Inter railing versus travelling to Thailand?

Melisandre121

Torn between these two, any thoughts on which might be better?

Bananaleaf

Well, I don't know. They are both great holidays. Depending on where you want to interrail, the cost may not be much different.

If you went interrailing where would you like to go? A lot of people choose to stay around western Europe. If you do this you should get an interrailing ticket. Also accommodation will be expensive, cities expensive, trains may require bookings - most likely will require bookings, which are at an extra cost on top of interrailing ticket.

If you chose to visit eastern Europe you could seriously live it up for considerably less. Some trains would need to be booked but depending on where you were going it may work out cheaper not to get the interrailing ticket and just pay as you go. Also trains won't be in as high demand and accommodation and general cost of living will be much lower.

I can't advise on Thailand as I've not yet been.

Whichever you choose - you can always do the other next year.

mcratsix

I've decided to go to thailand and cambodia over inter railing. What it came down to really was that I prefer countryside/small towns to cities.
I plan on visiting northern thailand, cambodia, vietnam, laos.

Bananaleaf

Nice. I've never been, so can't comment. But hope to go next year. You can interrail any time. I did it aged 30

zoobizoo

I've done both. Have done most of Western Europe and have been to Thailand a few times.

Depends on what you're into.

If you want a lot of culture and like seeing cities, then Interrail.

If you want to see something completely different and want to hang out on beaches, then Thailand.

Ed_Stephens

zoobizoo wrote: »

I've done both. Have done most of Western Europe and have been to Thailand a few times.

Depends on what you're into.

If you want a lot of culture and like seeing cities, then Interrail.

If you want to see something completely different and want to hang out on beaches, then Thailand.

There's a lot of culture in Thailand too! Plenty of cities as well, it's not just beaches and full moon parties. My two cents, do the long haul stuff when you're younger and the weather will probably be nicer in Thailand too.

PS you can get the train very cheaply between some cities but it's not hugely reliable but definitely different.

mcratsix

Does anyone know what the story is with foreign currency? Should I get my Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian and Laos-ish currency before I get on a plane at all? Or get it when I'm there?
I don't know how long I'm spending in each country yet, so I don't know how much of each currency to get. It'd be ideal to exchange it when I'm over there but I dunno if that's realsitic.

Bananaleaf

I would say getting it over there is a better idea.

Go to ATMs in actual banks rather than on the side of the street. Less likely to have been tampered with and generally safer.

Haven't been to Thailand but this is what I do on all trips.

Ed_Stephens

mcratsix wrote: »

Does anyone know what the story is with foreign currency? Should I get my Thai, Vietnamese, Cambodian and Laos-ish currency before I get on a plane at all? Or get it when I'm there?
I don't know how long I'm spending in each country yet, so I don't know how much of each currency to get. It'd be ideal to exchange it when I'm over there but I dunno if that's realsitic.

Change money in Thailand, you'll get a much better rate and they don't charge commission, the exchange booths are everywhere in the tourist spots and it's clear what rate you're getting at each one. The worst rate is in the airport so just change enough when you arrive to get you through your first night,

Cambodia uses US Dollars, best here to load up you credit card and withdraw using atm's which mostly are indoors in Phnom Penh anyway.

Not sure about Vietnam or Laos but I'd imagine it'd be tricky enough getting their currencies through a bank here as they're not widely traded so probably better off waiting till you get there. Euro are easy to exchange, next to that dollars.