Rail, Road & River through South-East Asia

Drift downriver by ferry and pick up a bicycle to explore the lush greenery, secluded temples and Muay Thai gyms of the Bang Krachao sub-district, known as ‘The Green Lung of Bangkok’. Stroll through the urban jungle, savouring every moment, before hopping on an overnight train to the rural north. Take a detour to Kanchanaburi for a sombre-edged trip on the ‘Death Railway’, or to Samut Songkran, where the stalls of the gently-bustling Mae Klong Railway Market are hastily retracted each time a train approaches.

You’ll feel a change as soon as you step off the train, with northern Thailand’s contrasting climate, atmosphere and laid back feel. Head east to the city of Chiang Rai, with its stunning White Temple and bustling night markets; a temptingly short distance from the Laotian border. Take a winding route via Fang, swathed in forests and tea plantations, and spend time in the heart of the community with a stay at the Phumanee Lahu Home Hotel.

The trains thunder along at up to 160 km per hour, turning a journey that used to take days into one that takes hours. Board the sleek carriage and settle into a comfortable seat for a swift – almost frighteningly quick – ride to northern Oudomxay. As with many such developments, this railway has its doubters and its champions, and will continue to bring both challenges and benefits to the region as it connects northern Laos like never before.

Once beyond the urban sprawl, scenes of villages, rice fields, buffalo, palm trees, lush green mountains and near-deserted stretches of coastline, will keep your head happily swivelling from side to side for hours. Although no individual train has ever officially carried the name, the north-south railway connecting Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City is frequently referred to as the Reunification Express. Built to be ‘the backbone of Indochina’, it was established during the French colonial period, and completed over a span of 40 years. The legendary journey all the way from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City takes around 30 hours, so we certainly wouldn’t suggest trying to do it all in one go, but hopping on the train for a section or two is just the ticket.

South of Ho Chi Minh City, hop aboard for a day, or a night or two, exploring the thoroughfares and scenic backwaters of the Mekong Delta. Cruise down to Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, to change up the pace for a few days of city living. Take a trip on one of Cambodia’s few passenger trains, the daily service to coastal Sihanoukville, although be prepared that the trains are often subject to delays – time to roll out that patience, and a good book, while you wait! Speed straight out of Sihanoukville to get sidetracked on a nearby island, such as Koh Rong, relaxing in sandy coves and venturing into the jungle interior.

The city makes for a friendly, lively base for visiting the region’s renowned temples. Both the best-known Angkor temples, and those slightly further afield, are among the most spectacular in Asia, making for a memorable conclusion to any trip. But it doesn’t have to end there… Continue overland to the Thailand border, where you could catch a train back to Bangkok, then south to Surat Thani, the jumping off point for many of Thailand’s famed beaches and islands. Then, why not continue on to Malaysia, Singapore and beyond; Asia is your oyster…