Are flights expensive during Songkran?

Very — prices jump 50–100% above normal rates. Top destinations like Japan, Korea, and Taiwan can sell out entirely if you book late. Aim to book 3–4 months in advance.

Which country is the best value for a 4-day trip?

Nearby countries keep travel time short and costs down — Vietnam (Hanoi/Hoi An), Laos (Vientiane/Luang Prabang), Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Bali are all 2–4 hours by flight.

Do Thai passport holders need a visa?

Most ASEAN countries plus Hong Kong and Taiwan are visa-free for Thai citizens. For Taiwan, you do need to register for an e-Travel Authorization in advance.

What is the rough budget for a 4-day international trip?

It depends on the destination — Vietnam/Laos around ~$429-$571 per person; Singapore/Hong Kong ~$714-$1,000; Taipei ~$514-$714; Bali ~$429-$629. All figures include flights, accommodation, food, and activities.

Songkran Long Weekend: 6 Best International Trips for 4 Days

Got a 4-day Songkran break and wondering where to go? No extra leave needed — a quick hop to a nearby country in Southeast or East Asia is absolutely doable. We have rounded up 6 destinations with realistic budgets and booking tips to make the most of your long weekend.

Every year during Songkran — Thailand's traditional New Year water festival, celebrated around 13–15 April — many Thais head back to their hometowns or travel within the country. But a growing number quietly slip out of Thailand instead, swapping buckets of cold water for a peaceful coffee by the river in Hanoi or a stroll through the clean streets of Singapore. It is honestly a pretty smart move.

The Songkran long weekend typically spans 4 days (the weekend plus 13–15 April), making it a golden window for a short international trip. Stick to countries within 2–4 hours by flight and you will barely notice the travel time. Here are the 6 destinations that give you the best return on those four days.

1. Hanoi + Halong Bay, Vietnam — Budget ~$429-$571

Flight from Bangkok: ~1.5 hours — Vietjet or AirAsia tickets start around ~$100-$157 during Songkran.

A 4-day itinerary that works:

Day 1: Hanoi Old Quarter — wander the Bia Hoi corner (street beer), try egg coffee at the legendary Cafe Giang
Days 2–3: Halong Bay overnight cruise — all-inclusive packages start around ~$129-$200 per person
Day 4: Train Street Hanoi + last-minute souvenirs before your flight

Food is cheap, boutique hotels start at around ~$34 per night, and Halong Bay genuinely lives up to the hype. This is one of the best-value trips you can do on a short break.

2. Luang Prabang, Laos — Budget ~$429-$514

Flight from Bangkok: ~1.5 hours — Lao Airlines, Thai Smile, or AirAsia from around ~$129-$186.

Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage city perched along the Mekong River. Think golden temples, monks walking their morning alms route at dawn, and the otherworldly turquoise waters of Kuang Si waterfall. The pace here is slow and gentle — perfect if you genuinely want to escape the noise rather than find a louder version of it.

 Do not miss: Climb Mount Phou Si for sunset views over the Mekong, wake up early (5–6 am) for the morning alms ceremony (Tak Bat) where hundreds of monks walk the streets collecting offerings, and browse the Night Market along the main road for handcrafted goods.

3. Singapore — Budget ~$714-$1,000

Flight from Bangkok: ~2.5 hours — Scoot, AirAsia, or Singapore Airlines from around ~$186-$257.

Singapore is ideal for families with kids or couples who appreciate a city that actually works — clean, safe, and effortlessly navigable:

Universal Studios + S.E.A. Aquarium on Sentosa Island
Gardens by the Bay — the Supertree Grove light show is free; Cloud Forest requires a ticket
Marina Bay Sands SkyPark for skyline views
Hawker centres — Maxwell, Lau Pa Sat, Newton — great local food at very low prices

Hotels in Singapore are pricey (from ~$114-$171 per night), but food and public transport are surprisingly affordable. The real value here is convenience and peace of mind — everything just works.

4. Hong Kong + Macau — Budget ~$800-$1,086

Flight from Bangkok: ~2.5 hours — Cathay Pacific, HK Express, or Thai Airways from around ~$214-$300.

Four days packs in a lot — three days in Hong Kong and a day trip to Macau:

Day 1: Victoria Peak tram + evening in Tsim Sha Tsui
Day 2: Disneyland Hong Kong or Ocean Park
Day 3: Day trip to Macau by TurboJet ferry (~1 hour each way)
Day 4: Mong Kok street shopping + souvenir hunting

The food alone — dim sum, roast duck, wonton noodles, egg tarts — is reason enough to make the trip.

5. Taipei, Taiwan — Budget ~$514-$714

Flight from Bangkok: ~3.5 hours — Eva Air, Thai Airways, or China Airlines from around ~$157-$243.

Taipei consistently ranks as one of the most popular destinations for Thai travellers — a modern city with genuinely friendly locals and outstanding food:

Day 1: Taipei 101 observation deck + Xinyi shopping district
Day 2: Day trip to Jiufen (the atmospheric old mountain town) + Shifen (sky lantern releases)
Day 3: National Palace Museum + Ximending pedestrian shopping zone
Day 4: Beitou hot spring district + last souvenir run

Night markets are a must — Shilin, Raohe, and Ningxia are all excellent. During Songkran, Taipei sits at a comfortable 25–28°C, which feels refreshingly cool compared to Bangkok in April.

6. Bali, Indonesia — Budget ~$429-$629

Flight from Bangkok: ~4 hours — AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, or Garuda Indonesia from around ~$143-$214.

Bali is the go-to for a romantic escape or a proper chill-out trip:

Days 1–2: Ubud — Tegalalang Rice Terraces, Sacred Monkey Forest, sunrise yoga or a cycling tour through the countryside
Days 3–4: Seminyak or Canggu — beach clubs, sunset cocktails, and relaxed cafe-hopping

Boutique villas with private pools start at just ~$43-$71 per night, and spa treatments are absurdly affordable. For the money, Bali is hard to beat.

Booking Tips for Songkran Travel

Book 3–4 months ahead — Songkran fares rise 50–100% above normal, and the closer you get to the dates, the worse it gets.
Choose evening or late-night flights — departing on the evening of 12–13 April or flying out late night is typically cheaper than afternoon flights on peak days.
Return on 16–17 April instead of 15 — extending by a day or two cuts return fares by 20–30%.
Use Trip.com, Klook, or Traveloka to compare and bundle flights, hotels, and activities in one transaction — often cheaper than booking separately.
Redeem miles if you have them — Royal Orchid Plus (Thai Airways) or AirAsia BIG Points are most valuable during peak seasons exactly like this.
Buy travel insurance — Pacific Cross, MSIG, or AXA are solid options. Songkran can overlap with Holy Week in Indonesia and the Philippines, meaning extra congestion and a higher chance of flight delays or cancellations.