Destinations

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Tangier sits where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic, just 14 km from Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar. Writers and artists were once drawn to the city. Today it has a busy medina, a new marina and a stop on Morocco’s high-speed train. This guide covers how to get there cheaply and what to see.

Getting to Tangier

By plane

Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport (TNG) is about 15 km from the city, with flights from many European cities, often on low-cost airlines. See our guide to flights from Madrid to Tangier.

By ferry from Spain

The Tarifa to Tangier Ville ferry takes about an hour and arrives right next to the medina, ideal for foot passengers. Car ferries from Algeciras arrive at Tanger Med, about 40 km east of the city. Read our ferry guide for all routes.

By train

The high-speed Al Boraq train links Tangier with Kenitra, Rabat and Casablanca, cutting the trip to Casablanca to around two hours. Regular trains continue to Fes and Marrakech.

Where to stay

What to see

• The Kasbah and Kasbah Museum: the old fortress at the top of the medina, with views to Spain.
• The medina, Grand Socco and Petit Socco: markets, alleys and historic cafes.
• Cafe Hafa: a terrace cafe above the sea, open since 1921.
• Tangier American Legation Museum: a historic building in the medina, telling the story of the city’s international past.
• Cap Spartel: the lighthouse where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean.
• Caves of Hercules: sea caves with an opening shaped like Africa.

Day trips from Tangier

• Chefchaouen: the famous blue town in the Rif mountains, about 2 h 30 min to 3 h by road.
• Asilah: a whitewashed seaside town with murals, about 45 min to 1 h away.
• Tetouan: a UNESCO-listed medina, about 1 h away.

Compare guided day trips or book a private driver.

Money-saving tips

• Agree taxi prices first, or ask petit taxis to use the meter.
• Eat in the medina: grilled fish, bissara soup and fresh mint tea are cheap and good.
• Take the train instead of flying for trips to Rabat or Casablanca.

Before you go

• Mobile data: a Morocco eSIM works from the moment you arrive.
• Insurance: get travel insurance with medical cover.
• Visas: UK, EU and US citizens can usually visit Morocco for up to 90 days without a visa. Check the official rules for your nationality.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Tangier?

Two days for the city, plus a day trip to Chefchaouen or Asilah.

Is it easy to visit Tangier from Spain for a day?

Yes. The ferry from Tarifa takes about an hour and arrives next to the medina, so a day trip is possible.

More guides

• Ferry from Spain to Morocco
• Cheap flights from Madrid to Tangier
• Marrakech travel guide

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Bangkok is loud, hot and full of good food, with old temples standing next to glass towers and boats running up and down the river. This guide sticks to the practical side: how to get there for less, how to get around once you arrive and what to see.

Getting to Bangkok

Most long-haul flights from Europe land at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). Low-cost regional flights often use Don Mueang (DMK), so check which airport your onward tickets use. Our route guides compare nonstop and one-stop options:

• London to Bangkok
• Paris to Bangkok

From the airport to the city

• Airport Rail Link: from Suvarnabhumi to the city in under 30 minutes, connecting with the BTS Skytrain at Phaya Thai.
• Taxis: use the official public taxi rank and insist on the meter.
• Ride-hailing apps such as Grab are widely used.
• Pre-booked transfer: the easiest option after a night flight.

Where to stay

Getting around

• BTS Skytrain and MRT: fast, air-conditioned and the best way to beat traffic.
• Chao Phraya Express Boat: cheap and scenic, stopping near the main temples.
• Tuk-tuks: fun for a short ride, but agree the price first.
• Taxis and apps: affordable, but traffic can be heavy at rush hour.

Top sights

• Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew: home of the Emerald Buddha. Shoulders and knees must be covered.
• Wat Pho: the giant Reclining Buddha and a famous traditional massage school.
• Wat Arun: the Temple of Dawn, beautiful at sunset from the opposite riverbank.
• Chatuchak Weekend Market: thousands of stalls, open at weekends.
• Chinatown (Yaowarat): best in the evening for street food.
• Lumpini Park: a large park in the city centre.

Scams to avoid

• “The Grand Palace is closed today”: a classic trick to take you to a gem shop. Check opening times yourself at the official entrance.
• Cheap tuk-tuk tours that stop at shops paying commission.
• Taxis refusing the meter: walk away and take the next one, or use an app.

Day trips from Bangkok

• Ayutthaya: the former royal capital and its temple ruins, about 1 h 30 min away.
• Floating markets such as Damnoen Saduak, and the Maeklong railway market.
• Kanchanaburi: the Bridge over the River Kwai and waterfalls.

Compare and book guided day trips online.

Book the rest of your Thailand trip

• Airport transfer: a driver meets you at arrivals, ideal after a long-haul flight.
• Thailand eSIM: mobile data from the moment you land.
• Tours and activities: temples, island trips, cooking classes and more.
• Travel insurance: worth having on a long-haul trip, mainly for medical cover.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Bangkok?

Three to four days covers the main temples, markets and one day trip.

When is the best time to visit Bangkok?

November to February, the cool and dry season. March to May is very hot, and June to October is the rainy season, with lower prices.

What should I wear to temples?

Clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. Some temples lend or rent cover-ups at the entrance.

More guides

• Cheap flights to Phuket
• Cheap flights from London to Bangkok

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Istanbul sits on two continents, with Byzantine churches, Ottoman palaces, busy bazaars and ferries crossing the Bosphorus every few minutes. This guide covers the practical side: getting there for less, getting around, and spending your money well.

Getting to Istanbul

Istanbul has two airports. Istanbul Airport (IST) is on the European side and is the hub for Turkish Airlines. Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) is on the Asian side and is popular with low-cost airlines. Our route guides compare them in detail:

• London to Istanbul
• Manchester to Istanbul
• Paris to Istanbul

From the airport to the city

• From IST: the M11 metro and Havaist airport buses run to the city.
• From SAW: the M4 metro runs to Kadikoy, and Havabus coaches go to Taksim and Kadikoy.
• Taxis and transfers: available at both airports. A pre-booked transfer fixes the price in advance.

Where to stay

Getting around

Buy an Istanbulkart, the rechargeable transport card. It works on the metro, trams, buses, the funiculars and the public ferries, and it is much cheaper than paying for single tickets. Ferries are the most scenic way to cross between Europe and Asia.

Top sights

• Hagia Sophia: the great Byzantine church, now a mosque. Dress modestly and check visiting hours, as foreign visitors pay an entrance fee.
• Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque): famous for its blue tiles. Closed to visitors during prayer times.
• Topkapi Palace: the home of the Ottoman sultans, with views over the Bosphorus.
• Basilica Cistern: an atmospheric underground Byzantine water reservoir.
• Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar: two of the oldest covered markets in the world.
• Galata Tower: panoramic views over the old city and the Golden Horn.
• A Bosphorus cruise: public ferries are cheap, or book a guided cruise.

Money-saving tips

• Use the public ferries for a cheap Bosphorus trip.
• Eat where locals eat: simit (sesame bread rings), fish sandwiches by the Galata Bridge and lokantas (canteen-style restaurants) are tasty and cheap.
• Consider a museum pass if you plan to visit several paid museums. Compare the price with the tickets you actually need.
• Pay in Turkish lira when a card machine asks, to avoid poor exchange rates.

Easy day trips

• Princes’ Islands: car-free islands reached by ferry, about 1 h 30 min away.
• Asian side: Kadikoy market, Moda seafront and Uskudar.
• Bosphorus villages: Ortakoy, Bebek and Anadolu Kavagi with its castle views.

Before you go

• Mobile data: a Turkey eSIM gets you online as soon as you land.
• Insurance: get travel insurance that covers medical costs.
• Visas: UK and most EU citizens can usually visit without a visa for up to 90 days. Check the official rules for your nationality.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Istanbul?

Three to four days covers the main sights and a Bosphorus trip. Five days lets you add the Asian side and the Princes’ Islands.

When is the best time to visit Istanbul?

April to early June and September to October offer pleasant weather and smaller crowds than midsummer.

More Turkey guides

• Cheap flights to Antalya
• Cheap flights from London to Istanbul

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Marrakech is Morocco’s most visited city: a maze of souks, palaces and gardens with the Atlas Mountains on the horizon. This guide focuses on the practical side: getting there for less, getting around, and spending your money on what matters.

Getting to Marrakech

By plane

Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) has direct flights from many cities in Europe, including London, Paris, Dublin, Manchester, Madrid, Brussels and Amsterdam. Our route guides explain the cheapest ways to book:

• London to Marrakech
• Paris to Marrakech
• Dublin to Marrakech

By train

If you are already in Morocco, trains link Marrakech with Casablanca, Rabat, Fes and Tangier. From Tangier, the high-speed Al Boraq train runs to Casablanca, where you change for Marrakech.

By bus

CTM and Supratours run comfortable coaches to Marrakech from most Moroccan cities, including Essaouira, Agadir and Fes.

From the airport to the city

The airport is only a short drive from the Medina. You can take a taxi (agree the price before you get in), the airport bus to Jemaa el-Fnaa square, or a pre-booked airport transfer. Cars cannot enter most Medina lanes, so drivers often stop at the nearest gate and someone from your riad walks you the rest of the way.

Where to stay

Budget tips

• Agree taxi prices first, or ask for the meter in a petit taxi.
• Eat where locals eat: the food stalls on Jemaa el-Fnaa in the evening and small restaurants in the Medina are very affordable.
• Book popular sights online: tickets for places like the Jardin Majorelle can sell out at busy times.
• Haggle politely in the souks. Start well below the first price and walk away if it does not feel right.
• Carry small notes and coins in dirhams for tips and small purchases.

The best day trips from Marrakech

• Atlas Mountains and Imlil: mountain villages and easy hikes, about 1 h 30 min away.
• Ourika Valley: rivers, waterfalls and Berber villages.
• Agafay Desert: stony desert landscapes under an hour from the city, popular for sunset dinners and camel rides.
• Essaouira: a relaxed Atlantic port town about 3 hours away.
• Ouzoud Waterfalls: some of the highest waterfalls in North Africa.

You can compare and book guided tours and day trips online.

Before you go

• Money: the Moroccan dirham (MAD) is a closed currency, so get it on arrival from an ATM or exchange office.
• Mobile data: a Morocco eSIM gets you online as soon as you land.
• Insurance: get travel insurance that covers medical costs.
• Dress: light, modest clothing is comfortable and respectful, especially in the Medina.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Marrakech?

Three to four days is enough to see the main sights and take one day trip.

When is the best time to visit Marrakech?

March to May and October to November offer warm days without the extreme summer heat.

More guides

• Best time to book flights to Morocco
• Low-cost airlines flying to Morocco
• Cheap flights to Essaouira