Southeast Asia has been a thriving destination for tourists since the 1970’s. The area’s unique blend of natural beauty, history, food, and culture has made it a destination that entices visitors to return. Within Southeast Asia, few better routes showcase these charms than the classic Bangkok to Singapore Overland Route. The route incorporates three of the area’s most enigmatic cities: Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. It also incorporates some of Southeast Asia’s best cuisine and restaurants. As if that wasn’t enough, there are spectacular beaches, dense jungles, and countless temples to explore on the way. So whether you have a week, a month, or longer to explore Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, you won’t find a shortage of things to see and do. Read on to find out the best things to see and the best routes to travel in our Bangkok to Singapore Overland Itinerary.
The whole area is very accommodating, and getting around is easy by all modes of transport. English is widely spoken, and distances between sights and destinations are relatively small.
The Thai capital of Bangkok is the starting point for this Southeast Asia travel route. Bangkok offers a chaotic but fascinating introduction to South East Asia. This sprawling city of 9 million people is home to hundreds of temples, thousands of street food restaurants, and Kho San Road, a spiritual home for many a backpacker. Whether you stay for a day or a week, there are plenty of attractions to keep you entertained, with the Royal Palace and Temple of the Dawn the pick of the bunch.
A two-hour train ride West of Bangkok is the town of Kanchanaburi. Famous for its proximity to the World War 2 site of the Bridge over the River Kwai, this laid-back town offers much for historians and nature lovers. Various museums, cemeteries, and parts of the railway line pay homage to the significant loss of POW life in this area. For nature lovers, there’s excellent trekking in the area, rafting, and an abundance of elephants.
A 2.5-hour bus ride from Kanchanaburi is the former significant city of Ayutthaya. At its peak in the 18th century, the city was home to over 1 million residents and was a trade and commerce hub. The city today is a shadow of its former glory as the Burmese invasion of 1767 led to most of the city being burnt to the ground. What remains is the reason people visit Ayutthaya, and the remains give a tantalizing glimpse into the splendor of the city. Best accessed via tuk-tuk or bicycle, there are numerous sites to explore.
A prime example of Thailand’s magnificent landscape, Khao Sok National Park should feature in everyone’s travel plans. Set around a sizeable emerald lake, the park is home to pristine jungle, abundant wildlife, and dramatic limestone cliffs. Best experienced via a 3-day, 2-night trek, Khao Sok offers the best trekking in southern Thailand. Khao Sok National Park is usually accessed via Surat Thani, on an overnight bus or sleeper train from Bangkok or Ayutthaya.
Perhaps Thailand’s biggest draw, the Southern Islands and Krabi, offer white sand beaches and emerald waters. Depending on when you choose to visit Thailand will likely impact your choice of Island as the west and east coasts have differing wet seasons. On the west coasts, the islands of Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi are particularly popular. While on the east coast, the islands of Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Koh Phangan tend to attract the most visitors. The latter is home to the famous ‘full moon’ parties.
Not far from the Thai border is the beautiful island of Langkawi. Undoubtedly the jewel of the west coast of Malaysia, this island teems with wildlife. Cable cars and extravagant walkways provide easy access to the jungle, while excellent hiking is available for the more intrepid traveler. Of course, the main reason to visit Langkawi is its miles of beautiful beaches and warm blue seas, which are some of the best in Asia.
From Langkawi, it’s possible to fly or take a 2.5-hour 120 km ferry ride to the island of Penang. A very different island to Langkawi, Penang is a former important trading hub. Its capital, George Town, has a fascinating historic center, and you’ll find some of the best cuisine in Malaysia, if not Asia, here. Temples, museums, and colonial-era buildings await those who visit.
250 km to the south of Penang is the Cameron Highlands. A temperate and beautiful series of hill stations provides respite from the heat and humidity of Malaysia. Known for its tea plantations, casual hiking, and waterfalls, the Cameron Highlands offers welcome respite.
From the tranquillity of the Cameron Highlands to the humidity and mass of humanity that is Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital has a lot to offer. Ultra-modern skyscrapers like the Petronas Towers sit alongside street vendors and colonial-era buildings. Modern air-conditioned malls compete with traditional night markets, making Kuala Lumpur a city that caters to all tastes. While in Kuala Lumpur, visiting the Batu Caves network is also well worth the effort.
A 5-hour bus ride from Kuala Lumpur and across the Straits of Johor is the country of Singapore. Once a quiet trading post on the tip of the Malay peninsular, Singapore is now a cutting-edge, ultra-modern city. One of the wealthiest nations in the world on a per capita basis, Singapore offers luxury sites such as Raffles Casino and the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. It also provides a glimpse of its past in the old town while offering new attractions such as the Gardens by the Bay.
A short flight from Singapore or a 31-hour ferry ride gets you to the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on the island of Java. Never the most aesthetically pleasing of cities, what Jakarta lacks in looks, it makes up for in size. Home to almost 11 million Indonesians, it offers excellent nightlife, museums, and cuisine. It is a great first introduction to Indonesia and a stepping stone for the treasures of Java and beyond.
It’s an 8-hour train or bus journey to Yogyakarta, the cultural capital of Java. The city is an excellent place to immerse yourself in Indonesian culture and learn how to cook the local cuisine. There are also many cultural performances, including dance, poetry, and song. Yogyakarta is also an excellent base for visits to nearby attractions such as the active volcano Mount Merapi. The standout archaeological sites of Borobudur and Prambanan are also just over an hour outside of Yogyakarta.
The dual sites of Borobudur and Prambanan are two of the finest archeological sites in Asia. Borobudur, built in the 7th century, is the largest Buddhist temple in the world and is decorated with 2672 stone reliefs and 504 Buddha statues. Prambanan was built a couple of hundred years later, in the eighth century, and is the largest Hindu Temple in Indonesia. Both sites have been excellently preserved and are accessible independently or via tours from Yogyakarta. These are two sights you must see on your travels in South East Asia.
Mount Bromo is situated at the east end of Java in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. Not the biggest or most active volcano, it is perhaps the most spectacular in its setting. It’s also very accessible, and it’s possible to hike to the rim of the caldera and see the inside of the volcano. A 6-hour and 400km train or bus trip from Yogyakarta, most visitors stay in the nearby town of Probolinggo. This allows them to visit Mount Bromo at sunrise when the site is most magical, and the colors are most vivid.
The last stop on our South East Asia travel route is Bali. A beautiful island and a magnet for visitors since the 1970s, Bali has something to offer for everyone. From the surfing and nightlife of Kuta to the cultural center of Ubud, set amongst the rice paddies, you’re sure to find your slice of heaven in Bali. For the active, there’s also snorkeling, diving, and volcanoes to climb, while you can nurture your spiritual side at retreats, yoga classes, or through massage. Whatever you choose, Bali will be a memorable end to your trip.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our South East Asia trip guide. Why not try some of our other guides for Asia or perhaps other intrepid travel destinations?
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