your ideas are welcome! 😉

Thanks. 🙂

Hello! So glad to see the forum back up and running! We just got back from a trip to Sumba in early November—spent a little over a week exploring this lesser-known island from east to west. It’s the perfect destination for anyone looking to escape overtourism. Feel free to ask any questions—everything’s still fresh in my mind, so I’d be happy to help if I can.

My itinerary: - Arrival in Tambolaka - The lagoon, beaches, villages, and stunning waterfalls…

Happy to share more! Check out my photos on my Flickr

Hi there, I’m so excited to reopen the Asia/Indonesia forum! We’ve got a trip planned for spring, and we’re planning to spend a few days on Java before wrapping up in Bali. For Java: Yogyakarta / Bromo / Ijen For Bali: Ubud / Amed See you all on the forum soon!

Hi everyone,

We're leaving in less than a month, and I'm making a list of last-minute purchases. Could you please review/complete my list? We're traveling with no luggage, just one backpack per person. Here’s what I have on my list: - coral-safe sunscreen 100 ml – I started a separate thread on this topic, so if anyone can answer, thanks in advance ; - long-sleeve UV-protective t-shirts (for boat tours); - compression socks; - lightweight pants for visiting the Royal Palace (the schedule is tight, and I don’t want to waste too much time shopping at the start of the trip, unless we can find them at 7-Eleven); - waterproof pouches for phones and passports; - what else?

Thanks in advance for your tips!

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 everyone, First post in years on the forum—I’m so happy it’s back up and running!

I’ve been wrestling with this question for weeks now: Flores or Sulawesi?

I’m leaving in July for 24 days, followed by 2 weeks around Makassar/Wakatobi for work. For the first part, I’m traveling with my family (my partner + 3 kids aged 6 to 14).

I’ve had a long-time dream of Komodo, but I’m worried it’s become super touristy... though the crossing to Maumere still sounds amazing. I’m also not thrilled about all the internal flights.

On the other hand, since I’ll be in Sulawesi anyway, I’m thinking a crossing from Gorontalo to Luwuk via the Togians (maybe even a few days in Banggai) + a detour to Toraja (which I visited 10 years ago) could be an incredible trip too.

For my family, this is their first trip to Indonesia, so I’d love it to feel *mythic* ;).

Any advice is welcome—I’m really struggling to decide! I know it’s a choice between two great options...

Thanks!

Hello,

Our flights are booked, and we’ll arrive in Thailand at the beginning of January.

Originally, we were supposed to spend 14 days there. But after booking the flights and seeing the prices, we’ll now be there for 20 days instead.

Our initial plan was: 2 days in Bangkok 1 day in Ayutthaya 4 days in Chiang Mai 6 days around Krabi

So we have 7 more days to fill. What do you recommend?

An extra day in Bangkok? Adding more days in the north? If so, where? Exploring another region, like Kanchanaburi or Cheow Lan Lake? Traveling north in stages instead of taking the overnight train?

A few extra details about us: For us, vacation isn’t about relaxation—we love walking, exploring, and packed days don’t bother us. Hiking for hours and doing active things is what makes us happy. That said, we also enjoy visiting villages and towns if they’re worth the detour. In Thailand, we’d like to visit temples too. We’re early risers, so our days tend to be long. 🙂 In short, we like to keep things moving during our trips. 😉

Unfortunately, seeing terraced rice fields isn’t possible in January. I read there are rice fields around Sukhothai. Are they green in January?

In the north, do you recommend Doi Inthanon, Huai Nam Dang, or Doi Chiang Dao National Parks? Which one is the most beautiful and best for January?

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?

Thanks, and long live the Nam! !

Hi there,

I’m looking for a beach spot within 3 hours max of Bangkok for the end of my trip (January). I know full well I won’t find that postcard-perfect vibe of the more remote islands! But I don’t have a choice. If you’ve got any ideas... no high-rises, obviously not Pattaya, somewhere quiet, swimming possible, a hotel right on the beach (and not too dirty, the beach itself!) I’ve looked at hotels around Ko Samet or, across from it, on the mainland. I spotted the Bann Pae Cabana. But nothing really exciting on either side. New ideas welcome! 🙂

Hello everyone!

It’s such a pleasure to be back on VoyageForum after so many years. A long time ago, I used it to plan and share a wonderful trip between Namibia and Botswana.

This time, I’m preparing a family trip for next summer (two parents, a 15-year-old boy, and an 11-year-old girl) that’ll be our big Christmas gift. I already have the flight tickets: we arrive in Denpasar on July 13th and return from Singapore on August 12th.

Our main focus is Indonesia, but since we don’t often get the chance to travel this far, I wanted to take the opportunity to stop in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore on the way back. It’ll give my kids—especially my son, who’s passionate about geography—a taste of these two major cities.

We prefer quiet spots (no need for party vibes or trendy places), though the girls (yes, there are two of them!) still enjoy discovering local crafts, souvenir shops, and the like. We don’t mind organizing things ourselves—I actually love doing that—and I assumed it’d be easy to arrange transport between hotels by booking through them. We’re not chasing cultural discoveries (one beautiful temple is enough; no need to see all 35, even if they’re stunning).

After reading tons of websites, guides, and forum posts, I’ve put together an itinerary I’d love to get your thoughts on. It’s already changed many times… and I’m sure it’ll change again! The goal is to avoid obvious mistakes, see if we’re trying to do too much, or if some places aren’t worth the effort. Here’s what it looks like so far:

- **Day 1**: Arrival in Denpasar in the late afternoon. Transport to a hotel outside Denpasar.

- **Days 2–5 (4 days)**: Bali. We’d like to stay in one or two quiet spots, away from the southern area, to explore the famous rice terraces, temples, and maybe do some light hiking.

- **Day 6**: Transfer to Lombok by fast ferry from Padang Bai (to avoid going back to the busy southern port, since I’ve heard traffic there is chaotic).

- **Days 6–11 (5 days)**: Lombok. We’d especially like to climb Mount Rinjani (we’re in good enough shape for it) and spend 2–3 days in a nice, quiet seaside spot (I was thinking of the southern Gilis near Lembar or the beautiful beaches in the south of the island).

- **Day 11**: Flight from Lombok Airport to Labuan Bajo.

- **Days 12–14**: 3-day/2-night cruise to Rinca and the various "hot spots" of Komodo National Park.

- **Day 15**: Labuan Bajo. I was thinking of doing a beginner’s diving excursion.

- **Day 16**: Flight back to Denpasar, then transfer to Banyuwangi by bus/boat (apparently possible via Express Bahari).

- **Day 17**: Morning visit to Ijen Crater, then return to the same hotel to relax for the rest of the day.

- **Day 18**: Transfer to a base camp for a sunrise visit to Mount Bromo on Day 19. - **Day 19**: Visit Bromo. We’d like to spend the whole day there to enjoy the site once most people have left. - **Day 20**: Transfer to Surabaya or Yogyakarta. - **Day 21**: Flight to Medan, then transfer to Bukit Lawang. - **Days 22–25**: Bukit Lawang. Jungle trek for 2–3 days and some downtime for 1–2 days. - **Day 23**: Transfer to Dumai. - **Day 25**: Boat from Dumai to Malacca.

The rest isn’t as relevant here.

I have a few big doubts, especially: - Is it worth spending 4 days in Bali and 5 in Lombok, or would it be better to focus on just one island? If so, we’d probably lean toward Lombok—it seems quieter, and Rinjani is calling our name…

- I’m counting on the Komodo trip to explore the islands and marine life in the area. It sounds like a true paradise (manta rays, turtles, Komodo dragons…). From what I’ve read, snorkeling in Bali or Lombok doesn’t offer the same experiences. Do you think that’s really the case? I’ve seen some unflattering comments about Labuan Bajo… Originally, I wanted to do the Lombok–Flores crossing by boat, but the "mandatory" whale shark stop in Sumbawa seems controversial, so I ruled it out.

- For the stretch between Days 16 and 21, I’m not sure about the best way to organize things to enjoy Ijen and Bromo without being in constant rush mode or sleeping for just 3 days. I can’t decide whether to stay near the crater (the hotels seem basic—is it worth spending 2 nights there?) or farther away, even if it means more travel. I’ve also considered skipping Bromo to attempt the Semeru climb. There are also some nice spice plantations nearby (Margo Utomo in Kalibaru). Any thoughts?

Anyway, thanks for making it this far! :-)

Looking forward to reading your replies! !

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!

Hello everyone,

My husband and I are planning a trip to Thailand from January 2 to 10. Departure from Brussels on January 1 – arriving in Bangkok at 6:00 AM on January 2. Departure from Bangkok on January 11 at 2:00 AM, arriving in Brussels at 1:25 PM the same day. For professional and personal reasons, we can’t extend the trip.

I don’t plan on just lounging on a beach in Phuket, so with 9 days on the ground, I know it’s short... But having done this before in Hong Kong and Shanghai, I know it’s doable, refreshing, and enjoyable. We did it with the kids and included a 2- or 3-day stay at Disneyland in each city. Basically, we spent 5-6 days in each city.

Anyway, I’m reaching out because I’ve heard and read so many conflicting opinions that my head is spinning.

Following the saying, "don’t bite off more than you can chew," I’m assuming I should keep it simple. So I’m torn between just Bangkok or Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

If I go with the second option, I’m debating whether to head straight to Chiang Mai on the day we arrive (but given the flight times, we’d lose pretty much the whole day) or spend two days in Bangkok first, then go to Chiang Mai for 3-4 days, and return to Bangkok.

Thanks for your advice!

Hi there,

My friend and I are heading to Thailand for three weeks between December 14th and January 4th.

After a week of relaxation in the south by the beach, we plan to explore northern Thailand to see the mountains and discover the country’s history before wrapping up in Bangkok.

I’m torn about which region to explore. For convenience, we’ll arrive in Chiang Mai, spend a few days in the area, then head to Lampang, followed by Sukhothai, and finally Bangkok.

After Chiang Mai (1 or 2 days—I’m worried the period might be too crowded and we won’t enjoy it much), we’ll have 3 days and could go to: Mae Hong Son (with a potential return flight); Chiang Dao and Fang; or Nan province, though that seems a bit far for just 3 days. We could also spend only one day in Chiang Mai and have 4 days instead.

For these 3 (or 4) days between Chiang Mai and Lampang, we’d love to do some beautiful hikes, preferably on our own, and see stunning landscapes, nature, and small villages.

Among my options, which would you recommend? Or where can we find great hikes that we can do independently and that aren’t overrun by mass tourism? I’ll admit, I’m struggling to find info—there are lots of small national parks, but details are scarce, and even AllTrails doesn’t have much for some of them...

Just to clarify, we’re considering hiring a car with a driver if needed.

Thanks so much to anyone who can help, and have a great weekend!

Leslie

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 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, I’m heading to Thailand for the first time in early 2026 and I’m really struggling to pick a neighborhood to stay in Bangkok. Apart from being close to public transport (metro, skytrain, BRT), I’m torn between several areas. I don’t mind using public transport or walking long distances, but if every trip takes 45 minutes or an hour, it’ll quickly become a hassle given our relatively short time there.

We’ll be in Bangkok twice during our trip: first for a “short” 2-night stopover (arriving from France in the mid-afternoon, then leaving the day after next for southern Thailand by plane), and then again for 3 nights before flying back to France (arriving at the airport in the late afternoon, 3 nights there, then departing for France in the late morning).

I’ve seen so many different recommendations that I’m having a hard time deciding. I’ve read that staying near the river is great for sightseeing, and that taking the boat to get around is really pleasant. But I’m worried about being a bit isolated for evening outings (eating at a cheap little restaurant, having a drink—nothing too wild!).

Chinatown is tempting for the food—it looks amazing—and it doesn’t seem too far from the main sights with public transport. But I’ve read that it’s very noisy because it’s super touristy and there’s constant truck traffic. My friend isn’t thrilled about it, especially since another neighborhood interests her because she has a great discount at a hotel near Victory Monument/Phaya Thai (the Pullman hotel). Even though it’s close to public transport, I’ve seen that it’s mostly a shopping district? And even with transport, isn’t it a long trip to visit places like the Grand Palace?

We also had a plan to stay at an ibis near BTS Nana station in the Sukhumvit area, but again, I get the feeling it’s mostly a shopping district?

Anyway, I’d love to hear your thoughts because I’m really torn!

It’s also true that I haven’t really planned our Bangkok stays yet. I’d like to do the “classic” tourist sights like the Grand Palace and eat really well! Someone told me that the big shopping malls also have amazing food 🙂

Thanks for your input!

Hi everyone, When we travel abroad, we usually rent a car to be independent with our itinerary and free with our timing. But we get the feeling that it’s not so simple in Indonesia. Is it feasible, for example, to drive from Bali to Komodo National Park by car? What are the roads like? Can you rent and return cars on these smaller islands? Thanks for your replies.