Stage 3 won’t be Uthai Thani but the transit night in Kanchanaburi on the way back from Sangkhlaburi, but that doesn’t change anything.
Kep-Phnom Penh-flight to Bangkok-Ban Phe in the same day seems ambitious; everything really needs to go smoothly.
The Phnom Penh-Bangkok flight can’t be with AirAsia because their flights are at 9:10 AM (too early after arriving from Kep) and 5:15 PM (arrival at Don Muang at 6:35 PM, a bit late to continue to Ban Phe). The solution will be to fly to Suvarnabhumi with a few possible midday options. From Suvarnabhumi, the nearest bus terminal for a bus to Ban Phe is Ekamai.
Yes, you're right, doing Kep-Phnom Penh-flight to Bangkok-Ban Phe in the same day will indeed be tricky! But it's actually possible from the new airport (KTI), thanks for the info—I’ll note that down, along with Ekamai bus terminal being the closest to Suvarnabhumi.
Leaving early from Kep (I saw the first bus at 6:45 AM on this site: https://cambodiatrains.info/bus-times-tickets-kep-to-phnom-penh/), I’d arrive around 11 AM in PP, and there’s a flight at 2:00 PM from KTI to Suvarnabhumi. So it’s doable on paper.
And if worst comes to worst, I’ll just spend a night in BKK—I really don’t like traveling under stress with such a tight and risky schedule...
For Khong Chiam, I’ll see how things go on the spot. It’s quite possible I’ll skip this stop (and thus Ubon Ratchathani right after), because honestly, it looks like a hassle! That would give me a few extra days to explore Cambodia more leisurely, maybe stopping in Stung Treng, for example.
The ideal route from Kep would be to join National Road 2, which passes through Takeo and then in front of the new airport before arriving in PP.
On National Road 3 (Kampot and Kep to Phnom Penh more directly), you pass by the old Pochentong airport—it was convenient... back then! After that, it takes a good hour by road to get from PP’s Central Market to the new KTI airport.
If you ever need to leave earlier, before dawn, it’s definitely possible with a local minibus driver (not affiliated with any company). Your accommodation should be able to arrange that for you. There are minibuses leaving at night all over the place (at 3 AM in my village) to reach Phnom Penh by early morning.
I’m coming back to this.
You land at Suvarnabhumi at 3:20 PM, +30 min minimum to get through Immigration, clear security, pick up your bag, and find a taxi, +1.5 to 2 hours to get to Ekamai* during rush hour, +3 to 3.5 hours to Ban Phe... I’ll let you work out the approximate arrival time at your destination.
* Located on Sukhumvit, one of the most congested arteries in the capital.
Thanks Erwanploz,
Yeah, I’ll try to find direct transport to the new KTI airport. It’s south of the city, and it’d save a ton of time! Might even make it possible to reach Ban Phe in the same day...
I can get up early, no problem—when I’m traveling, I’m always a bit in "jet lag" mode anyway, so it’s easy! ;-)
Seen from this angle, it’ll be a night in Bangkok then! ;-)
But as I discussed with Erwanploz, if I can find direct transport to KTI airport early in the morning, it might be doable—allowing me to catch an earlier flight in the morning.
Then, from Suvarnabhumi, I can take the train to Ramkhamhaeng station and then a moto-taxi to Ekamai to save time...
Well, we’ll see when I get there. By cutting out Khong Chiam, I’ve got a few extra days of flexibility—that’s cool.
So, I updated the map by removing Ubon Ratchathani and Khong Chiam. I also added Thong Pha Phum and Phnom Penh, which were missing, and Stung Treng, since I’ll have time to make a stop there. It’s better this way...
Yes, I’m back after a week, and I wanted to thank you for all your advice—it turned out to be really valuable and helpful.
Here’s all the info, including schedules and fares! ;-)
For the Kanchanaburi to Uthai Thani route, I did what you suggested first: took a bus to Chainat (191 THB). But when I got off the bus in Chainat, they immediately asked where I was going, and when I said Uthai Thani, they explained I had to stay on the bus to continue to Nakhon Sawan (63 THB)! Even though it’s not obvious on the map (Chainat is closer), there’s no direct bus connection between the two towns.
So I continued to Nakhon Sawan, where I could catch another bus to Uthai Thani (40 THB).
Departure at 6:40 AM, arrival at 1 PM!
Total cost: 294 THB, about 8 €.
PS: I really enjoyed the two days in Uthai Thani—nothing much to see or do, but the people were super friendly. Even though few spoke English, it didn’t stop the smiles or the warmth. Non-touristy areas are great for that, and for the same reasons, I loved my trip through Isan.
PS: I really enjoyed the two days I spent in Uthai Thani. There isn’t much to see or do, but the people were so friendly. Even though few spoke English, it didn’t stop the smiles or the warmth. Non-touristy areas are great for that, and for the same reasons, I loved my trip across Isan.
I don’t quite agree with you, but you do need to take the time to do some research.
« 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
Heh heh, you’ve got a knack for asking about the tricky connections! 😉 This was the only leg I couldn’t do as planned... Here’s the story:
I was in Roi Et at the end of the year, and that didn’t make things any easier... When I went to the bus station to book a ticket to Nakhon Phanom for 12/26, they first said okay (tomorrow at 6:30 AM), then caught up with me and explained in very broken English that there were no buses the next day—Saturday—or Sunday. A taxi driver suddenly appeared out of nowhere and offered me a ride for 3500 THB, then quickly dropped it to 3000 THB... I hesitated—it was all happening a bit too fast—but I still said okay for 8 AM the next day, and we exchanged phone numbers.
On my way back from the bus station, I started wondering if I’d made a mistake—was this a scam? Hard to tell, especially with the language barrier.
Later, back at the hotel, I talked to the receptionist, who called a private bus company she knew, but no luck—it was fully booked because of the upcoming New Year’s festivities.
I took the chance to check the price of a GRAB taxi: 2500 THB. So, I asked the receptionist to call the taxi guy and cancel. He offered to lower the price, but I refused. Plus, I’d seen his pickup truck—it was a total wreck! 🙁
Once in my room, I checked Booking.com to book a place in NP, but surprise—only expensive hotels were left, thanks to the holidays.
I looked at the map and spotted Mukdahan, a bit farther south along the Mekong, with a border crossing to Laos... There were plenty of hotel options, so I booked two nights. A GRAB taxi there would cost 1500 THB (a bit closer to Roi Et).
That afternoon, I went back to the bus station, where I ran into the taxi driver—he didn’t look happy. He spoke to me in Thai, and I explained I wasn’t going to NP anymore because of the hotel situation. He eventually walked off, grumbling.
I found the ticket counter for Mukdahan, but the woman told me there was only one bus a day, and it was probably full—if it was, it wouldn’t even stop in Roi Et. I could try my luck in the morning, but no guarantees... This whole thing was turning into a nightmare! 🤪
The next morning, I got up at 6:30 AM and headed to the bus station to try my luck. As expected, the bus was full—no chance. I grabbed a coffee at the nearest 7-Eleven and tried GRAB again, but no luck—no cars available (the area isn’t well-covered by GRAB, apparently). I tried Bolt instead, and found a driver who took me to Mukdahan for 1200 THB (2 hours and 15 minutes). And off I went—I finally made it to Mukdahan!
I stayed there for two days. It’s a really nice little town with a very active Vietnamese community—I don’t regret stopping there. From there, I took a bus to Nakhon Phanom in the morning and then connected straight to a bus to Thakhek, crossing the border.
At first they told me it was OK (tomorrow at 6:30 AM), then they caught up with me and explained in very broken English that there were no buses tomorrow, Saturday, or Sunday. A taxi driver suddenly appeared out of nowhere and offered me 3,500 THB for the ride, then quickly dropped it to 3,000 THB... I hesitated—it was all happening a bit too fast—but I still said OK for tomorrow at 8 AM, and we exchanged phone numbers.
Now that I’m back from the bus station, I’m wondering if I made a mistake—if this whole thing isn’t a scam?
In my opinion, it definitely was one. Especially since weekends are when Thais travel the most, so it doesn’t make sense for a bus company to cancel service on those days.
Plus, I saw his pickup truck, and it was totally beat up!
A taxi that’s *also* a pickup truck—and a beat-up one at that... weird.
I checked Booking.com to book a room in NP, but surprisingly, only pretty expensive hotels were left
There were also accommodations that work with other booking sites besides Booking, plus those that *are* under contract with Booking but had no more quotas left, and those that aren’t partnered with any booking site at all.
Mukdahan!
I’ll stay there for 2 days—it’s a really nice small town with a very active Vietnamese community. I don’t regret stopping by.
Thanks for the tip—I’ll have to check it out sometime.
While in Nan, there was also an interesting place to discover, MAE SALONG. There's a paragraph about this small town in an old 2009 Lonely Planet guide.
We went there in December 2023, but transportation was a bit complicated. To get there, we first took a bus to Chiang Rai. Upon arriving in Chiang Rai, there were no buses to Mae Salong, 80 km away... I'm sure things have improved since then. But we had to take a taxi arranged by a bus station employee. The driver had never been to that area and didn’t realize the distance or how difficult the road was. So he charged us way less than he should have, especially since he had to return to Chiang Rai afterward. The road is good until Mae Caen, then narrow and winding for the remaining 40 km. Beautiful scenery along the way. It took 3 hours and 30 minutes.
When we arrived late, we checked into the hotel we had booked, Hill Top Home, which included breakfast. Rice soup, fried eggs, fritters, cantaloupe toast, blackberries, soy milk, coffee, tea... fantastic. 35 € per night.
The area is typically Chinese: most of the inhabitants are descendants of a Kuomintang regiment that fled China in 1949. Chinese hotels, Chinese restaurants, signs in Chinese. Even the school is half-Thai, half-Chinese. The village seems prosperous and surrounded by tea and coffee plantations. Very few tourists, only Chinese travelers in small groups of four by car, and they don’t stay overnight. We only met one foreigner during our stay, a Chinese guy from California 😉.
The next day, we did a 15 km loop hike starting from the village at 1,700 meters and going up to 2,500 meters, with multiple climbs and descents. Almost the entire time along the paved road, but very few cars. Beautiful views of the hills and valley. Some tea plantations that weren’t very well maintained. Apparently, farmers are shifting to coffee cultivation. Several small temples or large Buddhist pagodas to visit, sometimes after steep climbs.
We passed through the "Veterans Village," with architecture typically Chinese. Founded in the 1950s by Chinese soldiers from a Kuomintang regiment fleeing the CCP. The land was given by Thailand in this remote mountainous area where everything had to be built from scratch. Thanks to the hard work of these inhabitants and help from Taiwan, they turned this once-jungle-covered, remote area into a prosperous region.
Well, tomorrow we’re heading back to Chiang Rai, and still no bus or taxi. The hotel owner found us a songthaew that will take us directly to Chiang Rai.
Aller jusqu'au bout de ses rêves est la plus belle des destinations
I think you might have posted your recommendation in the wrong discussion, because the original poster here isn’t planning to go anywhere near the North at all, and I don’t remember anyone mentioning Nan.
That said, thanks for this little travelogue—recommending Mae Salong is a great tip for anyone planning a trip to the North. It’s a village where it’s worth staying a few days for several reasons (Chinese culture, beautiful countryside, nearby villages easily accessible on foot without needing to walk too long...). I’ve actually been there several times myself.
When arriving in Chiang Rai, no bus to Mae Salong, 80 km away... I’m sure things have improved since then.
Public transport (songthaews) *does* exist to get up to Mae Salong. There’s always been some form of it ever since a drivable road was built in the 70s, but as far as I know, none have ever left from Chiang Rai.
Originally, songthaews to Mae Salong left from a crossroads in Ban Basang on the Mae Sai road (which is served by plenty of buses). Back then, there was one departure every hour via a *very* winding mountain road that always made me sick.
Nowadays, songthaews leave from Mae Chan, another village on the Mae Sai road. A few years ago, there were 5–6 departures a day via a more "comfortable" route, but these days, it’s been reduced to just 2 departures per day.
Unfortunately, the super convenient service of the 3 songthaews that used to run daily between Mae Salong and Tha Ton (way up north in Chiang Mai province) has been completely discontinued.
Bottom line: it’s still possible to get from Chiang Rai to Mae Salong using public transport—now via a connection in Mae Chan—but sadly, the options are dwindling.
In a songthaew on the way back from Mae Salong to Mae Chan:
All this makes me want to visit northern Thailand next time! Though I could do without the winding mountain roads that make you sick—I know that feeling too...
But I’m adding Mae Salong to my map! Thanks for the tips @Monday!
Yes, sorry, I clearly posted in the wrong discussion. Too late now—I don’t have time to find the right recipient. Catch you later, maybe, on another topic.
Aller jusqu'au bout de ses rêves est la plus belle des destinations
To start with, there was no need to apologize—especially since your description of Mae Salong has inspired Pled (and maybe others?) for an upcoming trip. It’s even less necessary now.
You didn’t just recommend a place; you also made sure to spark the reader’s interest in following your suggestion. That’s great and not as common as you’d think.
Hey! I did a similar route, so I thought I’d share my thoughts.
Thailand (10 days): Bangkok for 2 days + overnight train to Chiang Mai (ticket for 12 € in a sleeper berth). Chiang Mai for 4 days. Then a bus to Chiang Rai for 2 days, and the Laos border at Huay Xai.
Laos (7 days): The slow boat on the Mekong to Luang Prabang, 2 days of sailing. Luang Prabang for 3 days. Van to Vang Vieng for 2 days.
Cambodia (7 days): Siem Reap for 3 days to visit Angkor (3-day pass for 55 €). Phnom Penh for 2 days and Kampot for 2 days to relax at the end.
Total budget excluding flights: 1,200 €–1,500 for 3 weeks as a backpacker.
Flo — Expat Bangkok depuis 2019 · Thaïlande, Vietnam, Cambodge, Bali · Je réponds sur le budget, les visas et la logistique terrain
Hey! I did a similar route, so I’ll share my thoughts.
Thailand (10 days): Bangkok for 2 days + overnight train to Chiang Mai (ticket for 12 € in a sleeper). Chiang Mai for 4 days. Then a bus to Chiang Rai for 2 days, and the Laos border at Huay Xai.
Laos (7 days): The slow boat on the Mekong to Luang Prabang, 2 days of sailing. Luang Prabang for 3 days. Van to Vang Vieng for 2 days.
Cambodia (7 days): Siem Reap for 3 days to see Angkor (3-day pass for 55 €). Phnom Penh for 2 days and Kampot for 2 days to finish on a relaxed note.
Total budget excluding flights: 1,200–1,500 € for 3 weeks as a backpacker.
Reading the thread title isn’t enough—you also need to check the original post and the replies that followed. That way, you won’t give feedback that’s totally off-topic or way too late.
No worries! It’s the enthusiasm of youth! And besides, he’s new too...
« 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
Ah, thanks—I missed your reply!
We’ll see, probably next year (winter 2027). I’d love to hear your tips and recommendations!! 👍
I’m starting to think about a trip like northern Thailand - Laos (north and central) - then we’ll see, Cambodia or Vietnam. Both are interesting.
It's backpackers who steal, nothing surprising about that, right?
« 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
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Bonjour je souhaite préparer un séjour de 15 jours en Malaisie, l'idée serait de visiter KL sur 2/3 jours puis Bornéo, le reste du temps, qu'en pensez vous? et terminer par les iles Perenthian...je veux bien vos avis vos conseils et je vous remercie
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
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,
After our trip to China, we want to spend a week in the Philippines for some beach time and snorkeling.
We're looking for the best spot to settle in—nice beaches, great marine life, and short transfer times.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Does anyone know of a private transfer or taxi company that organizes transfers from the Sukhothai area to Chiang Mai?
Our routes are Sukhothai-Lampang, Lampang-Chom Thong, and Chom Thong-Chiang Mai.
My searches on Google Maps, 12Go, and others haven’t turned up much...
For our Bangkok-Sukhothai trips, I use a company I’ve already tried, but they don’t have a fleet available from Sukhothai and have to go through third-party companies—which, understandably, take their commission. This nearly doubles the prices...
There are four of us, and we’re not traveling light, so a minibus isn’t an option. ;-)
Hello,
While traveling in Thailand, I’m looking for a Buddhist kumlai reed bracelet.
Does anyone know where I can find one?
In Bangkok, I visited a few temples but didn’t see any in the nearby shops.
If you have any ideas, I’d love to hear them! Have a great day! :-)
My trip’s coming up, and I’m having a bit of trouble with three bus/minivan routes. Usually, I find everything at this time of year, but this time—yikes!
Sandakan → Sepilok:
No app for this one—you just hop on bus #14 at the local terminal (pay cash on board). But where do I catch it, and where’s the stop??
Sandakan → Semporna:
From what I’ve heard, it’s the Sida Express company (great name, right? 😄).
Can’t book online, but apparently, you *have* to because there’s only one bus at 8 AM.
Where do I board, and where does it drop me off?
Semporna → Tawau:
Found this via AI—is it legit?
No online booking, as far as I can tell.
Minivans leave from a stop in the Jalan Hospital area, near the Milimewa supermarket, supposedly????
And when you arrive, does it drop you at **Sabindo Square** in Tawau?????
Hi there,
we’ll be in Mai Chau in June and we’re thinking of heading to Sapa, but first spending a few days in Bac Ha to do some hiking and explore the area.
Is this a good idea for those who’ve been there?
How do you get there?
Thanks for your feedback.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cédric.
Hi everyone. As I’m planning my trip for next winter, I’m looking for hotel suggestions in Camotes, Bantayan, Malapascua, Bohol, and Siquijor. The ones I had in mind seem to be fully booked (unless it’s too early?). For those familiar with the area, is it easy to find accommodations on the spot in January/February? I’m specifically looking for hotels with a pool, beachfront, air conditioning, and easy scooter rental nearby. Thanks for your tips!
Hi there,
I’m planning an itinerary and would love some feedback on whether it’s doable and if the number of days per destination is enough—or too much. I was also debating whether to add an extra night on an island or spend an extra night in Kampot to visit Kep or Battambang.
March 23: Arrival in Phnom Penh in the morning
March 24: Phnom Penh
March 25: Phnom Penh
March 26: Depart for Kampot
March 27: Kampot
March 28: Depart for Battambang
March 29: Battambang
March 30: Tonlé SAP to Siem Reap
March 31: Siem Reap
April 1: Siem Reap
April 2: Siem Reap
April 3: Siem Reap
April 4: Siem Reap
April 5: Departure
Hi there,
Yesterday in the Thailand section, 100% of the new threads were just about beach destinations 😕...
So here’s the counterattack in the form of this photo thread, dedicated solely to the countryside: the locals, their livestock, fields, farms, rice paddies, small rivers, and agricultural machinery. If you’ve got any pictures that fit these categories, feel free to add them!
Comments welcome.
For each photo, I’ll (or you can) indicate the area where it was taken.
Hope you're all doing well! It's been a while since I last traveled, but I'm finally heading out again soon!
For those familiar with SOUTHEAST ASIA, I'm planning to leave in mid-June (with the trip ending at the latest in November), and I don’t have a precise idea of exact places or itineraries yet. The thing is, this period is usually the rainy season...
Any advice? I was thinking of Malaysia or Indonesia, like Sulawesi, for example (all countries and islands in Southeast Asia interest me except Bali).
Any recommendations? I’m doing my research online, but if anyone here has the time and knowledge, I’d love to hear from you.
My partner and I are planning a trip to Indonesia in September-October 2026. It’ll be our first time in Asia, and we’re thinking of hitting the classic spots in East Java and Bali, then wrapping up with a cruise around Komodo for some snorkeling/diving. Here’s a rough draft of our itinerary—I’m wondering if it’s doable.
20/09: Flight from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, arrive around noon, afternoon/evening and overnight in Yogyakarta.
21/09: Borobudur
22/09: Prambanan
23/09: Travel to Bromo (Cemoro Lawang)
24/09: Bromo
25/09: Kawa Ijen
26/09: Travel to Bali, overnight in Pemuteran
27/09: Excursion to Pulau Melujan, overnight in Pemuteran
28/09: Travel to Munduk, overnight in Munduk
29/09: Explore Munduk and surroundings, overnight in Munduk
30/09: Explore Munduk and surroundings, overnight in Munduk
01/10: Route to Ubud (via Pura Ulu Danau Bratan, Jatiluwih?), overnight in Ubud
02/10: Explore Ubud and surroundings, overnight in Ubud
03/10: Explore Ubud and surroundings, overnight in Ubud
04/10: Travel to Denpasar, flight to Labuan Bajo, overnight in Labuan Bajo
05/10: Komodo cruise
06/10: Komodo cruise
07/10: Komodo cruise, flight to Denpasar in the late afternoon/evening or overnight in Labuan Bajo.
08/10: Flight to Denpasar (if not taken the day before), afternoon in Jimbaran, overnight near Denpasar
09/10: 10:00 AM flight Denpasar - SIN, overnight in Singapore
10/10: Flight SIN-YQB
Hi everyone,
My girlfriend and I booked our tickets with Saudia Airlines for a trip to Thailand this summer, from July 5th to August 3rd. Given the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, we’re keeping a close eye on the news.
I was wondering if anyone here is in the same situation as us?
• Have you heard anything about possible mass cancellations or if the airline is still maintaining its routes to Asia?
• Are there any travelers who’ve recently returned who could tell us if air corridors have been changed (longer flight times)?
The idea is to know what to expect so we can prepare as best as possible. Thanks for your replies! !
Thanks for all your contributions on the forum—they’ve really helped me plan my trip. There are four of us friends heading to Sulawesi for 20 days. Based on all your advice, I’ve put together the following itinerary:
July 30: Makassar – sightseeing
July 31: Makassar – sightseeing + overnight bus to Rantepao
August 1–7: Tana Toraja with a guide
August 7: Tana Toraja to Tentena + visit Tentena
August 8: Early departure with a private driver to Ampana, then ferry to the Togian Islands
August 9–15: Togian Islands (2 different resorts)
August 15: Depart Togian Islands for Luwuk
August 16: Flight Luwuk to Makassar
August 17: Rammang Rammang
August 18: Stroll in Makassar, then return home
Overall, what do you think?
I also have a question about the connection between Tentena and the Togian Islands: Is it doable to leave early in the morning as planned and still be sure not to miss the ferry?
