Tour overview

This 15-day adventure for travellers aged 18 to 35 travels overland from Bangkok through southern Thailand and Malaysia to Singapore. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than sixteen, by sleeper train, bus and ferry. You stay fourteen nights in hotels, guesthouses, a resort on Ko Samui, a village homestay and a night on the train.

From Bangkok an overnight train and ferry bring you to Ko Samui for two nights by the beach. You then spend a night with a family in Phrom Lok, cycling through the village, before two nights at Ao Nang among Krabi’s limestone cliffs.

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Crossing into Malaysia, you explore the street art and hawker food of Georgetown on Penang, a World Heritage city, then head up to the cool tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands. Two nights in Kuala Lumpur leave time for the Petronas Towers and Batu Caves before a bus takes you to Singapore.

The physical rating is medium. This trip suits sociable travellers aged 18 to 35 who want to cross three countries overland on a budget.

Trip highlights

  • A sleeper train south (Day 2)
  • Ko Samui (Days 3–4)
  • A Phrom Lok homestay (Day 5)
  • Georgetown, Penang (Day 9)
  • The Cameron Highlands (Days 10–11)
  • Kuala Lumpur (Days 12–13)

Your route

10 stops from Bangkok to Singapore

15-day route: Bangkok – Ko Samui – Phrom Lok – Ao Nang – Penang – Cameron Highlands – Kuala Lumpur – Singapore
  1. Bangkok Days 1–2
  2. Surat Thani Day 3
  3. Ko Samui Days 3–4
  4. Phrom Lok Day 5
  5. Ao Nang Days 6–7
  6. George Town (Penang) Days 8–9
  7. Ipoh Day 10
  8. Cameron Highlands Days 10–11
  9. Kuala Lumpur Days 12–13
  10. Singapore Day 14

Why choose this tour

Three countries overland with a group your own age. Islands, a homestay and Malaysia’s highlights.

Best suited to

  • Travellers aged 18 to 35
  • Travellers on a budget
  • Solo travellers
  • Independent-minded travellers
The tropical coastline of Ko Samui

Day-by-day itinerary

15 days from Bangkok, Thailand to Singapore

  1. Day 1 · Bangkok Bangkok

    A welcome meeting.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Bangkok Bangkok

    The night train south.

    Hotel
    Overnight sleeper train
  3. Day 3 · Surat Thani, Ko Samui Ko Samui

    To the island.

    Hotel
    Resort
  4. Day 4 · Ko Samui Ko Samui

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Resort
  5. Day 5 · Phrom Lok Phrom Lok

    A village homestay.

    Hotel
    Homestay
    Meals
    Lunch, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Phrom Lok, Ao Nang Ao Nang

    Cycling and the coast.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  7. Day 7 · Ao Nang Ao Nang

    A free beach day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  8. Day 8 · Penang Penang

    Into Malaysia.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Dinner
  9. Day 9 · Georgetown Penang

    A heritage walk.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  10. Day 10 · Georgetown, Cameron Highlands Cameron Highlands

    To the tea country.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
  11. Day 11 · Cameron Highlands Cameron Highlands

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur

    The capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  14. Day 14 · Singapore Singapore

    By bus to Singapore.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  15. Day 15 · Singapore Singapore

    The trip ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
A trishaw in George Town, Penang

Where you stay

  • Bangkok (1 night) Hotel
  • Overnight train (1 night) Sleeper train
  • Ko Samui (2 nights) Resort
  • Phrom Lok (1 night) Homestay
  • Ao Nang (2 nights) Hotel
  • Penang (2 nights) Hotel
  • Cameron Highlands (2 nights) Guesthouse
  • Kuala Lumpur (2 nights) Hotel
  • Singapore (1 night) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 14 nights, including a train and a homestay
  • Meals 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners
  • Sleeper train, ferries and buses
  • Phrom Lok homestay with cycling
  • Penang orientation walk
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Meals not included 8 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 12 dinners
  • Optional activities
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
Sea kayaking through limestone caves near Krabi

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You are over 35
  • You want comfortable hotels throughout
  • You want most meals included
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 6 and 11–15 · Lunch: Days 5–6 · Dinner: Days 5 and 8
The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £816 per person, twin share, tour only. 47 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

What ages is this trip for?

Travellers aged 18 to 35.

Do I need a visa for Malaysia?

UK citizens don’t need a visa for Malaysia for tourist stays, but must complete the digital arrival card.

Do I need visas for Thailand and Singapore?

UK citizens don’t need visas for short stays in either.

What is the homestay like?

A simple room with a local family, for one night.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement is available, except on the train and at the homestay.

How many people travel together?

No more than sixteen travellers, with a local leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary