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.
We took an Air India flight. Contrary to what I’d read about this airline, the flight went smoothly. Since the first plane was 15 minutes late and the connection was reduced to less than an hour, Air India offered to change the second flight on the day of departure, which was really helpful. The screens were working, and legroom on the first flight was great. On the other hand, the food was just okay, but oh well.
We stayed at a hotel near the Chong Nonsi BTS station (3-minute walk). I’ll share reviews of my hotels once I’m back in France. :)
For money: we exchanged a little first at Super Rich in the airport, and later withdrew more using our Boursorama card. It’s more advantageous to withdraw with the card (declining their conversion rate) than to exchange at Super Rich.
We also got a SIM card at the airport for 15 days.
Quick note: I’ll be sharing info for a 14-day school holiday trip with a teen. So, unlike retirees (no offense to retirees, but time management is different), we only have 2 weeks, and teens don’t wake up early.
To get to the hotel, we took the Bangkok Airport Rail Link (ARL) to the last station and then the BTS. For our trips, we buy BTS / ARL / MRT tickets in cash at the counter.
Day 1: Visited the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun.
We really needed some sleep, so we left the hotel pretty late. To get to the Grand Palace, we took the BTS and then the boat. From Chong Nonsi station to boat pier N9, it took... 1h30!!!
When leaving BTS Saphan Taksin station, you need to go to the pier on the left. We bought boat tickets at the counter, and they put us in the waiting area for our boat (we were sold tickets for the blue line). We waited 15 minutes, the blue boat left first in the opposite direction toward Asiatique and then made a U-turn at Asiatique
There are toilets;
there are clothes vendors—we bought our daughter something to wrap around her waist for visiting the Grand Palace (100 baht).
After visiting the Grand Palace, we walked to Wat Pho.
Water bottles are sold everywhere for 10 baht, but 20 baht at the Grand Palace.
After leaving Wat Pho, we went to the pier (exit N 8) to cross the river and visit Wat Arun. The crossing is easy and costs 5 bahts per person.
After that, we had to cross back to get to the hotel. It's the yellow boat that stops at exit N 8.
So, for 3 visits, you should plan at least half a day.
At the hotel, we swam in the pool with an amazing view of the Mahanakhon tower and other nearby skyscrapers. I think the pool is really essential to recharge after sightseeing!
In the evening we ate at IconSiam, and we also enjoyed the view of Bangkok.
We decided to go to IconSiam by BTS because we were tired of waiting for a boat for 15 minutes every time. But the BTS Gold Line isn’t very frequent either—we waited at least 15 minutes for it too. :)
We went to Ayutthaya by train and came back by minivan.
To get there: we took the BTS to one station, changed at Sala Daeng for the MRT, and got off at Hua Lamphong. The station is signposted—easy to find. We bought our tickets at the counter (15 baht per person) and took the train at 10:15. The train is on the platform 15–20 minutes before departure, so you’ve gotta hurry to grab seats in the shade. With the windows open, the trip is super smooth. We arrived in Ayutthaya at 12:14 (1 hour to cross Bangkok and another hour on the road after Bangkok).
In Ayutthaya, we took a tuk-tuk that took us to the places to visit—it was great. Tuk-tuks are small. So, for 3 people it’s still okay, but I think 4 people will be searching for space for their knees!
We paid 1,300 baht for about 4 hours, which was enough for us.
We were worried we wouldn’t get seats together on the train, so we decided to go back by minivan. We asked the tuk-tuk driver to take us to the bus station, where we bought our tickets (70 baht per person).
Just a heads-up: if you want to return by minivan like we did, use the restrooms near the temples because there aren’t any at this "bus station." There’s a sort of restroom nearby (which I used—it was pretty sketchy, basically just a shower stall)—I’d avoid it.
If this is the start of a story that will continue, it might be better to post it in the "travel journal" section, since that one lets you come back to your posts without any time limit (unlike the 2-hour window in the "regular" sections). That way, you can edit your texts, add to them, or upload photos later on.
In the first row of the minivan, it was impossible to stretch my legs. Plus, the AC was blowing right at me (I turned it the other way after because I was cold). Anyway, I preferred the train. But the minivan works too—the driver dropped us off at BTS Mo Chit station, which was great for getting back to the hotel.
Visiting Ayutthaya can easily be done in a day, so if you have 2 weeks of vacation like we did, I don’t see the point of staying overnight in Ayutthaya and moving around with all your stuff, checking in and out of hotels, etc.
Honestly, I don’t know.
I didn’t want to make a real travel journal with descriptions and impressions, but really just give practical info to those preparing their trip. I’m not going to add photos. So, I don’t know what’s best.
If it’s not meant to be a travel journal, don’t change a thing.
Good call taking the train to Ayutthaya from Hualamphong instead of Aphiwat—saved you from paying the unnecessary Rapid or Express supplement on such a short trip, plus no need to book ahead and more frequent departures.
Waiting for the "Bangkok to Kanchanaburi route" part...
We took an Air India flight. Contrary to what I’d read about this airline, the flight went well. Since the first plane was 15 minutes late and the connection was under an hour, Air India offered to change the second flight on the day of departure, which was really helpful. The screens worked, and the legroom on the first flight was great. On the other hand, the food was average, but oh well.
I recently read a very negative review about this airline on VF, which matched what I experienced 10 years ago.
Maybe we shouldn’t rush to recommend this airline.
My question is: why not choose airlines that are always highly rated, like Emirates or Qatar?
Oh, and I almost forgot the most important part: thanks for this feedback—it’ll definitely help some folks out!
« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood
I don’t recommend Air India—I just said that for us the flight went well, we’ll see about the return. We took Air India for the price: 820 € per person from Saturday to Friday during school holidays with only one stop. The airlines you’re talking about had prices over 1000 € for the same dates (buying 11 months in advance).
After Ayutthaya—the pool, then we went out to eat. We didn’t feel like taking the metro or anything, so we stayed in the neighborhood. That’s how we ended up at the Patpong night market. A tiny market with food and knockoffs, and constant pitches to check out a ping pong show, even though we were with a teen!
Day 3: Mahanakhon SkyWalk, Lumpini Park, Chinatown
Our hotel doesn’t do laundry, but they provide a washing machine (70 baht per cycle) and a dryer (60 baht per cycle). I did a load, and while it was drying, I got a massage: 1 hour of full-body Thai massage. The hotel’s price for this massage is 395 baht.
If you and/or your teen aren’t afraid of heights, the Mahanakhon SkyWalk is a great attraction. For us, it was a 2-minute walk away. The SkyWalk costs 1,000 baht, and SkyWalk + tilt (our daughter’s choice) is 1,300 baht. I don’t recommend buying in advance since these attractions depend on the weather.
You buy tickets at the entrance for a half-day. They asked us our daughter’s age—she’s 13, so it was fine. I don’t know if there are any restrictions for kids under 13, maybe for the ride.
After the Mahanakhon Tower, we headed to Lumpini Park, which is just one BTS station away from the skywalk (Chong Nonsi - Sala Daeng). Then we took the MRT from the same station (Si Lom) for two stops (Hua Lamphong) to visit Chinatown.
A small backpack to carry water bottles—we drink constantly. We forgot ours and had to buy one at the Décathlon near Si Lom station.
For women: tampons, as they’re hard to find here. No problem with sanitary pads, but tampons are scarce.
Day 4: Travel to Kanchanaburi / Visit to Wat Ban Tham
I looked at several options for getting to Kanchanaburi. I considered the train, but you’d have to wake up really early since there are only two trains a day—the first one leaves at 7:43 AM. There was also the option of taking a minivan from Mo Chit. In the end, we decided to take a bus from the Southern Bus Station.
To get there, we took a taxi.
Bus trip to Kanchanaburi: uh, I don’t recommend it... It was a small bus (between a coach and a minivan), so everyone had to keep their luggage with them. It was okay for me, but my husband and daughter were really uncomfortable.
For the return trip, we took a Grab—1,500 baht from the hotel in Kanchanaburi to the hotel near the airport (so, crossing through Bangkok).
In Kanchanaburi, we stayed at Good Times Resort—it was great. I really liked the hotel and its restaurant. We ended up booking a day trip organized by the hotel, which is a really good option if, like us, you're short on time. Everything was well organized, no complaints.
We stayed at Lilac Relax Residence, and I think it's a good hotel for spending a night before your flight. The hotel offers free shuttles to Suvarnabhumi Airport (every 30 minutes from 6 AM to midnight), and we're taking the 7 AM shuttle tomorrow.
We also discovered a really great all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue place. Yeah, it doesn’t make sense to eat Korean while in Thailand, but we really wanted meat, and I loved this spot: Gangnam BBQ Lat Krabang. They don’t take reservations—you just show up and wait. They give you a number in the queue, and you wait until you’re called. Bring mosquito repellent. We were the only foreigners in the restaurant. We paid about 29 € (a little over 1,000 baht) for the three of us (all-you-can-eat). So if you're near the airport, I’d definitely recommend this place.
Songsam, I stand corrected: it was Bolt, 260 bahts.
Disappointed 😕🙁
Trip to Kanchanaburi by bus: uh, I don’t recommend... it was a small bus (between a coach and a minivan), so everyone had to keep their luggage with them. It was okay for me, but my husband and daughter were uncomfortable.
So you took this:
For better comfort, it’s best to take the real bus. Same number (81), same price, same frequency, same travel time, same departure points, and luggage compartments:
For the return trip, we took a Grab, 1500 bahts from the hotel in Kanchanaburi to the hotel near the airport (so, crossing Bangkok).
Agencies in Kanchanaburi offer airport shuttles, but it’s not cheap (around 500 bahts per person) and tourists are packed in like sardines.
Songthaew, yes, but it was the only option offered (or we didn’t understand). When we arrived at the station a little after 9 AM, the ticket counter told us there was only a bus at 11 AM. We tried to take a Bolt (displayed price around 1,100 baht), but the driver wanted double the price for the return trip. We said no and waited for the bus.
We were given a meet-up at 10:30 AM at the counter and followed the bus driver to his bus. So, how do you take bus 81? It’s too late for us, but maybe useful for others.
In Kanchanaburi we stayed at Good Times Resort—it was great. I really liked the hotel and its restaurant. We ended up booking a day trip organized by the hotel, which is a really good option if, like us, you're short on time. Everything was well organized, no complaints.
Great choice. Though, the rooms facing the pool do get some noise.
The restaurant is really good and lets you choose the spice level on a scale from 0 to 10 when you order.
« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood
Yes, but it was the only option offered (or we didn’t understand). When we arrived at the station a little after 9 AM, the ticket counter told us there was only a bus at 11 AM. We tried to take a Bolt (displayed price around 1100 baht), but the driver wanted double the price for the return trip. We said no and waited for the bus.
I’m not sure what to tell you, especially since in recent years for Bkk-Kan I’ve mostly taken minivans, reserving the blue-and-white bus 81 for Ban Pong <-> Kan trips, which I also do often. That said, I’ve taken the Bkk-Kan route on the blue-and-white bus 81 several times and never had an issue buying my ticket at the proper counter. Maybe you unknowingly went to the minibus counter (they’re different counters)?
The fact that they gave you a meet-up time and the driver was waiting at the counter is strange... How much did you pay per person, and were there Thai passengers in your minivan?
In Kanchanaburi, we stayed at Good Times Resort—it’s great. I really liked the hotel and its restaurant. We ended up booking a day trip organized by the hotel, which is a really good option if, like us, you're short on time. Everything was well organized, no complaints.
Great choice. Though, the rooms facing the pool do get some noise.
The restaurant is really good—you can choose how much chili you want on a scale from 0 to 10 when ordering.
Where exactly is it located? (Kanchanaburi is quite spread out.)
I suggest you check Agoda and type the hotel name. There’s always a map that shows where the place is in relation to the rest of the city.
Given how spread out Kanchanaburi is, I’m not sure you can really say any hotel is well-located.
At least this one’s on a river.
« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood
Bangkok to Koh Yao Noi travel.
Since it was my first time in Asia, I didn’t want to take too many risks, so I booked the transfer from Phuket Airport to the hotel in Koh Yao Noi via 12GoAsia. In Bangkok, we took the hotel shuttle to the airport at 7 AM for our Thai Airways flight at 9:40 AM. We were well ahead of time. The flight went smoothly. The flight ticket cost us 45 € per person—twice as expensive as low-cost airlines—but I wanted to ensure the transfer and was worried about potential delays with budget carriers. No delays with Thai Airways, though we had a 1-hour wait at Phuket Airport since our car was booked for 12:30 PM. When I made the reservation on 12GoAsia, I provided my French phone number and was regularly contacted via WhatsApp with updates like where the car would be and when it was arriving, etc.
We paid 180 baht per person and there were Thais on the bus, even two monks.
The price is a bit higher but not excessive, so at first glance nothing really abnormal. Unless you might have gone to the wrong counter, I don’t see how you could have ended up in a minibus. But hey, you arrived safely—that’s all that matters.
Koh Yao Noi: I really liked the Koh Yao Seaview Bungalow hotel.
If you're looking for super beautiful beaches, you shouldn't come to Koh Yao Noi: there's a very strong tidal effect, the sea retreats 100-150 m. During low tide, you can watch crabs—it's fun.
We came to this island for the excursions. The hotel offers two types of excursions: one to nearby islands for 4-5 hours (I recommend it), price: 2500 baht for the longtail boat just for you and 300 baht per person to enter the national park; the second is in Phang Nga Bay, for a full day, 4500 baht/boat + 300 baht/person to enter the parks + 600 baht/kayak if you want to do that.
During the first excursion, they give you masks and snorkels for snorkeling, and during the second excursion, they provide headlamps for exploring the caves.
I preferred the first excursion. The second one is half-interesting, half "tourist trap." I really enjoyed visiting caves and swimming on an island where we were alone! The "tourist traps": kayaking (or canoeing?), the floating village (restaurants for tourists and souvenir shops), James Bond Island—way too crowded and souvenir vendors on the already tiny beach. I don’t regret doing both, but if you’re short on time and have to choose, I recommend the first one (at 2500 bahts).
The Koh Yao Noi to Phuket transfer. I found a boat + minivan transfer to the hotel in Phuket on 12goasia. So, we asked for a taxi (tuk-tuk) at our hotel since neither Bolt nor Grab are available on Koh Yao Noi. The tuk-tuk was on time, 100 bahts per person. The other connections were cheap—I just showed the reservation to one of the speedboat guys. In Phuket, a minivan labeled "Kamala + Patong" was waiting for us.
The hotel in Patong: Thanthip Beach Resort. 300 m from the beach (3-minute walk), pool, a large triple room. I love swimming in the sea, but I don’t like sunbathing, so it was exactly what I wanted: I’d wake up early, swim, and then head back to the hotel. In the morning, Patong Beach is really pleasant, but in the afternoon, it gets too crowded.
I chose this route for the return because it’s pretty easy to get back to France from Phuket. For the hotel-to-airport trip, we took a Bolt for 530 baht.
Je vois plusieurs messages postes à ce sujet, mais nous partons mercredi 3.11 pour être sur Bangkok le 4.11 pour 3j, le 7.11 nous avionS prévu kanchana, puis…
Moi et ma femme (fraichement mariés!!), atterrissons le 14 oct à 7h45 à Bangkok et nous redecollons le 28 oct de bonne heure Nous pensions monter vers chiang…
Un petit retour de notre virée en famille en Thailande ce mois de février 2009. En espérant que ca puisse servir ou vous distraire quelques minutes! Le carnet…
Après avoir parcouru de nombreux forums, blog & Co afin de préparer notre voyage, avec mon conjoint, en Thailande cet été tout se met tranquillement en place.…
Quel peut être le tarif approximatif du taxi au départ de l'aéroport de Suvarnabhumi jusqu'à la gare des trains de Thon Buri? Combien de temps environs pour ce…
Je prépare un circuit au Cambodge et j'étais décidée à visiter la région du Ratanakiri qui semblait correspondre en terme de paysages à ce que nous aimons le plus : la forêt, la jungle, la verdure...
Toutefois en commençant à étudier la région, j'ai lu que la déforestation y était massive et les infos sur ce sujet datent parfois de plusieurs années et la situation n'a malheureusement pas dû s'arranger depuis.
Ma question est donc de savoir si le Ratanakiri est encore intéressant à visiter et justifie encore l'éloignement et les temps de trajet pour y accéder?
J'ai vu que des treks étaient possibles dans la jungle mais, d'expérience, je sais que les guides rechignent parfois à s'enfoncer dans la forêt et se limitent à des marches assez courtes en bordure des parcs.
Hello, it’s been a while since I last asked for your help on this forum—I’ve really missed it! I hope you’re all doing well, whether you're new or returning members.
I’m planning a trip from February 6 to 18, 2027, with my sister (we’re 47 and 50—time flies!). I’ve got my eye on a flight from Paris that lands in Bangkok on February 7 at 3 PM, with a return flight from Bangkok on February 18 at noon.
My sister has never been to this destination, and it’ll be her first time in Asia. Her priorities: beaches, sunshine, and cocktails by the shore. For me, I love that too, but I also enjoy exploring, nature, forests, and a bit of comfort (mixing guesthouses and higher-end hotels with pools). A little evening entertainment would be great, but not too much—good cocktails in a nice atmosphere rather than a rave party ;-). And I can’t help but dream of taking her on a little trek through a tropical forest (guaranteed memories and laughs, though she might curse me at the time) and showing her some karst landscapes.
I’ve been to Thailand before, but it was 15 years ago...
The idea is to give her a taste of Bangkok for 1 or 2 nights, a few days on an island (but which one...?), a tropical forest excursion with 1 or 2 nights on-site (Khao Sok?), and then back to Bangkok.
For the "main" island, even after reading the *Guide du Routard*, I’m still undecided. It’s hard to find a place that ticks all the boxes without feeling as crowded as the French Riviera in August: Koh Lanta? Khao Lak (though it’s not an island)? Koh Tao (I could maybe get my PADI certification, but I’m afraid she’d get bored, and it might be better to save that for a solo trip)? Koh Yao Yai (I worry we’d be bored in the evenings)? What a dilemma!
Thank you if you’ve read this far! Feel free to share any advice—it’ll all be warmly welcomed.
Here’s a rough outline of the itinerary (I’d rather skip a night in Bangkok if needed):
· Saturday, February 6, 2027: departure (overnight flight)
· Sunday, February 7, 2027: arrival at 3 PM, probably at the hotel by 6 PM, evening in Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok)
· Monday, February 8, 2027: day in Bangkok (Wat Pho and a floating market?) (overnight in Bangkok)
· Tuesday, February 9, 2027: travel to Koh Lanta or another island (flight to Phuket or Krabi?) (overnight on island "x")
· Wednesday, February 10, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Thursday, February 11, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Friday, February 12, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Saturday, February 13, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Sunday, February 14, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Monday, February 15, 2027: travel to Khao Sok—nighttime excursion to Khao Sok (overnight in Khao Sok)
· Tuesday, February 16, 2027: exploration and hike in Khao Sok (overnight in Khao Sok)
· Wednesday, February 17, 2027: return trip to Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok)
· Thursday, February 18, 2027: return flight to Paris at noon
Hi there,
I’ve found so many tips and reviews on this forum, so it’s my turn to contribute a little.
We spent just over two weeks with our family, with the following itinerary:
- Hanoi: 5 days
- Halong Bay: 3 days and 2 nights
- Tam Coc: 3 days
- Mai Chau: 2 days
- Sapa: 3 days
We got around by bike, scooter, Grab, and bus.
Our main accommodations were homestays and hotels in Hanoi.
We visited lots of museums, temples, and neighborhoods in Hanoi.
We did a 2-day, 1-night trek in Sapa with May, a Hmong local, without going through an agency.
A few small regrets: the weather was overcast, and we couldn’t make it to Fansipan, but nothing major 😅. We also couldn’t find transport to get from Sapa to Mu Cang Chai.
Other than that, this trip will stay in our memories for the kindness of the Vietnamese people, the connections we made, the food (street food, homestays...), the coffee 😋, the landscapes, and how easy it was to get around...
Our goal was to take our time and focus only on a small part of northern Vietnam.
If you need any tips or recommendations, don’t hesitate to ask.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cédric.
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 everyone,
I’m currently working on a 30-day itinerary for May/June 2027.
10 days in eastern Java (Malang, Bromo, waterfalls, Meru Beriti Park, Banyuwangi, and Ijen), a short transit in Ubud for a few days, then Flores before heading back to Jakarta.
We’ll spend 15 days in Flores (the classic route: Moni, Bajawa, Riung, Ruteng, ending in Labuan Bajo).
I’d love some firsthand feedback on flights to Maumere or Ende from Bali Denpasar. I know there are no direct routes and that you have to connect through Labuan Bajo or Timor (I think), which isn’t an issue in itself.
But I’ve read here and there that flights to these destinations can be delayed—or worse, canceled—and that it’s better to fly in and out of Labuan Bajo, which isn’t exactly ideal...
Thanks for any tips or experiences you can share!
hi everyone,
I want to travel in the north for 3 weeks in September-October 2026 to meet ethnic minorities, photograph mountain rice terraces and their harvest, and revisit Halong Bay—but maybe Lan Ha Bay instead. Can you recommend one or more local agencies?
Thanks, and happy holidays!
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!
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.
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! 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?????
