Backpacking India, then maybe Thailand?

I have a couple questions. First, I would be leaving India at the end of March and considering heading to Thailand. But i hear April is the hottest time of Thailand, will it be miserable? Should I do it? Second, I'm trying to figure out my flight home. I cant exactly buy a ticket home months ahead of time because I dont know how long I will stay in each place, and i dont know where exactly i will be. How do backpackers get a plane ticket when they decide to head home? Wouldn't it be impossible/too expensive short notice or the day of?

Assuming you are in the south, its the hottest time in India as well..its actually hotter in May then April in Thailand

How would we know if you will be miserable.. I like Thailand at this time.. Less people, prices drop, its hot....

When you are ready to go, then buy a ticket

Priced in asia are different and cheaper last minute fares are around, especially in May

Backpackers are just like everyone else. Some have a ticket home already, some wait till they know where they will be and when they want to go home. You do exactly what you would do when you bought your first ticket. Use Skyscanner or something like that to check on fares with different airlines.

I have been reading more and more reports on TT of people needing a ticket out of Thailand before they can get on the plane to go there. I suggest checking this aspect out too. You might need to buy a flexible ticket out at the same time -- a return ticket might be cheaper.

[Edit] I have just reread that you are coming from India -- they may not be so strict about a ticket out then.
Remember too that there may be better air fares from Singapore or KL so check these too.

Paul

Flying from India to Thailand without visa or ticket has usually not been a problem in the past (depending on nationality) Bangkok is also good place to buy a ticket home - try some of the travel agents around Khao San Road area as well as checking online deals.
April down at the islands and even in higher altitude areas in the north the temp often gets to 38 degrees c. You just get used to it.

I have no idea if it will be too hot for you. But, I can say that it is too hot for me. Trying to hike or do anything that required physical exertion was impossible because I was exhausted much earlier than normal. Even going to the beach was unpleseant, just too hot to find it fun. However, I met plenty of Northern Europeans who were just loving the heat. If you love, love, love hot weather or live in an area that regularly gets to 38ºC/100ºF with high humidity for long periods, you will probably be fine.

I love Thailand, but in April and May... never again.

So basically I should just stay in India longer instead of Thailand? Im a Floridian so it is around 88° F every day and I'm used to it. But I do get tired of the heat. So that sounds pretty miserable. I can't imagine 100°F everyday. Any ideas of another place in Southeast Asia that isn't so hot?

I don't think the heat in Thailand will be as bad as India, so don't let that put you off. You can always find shade at the beach, and avoid the sun. The mountain area's of Laos and Vietnam are cooler in April.
Flight wise, you might look at a multi centre flight into India and out of Bangkok, and pick up a cheap one way ticket from India to somewhere in S E Asia when you have had enough of India. Flights in Asia are cheap, and Bangkok is a major transport hub, so easy to get back to for a flight home, wherever you end up.

If it is hot in Thailand it is hot in India at the same time.

We have had expat friends go back to the UK from Koh Samui in April/May to escape the heat,

Dont worry about the heat in Thailand . There are Tourist resort towns in the highlands around Chiang Mai . All facilities are available nowadays for Tourist . There are also many air conditioned 7 11 and other convenience stores to cool off in . All Tourist zones now have many travel agents selling cut price tickets on Tourist busses and charter flights to the popular western countries .

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.