UK To Australia Overland - Part 4 Beijing To Bangkok

This stage of Richard's journey sees some amazingly cheap trips taken by bus and train through Asia. Richard visits some of the most famous and best holiday destinations in the region including iconic Ankor Wat.

Stage 3: Beijing, China to Bangkok, Thailand

This marks the end of the travels east and the start of travelling south as you make your way down through China and South East Asia into Bangkok. The journey will take you from Communist China to the thriving city of Bangkok from where it’s the home stretch to Australia.

From Beijing there are many trains that head into Shanghai but I found that the overnight train was the best as it killed two birds with one stone providing both transport and a nights’ accommodation. Once your stay in Shanghai is complete the next move is to get to Hanoi in Vietnam and to achieve this you must travel to the border city of Nanning (Be careful not to confuse this with Nanjing). The train journey from Shanghai to Nanning is a long one taking a day and a half to complete. I departed Shanghai at 4pm and didn’t arrive in Nanning until 10pm the following night.

Nanning is a small city, well small for China, with a population of about 2.5 million and getting around is easy and most of the accommodation is conveniently located near the train station. From here it is an overnight cross border train into Hanoi or if you have had enough of trains there is the option to take a bus. Travelling through Vietnam you have the option of taking the train along the Reunification Line down to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) or taking the bus. If you decide to stick with trains ensure that you get a sleeper as seating is very uncomfortable and crowded, I also recommend at least one stopover on your way to Ho Chi Minh to break up the journey and to see more of this beautiful country. Once in Ho Chi Minh you will have to organise bus transport into Cambodia which you will find information about at the many various travel agencies or even at your hotel/hostel. The bus journey from Ho Chi Minh to Phnom isn’t a long one but be prepared for Cambodian Karaoke to be played on the TV the whole way. Also note that when you arrive in Phnom Penh you will be swarmed by tuk-tuk drivers looking for business. Train transport in Cambodia is pretty much non-existent so be prepared to use buses for the rest of the journey to Bangkok. A trip to Cambodia wouldn’t be complete without a stopover at Siem Reap and the Angkor Wat temples and its only a cheap bus ride away. Finally from Siem Reap you will need to catch a bus to Bangkok which is actually a coach to the border and then a cramped mini-bus from the border to Bangkok.

This part of the journey is where your travel skills really come into play as from this point on you will need to book your tickets on the day and try to negotiate the best deals for yourselves at travel agents. It is possible to get tickets in advance but they are so cheap and accessible when you get there that I wouldn’t recommend it. Also note that at the Cambodian border you will need to pay for your visa which is US$25 and is more of a formality than an actual security check. Please also remember that this route is adjustable to your own requirements and there is a possibility to travel through Laos as well.

                Useful Links

                Seat 61 www.seat61.com

This site provides you with in depth information on train travel around the world with timetables, fares as well as tips and advice. A must use resource when planning your overland journey.

China Train Ticket www.china-train-ticket.com

A useful resource for checking train times and fares throughout China.