Hong Kong or Tokyo as a hub to fly around Asia with Avios
Apr 4, 2019, 2:42 am
#16
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I don't remember there was a KUL Express when I was there about a decade ago. But this might not be so bad and a good substitute. Are there any good value hotels near KL Sentral Station? From what I gather, it's a 30 min. ride to the airport, which is comparable to HK's Airport Express. It's about 24 min. from HK station to the airport.
Apr 4, 2019, 3:09 am
#17
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No reason you have to stick to one hub though? Could you not utilize KUL, HKG and TYO in turn depending on what part of Asia you are exploring?
Apr 4, 2019, 8:19 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2011
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I'm not sure I understand the point of having a designated "hub" for your travels. Is it because you're planning to leave stuff in a hotel / flat / Airbnb in that city while you travel around?
If not, then just be flexible and use whichever of Tokyo, HKG and KUL offers you redemption availability for each particular leg of your trip. And as others have pointed out, AirAsia offers excellent pricing if you book long enough in advance.
If not, then just be flexible and use whichever of Tokyo, HKG and KUL offers you redemption availability for each particular leg of your trip. And as others have pointed out, AirAsia offers excellent pricing if you book long enough in advance.
Apr 4, 2019, 12:51 pm
#20
Join Date: May 2013
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The lower priced of the three connected hotels is the Aloft, which I have stayed at many times over the past six years and always been happy with. The Le Meridien and Hilton are in attached complex on the opposite side of KL Sentral station.
Apr 4, 2019, 3:13 pm
#21
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I'm not sure I understand the point of having a designated "hub" for your travels. Is it because you're planning to leave stuff in a hotel / flat / Airbnb in that city while you travel around?
If not, then just be flexible and use whichever of Tokyo, HKG and KUL offers you redemption availability for each particular leg of your trip. And as others have pointed out, AirAsia offers excellent pricing if you book long enough in advance.
If not, then just be flexible and use whichever of Tokyo, HKG and KUL offers you redemption availability for each particular leg of your trip. And as others have pointed out, AirAsia offers excellent pricing if you book long enough in advance.
Apr 4, 2019, 3:23 pm
#22
Join Date: Apr 2001
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In KL there's an 'ALOFT' hotel which is new and pretty decent that's also connected to KL Sentral - probably cheaper than the Meridien / Hilton and just as convenient ( it's attached to the 'NU Sentral' Mall on the South Side of the station.. the other two are on the North Side )
But really I'd have to say as above .. decide where you're going first and then work it out ... not sure having a 'base' to leave stuff on a 3-4 week trip makes that much sense ? .. How much do you need to bring ?.. laundry is pretty cheap in SE Asia ... and if you want to mix SE Asia with NE Asia that's quite a big distance in between !
But really I'd have to say as above .. decide where you're going first and then work it out ... not sure having a 'base' to leave stuff on a 3-4 week trip makes that much sense ? .. How much do you need to bring ?.. laundry is pretty cheap in SE Asia ... and if you want to mix SE Asia with NE Asia that's quite a big distance in between !
Apr 4, 2019, 3:54 pm
#23
Join Date: Feb 2016
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Definitely HKG both for location as well as because you would be flying CX, which IMO is the best among the OW Asian carriers, although as many pointed out you are looking at 3/4+ hours flight to get to south east Asia from HKG.
As per low cost, I personally do not fly low cost in Europe and I would never dare flying low cost in Asia but that's a personal (and unpopular) safety rule I give myself.
As per low cost, I personally do not fly low cost in Europe and I would never dare flying low cost in Asia but that's a personal (and unpopular) safety rule I give myself.
Apr 4, 2019, 5:03 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 740
I think it really depends on where you are planning to go. I reckon I could spend months in Japan without running out of things to see or do. It's an amazing country, especially if you get out of the cities. Beautiful mountains, skiing, but also beaches. And the food....
If you're going to do South East Asia though, I'd vote for KUL. MH fly to a lot of places in Malaysia and beyond and it's well located. The city doesn't have a huge amount to offer though. Hotels are cheap though; I was there a few years back and got a suite at the Hilton Sentral for the first of a basic hotel room in London. Hong Kong is great but it's quite a trek to most places in South East Asia.
Tokyo makes little sense to me unless you want to see Japan. But you should. It's also dead easy to navigate nowadays.
If you're going to do South East Asia though, I'd vote for KUL. MH fly to a lot of places in Malaysia and beyond and it's well located. The city doesn't have a huge amount to offer though. Hotels are cheap though; I was there a few years back and got a suite at the Hilton Sentral for the first of a basic hotel room in London. Hong Kong is great but it's quite a trek to most places in South East Asia.
Tokyo makes little sense to me unless you want to see Japan. But you should. It's also dead easy to navigate nowadays.
Apr 4, 2019, 5:31 pm
#25
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I think it really depends on where you are planning to go. I reckon I could spend months in Japan without running out of things to see or do. It's an amazing country, especially if you get out of the cities. Beautiful mountains, skiing, but also beaches. And the food....
If you're going to do South East Asia though, I'd vote for KUL. MH fly to a lot of places in Malaysia and beyond and it's well located. The city doesn't have a huge amount to offer though. Hotels are cheap though; I was there a few years back and got a suite at the Hilton Sentral for the first of a basic hotel room in London. Hong Kong is great but it's quite a trek to most places in South East Asia.
Tokyo makes little sense to me unless you want to see Japan. But you should. It's also dead easy to navigate nowadays.
If you're going to do South East Asia though, I'd vote for KUL. MH fly to a lot of places in Malaysia and beyond and it's well located. The city doesn't have a huge amount to offer though. Hotels are cheap though; I was there a few years back and got a suite at the Hilton Sentral for the first of a basic hotel room in London. Hong Kong is great but it's quite a trek to most places in South East Asia.
Tokyo makes little sense to me unless you want to see Japan. But you should. It's also dead easy to navigate nowadays.
Apr 4, 2019, 5:46 pm
#26
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 245
I agree with most of the above comments. Tokyo is very much on the edge of Asia, where as HK more centrally located. You can travel almost anywhere in Asia from HK within 4 hours, whereas Tokyo to SE Asia involves 6 to 8 hour flights. Enjoy your travels!
Apr 4, 2019, 5:54 pm
#28
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Ok, I got time to figure things out, but let's say I want to spend all of my time in SE Asia, what's the most cost effective way in miles or points to get to KUL from the west coast of the US?
Thanks a lot guys. I love FT!!!
Thanks a lot guys. I love FT!!!
Apr 5, 2019, 7:06 am
#29
Join Date: Jul 2011
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In that case, KL is by far the cheapest of the three options from an accommodation point of view, as well as having the back-up LCC option (Air Asia) if there isn't redemption availability on a given route.
Apr 5, 2019, 7:21 am
#30
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And regardless, flights on MH can be only a bit more than LCCs, and you get lounge access, baggage allowance etc etc