Paris to Bangkok is 11 hours. Splitting it means flying to somewhere in the Caucasus - and the two cities worth talking about are Tbilisi and Baku, both of which improved enormously in the last few years.
Tbilisi: Cheaper, Stranger, More Beloved
From CDG, Tbilisi is about 5 hours via Istanbul or a few new direct routes. From BKK it's 8-9 hours with one stop. The flight balance isn't perfect, but the cost is. A great dinner is 25 EUR. A boutique hotel in Vera or Sololaki is 80-120 EUR a night.
The city has the best wine culture you'll randomly stumble into, the Mtkvari river walk is underrated, and the day trip to Kazbegi is one of the great mountain drives in Europe.
Baku: Slicker, More Surprising
Baku is roughly the same flight times. The vibe is different - more polished, more oil-money modern, less bohemian. Old City (Icherisheher) is a UNESCO site that you can walk in an afternoon, the Heydar Aliyev Center is genuinely worth the trip, and the Caspian seafront promenade goes on forever.
Visa rules are easy with e-visa for most Western and Southeast Asian passports. Hotels in the Sahil or Fountains Square area put you in walking range of everything.
Which To Pick
Tbilisi for couples who want long lunches and conversation. Baku for first-time visitors who want a city that makes a strong first impression. Both are reasonable for a 4-night reunion.
Practical Notes
- Best cost
- Tbilisi
- Best wow factor
- Baku
- Recommended stay
- 4 nights
