J'aurais voulu savoir si il était nécessaire de réserver les avions (lignes intérieures), trains (idem), hotels, gites, treks/excursions organisées, ... à l'avance (et si oui, combien de temps à l'avance ?) ou si il était toujours possible de réserver sur place (disons deux ou trois jours à l'avance maximum) ? Je compte partir plusieurs mois en Asie du sud-est et dans le sous-continent Indien, à l'aventure la plupart du temps, mais il y a quand même quelques certitudes (trek Annapurna, Plages thailandaises, ...) que je ne souhaite pas louper une fois sur place - je ne voudrais pas me retrouver devant des portes fermées parce que je ne m'y serai pas pris à temps..... ; le problème est que je n'aurai jamais véritablement de dates fixes prévues à l'avance, durant lesquels je sais que je serai à tel ou tel endroit, d'ou difficile de réserver...
Merci pour vos réponses 🙂!
The story of our life is one of the distance between our ideals and what we are willing to sacrifice to live up to them
J'ai été un mois en Thaïlande nous n'avions absolment rien réservé. Nous avions le livre lonely planet et nous décidions où nous allions jamais plus qu'une journée à la fois. Il est bien de réserver un peu à l'avance si il y a des événements spéciaux! Mais sinon, il n'y a jamais de problèmes. Tu trouveras toujours de belles places pas cheres où habiter. Vas surtout dans des guests houses. Si tu as la chance d'aller faire un trek, va à Chaing Rai et les plages sont sur de petits iles comme Kok Samet c'est tellement beau et il faut absolument aller faire la fête à Koh Phi Phi. Ce ne sont que des jeunes entre 18 et 40 ans qui veulent qui faire la fête du snorling, de la plongée et rencontrer des gens de toutes sortes de pays. À partir de cette île tu dois absoluement prendre un petit bateau et demander d'aller sur une petite île déserte. Seulement pour quelques heures, mais c'est magnifique.
Il y a tellement plein de chose à voir en Thaïlande, alrs je vais arrêter maintenant, car je aurais à dire pendant des jours et des jours, mais si tu as des questions encore, ne te gêne pas. Je connais les places à voir et d'autre à ne pas voir, comme Krabi, ce n'est pas très interessant!
Fais attention avec les Thaïs, ils sont très arnaqueurs! Ils vont essayer de te vendre plein de chose en te faisant accroire plein de chose, alors ne te laisse pas manipuler et avant de prendre un taxi assure si le taxi va bien à cette place.
Je t'envie, j'aimerais bien y retourner, amuse-toi
Merci pour les infos ; autre petite question, je pars sans doute seul (à moins que tu veuilles me rejoindre 😉 - pourquoi pas !), et je compte justement terminer mon "périple" sur les plages de Kho Phi Phi (syndrôme Di Caprio...)... j'ai un peu peur que, après 3 à 4 mois de voyages incessants, je ne profite pas pleinement de l'endroit... Est-ce que c'est aussi beau qu'on semble le dire ? n'est ce pas devenu un nid à touristes où hotels en forme de bunker viennent gacher le paysage ? quelles sont les iles dans le meme coin sur lesquellles il est possible de rester un bon moment, et qui ne sont pas encore abimée par l'occidentalisation à outrance ?
Merci pour tout ! et pour l'invitation, j'étais sérieux🙂
The story of our life is one of the distance between our ideals and what we are willing to sacrifice to live up to them
Bien sur que c'est devenu hyper touristique et frelatée, et j'ai vraiment du mal à croire que l'on puisse encore parler de Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samet, Phuket, Koh Chang, Koh Samet, Koh Samui et d'autres comme étant des plages paradisiaques...😮, c'était il y a bien longtemps !
Dans ce même forum, je donne souvent le conseil de descendre plus au sud dans la région de Trang ou là on trouve encore de superbes îles et pour le coup vraiment paradisiaques 😎...comme Koh Tarutao et Koh Lipe.
J'ai lu le message que Allan t'a écrit et je suis en accord et en désaccord avec lui.
Oui c'est certain que c'est touristique! Mais toute la Thaïlande est touristique! Il y a 8.5 millions de touristes par année! Alors c'est normal.
Moi dans le voyage que j'ai fait je voulais profiter des endroits plus tranquilles au début, faire des treks, aller dans des tribus, faire de l'éléphant, voir de petits villages et c'était magnifiques. Mais je voulais aussi rencontrer des gens de l'autralie, la suède, l'allemagne, la nouvelle-zélande et du québec....bref, j'avais envie de rencontrer des gens et de faire la fête. Koh Phi Phi c'est n'est pas aussi beau que l'on dit, même moi j'ai été déçue! Mais Il faut aller là pour faire la fête. Si tu es du type tranquille qui n'aime pas faire la fête, ne va pas là! Mais comme je t'ai dit. De cette île, il faut enfiler un maillot prendre avec toi quelques rafraichissement et prendre un petit bateau pour te rendre sur une petite île déserte quelques heures. C'est petite île où il n'y a rien, ce sont les plus belles.
Ce que Allan ne sais peut-être pas, c'est que aller au frontière de la Malaisie présentement ce n'est pas prudent, car premièrement: il y a des embuscades. Les Malais prennent les touristes en otages. ( Ce n'est pas partout, mais nous on nous a suggéré de ne pas être téméraire et d'être très vigilant, car nous sommes dans un pays où les lois, ce sont les habitants qui la font. )
Deuxièment: Avec le SRAS, tandis qu'il y a eu quelques cas en Malaisie ce n'est pas prudent non plus. Mais ceci reste à la discrétion des gens.
C'est comme pour le nord de la Thaïlande, nous ne sommes pas allées plus loin que Chiang Rai. Les gens disent que May Hong Song C'est plus beau, mais il y a de la malaria à ces endroit près de la Birmanie.
Tu sais, tout dépends de ce que tu veux. Je suis partie avec 4 copines, nous n'avions pas peur de rien, mais nous nous tenions au courant de tout ce qui se passais.
Achète-toi le lonely planet et tu verras toutes les places où il n'y a pas beaucoup de touristes. C'est un livre essentiel pour voyager. Et un petit conseil, va t'inscrire sur le site de ton consulat et du même coup regarde toutes les mises en garde et ensuite, c'est toi qui va décider de ce que tu fais!
Tout le monde va te dire fais ceci, ne fais pas cela...mais ce n'est que toi qui va le savoir comme tu veux que ça fonctionne en arrivant là-bas!
Petit conseils, tu vas beaucoup apprécier les plages après, ne t'en fait même pas!
J'organise un voyage en Thaïlande avec mon mari, ma fille et mon gendre. Après un séjour du côté de Chiang Mai et Pai, nous comptons redescendre sur le sud et…
Voilà le topo, je me renseigne, je lis, je cherche mais trop de choses trop d'avis et trop de trop donc je suis déjà perdue.. J'espère vraiment que quelqu'un…
Partant de Surabaya, pourriez-vous me dire quel sera le moyen de transport le plus adapté pour nous rendre au Kawa Ijen, puis du Kawa Ijen pour aller vers le…
Pour juillet et Août, pour Cameron Highlands ou le Taman Negara, faut-il réserver les transports (de Kuala Lumpur) très à l'avance, ou cela suffit-il si on le…
Pouvez vous me dire s'il est impératif, recommandé ou facultatif de réserver ses billets d'avions pour les vols intérieurs aux Philippines? Auquel cas faut il…
I need some expert advice on these two destinations for a 15-day trip. We land in KL and plan to stay for 2 days before heading to Borneo and finishing with an island for snorkeling.
For those who’ve been, what are your must-sees?
We were thinking of spending the last 3 days on the Perhentian Islands, unless you’ve got another island to recommend near Borneo.
Thanks for your tips and help!
I’d love to get some feedback on our itinerary—it’s probably pretty basic! This is our second trip to Asia and our first to Indonesia. We have three kids aged 20, 18, and 12. We land in Jakarta at 4 PM, spend 3 nights/2 days there, then take the train to Yogyakarta for 3 nights/2 days, followed by the train to Surabaya for 2 nights/1 day, then the train to Bromo for 1 day/1 night, a private driver to Ijen for 2 nights/2 days, then on to Bali (Ubud) for 4 nights/3 days, followed by Gili Air for 3 nights/2 days, Senggigi (Lombok) for 2 nights, and finally 5 nights in Kuta. I’m considering cutting the 2 nights in Senggigi to just keep Kuta and extend it to 7 nights. In Lombok, I’m not sure how to get around since I’m not comfortable with scooters... Your thoughts on all of this, and any advice, are more than welcome—don’t hesitate!
For those wondering why cities like Jakarta and Surabaya: we don’t often get the chance to visit big Asian cities, so we wanted to include that discovery in our trip. The trains between Jakarta and Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Probolinggo are booked. The return flight from Lombok to Jakarta is also set. Accommodations are booked but flexible (same for the trains).
Hi everyone,
Could you share your thoughts on my 3-week itinerary?
We’re a small group (family + friends) of 12 people, planning to leave around January 21, 2027.
Here’s my itinerary:
3 nights in Bangkok
4 nights in Chiang Mai
3 nights on Koh Samui
3 nights on Koh Phangan
4 nights in Krabi
4 nights in Phuket
I’m also open to any great tips you might have...
Thanks, everyone! Alain.
Hi! I’m planning a 15-day trip to Malaysia. The idea is to visit KL for 2 or 3 days, then Borneo, and I’m wondering what to do with the rest of the time. I’d like to finish with the Perhentian Islands... What do you think? Any tips or advice would be great—I’d really appreciate it!
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for addresses for guesthouses or, even better, houseboats or rafting houses on the River Kwai, between Kanchanaburi and Sangkhlaburi, to spend a few weeks contemplating this beautiful river.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Premaria
Hi there,
we’re currently in Mai Chau and tomorrow we’re hitting the road back to Hanoi to head up toward Bac Ha and Sapa.
We haven’t really had a set plan since we arrived—we’ve already done the Halong Bay on land and by sea.
I’ve got 2 free days before heading to Bac Ha and Sapa.
Any tips?
Thanks, and looking forward to hearing from you.
Hi fellow travelers,
First trip to Vietnam.
We’ll be arriving in Ho Chi Minh City during Tet.
Is it complicated to find accommodation and get around during this period?
Any tips would be welcome.
Thanks for your replies.
Silly question—backpack or hard-shell suitcase for the Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Tioman, KL trip?
I’m struggling to fit all my son’s and my stuff into the 70L backpack... and I’m thinking a suitcase would be easier, but I’m not sure if it’ll work for getting around.
Hi there,
I didn’t plan to return to Thailand this year, but my health conditions mean it’ll be the best place for me to stay between two trips to India. The tourism setup there is so well-organized that it’s the most "comfortable" country for a short visit. Thailand feels too sanitized for my taste, and there’s too much religion, Buddha, and the King, but it’s still the best option given how my health has been evolving. I’d considered two weeks in ThaTon for hiking, but I got too sick from the burn-offs during my trips to the mountains around Chiang Rai. So I’m not sure where to go this year. Definitely not the sea, touristy spots, or the mountains with burn-offs...
Hello.
In 1996, we crossed Vietnam from Saigon to Hanoi by motorbike—Minsk bikes we bought in Saigon. I haven’t been back since, and it seems like a lot has changed.
- We’re heading to the south (well, the north and center) with the family in July-August (3 people).
- Is the road network more developed now? Back then, there was only National Route 1 from south to north. I’m thinking of renting a car this time (no motorbike with the family—though in ’96, they had a Jawa sidecar for sale, and we hesitated… maybe it’s for the best).
- Is Halong Bay really something to avoid because of overtourism? Even back then, it was pretty crowded. Is there a less touristy alternative?
- We’ll be traveling from Hanoi down to Danang (the only city we didn’t stop in back in ’96). Even though it’s a bit overhyped in a Chinese-tourist kind of way (from what I’ve read), we’re only going for the beach—pure relaxation for 7 days. The beaches are stunning, and I know the South China Sea is warm like coffee.
- Then, we’ll visit Hoi An, where I stopped in ’96. It was already popular with backpackers back then, but no glowing boats or all the touristy fuss!
- After that, Hue, where I have great memories—it’s a beautiful city.
- And also the nature around Ninh Binh, followed by 2-3 days in Hanoi.
That’s the plan. I’d love to hear any tips to avoid mass tourism, and if anyone’s done this before:
- Is it possible to rent a car in Danang and drop it off in Hanoi?
Hey everyone,
I’m over in East Borneo in mid-July.
I’m struggling to wrap up the end of my itinerary, even though it’s pretty straightforward (long but simple).
Last year, we did Malaysia (KL and the mainland + around Kuching).
Day 1 – Arrive in Kota Kinabalu early, stroll around town and hit the must-sees.
Day 2 – Excursion to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, snorkeling at 3 islands.
Day 3 – Hike around Mount Kinabalu without summiting (450 per person, no way).
Day 4 – Poring Hot Springs + evening flight to Sandakan.
Day 5-6-7 – Kinabatangan River (still looking for the right guide).
Day 8 – Sepilok for the orangutans, the Sun Bear Centre, and Rainforest Discovery Centre.
Day 9 – Selingan, turtle island.
Day 10 – Head to Semporna.
Day 11-12-13-14 – Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai.
Day 15 – Bohey Dulang.
Day 16 to Day 25: I’M STUCK.
I looked into Danum Valley, but for 3 days/2 nights, they’re quoting 650 € per person—come on, that’s ridiculous.
I checked out a detour into Indonesia (still East Borneo), but I’m having trouble deciding what would be amazing.
I read about Sangalaki + Kakaban (2 islands, 1 base) / Mahakam Delta - Kutai (orangutans and river) / Sungai Boh (Dayak Kayan) – jungle & culture.
But honestly, I’m struggling to finalize this itinerary.
If we venture that way, we’d head back to KK from Balikpapan.
For a 4-month stay in Egypt, I had ENORMOUS problems. The regulations are very bureaucratic and extremely nitpicky there. For a 4-month stay in the Philippines, I was wondering if the procedures are just as complicated? I’m bringing my cell phone with an eSIM. Should I choose a plan from Canada for use in the Philippines, or should I get a plan only once I arrive? After 30 days, do I renew with the Canadian provider I chose before leaving, or do I switch to a local company? Do I need to register my phone with the authorities in the Philippines? (That was the case in Egypt.) For the 3rd and 4th months, will it be just as simple—renewing with a Canadian or local provider—or should I expect problems?
Hello,
I’ll be in Malaysia with my wife, mainly in Langkawi and Penang for Christmas and New Year’s at the end of 2026.
If you’ve had the experience—and since I’ve read (though it’s not very clear) that these two islands get quite crowded during this period—would you recommend booking accommodation well in advance, or is it easy to find something on the spot?
Hotels or Airbnb?
Do you have any great tips for accommodation or any practical info to share?
We’ll be staying 5 to 7 days on each island.
Thanks in advance for your replies
Hi there. To make the most of Lake Toba, is it better to find accommodation on the lake’s shores (which one?) or on Samosir Island? Thanks for your tips!
Hi there,
We’re heading to Vietnam as a family on July 8th for a little over 3 weeks (north and center). We’ve only booked the first 3 nights in Hanoi, and nothing else after that. We like to decide things on the spot and go with the flow, without rushing everywhere. But I’m still a bit unsure: when heading down to the center (Hue), is it better to book the overnight trains in advance? We don’t want to take any flights while we’re there—just use the overnight train for the long trips. But I’m worried we won’t get seats if we buy the tickets on the spot, say, 2 days before. What do the experts here think? And which website can we use to book the tickets? Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hi everyone!
I’m heading back to Thailand in July 2026 with a stopover in Cambodia to visit the Angkor site.
After Angkor, I’ve booked a stay on Ko Chang island. Does anyone know if there are direct transport options from Cambodia to Ko Chang without having to go back through Bangkok? That would be amazing!!
I think there are, but I’d need more details!!
I went to Thailand in February 2025 and don’t remember having to apply for a visa—is that still the case now? And for Cambodia too?
Thanks so much!!!
Laurence from Bayonne
Hi,
After our trip to China, we want to spend a week in the Philippines for some beach time and snorkeling.
We're looking for the best spot to settle in—nice beaches, great marine life, and short transfer times.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Does anyone know of a private transfer or taxi company that organizes transfers from the Sukhothai area to Chiang Mai?
Our routes are Sukhothai-Lampang, Lampang-Chom Thong, and Chom Thong-Chiang Mai.
My searches on Google Maps, 12Go, and others haven’t turned up much...
For our Bangkok-Sukhothai trips, I use a company I’ve already tried, but they don’t have a fleet available from Sukhothai and have to go through third-party companies—which, understandably, take their commission. This nearly doubles the prices...
There are four of us, and we’re not traveling light, so a minibus isn’t an option. ;-)
Hello,
While traveling in Thailand, I’m looking for a Buddhist kumlai reed bracelet.
Does anyone know where I can find one?
In Bangkok, I visited a few temples but didn’t see any in the nearby shops.
If you have any ideas, I’d love to hear them! Have a great day! :-)
My trip’s coming up, and I’m having a bit of trouble with three bus/minivan routes. Usually, I find everything at this time of year, but this time—yikes!
Sandakan → Sepilok:
No app for this one—you just hop on bus #14 at the local terminal (pay cash on board). But where do I catch it, and where’s the stop??
Sandakan → Semporna:
From what I’ve heard, it’s the Sida Express company (great name, right? 😄).
Can’t book online, but apparently, you *have* to because there’s only one bus at 8 AM.
Where do I board, and where does it drop me off?
Semporna → Tawau:
Found this via AI—is it legit?
No online booking, as far as I can tell.
Minivans leave from a stop in the Jalan Hospital area, near the Milimewa supermarket, supposedly????
And when you arrive, does it drop you at **Sabindo Square** in Tawau?????
Hi there,
we’ll be in Mai Chau in June and we’re thinking of heading to Sapa, but first spending a few days in Bac Ha to do some hiking and explore the area.
Is this a good idea for those who’ve been there?
How do you get there?
Thanks for your feedback.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cédric.
Hi there,
I’m planning an itinerary and would love some feedback on whether it’s doable and if the number of days per destination is enough—or too much. I was also debating whether to add an extra night on an island or spend an extra night in Kampot to visit Kep or Battambang.
March 23: Arrival in Phnom Penh in the morning
March 24: Phnom Penh
March 25: Phnom Penh
March 26: Depart for Kampot
March 27: Kampot
March 28: Depart for Battambang
March 29: Battambang
March 30: Tonlé SAP to Siem Reap
March 31: Siem Reap
April 1: Siem Reap
April 2: Siem Reap
April 3: Siem Reap
April 4: Siem Reap
April 5: Departure
Hi there,
Yesterday in the Thailand section, 100% of the new threads were just about beach destinations 😕...
So here’s the counterattack in the form of this photo thread, dedicated solely to the countryside: the locals, their livestock, fields, farms, rice paddies, small rivers, and agricultural machinery. If you’ve got any pictures that fit these categories, feel free to add them!
Comments welcome.
For each photo, I’ll (or you can) indicate the area where it was taken.
Hope you're all doing well! It's been a while since I last traveled, but I'm finally heading out again soon!
For those familiar with SOUTHEAST ASIA, I'm planning to leave in mid-June (with the trip ending at the latest in November), and I don’t have a precise idea of exact places or itineraries yet. The thing is, this period is usually the rainy season...
Any advice? I was thinking of Malaysia or Indonesia, like Sulawesi, for example (all countries and islands in Southeast Asia interest me except Bali).
Any recommendations? I’m doing my research online, but if anyone here has the time and knowledge, I’d love to hear from you.
My partner and I are planning a trip to Indonesia in September-October 2026. It’ll be our first time in Asia, and we’re thinking of hitting the classic spots in East Java and Bali, then wrapping up with a cruise around Komodo for some snorkeling/diving. Here’s a rough draft of our itinerary—I’m wondering if it’s doable.
20/09: Flight from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, arrive around noon, afternoon/evening and overnight in Yogyakarta.
21/09: Borobudur
22/09: Prambanan
23/09: Travel to Bromo (Cemoro Lawang)
24/09: Bromo
25/09: Kawa Ijen
26/09: Travel to Bali, overnight in Pemuteran
27/09: Excursion to Pulau Melujan, overnight in Pemuteran
28/09: Travel to Munduk, overnight in Munduk
29/09: Explore Munduk and surroundings, overnight in Munduk
30/09: Explore Munduk and surroundings, overnight in Munduk
01/10: Route to Ubud (via Pura Ulu Danau Bratan, Jatiluwih?), overnight in Ubud
02/10: Explore Ubud and surroundings, overnight in Ubud
03/10: Explore Ubud and surroundings, overnight in Ubud
04/10: Travel to Denpasar, flight to Labuan Bajo, overnight in Labuan Bajo
05/10: Komodo cruise
06/10: Komodo cruise
07/10: Komodo cruise, flight to Denpasar in the late afternoon/evening or overnight in Labuan Bajo.
08/10: Flight to Denpasar (if not taken the day before), afternoon in Jimbaran, overnight near Denpasar
09/10: 10:00 AM flight Denpasar - SIN, overnight in Singapore
10/10: Flight SIN-YQB
Hi everyone,
My girlfriend and I booked our tickets with Saudia Airlines for a trip to Thailand this summer, from July 5th to August 3rd. Given the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, we’re keeping a close eye on the news.
I was wondering if anyone here is in the same situation as us?
• Have you heard anything about possible mass cancellations or if the airline is still maintaining its routes to Asia?
• Are there any travelers who’ve recently returned who could tell us if air corridors have been changed (longer flight times)?
The idea is to know what to expect so we can prepare as best as possible. Thanks for your replies! !
