OK, we have just under 3 weeks, flying in and out of Bangkok. Would like to go to Siem Reap, Chiang Mai, have a couple of days on the beach, and finish off (or start with?) a couple of days in Bangkok.
Thing is, I get the feeling we're trying to cram too much in, as the distances are so big I don't want to be travelling all the time, and although we could fly everywhere, it'd be kind of expensive. So I'm wondering if anyone has any other ideas. Especially as the beach we're looking at going to would probably be Samui - completely the opposite direction!! Argh......would love to go to Luang Prabang as well, but again, think it's too much.....
Any ideas?
pippynz
1
brightonbloke
Hi, I did something very similar about four years back. I had just under three weeks, spent three days in Bangkok, then three days in Chiang Mai, went to Phuket for four days, then Siem Reap for four days, followed by the final three days in Bangkok, so it can be done. I did fly everywhere though, with Bangkok Airlines. The flight from BKK to Siem Reap was pretty expensive back then - GBP 175 return - because they were the only airline who flew there, but there's competition now and their fares are down to GBP 100, but I would guess the other airlines are cheaper - Bangkok Airlines bill themselves as 'Asia's Boutique Airline', so are at the top of the scale. You could catch the overnight sleeper train to Chiangmai to cut costs a bit, but you wouldn't have time to do the other bits by land, especially Ko Samui.
2
sydneyangkor
1# There is still only Bangkok Airways who fly Bangkok to Siem Reap but you could get cheaper flights with airasia to Phnom Penh then take bus upto Siem Reap.
Getting to/from Siem Reap
3
david.oliver
If you travel overland to Poi Pet, try like hell to get your visa before you go--the Thai buses run scams that will virtually kidnap you and pull off ten miles from the border to sell you a visa for about 35 US. You can buy the Visa at the border for 20 bucks plus the inescapable five dollar bribe (don't take the visa twenty dollar for a tourist visa at its word and insist you'll only pay twenty--you may be there for a few days. besides, if you get a travel agency to help you with a visa in BKK, you'll be charged 5 bucks. If you do it on your own, you'll spend that in cab fare.
But do not be bullied into paying 35. That's the scam.
You can take a micro bus from Poi Pet to SR, but the bus driver will try to cram as many asses and elbows in the bus as he can--including gear--then expect the absolute worse overland ride of your life. Try to get a share taxi. The ride might still induce motion sickness, but you won't upchuck on a dozens crammed passengers.
Take second class train rides arounf Thailand. Tres cheap.
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
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