base bangkok or manilla

Old May 26th, 2017, 11:56 AM
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base bangkok or manilla

I am going to SE asia for 2 weeks in October end from Houston texas . currently the return flight to and back from Bangkok is $100 more expensive than going to and fro to Manila , I plan to divide my time between manila , ho chi minh city and Bangkok , right now I am not sure about those plans .
1. what is better base to make, Bangkok or manila ?
2. will it become very expensive if I wait to October to book the travel between the three countries , or the low cost carriers are still okay like air asia , nok air and Cebu ( the return trip to and fro from Houston I am going to book today ) even at the last minute
TIA for feedback
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Old May 26th, 2017, 03:04 PM
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i'm not familiar with the low cost airlines that service Manila, but Air Asia flies to many places in SE Asia. Also, the prices for the low cost carriers do rise a bit the closer you get to your flight dates, but not outrageously so. Are you going only to Manila, HCMC and Bangkok or are you hoping to take some side trips as well?
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Old May 26th, 2017, 04:21 PM
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Are you sure you want to go to Manila right now?

In any case, Bangkok is almost certainly a better base.

Don't you want to see more of the countries you are visiting than big cities?
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Old May 26th, 2017, 05:15 PM
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Bangkok does seem to very well connected to the rest of SE Asia in terms of transport and location. Plus it's considerably more stable right now.
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Old May 28th, 2017, 03:10 AM
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Go with Bangkok, much better tourism infrastructure and safer.
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Old May 28th, 2017, 04:51 AM
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The Phillipines is under Marshall law now and even if it wasn't Bangkok would be my choice. To me for $100.00 more that's a bargain. We had a week in Bangkok after our trip to India but most of that was spent with my wife in the hospital as she became ill from something she contacted there. I can tell you there were many things we wanted to see but could not.

I can't speak for low cost airlines but try: www.airlinequality.com.
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Old May 28th, 2017, 07:59 AM
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I have flown between Bangkok and Manila and Manila to Bangkok. What I don't like is using a flight that arrives in Bangkok or Manila in the middle of the night even if it saves me a few dollars. In the past I have used Thai Air when I still had a gold card and then PAL (Philippine Airlines)for day or early evening arrivals.

In Bangkok, when you check in for your flight to Manila they will probably ask to verify your flight home. They check for "proof of onward travel" so have your other flight information.

Bangkok has two airports, the newer and primary airport for international flights and some local flights is BKK Suvarnabhumi. The older and smaller airport is DMK Don Muang which has a few international flights to nearby countries and local flights. (Google search will give you flight info from each airport.)

With an arrival during day or early evening hours you have more cheap choices for transportation to your hotel and you have more time in your hotel. You pay full price for your room if you arrive at 2 a.m. or arrive at 2 p.m.

My preference nowadays is Bangkok. From Bangkok you also have good transportation to the rest of the country and to nearby countries. My opinion, Bangkok is a little safer too!

Do you have a specific reason to go to the Philippines? If you just want to include a second country to get your money's worth for a long flight you can also research a visit Cambodia or Laos from Thailand.

I think for 2 weeks just two countries is more than enough! For Thailand 2 weeks is barely scratching the surface. Or, stay longer in this part of Asia.

(You can always come back!)

Up to you.
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