Bangkok to Hanoi Self-Launched: Chiang Mai, Night Markets & Streetside Bars
9 days · Bangkok to Hanoi
G Adventures charges £600
No-markup version: ~£360 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
The same epic Bangkok-to-Hanoi route — tuk-tuks, Death Railway, Chiang Mai night markets, and Hanoi's Old Quarter — done entirely on your own terms. Swap the group tour price tag for hostel beds, local trains, and self-booked activities. You'll hit every highlight: longtail boats on the klongs, the Bridge on the River Kwai, cycling ancient ruins, a night train to Chiang Mai, and a cyclo tour through Hanoi's buzzing streets. Estimated cost is roughly £310–£370 per person, compared to ~£600+ with G Adventures — saving you well over £200.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Bangkok — Chinatown Street Food Crawl
Bangkok, Thailand
Arrive in Bangkok at any time. Check into a hostel in the Khao San Road or Silom area — both well-connected and buzzing with fellow travellers. Spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace, then head to Yaowarat (Chinatown) in the evening for a self-guided street food crawl. Grilled pork skewers, dim sum, mango sticky rice, and fresh seafood stalls line every alley. Cap the night with a classic tuk-tuk ride — negotiate directly with drivers for a short city loop (around 100–150 THB).
🚌Taxi or Grab app from airport to hostel (~£5–8)
🛏Lub d Bangkok Silom or NapPark Hostel @ Khaosan (dorm ~£10–14/night)
- →Check into a hostel near Khao San Road or Silom (book via Hostelworld or Booking.com)
- →Self-guided street food crawl through Yaowarat (Chinatown)
- →Tuk-tuk ride around the old city — negotiate ~100–150 THB per trip
Bangkok Klongs to Kanchanaburi
Bangkok → Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Start the day with a longtail boat tour of Bangkok's famous klongs (canals). You can book a shared or private longtail from Tha Chang or Phra Athit Pier — a 1-hour shared tour runs around £5–8. After, grab a bowl of boat noodles at a local riverside café (a staple Bangkok lunch for under £2). Then catch a direct public bus from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) to Kanchanaburi — journey takes around 2.5–3 hours and costs roughly £3. Check into a riverside guesthouse or floating raft house for a truly local experience.
🚌Public bus Bangkok to Kanchanaburi (~£3)
🛏Sam's House or Apple's Guesthouse Kanchanaburi — floating raft rooms available (~£10–15/night)
- →Longtail boat tour of Bangkok's klongs from Tha Chang Pier (~£5–8 shared)
- →Boat noodle lunch at a riverside café (~£2)
- →Public bus from Mo Chit Southern Terminal to Kanchanaburi (~£3, ~3 hrs)
Bridge on the River Kwai & Death Railway
Kanchanaburi, Thailand
This is one of the most historically powerful days of the trip. Walk across the iconic Bridge on the River Kwai (free to enter), then hop on the historic Death Railway train from Kanchanaburi station toward Nam Tok — the scenic stretch over the Wang Po viaduct is unforgettable. Trains run twice daily and cost around £3–5 return. Spend the afternoon at the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre museum (£5) or the JEATH War Museum to understand the harrowing wartime history. Enjoy dinner at a riverside restaurant as the sun sets over the Kwai.
🚌Local songthaew or walking within Kanchanaburi town (~£1–2)
🛏Sam's House or Apple's Guesthouse Kanchanaburi (~£10–15/night)
- →Walk the Bridge on the River Kwai (free)
- →Ride the Death Railway train to Nam Tok — Wang Po viaduct section (~£3–5 return)
- →Thailand-Burma Railway Centre museum (~£5)
- →Riverside dinner in Kanchanaburi (~£5–8)
Ayutthaya Ruins by Bicycle → Night Train to Chiang Mai
Ayutthaya → Night Train, Thailand
Head back toward Bangkok and stop off at Ayutthaya — the ancient former capital of the Kingdom of Siam. Rent a bicycle from the station area for around £2–3/day and cycle freely between the incredible UNESCO-listed temple ruins: Wat Mahathat (the famous Buddha head in tree roots), Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and Wat Chaiwatthanaram. It's one of Southeast Asia's great cycling days. In the early evening, catch a train from Ayutthaya back to Bangkok Hua Lamphong, then board the overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai (book via 12go.asia, ~£15–20 for a second-class sleeper berth). Departs around 18:00–20:00.
🚌Train Ayutthaya–Bangkok (~£1–2), overnight train Bangkok–Chiang Mai (~£15–20)
🛏Overnight sleeper train (2nd class berth included in transport cost)
- →Bicycle hire in Ayutthaya (~£2–3/day)
- →Cycle the UNESCO temple ruins: Wat Mahathat, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Chaiwatthanaram
- →Evening train from Ayutthaya to Bangkok (~£1–2)
- →Overnight sleeper train Bangkok to Chiang Mai (~£15–20, book via 12go.asia)
Arrive Chiang Mai — Old City & Night Bazaar
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Roll into Chiang Mai in the morning after your overnight train journey. Drop your bags at a hostel in the Old City or Nimman area and grab a local breakfast — khao tom (rice porridge) or a Thai iced coffee from a street stall. Spend the day wandering the Old City's moat, visiting temples like Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh (free or ~£1 entry). In the evening, head to the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar or the Saturday/Sunday Walking Street Market for street food, handicrafts, and local vendors. Optional: book a Northern Thai cooking class for tomorrow via GetYourGuide (~£25–30).
🚌Songthaew (shared red truck) from train station to hostel (~£1)
🛏Bodega Chiang Mai or Stamps Backpackers — dorm ~£8–12/night
- →Explore Chiang Mai Old City — Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra Singh (~free–£1)
- →Street breakfast at a local market stall (~£1–2)
- →Evening at the Night Bazaar or Walking Street Market
- →Optional: Book a Northern Thai cooking class for Day 6 via GetYourGuide (~£25–30)
Chiang Mai — Cooking Class & Local Exploration
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Spend a full day soaking up Chiang Mai at your own pace. If you booked a cooking class, this is the day — most classes include a market visit to pick fresh ingredients, then hands-on instruction making 4–5 dishes (Tom Kha Gai, Pad Thai, green curry). Classes run ~4 hours and cost £25–30 via GetYourGuide or direct booking with Thai Farm Cooking School or Asia Scenic. Alternatively, hire a bicycle or scooter (~£5–8/day) to explore the surrounding countryside, visit the Doi Suthep temple on the hill (songthaew up costs ~£3 return), or browse the trendy Nimman Road café scene. Grab street food for dinner.
🚌Bicycle hire or scooter hire (~£5–8), songthaew as needed (~£1–2 per ride)
🛏Bodega Chiang Mai or Stamps Backpackers — dorm ~£8–12/night
- →Optional: Northern Thai cooking class with market tour (~£25–30 via GetYourGuide or direct)
- →Alternatively: hire a scooter and visit Doi Suthep temple (~£8 total)
- →Explore Nimman Road cafés and street food scene
- →Evening street food dinner in the Old City (~£5–8)
Fly Chiang Mai to Hanoi — Cyclo Tour of the Old Quarter
Chiang Mai → Hanoi, Vietnam
Catch a budget flight from Chiang Mai (CNX) to Hanoi Noi Bai (HAN) — airlines like VietJet, AirAsia, or Thai AirAsia typically offer fares from £35–60 booked in advance. Fly time is around 2 hours. On arrival in Hanoi, take the 86 public bus or a Grab taxi to the Old Quarter (~£1–4). Check into a hostel in Hoan Kiem and get your bearings. In the afternoon or evening, hire a cyclo (traditional three-wheeled bicycle rickshaw) for a 30–45 minute tour of the Old Quarter's 36 guild streets — negotiate directly with cyclo drivers for around £3–5, or book via Klook for a guided version (~£8). End the evening with a Bia Hoi (fresh draught beer, ~20p a glass) at the famous Bia Hoi Junction.
🚌Flight Chiang Mai–Hanoi (~£35–60), public bus or Grab from airport (~£1–4)
🛏Hanoi Backpackers Hostel Downtown or Old Quarter View Hostel — dorm ~£8–12/night
- →Budget flight Chiang Mai to Hanoi (~£35–60, book via Skyscanner)
- →Cyclo tour of Hanoi's Old Quarter 36 streets (~£3–5 negotiated, or ~£8 via Klook)
- →Evening at Bia Hoi Junction — fresh draught beer for ~20p a glass
- →Explore Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple at dusk (~£1 entry)
Hanoi — Old Quarter, Temples & Optional Ha Long Bay Day Trip
Hanoi, Vietnam
Spend the day exploring Hanoi's rich culture and history. Visit the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu), one of Vietnam's finest examples of traditional architecture (~£1.50 entry). Walk to Tran Quoc Pagoda on the shores of West Lake — one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam, free to enter. Try a Bun Cha lunch (the dish Obama and Anthony Bourdain made famous) at a local spot for under £2. Optional: book a Ha Long Bay day trip or overnight cruise via GetYourGuide or direct with operators like Indochina Junk — day trips from ~£50, overnight 2-day cruises from ~£80–100 (highly recommended if budget allows). In the evening, explore the Hanoi Street Food Scene around Ta Hien Street.
🚌Walking + Grab rides within Hanoi (~£2–5)
🛏Hanoi Backpackers Hostel Downtown or Old Quarter View Hostel — dorm ~£8–12/night
- →Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) visit (~£1.50 entry)
- →Tran Quoc Pagoda at West Lake (free)
- →Bun Cha lunch at a local Hanoi restaurant (~£2)
- →Optional: Ha Long Bay day trip or overnight cruise (~£50–100 via GetYourGuide or direct booking)
- →Evening street food and bars on Ta Hien Street, Old Quarter
Final Morning in Hanoi — Depart
Hanoi, Vietnam
Your last morning in Hanoi — make it count. Grab a Banh Mi from a street stall for breakfast (under £1) and take one last walk around the scenic Hoan Kiem Lake. If you have time, duck into the Hanoi Old Quarter's narrow shophouse streets for any last-minute local craft souvenirs. Head to Noi Bai International Airport by public bus 86 (departs from near Hoan Kiem, ~£0.80) or Grab taxi (~£7–10). Safe travels!
🚌Public bus 86 to airport (~£0.80) or Grab taxi (~£7–10)
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Breakfast Banh Mi from a street stall (~£1)
- →Final stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake
- →Last-minute souvenir shopping in the Old Quarter
- →Transfer to Noi Bai Airport — public bus 86 (~£0.80) or Grab taxi (~£7–10)
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£360 | £600 |
| Duration | 9 days | 9 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £240 per person (40%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£360
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Bangkok to Hanoi Self-Launched: Chiang Mai, Night Markets & Streetside Bars cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £360 per person for 9 days in Bangkok to Hanoi. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £600 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £360 — a saving of roughly £240 (40%) per person.
How long is the Bangkok to Hanoi trip?+
This itinerary runs 9 days, covering 9 day-by-day stops through Bangkok to Hanoi.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a backpacker, culture, foodie trip through Bangkok to Hanoi, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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