Thailand – Vietnam – Bali in 14 Days: The Self-Launched Version

Arrive at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport and make your way independently into the city. The Airport Rail Link runs directly from the airport to Phaya Thai station for around £1.50 — far cheaper than any taxi tout. Check into your hostel in the Banglamphu/Khao San Road area, which puts you within walking distance of the major temples. Spend the evening exploring the buzzing street-food scene on Khao San Road and along the riverside.

🚌Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai, then BTS Skytrain or taxi to Banglamphu (~£3 total)

🛏Lub d Bangkok Silom or NapPark Hostel @ Khao San — dorm from ~£8–12/night

• →Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai station (~£1.50)
• →Explore Khao San Road and riverside area on foot
• →Try pad thai and mango sticky rice from street stalls

Dedicate today to Bangkok's unmissable trio of temples — all within easy reach of each other on foot or by tuk-tuk. Start at the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha), then walk south to Wat Pho to see the enormous Reclining Buddha and perhaps book a traditional Thai massage. Round off the afternoon with a visit to the marble grandeur of Wat Benchamabophit. Book temple tickets on-site — no tour needed. Evening: catch a Chao Phraya river ferry (£0.30) and explore the Tha Tien neighbourhood.

🚌BTS Skytrain + Chao Phraya ferry + tuk-tuk (~£5 for the day)

🛏Lub d Bangkok Silom or NapPark Hostel @ Khao San

• →Visit Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew – entry ~£12 (book at the gate)
• →Visit Wat Pho Reclining Buddha – entry ~£3
• →Visit Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple) – entry ~£1
• →Chao Phraya Express Boat sightseeing along the river

Take an early morning minivan from Khao San Road to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (~90 mins, ~£4 each way — book at any guesthouse the night before). Arrive before 10am for the best atmosphere before tour groups arrive. Hire a long-tail boat through the canals (£5–8 for a shared boat) and explore the market stalls selling coconut juice, fresh fruit, and local snacks. Visit the nearby sugar palm factory on the way back. Return to Bangkok by early afternoon and rest up — you'll need to be at the airport by evening for your overnight flight to Hanoi.

🚌Minivan Khao San → Damnoen Saduak (~£4). Evening: taxi/Grab to Suvarnabhumi Airport (~£8)

🛏Overnight flight to Hanoi (no accommodation needed)

• →Minivan from Khao San Road to Damnoen Saduak (~£4 each way)
• →Long-tail boat ride through canals (~£5–8 shared)
• →Explore Damnoen Saduak Floating Market stalls
• →Visit sugar palm factory
• →Try coconut juice and fresh tropical fruit at the market

Fly from Bangkok to Hanoi Noi Bai Airport — budget carriers like VietJet Air and AirAsia regularly offer fares from £30–60 one way; book in advance. From the airport, take the 86 bus into Hoan Kiem district (£0.70) or a Grab taxi (~£5). Check into a hostel in the Old Quarter — Hanoi's maze of 36 craft streets is best explored on foot. Wander around Hoan Kiem Lake, visit Ngoc Son Temple (entry ~£1), and fuel up on a bowl of authentic pho at a street-side stall for under £1.50.

🚌Flight Bangkok → Hanoi (~£30–60). Airport bus 86 (~£0.70) or Grab (~£5)

🛏Hanoi Backpackers' Hostel Downtown or Old Quarter View Hostel — dorm from ~£6–10

• →Fly Bangkok → Hanoi (VietJet/AirAsia, book ahead ~£30–60)
• →Bus 86 or Grab taxi from Noi Bai Airport to Old Quarter
• →Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple (~£1)
• →Explore Hanoi Old Quarter's 36 streets on foot
• →Eat pho bo at a local street stall (~£1.50)

Book a 2-day/1-night Halong Bay cruise independently — this is the single best way to experience the bay and costs significantly less than what group tours bundle in. Reputable budget operators (Bhaya Cruises, Cat Ba Ventures, or Indochina Junk budget options) offer 2D/1N cruises from around £55–90pp including transport from Hanoi, all meals, kayaking, and cave visits. Book direct or via GetYourGuide/Klook. Coaches depart Hanoi around 8am and you'll be cruising by lunchtime. Afternoon: kayak through limestone karsts, explore a cave, and swim in emerald waters. Evening: fresh seafood dinner on the boat deck.

🚌Included in cruise package (minibus Hanoi → Halong Bay harbor, ~3.5hrs)

🛏Overnight on Halong Bay cruise boat (included in cruise price)

• →2D/1N Halong Bay cruise (book via GetYourGuide or direct ~£55–90pp including transport)
• →Kayaking through limestone karst formations
• →Cave visit with stalagmites and stalactites
• →Swimming in Halong Bay
• →Sunset drinks on the cruise deck

Wake early for an optional Tai Chi session on deck as the mist lifts over the karsts — one of Southeast Asia's most atmospheric mornings. After brunch on the boat, visit one final limestone cave before the cruise returns to harbor around noon. The included bus drops you back in Hanoi by late afternoon. Use the evening to rest, grab a bia hoi (fresh draught beer, ~£0.30 a glass) at a street corner, and prepare for an early morning onward journey to Hoi An.

🚌Return minibus Halong Bay → Hanoi (included in cruise). Grab taxi to hostel (~£3)

🛏Hanoi Backpackers' Hostel Downtown or Old Quarter View Hostel — dorm from ~£6–10

• →Optional sunrise Tai Chi session on deck
• →Final limestone cave visit
• →Brunch on board
• →Cruise back to Halong Bay harbor
• →Return minibus to Hanoi
• →Bia hoi evening at Old Quarter street corner (~£0.30/glass)

From Hanoi, head south to Hoi An via Da Nang. The budget option is a flight with VietJet (Hanoi→Da Nang, ~£20–35, 1hr 15mins) — book ahead. From Da Nang airport, take a Grab taxi to Hoi An town (~45 mins, £7–10). Alternatively, take the famous Reunification Express overnight sleeper train Hanoi → Da Nang (~17hrs, soft sleeper ~£18–25 via 12go.asia) for a scenic and cost-effective journey. Check into your Hoi An hostel and spend the evening strolling the UNESCO-listed Ancient Town lantern-lit streets.

🚌Flight or train Hanoi → Da Nang (~£20–35 or £18–25). Grab Da Nang → Hoi An (~£8)

🛏Hoi An Backpacker's Hostel or Tribee To Hoi An Hostel — dorm from ~£6–10

• →Fly Hanoi → Da Nang (VietJet ~£20–35, book ahead) OR overnight train Hanoi → Da Nang (~£18–25 sleeper)
• →Grab taxi Da Nang airport → Hoi An Ancient Town (~£7–10)
• →Evening stroll through Hoi An Ancient Town lantern district
• →Dinner at a Cao Lau noodle stall (local speciality, ~£1.50)

Book the popular morning Hoi An market, basket boat, fishing and cooking experience directly with local operators or via GetYourGuide (~£25–32pp, cheaper than the tour's USD 40 price). You'll visit the colourful local market, glide through Cam Thanh Eco Village's nipa palm forest in a traditional bamboo basket boat, try your hand at fishing, and cook five Vietnamese dishes — outstanding value. In the afternoon, explore Hoi An Ancient Town independently — entry tickets for the old houses and assembly halls are ~£3.50 for a combined pass. If you prefer a full-day excursion, Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge can be booked via Klook for around £40–50pp (including cable car and buffet lunch).

🚌Bicycle hire in Hoi An (~£2/day) — the town is very cycle-friendly

🛏Hoi An Backpacker's Hostel or Tribee To Hoi An — dorm from ~£6–10

• →Morning basket boat, fishing & cooking class via GetYourGuide (~£25–32pp)
• →Visit Cam Thanh Eco Village by bamboo basket boat
• →Hoi An Ancient Town walking tour with combined heritage ticket (~£3.50)
• →Optional: Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge day trip via Klook (~£40–50pp including cable car)
• →Tailor street browse and lantern shopping in the Old Town

Head back to Da Nang by Grab taxi (~£8) and fly south to Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat Airport) with VietJet or Bamboo Airways — fares from ~£20–35, 1hr 20mins. Alternatively, take the Reunification Express train from Da Nang to HCMC (~17hrs, sleeper from ~£20). From the airport, take the 109 bus into District 1 (~£0.70) or a Grab taxi (~£5). Check into a Pham Ngu Lao area hostel — HCMC's backpacker district. Evening: explore the night markets and try bun bo Hue or banh mi from street stalls.

🚌Grab Hoi An → Da Nang (~£8). Flight Da Nang → HCMC (~£20–35). Bus/Grab airport → District 1 (~£5)

🛏The Common Room Project or Saigon Backpackers Hostel, Pham Ngu Lao — dorm from ~£7–11

• →Grab taxi Hoi An → Da Nang airport (~£8)
• →Fly Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City (VietJet ~£20–35)
• →Bus 109 or Grab from Tan Son Nhat to District 1 (~£0.70–5)
• →Evening explore Pham Ngu Lao backpacker street
• →Try banh mi and fresh spring rolls from local stalls (~£2)

Book a Mekong Delta day trip independently via GetYourGuide or Klook from ~£18–28pp — comparable to what the group tour offers but at a lower cost. Depart HCMC at 8am by air-conditioned bus (~1.5hrs to My Tho). Cruise by sampan through the four islands (Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, Tortoise), walk through Unicorn Island's orchards, visit a honey-bee farm and coconut candy workshop, and cycle or relax by hammock in Tan Thach village. Lunch included at a local restaurant. Return to HCMC by late afternoon. Spend the evening visiting Ben Thanh Market or the night market nearby.

🚌Day trip transport included in tour booking. Evening: walking or Grab (~£2)

🛏The Common Room Project or Saigon Backpackers Hostel — dorm from ~£7–11

• →Mekong Delta day trip via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£18–28pp, includes transport & lunch)
• →Sampan cruise through Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix & Tortoise islands
• →Visit honey-bee farm and coconut candy workshop
• →Cycling around Tan Thach village
• →Evening visit to Ben Thanh Night Market

Fly from Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat to Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport. AirAsia operates this route from around £40–70 (book ahead, ~2hr 40min flight). On arrival, take the official metered taxi or use Grab from the airport to Kuta, Seminyak, or Canggu — the main backpacker and mid-range zones (~£5–8). Check in and spend the evening at one of Canggu's famous beach clubs for a sunset Bintang beer or explore the surf beach at Kuta.

🚌Flight HCMC → Bali (~£40–70). Airport taxi/Grab (~£6)

🛏Tribal Bali Hostel (Canggu) or Funky Monkey Hostel (Kuta) — dorm from ~£7–12

• →Fly Ho Chi Minh City → Bali (AirAsia ~£40–70, book ahead)
• →Official metered taxi or Grab to accommodation (~£5–8)
• →Sunset walk along Kuta or Seminyak beach
• →Evening beer at a Canggu beach club or warung

This is a packed activity day — book a combo day tour via Klook or GetYourGuide covering the Bali Swing, a coffee plantation visit (with Luwak coffee tasting), and Ayung River white water rafting for around £30–45pp, considerably cheaper than what's bundled in the operator's price. Finish the day at Tanah Lot, Bali's iconic sea temple, which is best at sunset — entry ~£3, Grab there from Ubud or Seminyak (~£8–12 each way). Alternatively, hire a scooter for the day (~£4) and visit at your own pace.

🚌Hire a scooter (~£4/day) or Grab (~£8–12 for key journeys)

🛏Tribal Bali Hostel (Canggu) or Funky Monkey Hostel (Kuta) — dorm from ~£7–12

• →Bali Swing experience (book via Klook ~£10–15 standalone or in combo)
• →Coffee plantation visit with Luwak coffee tasting
• →White water rafting on Ayung River (~2hrs, via GetYourGuide ~£18–25)
• →Visit Tanah Lot Temple at sunset (~£3 entry)
• →Dinner at a local warung (~£3–5)

Book a Nusa Penida day trip via Klook or GetYourGuide from ~£25–40pp including the fast boat from Sanur, transport on the island, and visits to Kelingking Beach (the dinosaur-head viewpoint), Angel's Billabong, Broken Beach (Pasih Uug), and Crystal Bay — where you can snorkel with manta rays for an extra ~£8. Fast boats depart Sanur harbour from 8am — book your return for late afternoon. Back in Bali by early evening, Grab to Jimbaran Beach for a famous seafood dinner on the sand as the sun sets — restaurants line the beach, budget ~£10–18pp for a full meal with fresh grilled fish and Bintang beer.

🚌Grab to Sanur (~£5). Fast boat included in day trip. Grab Sanur → Jimbaran (~£6)

🛏Tribal Bali Hostel (Canggu) or Funky Monkey Hostel (Kuta) — dorm from ~£7–12

• →Fast boat Sanur → Nusa Penida (book via Klook ~£25–40pp including island transport)
• →Visit Kelingking Beach viewpoint
• →Visit Angel's Billabong Beach
• →Visit Broken Beach (Pasih Uug)
• →Snorkelling at Crystal Bay (~£8 extra with equipment)
• →Sunset seafood dinner on Jimbaran Beach (~£10–18pp)

Enjoy a slow final morning in Bali. If time allows before your flight, browse Seminyak Square or Sukawati Art Market for batik, silver jewellery, and handmade souvenirs. Grab a final nasi goreng breakfast at a warung for under £2. Then take a Grab or official Blue Bird taxi to Ngurah Rai International Airport — allow at least 2 hours before departure. Safe travels!

🚌Grab or Blue Bird taxi to Bali airport (~£5–8)

🛏Check out — departure day

• →Browse Seminyak Square or Sukawati Art Market for souvenirs
• →Final nasi goreng breakfast at a local warung (~£2)
• →Grab or Blue Bird taxi to Ngurah Rai Airport (~£5–8)