Hello, need some assistance with planning our trip to Asia - Bangkok, Phuket in Thailand then to Bali, Indonesia from California. Doesn't have to be in that order but we hope to spend about 3-4 weeks total. Any suggestions on which reputable travel agencies to work with and keep in a budget?

Know how much per night you can afford for your hotel room. Other than transportation hotels should be your single biggest expense. Food is cheap unless you only choose expensive places to eat at.

Are you planning to use a series of one way flights or are you going to fly to Bangkok round trip and return there to fly back home?

Before you purchase the plane tickets run the figures. From the US on major carriers sometimes one way flights cost around the same as round trip. Flying between Bangkok and other cities in Asia the fares reasonably priced.

Phuket is the most expensive city in Thailand for tourists. Bangkok is cheaper for hotels and local transportation costs. Do you have a specific reason to go to Bali? It 's a good place to visit but you can also visit Laos or Cambodia easier, even travel there overland.

When will you travel? If it is during the Christmas/New Years holiday season that is the most expensive time for hotels with fewer vacancies.

Millions of tourists book their own flights using the internet. From California you have many airlines to choose from. You can also ask for hotel suggestions on this forum in your price range and book those yourself.

Visit a local travel agency in your town and get some prices. There is no obligation. Even try more than one agency in your city for comparison. Some tourists buy connecting flights when in Bangkok. Travel agencies are competitive in Bangkok with some agencies even posting prices to nearby cities like Bali.

Hi
I also need suggestions as I will be in Thai this coming April so do let me know... what are ur plans..???

Take care
greetings from Nepal
Divya

I think you need to be a bit more specific as to what advice you are looking for. Do you just want to know the most logical route to take to visit Bangkok, Phuket and Bali? That is very easy as Air Asia fly direct from Bali to Phuket really cheap ( I am in Phuket now after taking that flight 4 days ago for 2,000 baht one way :))

Also, unless you are planning to spend a lot of time in Bali, I think you should visit more than just Bangkok and Phuket with your time of 3 - 4 weeks. Again, this depends on what you would like to do on this trip.

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hello,
planning to spend 10 days in bangkok this coming july and i am from philippines and i want to know if there's any requirements needed to be able to enter bangkok?

thank you..

As you want to go Bali that is not that huge. Choose two areas for your time there, one on the coast the other inland near Ubud. The one place I recommend you NOT choose is Nusa Dua. It's an entirely sterile tourist enclave. Kuta is a very busy beach, filled with backpackers and intociated adolescents, so is not likely what you want either. I'm rather fond of Sanur for beach time.

To 'bloomster':
Of course, you'll need a plane ticket, but if you are travelling on a Philippines passport you get a free 30 days visa at arrival.

Besides a passport good for at least 6 months from when you leave Bangkok, you must have the equivalent of 10,000 baht. This is about US$325.

You are eligible for a free 30 day Visa Exemption stamp in your passport. You need a round trip plane ticket. I prefer Philippines Airlines but Cebu may be cheaper. See your local travel agency.

Visa Requirements for Thailand - 65th IFLA Council and General Conference

Good luck.