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.
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Qui a déjà voyagé avec l’agence de voyage Laos ADV ?
Je prépare un voyage au Laos et j’ai reçu plusieurs devis. Parmi eux, ceux de cette agence me semblent très corrects et les échanges ont été positifs jusqu’à présent.
J’ai trouvé quelques avis favorables sur internet, mais j’aimerais avoir des retours de voyageurs ayant réellement réservé avec eux : organisation, qualité du guide, hébergements, réactivité sur place, etc.
Merci pour vos retours d’expérience.
hello à tous. Je vais partir en solo en février et je vous place une idée de mon voyage. Celà tient il la route?
ps: je ne suis pas amateur de plages
J1 Départ le 17 février 2027
J2 arrivée Kuala lumpur- balade chinatown et tours petronas
J3 : kuala lumpur : marché chow kit, batu caves, little india, centre ville bukit bintang
J4 : bus vers Malacca tot matin. Balade dans Malacca aprem et soir
J5 : encore 2 à 3h dans Malacca au matin puis retour bus vers Kuala lumpur. Zone merdeka square. Loger chinatown
J6 : trajet bus vers kuala tahan. Night tour
J7 : le matin : rando canopy, bukit terisek. L’aprem : vers lata berkoh
J8 et J9 : trek 2j ds la jungle du parc taman negara
J10 : vers Cameron highlands
J11 : matin rando dans les plantations. L’aprem à définir
J12 : le matin : excursion a mossy forest et plantation sungei. Aprem bus vers Ipoh
J13 : matin : zone mirror lake/ sam poh temple. L’aprem: balade au centre de Ipoh
J14 : matin train vers Penang. Aprem : balade georgetown
J15 : matin penang hill et temple keh loh. Aprem: Georgetown
J16: bus vers butterfly garden et spice garden. Fin aprem : temples birman et thai
J17: matin envol vers Singapour. Aprem: chinatown et tour de la baie
J18 : matin zone gardens by the bay. Aprem : boat quay- clarke quay- kampong glam
J19 : matin : zone the ridges et botanical garden. Aprem: little india et retour Chinatown avant vol retour de 23h15
J20 : arrivée matin
First stop on our discovery of the peninsula: Amphawa. It’s our first night in Thailand (we arrived at Suvarnabhumi at 8:50 AM).
Our initial plan was to explore the area before heading further south. The Mae Klong Railway Market is tempting... but what else is there to do????
We’ll be there on a Wednesday, and from what I’ve read on the forum, some say there’s absolutely nothing to do during the week—no floating market, barely any shops open, no restaurants, etc.
Others, though, say the place is actually more charming without the weekend crowds.
Could you share your thoughts? Missing the floating market is one thing, but if it’s really a ghost town on Wednesdays, I might just drop our bags somewhere else.
Amphawa seemed like a good first stop, just 1.5 hours from the airport, but I’d still like to settle somewhere a bit lively for our first evening.
We’ll be there at the end of October.
Thanks!
Hi,
I wanted to visit the plantations in the morning with GetYourGuide or by just showing up.
How much time should I really plan for?
I’d like to catch either the 3 PM or 5 PM bus back to KL.
Thanks
Hi,
I wanted to get some info about the cable car and the bridge—I see lots of different options...
How much time should we allow for these two activities? If we arrive around 4 PM, will we have enough time to visit without rushing?
Thanks
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...
Hi,
On September 1st, we're heading to Kalimantan for six weeks, probably from Pontianak to the Derawan Islands.
I've scoured this site, which is usually my go-to 😉, and others like VoyageForum, but recent info is pretty scarce.
I'd love any tips on places you've visited—our itinerary is still a work in progress.
We're two couples traveling with backpacks, using buses, boats, guesthouses, and homestays.
Thanks in advance!
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.
Hi! I’d like to split my trip into two parts: 15 days in Phuket and 15 days in Krabi. Do you know if I can rent a car and drop it off in Krabi when I fly back to France?
Thanks for your feedback!
Have a great Sunday!
Martine
Hello,
After 1 night in Khao Sok, I’d like to find a 2 Days 1 Night package on the lake.
After reading a lot, I decided to "break the bank" and treat ourselves to a private tour—mainly to avoid the crowds.
But after contacting several operators, they offer "private tours" that are very expensive (around 700 €), yet in the details, the boats can only leave from the pier at 10 AM like everyone else. (I was hoping to leave much earlier.) The morning program is the same for everyone too (private or not). They drop us off at noon at our floating hotel (I’d chosen Phupha Waree). Free afternoon (swimming or kayaking in front of the hotel). We head back by boat for a 1-hour sunset ride. And the next morning, we leave the hotel at 8 AM to be at the pier by 9:30 AM at the latest—end of the trip.
So basically, we’re paying a lot for a private tour just to do the same thing as everyone else at the same time.
Or maybe I just had bad luck in my search.
I contacted Panida Ladi, who’s very popular on forums. We’d agreed on a private tour that matched my request (departure from the pier at 8 AM, very personalized itinerary). We settled on the itinerary and price, she asked for a Wise transfer for a 30% deposit, confirmed receipt of the deposit. Then 30 minutes later, she messaged me to say she was canceling everything because it was impossible to do the requested tour—and promised a quick refund of my deposit.
So here’s my question: Who’s done a *real* private tour on this lake? Who can recommend a reliable agency? Is it even really possible to do a private tour here?
I’m searching for a real gem for my 3rd stay in Koh Lanta: a lovely, high-quality hotel right by an easily accessible beach in a lively spot.
If you know of anything that fits what I’m looking for and want to share, don’t hesitate!
Hi, is anyone there in Flores right now? According to some websites, everything is closed and the situation is tough. But our guide says it's fine. Who should we believe? We're supposed to leave on September 2nd. Thanks to anyone in Flores at the moment!
Hi dear community,
I'm planning to visit Cambodia this winter, right after Christmas, for my first solo trip and my first trip to Asia. For two weeks (yes, I know it's short, but I really can't do more...). I have two main desires: Siem Reap and the countryside, the villages, the Mekong...
What do you think of this itinerary? Arrival in Siem Reap, departure from Phnom Penh.
SR: 5 days (1 day for arrival, 3 for the temples, 1 for the lake and its villages)
Kratie (stop on the way to Mondolkiri): 3 days (1 day of travel, 2 days there)
Mondolkiri/Sen Monorom: 4 days (1 day of travel, 1 day there, 2 days of treks)
PP: 3 days (1 day of travel, 2 days of sightseeing)
I think I need to cut one day somewhere if I travel from Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday. In Kratie, maybe? Or in PP? And I'll miss the boat trip that everyone recommends (SR-Battambang), but I don't see where to fit it in. Unless I do a PP-PP loop starting in the east, skip Kratie or just stay one night, then SR, then PP.
In my timing, Mondolkiri seems closer than Ratanakiri, which also tempted me a lot! Will it be too complicated alone? I'm thinking of using local guides or a small local agency for a nature and village getaway.
I've read that Siem Reap is very crowded between Christmas and New Year's. I could also do the circuit in the opposite direction. But I thought it would be easier to get familiar with the country by arriving in a touristy area—I might be wrong...
Thanks for your advice and opinions!
Hi everyone.
I’m planning my trip, and based on all the posts I’ve read, this country is amazing.
Of course, I’ve got a ton of questions for you.
Here’s a possible itinerary: Vientiane - Vang Vieng - Phonsavan - Sam Neua - Nong Khiaw + villages - Phongsali - Luang Namtha and the area - Udomxai - Huay Xai - Luang Prabang and back to Vientiane.
What do you think?
We’re planning to prioritize local transport—is it possible to do this loop?
We’d also love to go kayaking, but I’m not sure if the season’s right or where the best spot is.
For trekking—I read that Phongsali is the most authentic spot to visit villages and see wildlife. Do you know of a reliable agency and a guesthouse with reasonable prices?
Is it worth taking a slow boat for a stretch on the Mekong, and if so, which route?
For accommodations, is it better to book through Booking.com and Agoda or look when we arrive?
Are mosquitoes bad in Laos, and should we take malaria prophylaxis?
What’s the average daily budget (accommodation, food, visits)?
Is renting scooters a good option for exploring towns, and if so, which ones?
From what I’ve read, it’s best to carry cash—euros or dollars? Is it risky to walk around with that much cash?
I’ve still got tons of questions. Thanks to anyone who can help, and I’m open to all tips, info, etc.
Thanks again
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip to Vietnam in February, specifically Da Nang and Hoi An.
Does anyone know a French-speaking guide in the area?
Thanks for your help
Hi there,
I’m planning a family trip (my wife and I, both 47, and our two sons, aged 5 and 12) to Malaysia for the last week of June and the first two weeks of July 2027.
We used to love road trips as a couple, then as a trio, but since our second child arrived, we’ve taken a break with "camping village" style trips.
Now feels like the right time to get back to our old habits, while adjusting the pace for the kids.
We’re craving Asia. We’ve been lucky enough to visit Thailand, Indonesia (Bali and Lombok), and Sri Lanka before.
Friends have raved about Malaysia, so we’re definitely tempted.
For those who know and love Malaysia, what would be a good itinerary starting from Kuala Lumpur, with a maximum of 3-4 stops? We’d like a mix of culture, nature, and relaxation (just to clarify, we’re not big beach fans). All of this without rushing, of course.
Hello,
We’re a family of four with two teens aged 16 and 18. We’re heading to Thailand this summer. We’ll arrive in Bangkok and plan to take a flight to Luang Prabang.
I’ve seen there are some great visits and excursions to do (temples, markets, waterfalls) and maybe even venture a bit north to places like Nong Khiaw, Muang Xay, Muang Ngoy, or Oudom Xay.
But I’ve also heard about the Bokeo region with the Gibbon Experience.
Since we won’t be able to do everything, I’d love to hear about your experiences, impressions, and advice on the two options I’m considering, especially since we’ll be meeting family in Chiang Mai, Thailand, afterward.
Option 1: A loop from Luang Prabang heading slightly north, then a flight from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai.
Option 2: A few days in Luang Prabang, exploring within a few dozen kilometers around, then heading to Bokeo province for the 2-day/1-night Gibbon Experience. For this option, I saw on Rome2Rio that it’s possible to book a ferry trip on the Mekong from Luang Prabang to Huay Xay—they mention about 8 hours. But is that realistic? What type of boat is it?
Then, to get to Chiang Mai, there aren’t many options—bus or minivan—but how does crossing the border work?
Finally, for those of you who’ve been to Laos in August, what was the weather like?
We’ve already visited Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia during the same period over the past four years and weren’t really bothered by bad weather.
I’m starting a discussion about guides in the Mekong Delta because we’ve just finished our trip in this region and had a hard time finding a French-speaking guide. We had Thanh—she speaks French really well and travels all over the delta region, including Ho Chi Minh City. She’s super friendly and flexible. I recommend her wholeheartedly. If it can help someone...
Feel free to contact us for her number.
Hi everyone,
I couldn’t find any recent info on Kuching.
Can anyone recommend a hotel or guesthouse for under 100 RM that’s nice and affordable? No dorms, please.
Also, does it rain a lot in November, and is it still worth visiting Semenggoh or Bako?
We’ll be arriving in Phnom Penh this coming January and we’re thinking of starting our trip with a stop in Kampong Cham, then Kratie.
After Kratie, we’re considering heading toward Siem Reap with a stop in Kampong Thom.
That said, I’m not really sure how long the Kratie–Kampong Thom journey might take or how complicated it is.
Does this stop on the way to Siem Reap seem like a good idea to you?
If we don’t visit the Sambor Prei Kuk site, are there still any walks or sights worth checking out in Kampong Thom?
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.
After a stay on Koh Phayam this coming November, I’d like to spend 2 or 3 days on Koh Phra Thong before heading further south.
Do you think it’s doable to leave Koh Phayam early enough to catch the 10 AM boat from Khura Buri to Koh Phra Thong? The next one isn’t until 4 PM, which would cost me a whole day.
I’m planning a trip to Indonesia, specifically Sulawesi and Java, in September for 10 days.
I don’t know this part of the world at all—any advice is welcome!
I’ll be traveling solo and would also love tips on meeting other travelers or locals.
Hello everyone,
Not long ago, I used to travel as a couple, but my husband has since passed away, and I’ve decided to set off again. The trip I took to Cambodia in January 2025 did me a world of good.
I’m now considering Thailand, a destination we never included in our plans because even 15 years ago, people said it was too touristy. Still, I’m thinking about the itinerary below, but I don’t feel up to arranging buses, trains, or guides on my own while I’m there. I’m looking for one or more drivers and have been in touch with an agency, but their offers are just copy-paste group tours that I don’t want.
So, if you have any contacts, experiences, or advice, I’d be so grateful if you’d share them with me. Here’s my rough plan:
Arrival in Bangkok
Ayutthaya (2 nights)
Kanchanaburi (2 or 3 nights)
Sangkhlaburi/Sai Yok (3 nights)
Sukhothai (2 nights)
Lampang (I’ve planned 3 nights, but that might be a bit much—it depends on what time I arrive in the city)
Chiang Mai
Chiang Dao
Pai
Chiang Rai
I was thinking about the Mae Hong Son loop—thoughts?
What do you think about staying overnight at the Golden Triangle?
When I look online, of course, I can find agencies that organize tours to national parks, etc.
I’m retired but in great physical shape. I’d rather go hiking than sit in hot springs with crowds of tourists who’ve all arranged meet-ups. I don’t want to spend a day at an elephant camp, and I don’t want to visit Karen villages.
I’d love to hear your advice.
Thank you all,
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 there,
We’re planning a 3-week family trip next summer with our three kids, who’ll be 8, 8, and 7 years old.
After some research, we’re leaning toward Malaysia to combine nature/forests and paradise beaches. The idea is to introduce our kids to the country’s culture, nature, and wildlife.
We want a great trip but without splurging on luxury options like high-end lodges and resorts. We’re looking for comfort with a touch of authenticity—basically, a good middle ground.
I’ve started putting together an itinerary and would love your expert advice and tips to help us build this amazing trip with our little ones.
Day 1: Departure from France
Day 2: Kuala Lumpur
Stay at a hotel near the airport or KL Sentral.
Just one night.
Day 3: Morning flight to Sandakan (Borneo).
Stay in Sepilok
Day 4: Sepilok:
* Orangutan Center
* Malayan Sun Bear Center
* Rainforest Discovery Centre
Day 5: Depart for Kinabatangan.
Boat safari in the late afternoon.
Day 6: Sunrise safari.
Jungle walk.
Evening safari.
Day 7: Final safari.
Return to Sandakan.
Flight to Kuala Lumpur, then to Kota Bharu (or overnight transit depending on schedules).
Day 8: Transfer to the port.
Boat to the Perhentian Islands.
Days 9 to 13: Perhentian Besar
5 full days.
* Snorkeling
* Hiking
* Turtle watching
* Wild beaches
* Relaxation
Day 14: Return to the mainland.
Bus or private car to Taman Negara.
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...
After reading and researching, we're planning the following stops in Cambodia in January 2027:
- Phnom Penh
- Kampong Cham
- Kratie
- Siem Reap
- Battambang
- Kampot (round trip)
I'm wondering about the direction of these stops, which could also influence our international flights.
Either a round trip from Phnom Penh in the order above.
Or landing in Siem Reap with the following order:
This second option would save us the Battambang - PP - Kampot trip but means doing a round trip to Battambang from Siem Reap and placing the "highlight of the trip" (Angkor) at the beginning of our stay.
Ici et là, dans l'est de la Thaïlande et le sud du LaosFR
Trip to Thailand and Laos
Votre endroit préféré à Bangkok?FR
All Over Thailand
Skyscrapers, Markets, Ice Cubes, Tourism, and Waterfalls... Thailand's Excesses
From Bangkok to Krabi, Thailand by Car!
La Thaïlande, une belle découverteFR
Far from the daily grind*
