I intend and hope to make it back to Hong Kong at least once a year. That is a plan. But I very much want to explore other areas piece by piece. In Thailand, for example, I don't care about Bangkok but for maybe one day. I would want to do more exploring elsewhere in the country. I want to hit up places like Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore and S.Korea. Hong Kong would be a sort of safe place for me as I know it better than anywhere else there and given that I have somebody there to bail me out of jail if something happens. (****, he'd probably be the reason I would end up there) Is Hong Kong a good hub airport to fly into, travel out of and then go back to in order to come back to the States? How much does it affect a ticket to fly to Destination A, travel to B, C and then fly out of D to come home. Do they charge you a lot more if you fly back from a different airport or country than where you landed? I have only flown to a city and then returned from it. Never had to book a flight to and from different destinations. I think the best rates or prices would be to Hong Kong, Bangkok and maybe Seoul? I know that time of year would be a big factor too. I am just working in generalities and with plenty of time to mull it over and plan. Thanks.
15 years ago, Bangok was the best hub for reaching other areas of SE Asia, India, and Nepal; Hong Kong was better for destinations in China. Now, I think most places in SE Asia can be reached just as easily from HK, and HK is still probably a better gateway into China. FWIW, travel costs (food, hotels, train/plane tickers) are mucn much cheaper in Bangkok than HKK or Singapore.
Thanks. Do you mean that a ticket to say, Vietnam would be cheaper from BK than HK or a ticket to Seoul would be as well? Because if the cost is within 100 bucks to fly to HK or Bangkok the money saved using BK as a hub would be more within a trip or two.
Its been a while since I've been, so I couldn't say to the dollar, but it always seemed like BKK was the cheapest place to get tickets. I went to Vietnam in 1995, and flew from BKK to Saigon, and then out of Saigon back to BKK for like $200, IIRC. (IF you plan to visit VN, it works well to fly in to one city and out of the other so you don't have to back track) I seem to remember there were a lot of of discount travel agencies on Nathan Road, near the Tsimshashui metro stop. If you have a free place to stay in HK that would offest some of the costs. In BKK you can eat like a king for less than $5 per meal; there are lots of very cheap hotels there also ($20 or less will get you a basic buct clean, A/C room). Beers are like $1-$2 most bars.
To do a multiple-city Asia trip, check out the All-Asia Pass offered by Cathay Pacific. Great way to see multiple cities for one price.
btw, Bangkok is a great city. Definitely plan on more than one day. We always plan 3-4 days just so we can relax and enjoy the cuisine and culture. It seriously may be the best foodie city on earth.
Hubbing out of Bangkok or HongKong works - just depends on your other destinations. Bangkok absolutely sports cheaper flights and train tickets in or out of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia....but if you're planning on spending more time in China - HK is the way to go. If you have time - Siem Reap/Angkor Wat is a must see.
