ReasonableDoubt

Hello -

My fiancé and I are getting married in November (cutting it close...I know) and are currently looking into honeymoons in Thailand. We would like to visit 2 cities/area while we are there; preferably Phuket/Krabi for some Beach R&R and then to Bangkok. We are not restricted by the number of nights in each place, but more so by budget. Our total airfare & hotel budget is ~$4000 for the trip (food & other incidentals not included). We are coming from Washington DC; or could also depart from NYC/JFK.

Hotel wise in Phuket, we are ideally looking for something non-touristy and not a big resort, while also being on the beach. In Bangkok we are sort of open as far hotels are concerned.

Is it possible (and worth it) to do both areas in one trip on that budget (we know we can definitely do one or the other)? Thanks in advance for all your advice and suggestions!

Kathie

Do you have airline miles or hotel points to help defray the costs? I fear that airfare alone will take up most of your budget, as it is getting close to your travel dates.

Take a look at www.sawasdee.com a Thai hotel booking site, or www.agoda.com I think it will be hard to find places right on the beach in your price range, but someone here may have suggestions. You should be able to find reasonably hotel rooms in Bangkok. Try to get rates that include breakfast, as otherwise breakfasts can be expensive, as they are typically elaborate buffets.

Hanuman

I agree with Kathie the airfare alone, per couple, will be at least $3,000 already for both international and domestic flights. Phuket is a very expensive area to stay at especially when you want to be on the beach.

ReasonableDoubt

After doing some research, it would definitely be possible for us to see all three places over a two week period and stay within our budget. Our travel plan at this point. Leave IAD, fly into BKK, get to Phuket (or other Southern Island of choice), get to Chaing Mai, back to BKK for a cpl/few days, then back home. The big hold up in booking it now, is that I'm really confused/overwhelmed with how to get in between each location with the least amount of hassle.

I see that getting to/from the South, Phuket is the easiest and most direct (as opposed to the other smaller locations). Does anybody know if there some sort of website with a matrix or something that shows all available travel options between BKK/Phuket and the islands? I know, broadly speaking, the best option would be take a budge airline to HKT and getting ground transportation to a boat/ferry. However I'm looking for specific options/companies/etc, as this would partially dictate where, when we would go.

Also, I haven't come across any direct travel between Phuket & Chaing Mai. I'm I correct in saying it doesn't exist? Only way would be transferring through Bangkok?

Based on our current plan US > Phuket/Southern Island (Relaxation) > Chaing Mai (Adventure) > Bangkok (Big City; Shopping) > US, do you all feel that is the most efficient, time wise?

Kathie

You will want to fly among your destinations. AFAIK, there is no non-stop flight from Phuket to CM, you will need to change planes in Bangkok. It is important to know that the budget airlines (air Asia and Nok AIr) fly through Don Mueang Airport, while full-service Thai and Bangkok Air fly through BKK.

I'm not sure what your concern is about ground transport from Phuket... if you want to go to Krabi, there are flights from Bangkok to Krabi. It is true that if you want to stay on PhiPhi, you need to take a ferry from Phuket. What is your question/concern about this - perhaps we can help.

I do think the order you have specified makes sense. Note that if you want to fly to Phuket soon after landing in BKK, you'll want to take an airline that flies out of BKK - you won't want to hassle with changing airports in your jet-lagged state.

Let us know if we can be of further assistance.

rhkkmk

check out flying Korean air.. I think they fly from DC... also eva air from Newark...

ANA is another choice. china is usually cheaper but not well regarded.

I would stick to bkk and beach...

a serviced apartment in bkk might work well for you... centre point silom or chatrium riverside or many more..

Hanuman

Kathie there has been some recent changes and now a couple of airlines (Thai Smile & Air Asia) fly direct between Phuket and Chiang Mai.

Hanuman

Further information, as I'm sitting in the Thai lounge at the moment, Thai Smile currently operate one direct flight per day TG 721 depart Chiang Mai at 8:55 and land at 10:50 daily. According to the Thai staff here they will increase flights during the high season as well. Air Asia operate one daily flight as well.

Kathie

Thanks for the update, Hanuman.

ReasonableDoubt

Hanuman, thanks for the info on Thai Smile! Didn't even know they existed!

Hanuman

Thai Smiles as well as Nok Air belong to Thai Airways international. Nok Air is independently run whiel Thai Smiles is run by TG.

Note that Thai Smiles operate from Suvarnabhumi airport while Nok Air operate from Don Mueang airport.