I'm not going for a long time, but will be leaving to go travelling at the very end of this year. I am going to SE asia then to india. Could people recommend the best routes to take around SE asia?
So many routes you can take - but based on what you want to do, my suggestion would be to fly in or out of Bangkok (as you can get the cheapest airfares to Bangkok usually from the US and UK).
Then it's about your budget and how you'd like to get around. Cheap airfares via Air Asia move you quick for reasonable amounts of money, but ground is dirt cheap and you are more likely to meet people to travel with.
I'd probably plan on spending more time in Thailand and Vietnam than I would in Cambodia and Laos. A big part of that is that the infrastructure in those countries are more developed and there is a lot more which is easy to see and do.
That said, these are all amazing places to visit and each are wonderful in their own way.
how long would you recommend in each place? and i will have about 5k by the time i go. so will be living on a budget.
is there any particular places you would suggest a visit to?
have you travelled there yourself?
I have traveled there extensively.
5K is a good amount of money for that area, especially if it doesn't include the tickets into SE Asia and India. It should leave you with plenty of options as to how to travel and the level of accommodations you want to spend your money on.
It also depends on how adventurous you are and how far off the beaten path you want to go. Part of that will probably depend on who, if anyone you end up traveling with.
Personally I'd break it down as 4-5 weeks for Vietnam, 2 weeks for Cambodia (but you can see Ankor, and Phnom Penh in a week to 10 days), 2 weeks for Lao (Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Vang Veing are the essential stops but there are other places worth seeing) and plan on spending the rest in Thailand.
But I'd stress keeping things flexible and going with the flow as to what you love.
Now - since Thailand is only going to give you a 30 day visa on entry, plan on taking your trip to Laos (or visit Myanmar) somewhere in the middle of the Thailand time so you can reenter the country with a new visa.
But I'd go for my plan based a lot on price. In an ideal world fly into Hanoi - end up crossing into cambodia either by boat or flying. See Ankor - Phnom Penh, then head overland (or via air) to Thailand. When you need a new visa head overland by train (Bangkok to Nong Kai - which is a cool town itself), then cross the Friendship Bridge into Laos. Spend your time there, then come back to Thailand and spend the rest of the time there.
But really.. thats one of a thousand plans you can do in the area and there are so many cool little towns and place to visit you can easily get sidelined for a week in single place just because you love the vibe so much.
Certainly it has happened to me as I traveled in the area.
Good luck!
[ 15-Jan-2012, at 15:19 by DocNY ]
And once You wish to enter into India... Fly into New Delhi...The Capital and from hereon You have many options from Going to Rajasthan (Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur etc.) to getting up close with Himalayas (Himachal Pradesh - Manali, Shimla etc.) to Leh - Ladakh in Kashmir
OR going down South to Kerala also called God's Own Country for its Natural Beauty, Goa for the beaches, Happening nights at Bangalore, wildlife and flora in Madhya Pradesh et al.
India has a galore of options to visit, and if you are the spiritual ones... then head to Rishikesh - home to Spirituality...
Travel in India is cheap if done by Trains wherein bookings can be made upto 90 days in advance and is at times relatively expensive if flights are booked at the last minute... Would advise if you wish to travel within India by Air/ Rail then You should book your tickets well in advance to avoid any last minute disappointments...
Budget accommodation is in plenty in India, but be careful of people who might try to charge you more... BARGAIN is the right word
Write in to know more specifics about Incredible India...
Cheers and Happy Travelling !
I have traveled there extensively.
5K is a good amount of money for that area, especially if it doesn't include the tickets into SE Asia and India. It should leave you with plenty of options as to how to travel and the level of accommodations you want to spend your money on.
It also depends on how adventurous you are and how far off the beaten path you want to go. Part of that will probably depend on who, if anyone you end up traveling with.
Personally I'd break it down as 4-5 weeks for Vietnam, 2 weeks for Cambodia (but you can see Ankor, and Phnom Penh in a week to 10 days), 2 weeks for Lao (Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Vang Veing are the essential stops but there are other places worth seeing) and plan on spending the rest in Thailand.
But I'd stress keeping things flexible and going with the flow as to what you love.
Now - since Thailand is only going to give you a 30 day visa on entry, plan on taking your trip to Laos (or visit Myanmar) somewhere in the middle of the Thailand time so you can reenter the country with a new visa.
But I'd go for my plan based a lot on price. In an ideal world fly into Hanoi - end up crossing into cambodia either by boat or flying. See Ankor - Phnom Penh, then head overland (or via air) to Thailand. When you need a new visa head overland by train (Bangkok to Nong Kai - which is a cool town itself), then cross the Friendship Bridge into Laos. Spend your time there, then come back to Thailand and spend the rest of the time there.
But really.. thats one of a thousand plans you can do in the area and there are so many cool little towns and place to visit you can easily get sidelined for a week in single place just because you love the vibe so much.
Certainly it has happened to me as I traveled in the area.
Good luck!
Thats really helpful thanks! i was thinking of doing north thailand then into laos, then vietnam, then cambodia then back into thailand to do the south?
do you think that a sensible route to take?
And any advice you have on visas would be great too!
Sounds like a pretty good plan - though you might find there is some doubling back that has to be done to get from place to place.
As to Visas I'm not sure I can advise on the regulations for UK citizens. But most of SE Asia is very welcoming to western travelers. Thailand typically offers a 30 day visa on entrance to the country via air, but when I was there last only offered a 15 day visa for those coming overland, but I think that has been changed back to a 30 day. Still it's something worth checking on for when you are there.
If you have any specific questions feel free to mail me.
Thailand still offers a 15 day visa for those coming overland xxx
0 Response to "Advice on routes through SE asia"
Post a Comment