Family trip to Asia
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Translated into English.

Original post
FA
Hello everyone, My wife Fanny and I, along with our three kids (ages 10, 12, and 14), are planning a two-week trip to Asia during the February break. This would be our first big family trip, and we’re looking to mix discovery, a change of scenery, some relaxation, and cultural immersion. We want to avoid overly organized tours or over-touristed destinations. Over 20 years ago, Fanny and I used to travel as a couple with backpacks, especially in India and Mongolia, but things have surely changed a lot since then. Now, we’re torn between: • Thailand: for its diversity (beaches, temples, nature) and accessibility for a first family trip. • Laos-Cambodia combo: for a potentially more authentic immersion, but we’re wondering if it’s well-suited for kids. - Sri Lanka: it seems amazing and family-friendly? Is the political situation stable enough? We have a few questions:

Which destination would you recommend for this kind of family setup? What itineraries might work for two weeks without feeling too rushed?

Logistics-wise: can we travel with a round-trip flight ticket, book a few basic hotels, and improvise the rest once we’re there? Or do we need to plan everything in advance (transport, accommodations, activities) for this time of year?

Thanks in advance for your valuable tips! Mathieu
JO Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·
Hi there,

It's common to recommend Thailand as a starting point for Asia. The country has been managing tourism for a long time and might do it more practically than its neighbors. A bit of basic English is enough to get by, and your hotel or taxi driver will often be a big help.

You can always find last-minute flights and hotels online, but some prefer to plan ahead, especially during peak tourist season.

Plan for a maximum of 3 days/4 nights in Bangkok at the start, and I’d strongly recommend at least 5 days in Chiang Mai—a wonderful region with so much to do.

It’s up to you if you want to finish with some beach time.

If you book early, you can get great deals on domestic flights. Check out Air Asia.

Click on my username to access my travel journals. The ones from 2013 to 2017 are very detailed and will show you a lot about the country.
« 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
GA Garcinlazare Regular ·
Hi there,

It sounds like you're looking for places off the "tourist highways" with guaranteed culture shock. If you're planning a week in the north and a week in the south, here’s an idea: - Base yourselves in Udon Thani and explore the area: Nong Khai and up to Chiang Khan. Then head to Buang Khan. For this, renting a car is your best bet. International rental companies are available at the airport.

For the south, it’ll be peak tourist season, so expect crowds. Check out Khanom—it’s barely known to Westerners. Huge white-sand beaches, a few nice beachfront restaurants… Khanom is just a few kilometers from the ferry terminal to Samui.
MO Montagnard74 Globetrotter ·
Hi Mathieu.

After returning from a one-month stay, I’d definitely recommend a Thailand/Laos combo, with a beach week near Bangkok (I’ll leave that to the experts) and a week (or 10 days) around Luang Prabang, just a 2-hour flight away.

The country is still (for now) free from mass tourism, and there are plenty of activities to delight the kids—plus you can even sneak in a getaway to the northern mountains (completely safe).

On my profile, my latest travel journal gives you the highlights.

With kids, a Laos/Cambodia combo might be tricky—the distances are pretty big. …
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux." Marcel Proust
JO Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·
With our 3 replies, I'm afraid we might lose Jojo...
« 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
MO Montagnard74 Globetrotter ·
With our 3 replies, I’m afraid we’ll lose Jojo...

The paradox of choice?
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux." Marcel Proust
JO Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·
Three completely different answers to the same question.

What state of mind will he come back in (if he comes back at all)?
« 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
MO Montagnard74 Globetrotter ·
Three completely different answers to the same question.

What state of mind will he come back in (if he comes back at all)?

He came back. But left again.
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux." Marcel Proust
PA Partirdeloin Regular ·
Good evening,

I’ve got a bit of time to chime in on this topic and add a fourth reply.

First off, Jojoone, I wouldn’t congratulate you—Mathieu said he didn’t want a super touristy destination, and you immediately suggested Chiang Mai in peak season with all the Chinese tourists there for their New Year. Bold move! 😄 😛

Garecinlazare’s suggestion of Udon Thani is a bit better, but for a first trip to the Land of Smiles, renting a car isn’t the first thing I’d recommend unless Mathieu’s a pro driver. Thailand has, if I recall correctly, some quirks when it comes to driving that you need to be prepared for.

It’s a shame to generalize when talking about the south, since the vast majority of tourists stick to about 5% of the country. That leaves plenty of much quieter areas, even in the south.

And within that 5%, there are some islands I’ve mentioned in another thread (Koh Mook, Koh Libong, or Koh Sukorn) that stay pretty peaceful and are easily accessible for a first trip.

That doesn’t take away from the charm of Khanom, which I haven’t been to.

Montagnard’s idea is good if you’ve got at least a month, but for 15 days, you’d spend a lot of time traveling—even if some of it’s by air.

Not to mention the budget and paperwork (Laos visa) for such a short trip.

So my suggestion would be a mix of Bangkok and some beach time, either toward Garecinlazare’s destination (though I don’t know how easy it is to get there) or a small combo of the islands I mentioned earlier, or even the nearby coasts that most people overlook in favor of the islands.

Laos and Cambodia in 15 days? Forget it, especially since Mathieu said he doesn’t want it to be too packed. Plus, that’s two visas for four people to sort out.

Sri Lanka? No opinion—I haven’t been there. 😊

That was my two cents on part 1.

Moving on to part 2:

I think the first option is totally doable, but you might have fewer choices for accommodations. The upside is you can adjust how much time you spend in a place based on how much you like it (quality over quantity).

Still, for Bangkok, it’s better to have the comfort of knowing where you’re staying than to go hotel-hopping, especially with two teens and a pre-teen.

For trains and domestic flights, book as early as possible—trains are getting fuller and fuller, sometimes 1 or even 2 weeks in advance, especially if you want sleeper berths, no matter what some people claim.

I experienced this very recently, and it wasn’t even peak season.

Buses are a bit different.

No need to book activities in advance.

That’s my little contribution.

The floor’s open for rebuttals… 😇😉

Happy planning!

Partirdeloin
MO Montagnard74 Globetrotter ·
Okay, I'm in the dock to defend my choice 😕😉

I’ll admit the visa cost extra might put some people off, but I really loved this part of Laos, so I want to send everyone there (well, not *too* many people, so it stays nice).

Plus, I’m not a fan of Bangkok—way too crowded, way too noisy, just too much of everything.

For the distance, Bangkok to LP is a 1.5-hour flight, so it’s pretty easy to "stomach."

But that’s just my two cents 😛
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux." Marcel Proust
DJ Djalma Globetrotter ·
Hi, With 3 kids, I’d go for the southern islands of Thailand, which (only a few of them) weren’t yet overrun by tourists 6 or 7 years ago. There are 2 options for this. First, take a flight to Kuala Lumpur, then an early-morning AirAsia low-cost flight to Langkawi, followed by a speedboat to Koh Lipe (you’re in Thailand, and formalities are handled upon arrival at Koh Lipe). It’s a fairly busy island (most tourists don’t leave this one), but it has beautiful beaches for snorkeling, clothing shops, and more—even a hospital. There are plenty of restaurants, dive clubs, and options for boat trips to snorkel over coral reefs. You can spend 2 or 3 days there. Next, head to Koh Muk, which is much quieter. You can rent kayaks to visit the Emerald Cave before the tourists arrive, go to small coves for picnics, or rent bikes. If you have time, also check out Koh Libong. If you really want to be almost alone on an island, go to Koh Tarutao, a marine park. You can rent kayaks, bikes, hike through the jungle, see lots of monkeys (thieves!), monitor lizards, sea turtles, and wild boars. You can take a jeep to the other side of the island for snorkeling or kayak to the Crocodile Cave. Visit an old prison. The island is practically untouched, with only 2 state-run restaurants 5 km apart and a small shop. There are 2 bungalow complexes (under vegetation by the beach) also 5 km apart, including comfortable family bungalows at reasonable prices. You’re guaranteed to find availability—even in February (high season), they were only 20% occupied. The beaches are huge and deserted. Why? Most tourists don’t like solitude. They also want bars, nightclubs, a variety of restaurants, shops, etc. You can also reach these islands from Bangkok via Phuket and then by boat, but it’s longer. If you’d like more details about these islands near Malaysia, don’t hesitate to ask!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
Hello,

Thailand is easy to travel but it's huge! And some areas are super touristy... With 15 days, you'll have to make choices. So either focus on beaches—meaning the south—or temples and nature, which means the north...

Laos + Cambodia are even bigger... and less easy to get around. Plus, the beaches, well... they're just okay...

Sri Lanka is a great option for relaxation, culture, and nature. In 15 days, you could plan a nice itinerary (cultural triangle, Kandy, tea plantations, southern beaches). It’s a bit like India but less complicated. I really enjoyed it. But I don’t know the current political situation.

You won’t be alone in any of these 4 countries...

I’d skip Laos + Cambodia for a first family trip.
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
FA Famillejojo ·
Hi everyone,

First of all, a huge thank you to each and every one of you! Your feedback has really helped us see things much more clearly and lay the groundwork for this first big family trip. We’re tentatively planning to head to Thailand! Your comments about the long distances and formalities in a Laos-Cambodia combo convinced us it would be too ambitious for 15 days. We’ll keep that idea for a longer trip in the future.

What’s catching our attention • Bangkok and its surroundings: no more than 2 days to explore the capital and settle in a bit after the flight, as suggested by Jojoone1 and Partirdeloin. • The north: Chiang Mai comes up often in your tips (despite the crowds mentioned by Partirdeloin). Taking an overnight train (which I think needs to be booked in advance…) sounds super fun! We’ll look into whether it’s still a good option for a few days of cultural discovery and outdoor activities. • The south and the islands: Many of you suggested more authentic alternatives to the classic tourist spots. Khanom, Koh Muk, Koh Libong, or even Koh Tarutao seem perfect for a few days of peace and swimming away from the crowds. Thanks for these lesser-known ideas!

Next step: the “family meeting” ! Thanks to you, we’ve got a great foundation to discuss with the kids and build an itinerary that everyone will enjoy. We’ll start by narrowing down the destinations (north and/or south) and see how to balance activities to mix discovery and relaxation. This trip is already taking shape in our minds thanks to you, and we won’t hesitate to come back here if we have more specific questions along the way!

See you soon, Mathieu and the Jojo Family
DJ Djalma Globetrotter ·
• Bangkok and its surroundings: no more than 2 days to explore the capital and rest a bit after the flight, as suggested by Jojoone1 and Partirdeloin.

Since you only have 2 weeks, I’d keep Bangkok for the end of the trip. If you arrive in Bangkok in the middle of the day on your way out, leave your luggage in a locker to take a quick tour, then head to the station and take an evening train to Chiang Mai since that’s what you want. If you arrive in the morning, it’s better to book a hotel and leave the next evening... that’s what I’d do. In case of any issues on the way back to Bangkok—like flight cancellations, fully booked trains or buses, or delays—it’s best to save a day or two for Bangkok at the end of the trip. If you do it at the beginning, it’ll feel like too much time in Bangkok (I’m not a big fan of this polluted and noisy city). When you return to Bangkok, keep 2 days in the city—that should be enough, in my opinion. Time-wise, it might be tight to go to Chiang Mai and then head to the far south. One solution (maybe a bit pricey) would be to book a flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket, take a speedboat from Phuket to the islands in the far south, and finish in Ko Lipe or Tarutao, where you can quickly reach the mainland and fly back to Bangkok from Hat Yai.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
nord et/ou sud

The North + South option requires a domestic flight or even two if the flight ticket isn’t an open-jaw like France–Bangkok/Phuket or Krabi–France.

That can really add to the cost of the long-haul flight...
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
MO Montagnard74 Globetrotter ·
Hi Mathieu, I was about to report you to the mods to get you kicked off the forum because there’s no reason for you to stay if you don’t listen to MY advice. Joking, of course—I *loved* the vibe on that overnight train (especially the dining car), it was an adventure all on its own! Have a great trip!
"Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux." Marcel Proust
JO Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·
It depends on how people feel, but for me there’s no doubt: Bangkok while you’re still fresh after arriving from the northern hemisphere, and beach time at the end to finish with some proper relaxation.

After that, people know themselves best and should decide for themselves. I just feel bad for those who travel all that way for only 10 to 15 days.
« 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
DJ Djalma Globetrotter ·
some beach time at the end to finish with a good relaxation.

You should also think about booking the return flight from Bangkok to Paris... It's better to be in Bangkok 2 days before in case the domestic flight goes wrong and you have to find a last-minute bus from Hat Yai to Bangkok (for example). All that takes time... Ever since I got stuck at the other end of a country (Cameroon, not Thailand) and missed my return flight to Paris, I take certain precautions... Luckily, my ticket allowed me to take the next flight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY
JO Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·
Before leaving, we *have* to spend a night in Paris because we’re the world champions of strikes, and sure enough, there’s always at least the last night in Bangkok. And after a while, that last night in a hotel near the airport—after once spending an endless amount of time stuck in traffic with an apathetic driver, thinking we’d miss our flight.

But we can’t hold every traveler’s hand; I think it’s up to the individuals to take that into consideration.
« 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
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
Or in Ayutthaya...

Or as mentioned earlier, head back from Phuket! 😊
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
I already feel bad for those who travel all that way for just 10 to 15 days.

You can still have a great trip in 15 days if you don’t try to cover every corner of the country. 😛
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
PA Partirdeloin Regular ·
Hi Jojoone and everyone else (I won’t reply to each person I mention individually—I hope no one takes offense!),

I agree with that, but another alternative worth considering is placing Bangkok in the middle based on their long-haul flight arrival times.

Two advantages to this option:

-The chance to use a luggage storage service to leave half the stuff needed for the south when heading north, and vice versa on the way back to the south.

-Using overnight trains for both legs. Despite what those suggesting all-flights might say, for a family of five, it’s the most budget-friendly and reliable transport option—barring natural disasters (and February isn’t known for those). There are no last-minute cancellations like with flights, no extra baggage fees, it’s more comfortable and safer than buses, and since it’s overnight, you don’t lose a day or spend extra on hotel nights.

Finally, responding to Djalma’s latest comment: Thailand isn’t Africa—there’s no need to be *too* cautious. Plus, if our friend books flights and train tickets with a credit card, there’s insurance for unexpected events that covers any extra costs that might come up.

Partirdeloin.
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
using overnight trains for both legs, because no offense to those who suggest flying everywhere,

4 nights on the train out of a maximum of 14—doesn’t that feel like a bit much?
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
JO Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·
You do it once, it's quite folkloric, but you don't think about repeating the experience afterward. I must say that back then, I booked way in advance with AirAsia, and the fares were too good to pass up.
« 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
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
Stringing together flights isn’t really my thing anymore. It’s pretty time-consuming too—getting to the airport, checking in, allowing extra time, the flight itself, arrival, etc. 🤪

The most efficient option is an Open Jaw ticket. But depending on the destinations, it’s not exactly cheap…

If you want to explore part of the north and then settle in the south, the best plan would be arriving in BKK, taking a night train to Chiang Mai after visiting Bangkok, then a flight to Phuket before flying back from there…

For trains, daytime is definitely the way to go. The vibe and the scenery are worth it!

At night, you’re pretty much guaranteed not to get real rest (especially if you only sleep like a baby in a bed and without noise 😊). Once is fine for the experience, though.
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
PA Partirdeloin Regular ·
Good evening,

After that, it’s up to each person to decide based on their own criteria.

I never said there weren’t any drawbacks, but since the nights aren’t consecutive, you recover quickly the following night.

Personally, I only use this mode of transport, and sometimes you make some interesting encounters—it’s much more fun than any other way to travel.

Finally, for a flight to Phuket, you also have to consider the disadvantages and extra costs: mandatory travel insurance, an obligatory overnight stay since speedboats leave quite early, the prohibitive transport costs (except for public buses) from Phuket Airport to the piers where speedboats and ferries depart, and you’ll still have to add the non-negligible cost of the speedboat for 5 people.

The familleJojo will choose the option that works best for them based on their budget and preferences.

Partirdeloin
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
it’s up to everyone to decide based on their own criteria.

Yes.

the cost

And I feel like this is the criterion that comes up most often.

The most budget-friendly option would be to skip the north or the south, which would solve a lot of transport, time-wasting, and price issues...😛

Finally, a flight to Phuket,

The flight could be to Krabi, Surat Thani, or Hat Yai.
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
PA Partirdeloin Regular ·
the cost

And I feel like this is the criterion that comes up most often.

Because not everyone has an "unlimited" budget, which is why different options are useful...

Finally, a flight to Phuket,

The flight could be to Krabi, Surat Thani, or Hat Yai.

No matter the arrival city (except Surat Thani, since the nearby destination isn’t an island), it won’t be possible to reach the chosen island on the same day, forcing a night in a hotel on the mainland... QED

Partirdeloin
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
Because not everyone has an "unlimited" budget,

An unlimited budget would mean a private jet...🙂

(Or chartering the Eastern & Oriental Express for a custom train journey)

which is why the different suggestions are useful...

It’s true that the budget wasn’t specified in the original question, nor the desired level of comfort.
Ponts du monde : concours de photos amical de juillet 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !
NI Nimou74 Veteran ·
Hello,

So, 15 days with kids, enjoying cultural aspects, nature, and some "relaxation" (without going to an island)... You could head to Ayutthaya, which isn’t too far from Bangkok. Tons of agencies in Bangkok offer day trips there for cheap. Still, the best option is to go on your own by bus or train and spend the night. The Kanchanaburi region, accessible by bus and train, could also be interesting for you: Erawan waterfalls, the River Kwai, elephants. You could spend 3–4 days there. Further south, I found Khao Sok National Park stunning. It’s accessible by bus or taxi from Surat Thani (served by train and flights, which are really affordable). From there, you can easily reach Phuket, which would just be a stopover for a beach stay by the Andaman Sea. Krabi could be a good option. There are still some beautiful sights to see, even if they’re touristy: Phang Nga Bay, Chicken Island off Krabi... You’ve got enough here to fill your 15 days, including Bangkok. The Chiang Mai region requires at least 5–6 days. It’s also quite busy... The islands further south in Satun Province, like Lipe, are harder to access and might not be the best idea for your first trip to Thailand. The islands in the southeast near the Cambodian border—I know Koh Kood and Koh Mak well—offer the advantage of being much quieter. As a general rule in Thailand, the most beautiful beaches are on the islands... February is an excellent season
JO Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·
Hi there,

After that, it’s up to everyone to decide based on their own criteria.

I never said there weren’t any downsides, but since the nights aren’t consecutive, you recover quickly the following night.

Personally, I only use this mode of transport, and sometimes you make some interesting encounters—it’s way more fun than any other way to travel.

Partirdeloin

Since the topic’s got you hooked, here’s a little gift: https://www.thaitrainguide.com/
« 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
PA Partirdeloin Regular ·
Hi Nimou74,

Your long message and suggestions are very kind, but you’ve got the wrong recipient...

Actually, I’m not the author of this request—just one of the participants in the thread started by Famillejojo, who is the original poster.

Best regards,

Partirdeloin
PA Partirdeloin Regular ·
Hi Jojoone,

That’s really kind of you, but you can bet I’ve known everything there is to know about trains in Thailand for quite a while now—and then some! 😛

That said, I wasn’t aware of this particular site, though it already has some outdated timetables.

What’s more, it redirects to a third-party booking site (sponsored), while the official SRT website does the job perfectly well without paying totally unnecessary middlemen.

Best regards,

Partirdeloin
NI Nimou74 Veteran ·
Hello Nimou74,

Your long message and suggestions are very kind, but you’ve got the wrong recipient...

Actually, I’m not the author of this request—just one of the participants in the thread started by Famillejojo, who is the original poster.

Best regards,

Partirdeloin

Oops, sorry! 😊 Guess I need new glasses...
PA Partirdeloin Regular ·
😉
SH Shadesiam Regular ·
Notes from a long-time resident in Thailand: 1/February = major burning in northern Thailand; the air is unbreathable. Chiang Mai becomes the most polluted city in the world. 2/For kids, there are some great parks and sites (animals = elephants, toucans, monkeys...) to visit. 3/With 5 people, transfers between buses, songthaews, vans, boats, and taxis are often tricky because of limited seats, so it wastes time. Minimize transfers or rent a van with a driver.
LU Lulu56 Regular ·
You can still have a great 15-day trip if you don’t try to cover the whole country. :P

Totally agree! A few years ago, I organized a trip for some friends who were only coming for 12 days. I was already there, and we picked them up at Bangkok airport—otherwise, they’d have been completely lost. We headed straight south on an overnight train. Phuket/visiting the surrounding islands/then back up north to spend a few days in Bangkok and its surroundings before flying home. They LOVED it!!! That said, personally, I wouldn’t recommend less than 12 days—it starts to feel *really* short. And you end up frustrated...

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