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The Ultimate Southeast Asia Transportation Guide [UPDATED FOR 2024]
How Easy is Travelling Around Southeast Asia?
Well the good news is that if you are flexible with your Southeast Asia itinerary and following generally known routes then it is incredibly easy and often there are many different options for Southeast Asia transportation.
Even taking routes not usually frequented by backpackers there are often more local transport options that can be used, though they are sometimes a little convoluted it always seems in Southeast Asia that if you’re willing then there is a way to get there!
Being a backpacker hub we’ve found that Southeast Asia is a great place to travel around freely without much stress and hassle. Organising transport is simple and booking that far ahead not generally necessary when you plan your Asia backpacking route.
There are usually many options from buses aimed at backpackers that can be booked at your hostel to more local transport that can be a bit more uncomfortable and an interesting experience in itself!
Ultimately Southeast Asia transportation can be as easy or as complicated as you make it. If you stick to the main routes you can easily book a bus the night or so before at your hostel and away you go, or you can even get a flight with budget airlines such as Air Asia if your time is more limited and budget allows. It’s also an area that isn’t too difficult to get off the beaten track with a little bit more effort!
Your Southeast Asia itinerary doesn’t need to revolve around transportation complications which is one reason that travelling around this area is really enjoyable. Of course, we recommend following some simple light backpacking tips as it always makes getting around that much easier and fun if you pack as light as you can!
Our Favourite Backpacks
Osprey Fairpoint/ Fairview
We’ve used the Osprey Fairpoint/ Fairview for all our backpacking adventures over the past 5 years and highly recommend them!
The main area of the pack opens like a suitcase, which is great for using packing cubes to keep everything organised and they even come with a detachable day pack!
Buses Around Southeast Asia
The Most Common Method of Transport Both Long and Short Distance
When travelling around Southeast Asia the most common form of transport you will likely use is the bus! Buses are versatile, cheap and cover huge distances both internally and across borders and is the principal Southeast Asia transportation method for any Asia backpacking route.
There are large comfortable air-conditioned coaches with power points and even onboard wifi designed for backpackers to take overnight trips. But in some areas, there are buses that are pretty basic and even borderline dangerous that are used for these long trips. One thing to realise is that depending on the country and region you are travelling around within Southeast Asia there might not be many other options in terms of quality and that’s the reality of transport in Southeast Asia at times!
Generally speaking, you should ask your hostel or look online to see what the best companies in the region are for comfort and safety but it really shouldn’t impact your Southeast Asia itinerary or your Asia backpacking route.
The BEST Way To Book Your Transport!
12go Transport Online Booking
12Go is the best place to book your flights, trains, buses, ferries, coaches and more online.
At The Roaming Renegades we love 12Go and trust them for all our bookings.
Travelling by bus is by far the most cost-effective way of travelling around Southeast Asia and with that come sacrifices. Buses might be cramped, hot and uncomfortable for hours taking winding roads without toilets and enough breaks.
BUT, they are a true part of the backpacking experience and a necessary part of travelling on a budget! Even on a comfortable night bus, you’ll likely have a restless evening but the benefit of night buses is covering accommodation and transport costs in one! No matter what Asia backpacking route you take they will feature in your Southeast Asia itinerary if you’re on a budget!
Tips for Buses in Southeast Asia
They are the best Southeast Asia transportation option for sticking to a tight budget and allow great flexibility for any Southeast Asia itinerary.
They are ideal for travelling at short notice, book via your hostel, online or at the bus stations/ depots. All routes vary in popularity and availability but often you can book just the day or two before and some you can just jump straight on that very day. They’re great for flexibility in your Asia backpacking route.
Night buses are good for saving on accommodation for the night!
Be sure to prepare yourself with travel pillows, correct and comfortable clothing, food, drink and entertainment!
Be sure to keep your valuables with you at all times, especially on night buses which is wise on all Southeast Asia transportation!
Ask others in your hostel which bus they took and how it was, ask the hostel which companies are the best to use and have a look online if you are worried about safety and comfort.
READ MORE: See Our Guide To Surviving Night Buses Here
Book Your Bus Across The Whole of Asia Here:
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Trains In Southeast Asia
We rate trains as the best Southeast Asia transportation… when they’re available!
Trains are probably our favourite way to travel not only in Southeast Asia but anywhere in the world! Often they can be a little more expensive than buses but the advantage is that they are often more comfortable and you’ve got more freedom to move around. The negative is that they don’t allow as much flexibility when planning your Asia backpacking route.
In Southeast Asia train travel is sporadic and only covers certain areas of each country, they are best used to travel between major cities and require you to have some flexibility in your Southeast Asia itinerary to use them!
A good example is that Cambodia and Laos don’t have any passenger train networks, Vietnam has one main line that runs down the coast and Thailand has a large network that connects with those in Malaysia which is further connected to Singapore! If you get the chance then the train is the best Southeast Asia transportation method in our opinion, we just wish it covered more places!
Train travel in Southeast Asia can generally be broken down by class and length. In places like Vietnam and Thailand sleeper trains are very popular and a great way to travel long distances in comfort.
Many of these trains have first and second-class areas that offer great sleeper compartments and particularly those in Thailand are really impressive, comfortable and modern. These trains however also offer third-class seating for those on a really tight budget and willing to “rough it” on a long journey or for shorter rides.
The BEST Way To Book Your Transport!
12go Transport Online Booking
12Go is the best place to book your flights, trains, buses, ferries, coaches and more online.
At The Roaming Renegades we love 12Go and trust them for all our bookings.
Taking the train in Southeast Asia, particularly in the third and second-class areas is also a great way to meet local people and travel alongside regular people rather than just backpackers. They offer a much more comfortable sleeping experience than night buses with the ability to lie on an actual bed, move freely around the carriage to stretch your legs, go to the toilet or visit the food cart which is also quite common.
The routes that trains take are often more scenic too and some of our best travel experiences have been on incredible train rides through Asia, so be sure to include some in your Southeast Asia itinerary.
Tips for Taking The Train in Southeast Asia
Train travel is often more expensive than bus travel for longer trips but they offer a much more comfortable experience that is often still very affordable for backpackers in second class.
Sleeper trains often come with fresh linen, pillows and have food carts meaning you have to prepare yourself less than for the brutality of a night bus! You also often have access to all your bags too. However you should still bring entertainment and food just incase!
Sleeper trains usually have to be booked further in advance than night buses as the services are often more limited and a more sought-after Southeast Asia transportation method. Plan some extra time in your Southeast Asia itinerary for this.
Longer train travel usually has to be booked online or at the station rather than through your hostel
Short local train trips and third-class tickets can often be bought on the day of travel
Routes are limited but often a better experience so you might have to tailor your Asia backpacking route for them.
This website is a great resource: Seat 61
Book Your Bus Across The Whole of Asia Here:
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Flights in Southeast Asia
Flights are usually our last port of call as I hate flying and do anything to avoid it! However, Southeast Asia has a great network of budget airlines that make travel across the region easy, quick and relatively cheap. Though this is by far the most expensive Southeast Asia transportation method beyond private transport.
Most major cities in Southeast Asia are connected via flights with various airlines, some more reputable than others. We most often used Air Asia or Jetstar.
Plane travel around Southeast Asia using budget airlines is pretty basic, you have to pay extra for luggage, they are often delayed and can take you to airports that aren’t as well connected.
They do save a lot of time and an overnight 18hr bus can be replaced by an hour-long flight! If you’re on a tight schedule then flying is a must.
So if you’re wondering how to get around Southeast Asia on a strict timescale then this is it!
Depending on which part of Southeast Asia you are travelling within you can quite easily get away with travelling overland rather than flying.
For example, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam are very easy to travel between overland.
However heading further south to Malaysia, Indonesia and The Philippines, countries made up of many islands, flying is much more convenient.
Tips For Flying Around Southeast Asia
Try to book as soon as you can as prices tend to fluctuate the way buses and trains stay consistent so it can be a hit-and-miss type of transport in Southeast Asia price-wise.
Be flexible in order to get the best price
Air Asia is the most reputable airline for budget travel and has a loyalty program where you can collect points
Check which airport the flights leave and arrive at as some, notably in Bangkok, can differ from the main airport and be sure to check transport options to and from and at the time you will arrive.
Book Your Flights Across The Whole of Asia Here:
Book an Cheap Flight Across Asia
Book Your Cheap Asia Flight
Whilst backpacking across Asia and beyond you’ll be on the lookout for cheap transport options. Whilst buses and trains are great, they don’t always get you where you want to go in a quick manner, or, if you’re in a region like The Philippines, well, you’ll need to fly!
That’s where Air Asia comes in! We’ve used them heaps of times whilst travelling across Asia and they even have connections to places like Australia too!
Ferries and Boat Transport
Ferries and boat travel is also another widely used albeit rarer method of transport for the region. This can be in countries that are made up mostly of islands or can be in places such as between Thailand and Laos where rivers can be utilised for boat travel.
When you planning your Asia backpacking route see where you can fit some of these transport methods in because they’re a lot more fun than the bus!
Boat and ferry travel is usually pretty slow but much more scenic and more of an experience in itself!
For us, boats are the most enjoyable Southeast Asia transportation method. If you want to get around Southeast Asia in the most scenic fashion then take the ferry whenever you can!
Our Favourite Camera Bag
Wandrd PRVKE 21
We absolutely love the Wandrd Prvke!
Its mega comfortable when when fully loaded. Has side access so you can grab your camera on the go. The material is weather resistant and there’s even a secret passport stash pocket!
There’s an expandable upper section with a roll top to keep gear separate from your camera.
Ferries are great for travelling between regional areas, remote islands and more local routes. Booking depends on which area you are within but it can often be done online, at local travel agencies and at ferry ports.
Quite often these trips need to be booked a day or two in advance as there might only be one or two trips along that route each day so factor that into your plans.
Some of the boats and ferries used around Southeast Asia aren’t the safest but most do have life jackets at least!
Some we’ve been on have been quite cramped and uncomfortable, especially very popular or very local routes. However, we’ve also had some great experiences travelling on boats in Southeast Asia, being able to move around freely and take in some incredible scenery, particularly those we took in Thailand and The Philippines.
Tips For Ferry Travel In Southeast Asia:
Taking the boat might be an alternative option, even in areas away from the coast do some research to see if it is an option as it’s a much more relaxing Southeast Asia transportation method!
Book online or at the docks if you can and be sure to check if you need to book in advance. Some routes we’ve taken there has only been one service a day!
For longer trips be sure to bring some food, drink and entertainment as many ferries don’t have these available and once you’re on the boat then that’s that!
Be aware that some of these ferries aren’t the safest Southeast Asia transportation method so maybe make sure you can at least swim!
Book Your Ferry Across The Whole of Asia Here:
Powered by 12Go system
Using Your Own Transport: Motorbikes and Scooters
Another way to travel around Southeast Asia is to buy or rent your own motorbike or scooter and this is an incredible way to see so much, visit far-off places and have complete control over your journey.
However, the roads in these regions can be dangerous, and taking bikes across borders adds complications and is sometimes not possible. Plus long bike journeys can be extremely tiring and hard work!
One of our best experiences in Southeast Asia was buying motorbikes in Southern Vietnam and riding all the way up to the north of the country. This was an incredible way to see the country and we got to see some really remote places, stopping whenever and wherever we wanted.
This truly is my favourite way to see a place as I love to stop and take photos along the way, explore little villages and speak to locals. It’s a challenging but rewarding Southeast Asia transportation method.
Riding all day every day is tiring and you can’t cover anywhere near the distance you could in a car or bus on the unpredictable roads and a small bike.
Sometimes it can take a few days of solid riding to get from one destination to another, stopping in remote towns with very few places to stay and then setting off again very early to ride all day again.
You’re exposed to everything the weather can throw at you and carrying your bags on the bike adds to the challenge.
We usually try to rent out bikes/ scooters in each place we can use to explore the place itself and then use other transport to travel long distances.
But doing a full bike tour for those willing to deal with the rough side of it is the ultimate way to travel around this region!
If you were to ask me how to get around Southeast Asia in the most experiential way, then it would be by motorbike for sure!
Safety Wing Travel Insurance
The Best Insurance for Nomads
No one likes buying insurance, but equally everyone hates skyhigh medical bills! Get yourself covered so you can enjoy your trip worry free!
Here at The Roaming Renegades we love Safetywing Insurance because it’s designed for nomads, you can buy it when you’re already abroad and it’s kickass!
Click the button below to get a quote on your insurance provided by Safetywing.
Top Tips For Getting Around Southeast Asia On A Motorbike
Be sure to practice first and be confident and comfortable riding a bike before heading off on long trips
Be aware of traffic laws in each country and speed limits, some countries have areas of corrupt police that target foreigners on bikes so research this before. Also some countries in the region drive on the left, and some on the right!
Try to buy a bike in good condition and be aware if you want to do the whole region on a bike it might mean buying and selling in one country before crossing the border and buying again in the next country due to some complications with certain border crossings. Research this ahead of travelling.
Be prepared for the trip to take much longer! This is a slower Southeast Asia transportation method so be aware of this when it comes to visas or other practical matters. We ended up spending 7 weeks in Vietnam when we only planned on being there for a month!
Make Sure You Get Your Travel Insurance Before You Travel
Southeast Asia Transportation: Travelling Across Borders and Between Countries
One apprehension you might have when thinking about how to get around Southeast Asia is crossing over county borders. Well, the good news is that it is incredibly easy across the entire region, the only slight complication is Myanmar!
Generally speaking, Southeast Asia is very backpacker friendly and border crossings (despite sometimes being a little time-consuming) are usually simple and easy.
Sort Your Visa Out
Best Place to Organise Your Visa
We all need visas for various destinations and organising these can be a nightmare and ruin the trip of a lifetime! Don’t be caught out and make sure you choose a professional service for your next trip and head off without worry.
We recommend using iVisa.
We’ve done most border crossings in this area via bus transport and each has been a little different! We’ve done a few via flying and even one using a boat.
Generally, we would say that arriving at the airport is always the easiest and simplest way as it’s usually more organised and often there are more options for visas, however, buses have also been pretty straightforward.
: A Brief Guide To Transport In Each Country, Border Crossings & Visas
Here’s a brief summary of our border crossings for each country and the Southeast Asia transportation method we used.
Thailand
One of the easiest, we didn’t need a visa so we just got stamped in with our arrivals card.
We’ve arrived via a flight, bus and on the slow boat from Laos that required us to take a shuttle bus over the “Friendship bridge” between the two countries. Every time it was very simple.
* In Thailand we travelled using buses and motorbikes
Cambodia
Cambodia is a visa on arrival border crossing OR beforehand at an embassy
You should bring along the correct money in USD if you can, at the time is was $30 (check before travelling and always bring extra just in case). Also bring a passport sized photo. You fill in the form, hand it in, you wait around 10 mins and they shout you over with it stuck in a full page of your passport. After that you queue to actually enter the country where they stamp you in.
We arrived via bus from Thailand and technically crossed over the border on foot, our bus met us on the other side of the border and we continued on. They process of actually crossing over was quick and easy.
You can also get your visas for Cambodia before you travel and it does save a lot of hassle at the border. Also be aware that the drivers of the buses, even reputable companies, will often try to scam you into paying them to get your visa on arrival for you and take a huge chunk of the payment for themselves. Just make them wait and do it yourself!
* In Cambodia we travelled using mostly mini buses
Laos
Crossing over into Laos was very similar to Cambodia only a little more hectic and chaotic! It was a similar process where you gain a visa on arrival, fill out the forms, pay the fee ($30-$35) and get the visa stuck in a full page of your passport. Then you queue again to get your entry stamp.
Our driver gave all our passports to the clerk together and once we had them all back we got on the same bus and drove over the border. We crossed from Vietnam to Laos on the overnight bus, we had to wait at the border for a few hours before for it to open at 7am!
* In Laos we travelled using buses and boats
Vietnam
Vietnam is a little more complicated as there are more visa options. Many people choose the two week visa free option. However we needed longer so we applied for our Vietnamese visa before travelling at the embassy in Bangkok, that took a week for processing.
The border crossing was a little chaotic and more serious than some of the others in the area. Some people were applying for visas on arrival, some visa free entry and some like us had visas so it took a while. The queuing system also wasn’t great and it was pretty chaotic.
They then added a $1 “health check fee” onto the border crossing which was clearly a bit of a scam. It’s not a lot of money but you could come unstuck if you don’t carry some extra USD on you at border crossings. I also recall we had to bring all our luggage with us which was scanned. It did seem to take a lot longer but it was still all pretty straight forward.
We travelled from Cambodia into Vietnam via bus but ended up somehow on 3 different buses. One to the border, one from the border to the nearest town and then one from there to Saigon!
* In Vietnam we travelled using motorbikes and night buses
Myanmar
Crossing into Myanmar via the land border can be hit and miss given the ever changing political situation over there. So this was one place we decided to fly to instead as it is a lot easier. However via Thailand is the best way if you do want to go overland but do bear this in mind when you plan your Southeast Asia itinerary. We did change our Asia backpacking route to fit with the border situation at the time.
With Myanmar you have to apply for your visa before you travel, however this can be done online and is pretty simple and accepted pretty quickly. It cost around $50 when we visited.
We flew from Bangkok to Mandalay. At check in they checked our visa but didn’t ask for onward travel info.
Arrival into Myanmar was easy and straightforward, the queue wasn’t too big and as our visa was online the border agent just scanned our passport and then stamped us in. Be sure to fly to a major airport such as Mandalay or Yangon as some of the others might be a problem.
* In Myanmar we travelled using buses and minibuses
Our Favourite Travel Camera & Lens
Sony A7IV & Sony FE 24-105 f4
The Sony a7IV is the perfect travel camera. Offering incredible image quality, great portability and a varied lens selection.
Our favourite travel lens is the Sony FE 24-105 f4. it’s a great all-rounder, super sharp and a perfect focal range for travel.
Malaysia
Malaysia is one of the easiest countries for border crossings for most. We didn’t need a visa so were stamped in with our arrival card.
We arrived into Malaysia overland via Singapore and continued on the same bus after the border the first time. The second was returning from Brunei via a boat where we were once again just stamped back in on a new entry stamp.
The only thing with Malaysia is that even when you travel internally if you fly they will stamp you again in each region. We flew a few times as well as exiting and returning when we visited Brunei so we go A LOT of stamps from Malaysia!! If you wish to visit Borneo you will need to fly internally!
* In Malaysia we travelled using buses and planes
Brunei
We arrived in Brunei from Malaysia on a boat. Again it was a simple process as we don’t require a visa. Our bags were scanned and we were stamped in, they simply asked us if we had visited before.
* In Brunei we travelled using ferries and buses
Singapore
We arrived in Singapore on a flight from Myanmar. We don’t require a visa so we were stamped in along with our arrival card without any questions.
* In Singapore we travelled using buses and the metro
Philippines
We flew into The Philippines from Malaysia and at check in we were asked to provide proof of onward travel, this was a fake photoshop document we had created beforehand!!
We don’t need a visa for The Philippines so we were just stamped in no questions asked.
The Philippines is a county where flying is required more due to it being islands that are separated quite far apart. We did take buses on each island and a ferry between El Nido and Coron.
* In The Philippines we travelled using minibuses, boats and planes
Indonesia
We also flew into Indonesia from the Philippines but we weren’t asked for proof of onward travel this time.
We don’t need a visa for Indonesia so we were just stamped in no questions asked with an arrival card.
Interestingly enough we travelled around Indonesia mostly on buses and boats and didn’t take any internal flights. We travelled from Jakarta to Bali using just one ferry and then visited Lombok and the Gili islands using boats and ferries!
* In Indonesia we travelled using planes, Ferries, boats and buses
Get Your Visas For Your Trip Here
Have we covered everything? Do you have any questions about travelling around Southeast Asia?
Our Favourite Gear
Osprey Backpack
These Osprey bags open like a suitcase & we’ve used them for 5+ years. They even have a detachable day pack and are super comfortable and tough.
Camera Bag
The Wandrd Prvke 31 with side access is an awesome camera bag for any trip. It’s even got an expandable separate top section and hidden passport pocket.
Sony a7 IV
The Sony a7 IV is our go to travel camera. It’s a lightweight and portable full frame camera that offers amazing quality and a great range of available lenses.
Sony 24-105mm f4
The Sony 24-105mm f4 is the perfect all round travel lens with a mega useful range. It’s also super sharp and light for its type.
Memory Foam Travel Pillow
This memory foam travel pillow is ideal not only whilst on planes or buses but as an extra pillow in hostels & guest houses.
Dry sacks
Dry sacks are great to use as waterproof organisational bags for inside your backpack. We always put our SSD in one!
Dry Bag
A heavier duty Dry Bag is great for boat trips and larger items and can be worn as a stand alone.
Macbook Air
A lightweight but powerful Macbook Air is our go to laptop for all our blogging and photo editing on the road.
iPhone
We also always have our trusty iphones which are great for organising our trip, photography, maps, entertainment and more!
Sony RX100 VII
Our Sony RX100 VII is our go to selfie camera with it’s 1 inch sensor, articulating screen & compact size.
Go Pro 11
A GoPro is a must whilst backpacking. This tough & waterproof action cam can go anywhere with you!
USB Universal Adapter
Grab an all-in-one travel adapter with USB slots so whatever country you’re in you know you can charge your gear.
Portable Battery Pack
Keep your phone, camera and other gear charged on the road with a portable battery pack. Great for night buses.
Trail Shoes
Trail shoes are a great all round travel shoe for comfort whilst on a city break or hiking.
Waterproof Jacket
No matter where you’re travelling to a waterproof jacket is a must! Invest in a good one!
Manfrotto Befree Tripod
The super lightweight and easy to use Manfrotto Befree is our go-to travel tripod for photography
We trust the 2TB Sandisk Extreme SSD to back up all our important documents and photos on the road.
Hard Case for SSD
We keep it safe on the road with our trusty YINKE Hard Case for SanDisk Extreme SSD.
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes help keep everything organised in your pack.
Rain Cover
Keep everything even more protected with a rain cover for you backpack!
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The post The Ultimate Southeast Asia Transportation Guide [UPDATED FOR 2024] appeared first on The Roaming Renegades.