Traveling to Laos/Cambodia/Vietnam/Thailand from San Francisco - help!
Nov 9th, 2006, 02:35 AM
#1
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Traveling to Laos/Cambodia/Vietnam/Thailand from San Francisco - help!
Hello everyone,
In a moment of travellust, I have decided to go traveling to Asia in the month of Dec. but have no idea how to make my travel plans. I'm open to reading books and finding things out, but in in the interest of getting good airfares, have to make my reservations soon.
So, what is a good way to travel to the following places (in that order of preference):
Thailand
Vietnam
Cambodia
Laos
I intend to fly Cathay from SFO to Bangkok, and back. The itinerary I am thinking of is,
SFO-BKK
BKK- rest of thailand (I want to spend two days in BKK, go to the south
Koi Samui 3 days - how do I get there?
Phuket 3 days - how do I get there?
Vietnam - how do I get there?
I presume I want to go to the delta in the north and south
Hop over the border to see Angkor Vat
Back to Bangkok
I am comfortable traveling by myself. I would prefer hotels that are local and authentic, but occassionally being pampered is fine
While I do like monuments and city life, I am really looking forward to some idyllic beaches, good food, great natural attractions and a little partying (hence Koi Samui)
Any suggestions on flight/rail bookings and places to see are GREATLY appreciated.
In a moment of travellust, I have decided to go traveling to Asia in the month of Dec. but have no idea how to make my travel plans. I'm open to reading books and finding things out, but in in the interest of getting good airfares, have to make my reservations soon.
So, what is a good way to travel to the following places (in that order of preference):
Thailand
Vietnam
Cambodia
Laos
I intend to fly Cathay from SFO to Bangkok, and back. The itinerary I am thinking of is,
SFO-BKK
BKK- rest of thailand (I want to spend two days in BKK, go to the south
Koi Samui 3 days - how do I get there?
Phuket 3 days - how do I get there?
Vietnam - how do I get there?
I presume I want to go to the delta in the north and south
Hop over the border to see Angkor Vat
Back to Bangkok
I am comfortable traveling by myself. I would prefer hotels that are local and authentic, but occassionally being pampered is fine
While I do like monuments and city life, I am really looking forward to some idyllic beaches, good food, great natural attractions and a little partying (hence Koi Samui)Any suggestions on flight/rail bookings and places to see are GREATLY appreciated.
Nov 9th, 2006, 06:54 AM
#3
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What about travelling over land?
some suggestion..
Thailand- Bangkok- Saigon(mekong delta) - Hue/HoiAn/Danang - Hanoi- Sapa+/Halong Bay.
Then you can be back to Vinh crossing the border overland to laos and down south to Cambodia.
In these countries, u'll find lots of hostels, very authentic and very local.
In BKK, that is Khaosan road.
In Hanoi, that is the old quarter
In Laos, that is anywhere...
some suggestion..
Thailand- Bangkok- Saigon(mekong delta) - Hue/HoiAn/Danang - Hanoi- Sapa+/Halong Bay.
Then you can be back to Vinh crossing the border overland to laos and down south to Cambodia.
In these countries, u'll find lots of hostels, very authentic and very local.
In BKK, that is Khaosan road.
In Hanoi, that is the old quarter
In Laos, that is anywhere...
Nov 9th, 2006, 09:55 AM
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Good idea, thanks. I presume I still have to fly to Phuket/Koi Samui though. What is a good place to fly there from?
Are these youth hostels? How do I make arrangements before I leave?
Are these youth hostels? How do I make arrangements before I leave?
Nov 9th, 2006, 05:36 PM
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Some budget locations will have an online presence where you can book in advance. However, as long as you're not arriving at night, I would suggest grabbing a guide book and requesting a taxi or shuttle driver drop you off at a hostel that's listed in your guide. Hanoi's Old Quarter for instance, is packed with places to stay. A taxi driver will be happy to drop you off at an inexpensive place (and probably take a small tip from the hotel for it).
If I'm not mistaken, you can take a bus down to southern Thailand and then a boat to one of the islands. Due to time constraints, however, you may want to fly. Try www.whichbudget.com to book flights in other countries.
If I'm not mistaken, you can take a bus down to southern Thailand and then a boat to one of the islands. Due to time constraints, however, you may want to fly. Try www.whichbudget.com to book flights in other countries.
Nov 12th, 2006, 09:34 AM
#7
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Forget staying in Phuket. Get yourself to Phi Phi from Phuket and find a real paradise.Chek out our website at
www.leightravelclub.com
www.leightravelclub.com
Nov 12th, 2006, 10:31 AM
#8
"lots of hostels, very authentic and very local. In BKK, that is Khaosan road." The last words I would use for the Khao San Road are are authentic and local. But cheap, yes. Full of other budget travelers, definitely.
Actually, hostels in the European sense aren't the way to go in Asia - think guesthouse and pension. As said above, buy a good guidebook and pick an area of town with plenty of choice. I often try to make a reservation a day or two ahead - have your curent hotel call the next one. For lots of info on traveling on the ground to/from Cambodia take a look at talesofasia.com.
Actually, hostels in the European sense aren't the way to go in Asia - think guesthouse and pension. As said above, buy a good guidebook and pick an area of town with plenty of choice. I often try to make a reservation a day or two ahead - have your curent hotel call the next one. For lots of info on traveling on the ground to/from Cambodia take a look at talesofasia.com.
