a little help please????

Topic Type: Information

Where do i start?

deleted_133090
Post Count: 1

Msg: #1 18 weeks ago, August 20th 2009

Hi, i'm planning a trip in feb march time with my friend. We are planning to travell to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thialand first, before we move onto Australia. Im kinda sorted with the Oz part but am struggling on the first part of out journey.
As we are first time travellers would it be easier to book flights with a travell agent, or will we just be ripped off, price wise?
Im not sure on what kind of budget to be expecting. There are many things to do and see but i cant seem to figue out how much it will all cost? Travel? accomodation? activities?
How long do people tend to stay in these countrys for? Is there enough things to see and do to keep us there for a few months?
Also should i arrange visa's before flying out?
I would be oh so gratefull if i could get some feed back, and if i seem naive....i am! like i said, i need all the help i can get. fill my brain to the top with info, lol!

Rat on the Road

Kris and Kate
Post Count: 448

Msg: #2 18 weeks ago, August 21st 2009

Hi

Here is a start. It's the travel guide to independent travel from Travelblog

I'll try and tackle your questions in order:

1. Do you mean the flights from home to SE Asia, or flights within SE Asia. If you book with a reputable travel agent from home, there is no reason why you will be ripped off on price. Browse the likes of Expedia and Opodo to find good prices. Many of these websites search various companies for the best price for the dates you want to travel.

2. Budget is a hard one. It really depends on you, what you do, what sort of things you want to see and how long you are travelling for. These countries are pretty cheap though. For example, for a double room you are looking at an average of around £5-10 a night. Buses and trains range from £1 - £10 ish per journey, depending on the length. If you eat Thai food on the street in Bangkok you can eat for 50 pence a meal. If you eat in restaurants it's more expensive. Eating western food puts it up again. Same goes for Vietnam and Cambodia.

3. There is enough to see and do to keep you going for a few years, let alone a few months. How long people go for depends on the person. You meet people who are travelling the whole area in a couple of weeks on a round the world trip. They obviously don't see as much of the places as someone travelling the area for a year. 3 months seems to be an average amount of time to see some of the key places and not rush through countries.

Have a read of some people's SE Asia blogs. That will give you an idea of what sort of places you want to visit. Get hold of a guidebook to the area - you can borrow something like SE Asia on a Shoestring from the library if you don't want to buy something straight away. Have a read of it and plan from there.

4. If you have an onward ticket you can get a 30 day visa free stay in Thailand at the airport when you arrive. You can buy the Cambodian visa on the border. You need to buy the Vietnamese visa in advance, you can do it through a travel agent in Bangkok. It's very easy.

Hope this helps.

Kate

[Edited: 02:16 - Rat on the Road ]

Mell

Mell
Post Count: 15103

Msg: #3 18 weeks ago, August 21st 2009

Hello Alana

I generally like to book flights on the internet. It allows me to take my time with searching, instead of having to pander to an impatient and/or opinionated travel agent. Also, travel agents charge commission.

In SE Asia, I think you will spend on average 15 Euros per day each, or less sometimes. Also, allow for visa fees. On average around 30 Euros per country. Fly into Thailand, because you likely dont need a visa, then get your visas from travel agents, consulates at border and airport for the other countries. One thing travel agents in Thailand can be good for is getting visas. They would save you a lot of trouble if they can get you a visa and cheap flight.

How long do people tend to stay in these countrys for?

If I have time I stay for as long as the visa lasts, without having to get extentions.

Is there enough things to see and do to keep us there for a few months?

Yes there is. And you will need plenty of time to relax on beaches etc. Travelling can get very tiring.

Also should i arrange visa's before flying out?

No, dont bother with that. Get them when you are in Thailand or at the borders and airports. The only one that is very troublesome as far as I know is the one for Vietnam.

Have a supply of passport sized photos and some US dollars if you want to get the visas at airports and borders.

....and if i seem naive....i am!

Nah! I am still like that after years of travelling. Going to a new place is confusing.

I think a copy of South East Asia on a Shoestring by Lonely Planet may be a useful purchase for you. It has just about all the practical information a backpacker could need.

Mel

dairykhang

Nguyen Thi Hong Khang
Post Count: 1

Msg: #4 18 weeks ago, August 22nd 2009

I don't know much about Thailand and Cambodia but may be I can help you with Vietnam. I'm Vietnamese student by the way :D.
"Is there enough things to see and do to keep us there for a few months?" Don't worry, there are many interesting things to do here. Beautiful beaches if u want to relax, many historical museum if u care 'bout history and new brand-new culture is waiting for u :D.

u should plan to come to my city Saigon (economic and cultural center of Vietnam)^^. I'm glad to help u if u want to take a tour around city :D (don't worry 'cause it's free :))) . If u care, contact me: <snip>

[Edited: 20:53 - Mell - Please exchange email addresses via the private messaging system.]

danza

DANIEL
Post Count: 1

Msg: #5 18 weeks ago, August 23rd 2009

best info u can get on south east asia
go to
www.travelfish.org

u dont really need to fly around thailand vietnam and cambodia, the buses and trains are pretty good and not too long

cambodia is pretty cheap u can budget around 20 US dollars a day depending where u stay and how u eat
u should go to laos if u have time it is really amazing there, budget wise laos is similar to cambodia though thiland especially the south islands are alot more expensive than cambodia and laos

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