Bangkok + 2/3 nights in XXX in mid October?
Jul 3rd, 2016, 11:10 PM
#1
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Bangkok + 2/3 nights in XXX in mid October?
Hi,
I will be in Bangkok on business for 3 nights in mid-October.
After that, I am thinking about going *somewhere* in the region for 2-3 nights.
I have been to Bangkok proper a few times, so I don't necessarily need my extra nights to explore more of the city (though it is not completely ruled out as a fallback option).
Weather should be a factor - I think mid-October is still the monsoon season there, start of the rainy season elsewhere. While I do not expect to find a *dry* destination at that time of the year, I would like to minimize the chance to hit really bad weather. Which seems to rule out most of the beach/island destinations in Thailand (?). Having a nice beach would be an extra anyway, not a requirement.
Another factor is accessibility - I would not want the need to apply for a real visa for such a short time (rules out Myanmar) and also not a complicated and time-consuming trip with plane, bus, boat. And probably not a flight of more than 2-3 hrs from Bangkok.
Places I've been to in the region already are only Singapore and Koh Chang.
So far, I have been thinking about:
Hua Hin
Supposed to have comparably better weather as being shielded a bit from the monsoon (?)
As I prefer beach destination which have a bit more to offer than *just the beach* (nature, culture) I think I may get a bit bored there (?)
Ayuttaya
Never been there as I found the day trips from Bangkok too hectic for my taste. Spending 2 nights there would be nice to explore at a slow pace - but might be too big a gamble with regard to monsoon?
Ho Chi Minh City
Would have been my favorite add-on, but weatherwise it seems to be still/already very wet at that time.
Kuala Lumpur
Very easy to reach from Bangkok - but, again, too wet?
Or anywhere else?
Thanks for any advice or recommendations.
I will be in Bangkok on business for 3 nights in mid-October.
After that, I am thinking about going *somewhere* in the region for 2-3 nights.
I have been to Bangkok proper a few times, so I don't necessarily need my extra nights to explore more of the city (though it is not completely ruled out as a fallback option).
Weather should be a factor - I think mid-October is still the monsoon season there, start of the rainy season elsewhere. While I do not expect to find a *dry* destination at that time of the year, I would like to minimize the chance to hit really bad weather. Which seems to rule out most of the beach/island destinations in Thailand (?). Having a nice beach would be an extra anyway, not a requirement.
Another factor is accessibility - I would not want the need to apply for a real visa for such a short time (rules out Myanmar) and also not a complicated and time-consuming trip with plane, bus, boat. And probably not a flight of more than 2-3 hrs from Bangkok.
Places I've been to in the region already are only Singapore and Koh Chang.
So far, I have been thinking about:
Hua Hin
Supposed to have comparably better weather as being shielded a bit from the monsoon (?)
As I prefer beach destination which have a bit more to offer than *just the beach* (nature, culture) I think I may get a bit bored there (?)
Ayuttaya
Never been there as I found the day trips from Bangkok too hectic for my taste. Spending 2 nights there would be nice to explore at a slow pace - but might be too big a gamble with regard to monsoon?
Ho Chi Minh City
Would have been my favorite add-on, but weatherwise it seems to be still/already very wet at that time.
Kuala Lumpur
Very easy to reach from Bangkok - but, again, too wet?
Or anywhere else?
Thanks for any advice or recommendations.
Jul 4th, 2016, 08:22 AM
#3
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Here are my thoughts:
Hua Hin averages 10 inches of rain in October, about the same as Bangkok.
A couple of days in Ayutthaya would be a nice opportunity to explore, but it will be rainy.
Likewise, HCMC will be rainy (also averages over 10 inches of rain in October). Hanoi gets somewhat less rain, just under 6 inches.
Kuala Lumpur is (IMO) the least interesting capital city in SE Asia. My favorite place to visit in Malaysia is Georgetown, Penang, but it averages 14 inches of rain in October.
Luang Prabang, Laos gets under 5 inches of rain in October. It would be a lovely side trip from Bangkok, but please add another night or two. It's such a charming place, full of teak monasteries and young monks. take a look at some photos to give you a sense: www.marlandc.com/Laos-2002 You do need a visa, but Laos offers a visa on arrival - just fill out the forms on the plane and get it upon arrival at the airport for US$30.
Hua Hin averages 10 inches of rain in October, about the same as Bangkok.
A couple of days in Ayutthaya would be a nice opportunity to explore, but it will be rainy.
Likewise, HCMC will be rainy (also averages over 10 inches of rain in October). Hanoi gets somewhat less rain, just under 6 inches.
Kuala Lumpur is (IMO) the least interesting capital city in SE Asia. My favorite place to visit in Malaysia is Georgetown, Penang, but it averages 14 inches of rain in October.
Luang Prabang, Laos gets under 5 inches of rain in October. It would be a lovely side trip from Bangkok, but please add another night or two. It's such a charming place, full of teak monasteries and young monks. take a look at some photos to give you a sense: www.marlandc.com/Laos-2002 You do need a visa, but Laos offers a visa on arrival - just fill out the forms on the plane and get it upon arrival at the airport for US$30.
Jul 4th, 2016, 02:25 PM
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Hanoi would be my first choice. Loads to see and to do, and some of the best food in Asia. The average monthly rainfall figures can be a little misleading as much of SE Asia is on the cusp of the monsoon season and generally, the later you go the better the weather. By mid October, in Hanoi, the rainy season SHOULD have ended and the cooler drier weather will have arrived with blue skies and temps, a comfortable 25c. Easy to get to from Bangkok.
The same applies to HCMC, but to a lesser degree. It will be hotter and more humid there - not quite as pleasant, but a lot to see and do. One of my favourite cities in Asia.
A few photos etc. of our time in Hanoi and HCMC last year on the Vietnam section of our blog https://accidentalnomads.com/category/vietnam/
Personally I would forget about Hua Hin at any time of year and certainly not in October. KL, much as I like the city, has less by way of sightseeing and is not pleasant in the rain! Great food though!
Luang Prabang is a pleasant, very picturesque town and October is still the low season so the tourist hordes will have yet to arrive, so it will be comparatively quiet and definitely worth considering
The same applies to HCMC, but to a lesser degree. It will be hotter and more humid there - not quite as pleasant, but a lot to see and do. One of my favourite cities in Asia.
A few photos etc. of our time in Hanoi and HCMC last year on the Vietnam section of our blog https://accidentalnomads.com/category/vietnam/
Personally I would forget about Hua Hin at any time of year and certainly not in October. KL, much as I like the city, has less by way of sightseeing and is not pleasant in the rain! Great food though!
Luang Prabang is a pleasant, very picturesque town and October is still the low season so the tourist hordes will have yet to arrive, so it will be comparatively quiet and definitely worth considering
Jul 5th, 2016, 10:20 AM
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Thanks, too!
It looked like a tie between Hanoi and Luang Prabang.
But, unfortunately, I cannot align the limited options for flying to Luang Prabang with my business duties.
So I am leaning towards Hanoi now.
Thanks to all for making this easier than expected.
It looked like a tie between Hanoi and Luang Prabang.
But, unfortunately, I cannot align the limited options for flying to Luang Prabang with my business duties.
So I am leaning towards Hanoi now.
Thanks to all for making this easier than expected.
Jul 5th, 2016, 12:19 PM
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Yes, Bangkok Air is the only carrier from Bangkok to Luang Prabang. Sorry it doesn't work for you. But Hanoi is a fascinating city. See if you can add a couple of additional nights there.
You must arrange a visa in advance, which you can do online.
You must arrange a visa in advance, which you can do online.
Jul 5th, 2016, 06:09 PM
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"You must arrange a visa in advance, which you can do online." - unless you have a British, German , French, Spanish or Italian passport in which case you do not need a visa for stays of less than 15 days.
