Backpacking from Beijing - Singapore for two people

by Jas
(London, UK)

Hi all! My girlfriend and I are planning on travelling through Southeast Asia, and on to the East Coast of Oz +/- Auckland. We're leaving at the very beginning of August and are gone for 12 weeks.

My question is...is the following route practical for a 4-5 week stretch?

Beijing ---> Shanghai ---> Hanoi ---> Laos ---> Ho Chi Minh ---> Phnom Penh ---> Bangkok ---> Koh Samui ---> Koh Pha Ngan ---> Langkawi ---> Singapore

...phew!

Obviously, these destinations (aside from Beijing, Bangkok and Singapore) are fluid and we were probably going to use planes for the first portion (for speed and convenience) and coach/trains thereafter.

Any recommendations?

Thank you!

Jas


Answer: Hey Jas, 4-5 weeks is tight, but doable. As you mentioned you need to fly, and take overnight trains or buses to save time. From Saigon there are frequent buses to Phnom Penh (6 hours). From Bangkok to Koh Samui, via Surat Thani there are overnight buses. If you want to save more time there are also flights from Bangkok to Koh Samui.

Since you're considering taking a side trip to Laos, you should apply for a multi entry tourist visa for Vietnam.

Amanda

Click here to post comments.

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Forum: Itineraries.

These books will help you
get started with your backpacking planning:

backpacking tips asia ttsb cover Discover the backpacking basics of backpacking safety in Southeast Asia and India!

Learn how to travel safely, and avoiding scammers and con artists in the region.

Check out Ticket to Safe Backpacking -- the safety backpacking basics!

backpacking tips asia mya cover Creating an itinerary creates the adventures! :-)

Learn how to maximize your travel experiences by setting up a good backpacking itinerary for Asia.

Check out Map Your Adventure ebook!

backpacking tips asia asia planners FAQ cover ebook Solve your travel itinerary!

Get travel inspiration from fellow travelers in our FAQ-ebook. It includes real questions, answers and comments! This ebook is a supplement to Map Your Adventure.

Check out Asia Planners FAQ ebook!





Featured Christmas Gift

Do you know somebody who will be backpacking in Asia next year? They're going to need all the advice they can get.

Price: $7.99 (excl. VAT)
This ebook Kindle edition is cheaper than the original edition because it doesn't contain images, maps and a list of embassies in Bangkok.

Online Photo Contest

Join the photo contest on Backpacking Tips Asia.com!

Just by submitting a photo, you're getting free publicity.

backpacking tips asia online photo contest digital photo contests

Asia October-November Photo Winner
Photo of the Month Winner
  October-November 2011

"Baguio the City Above the Clouds"

By Allan Militante
Baguio, the Philippines
New - November-December 2011 Asia Photo Contest
-- Submit Yours Now!

Need a resource fast?