Self-Launched Fantastic Cambodia & Thailand: Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok
9 days · Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Battambang, Siem Reap, Bangkok
Travel Talk charges £905
No-markup version: ~£565 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This self-launched version of Travel Talk's Fantastic Cambodia & Thailand tour takes you on the same epic journey from Ho Chi Minh City through the Mekong Delta, across Cambodia's historic heartland, and into Bangkok — at a fraction of the guided price. You'll swap 4–5 star group hotels for quality budget hotels and guesthouses, replace private minivans with local buses and shared boats, and book activities directly or via GetYourGuide/Klook. The route: Mekong boat rides, floating markets, the Killing Fields, Angkor Wat, and Bangkok's Grand Palace — all on your own terms. All costs are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Arrive into Tan Son Nhat International Airport and make your way to your accommodation by Grab taxi (~£3–5). Spend the afternoon exploring independently — wander down to Ben Thanh Market for street food and souvenirs, then hit Bui Vien Walking Street in the evening for cold beers and the famous backpacker atmosphere. Book your own group dinner or eat your way through the street food stalls.
🚌Grab taxi from airport to District 1 ~£3–5
🛏Budget 3-star hotel in District 1 (e.g. Hanoi Pho Hostel & Hotel or similar) ~£18–25/night
- →Explore Ben Thanh Market for souvenirs and street food
- →Evening drinks on Bui Vien Walking Street
- →Night shopping around District 1
Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho via Mekong Delta
Can Tho, Vietnam
Catch an early morning bus from HCMC to Cai Be or Vinh Long (Phuong Trang/FUTA bus ~£4, 2–3 hrs). Join a self-booked Mekong Delta day tour from Cai Be or Vinh Long that includes a wooden boat ride through the delta and a visit to a local chocolate/coconut candy factory — bookable via GetYourGuide (~£20–25). Continue to Can Tho by local bus (~£3). Check in and explore the riverside promenade in the evening.
🚌Phuong Trang/FUTA bus HCMC to Vinh Long ~£4; local bus or minibus to Can Tho ~£3
🛏Budget guesthouse or 2-3 star hotel in Can Tho (e.g. Nam Bo Boutique Hotel or similar) ~£20–28/night
- →Mekong River wooden boat ride through delta canals
- →Chocolate and coconut candy factory visit with tasting (book via GetYourGuide)
- →Evening walk along Can Tho riverside promenade
Can Tho Floating Market & Tra Su Sanctuary to Chau Doc
Chau Doc, Vietnam
Rise before dawn to visit Cai Rang Floating Market — hire a local boat directly at the riverside for ~£5–8 (best before 7am). Return for breakfast, then head to Tra Su Cajuput Forest for a self-booked boat ride through the flooded forest (~£8–10 via local operators at the entrance). Catch an afternoon bus to Chau Doc (~£3–4, 2 hrs). Stroll to the Sam Mountain area in the evening.
🚌Local boat hire for floating market ~£5–8; bus Can Tho to Chau Doc ~£3–4
🛏Budget guesthouse in Chau Doc (e.g. Nui Sam Lodge or Murray Guesthouse) ~£15–22/night
- →Cai Rang Floating Market early morning boat ride (hire locally at the dock)
- →Tra Su Cajuput Sanctuary boat ride through flooded forest
- →Optional: Orchard garden visit near Can Tho
Chau Doc to Phnom Penh — Border Crossing by Speedboat
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Take the famous speedboat crossing from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh — bookable directly through guesthouses or operators in Chau Doc (~£15–20 including the border crossing). Note: bring a passport photo and USD $35 cash for the Cambodian visa on arrival. Arrive into Phnom Penh by early afternoon. Join a self-booked Phnom Penh city tour via GetYourGuide (~£15–20) or explore independently: Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda (~£8), Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (~£6), Independence Monument (free), and Wat Phnom Temple (~£1).
🚌Speedboat Chau Doc to Phnom Penh ~£15–20 (includes border); USD $35 Cambodian visa on arrival
🛏Budget guesthouse or 2-3 star hotel in Phnom Penh (e.g. The Billabong Hotel or Mad Monkey Phnom Penh) ~£15–22/night
- →Speedboat border crossing Chau Doc to Phnom Penh (~£15–20, book via guesthouse)
- →Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda visit (~£8 entry)
- →Tuol Sleng (S-21) Genocide Museum (~£6 entry)
- →Independence Monument and Wat Phnom Temple (free/£1)
Phnom Penh to Battambang via Udong & Kompong Chhnang
Battambang, Cambodia
Hire a tuk-tuk or join a shared taxi from Phnom Penh for a morning visit to Phnom Udong (former royal capital, ~£5 tuk-tuk) and Kompong Chhnang pottery village (~£5–8 tuk-tuk day hire). Then catch a bus from Phnom Penh to Battambang (Mekong Express or Capitol Bus ~£8–10, 5–6 hrs). Arrive in Battambang in the evening; time your arrival to catch the famous Phnom Sampeau bat exodus at sunset (take a tuk-tuk ~£5 return) — thousands of bats spiral out of the cave cliffs at dusk.
🚌Tuk-tuk Phnom Penh morning sightseeing ~£8–12; Mekong Express bus to Battambang ~£8–10; tuk-tuk to Phnom Sampeau ~£5
🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel in Battambang (e.g. Bambu Hotel or Here Be Dragons Hostel) ~£12–20/night
- →Phnom Udong hilltop temples visit (tuk-tuk hire)
- →Kompong Chhnang floating village and pottery workshop visit
- →Phnom Sampeau bat cave sunset watching
Battambang to Siem Reap via Phnom Banan & Bamboo Train
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Start the morning with a hike up to Phnom Banan Temple (~£2 entry, ~30-min climb) — a mini Angkor with panoramic views. Back in town, don't miss the famous Bamboo Train (Norry) ride at O Dambong village (~£5, bookable locally or via GetYourGuide) — a classic Battambang experience. Visit a Puok District silk weaving workshop on the way to Siem Reap. Catch an afternoon minibus/shared taxi to Siem Reap (~£6–8, 3 hrs). Check in and explore Pub Street in the evening.
🚌Tuk-tuk around Battambang ~£8; minibus/shared taxi Battambang to Siem Reap ~£6–8
🛏Guesthouse or budget boutique hotel in Siem Reap (e.g. Mad Monkey Siem Reap or Onederz Siem Reap) ~£12–22/night
- →Phnom Banan Temple hike and visit (~£2 entry)
- →Bamboo Train (Norry) ride (~£5, book locally or GetYourGuide)
- →Silk weaving workshop visit in Puok District
- →Explore Siem Reap's Pub Street and Old Market area
Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom & Phare Circus
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Buy your Angkor Archaeological Park pass directly at the ticket office (1-day pass ~£37). Hire a tuk-tuk for the day (~£12–15) to visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the incredible face-towers of Bayon Temple, and the iconic Angkor Wat itself — allow at least 2–3 hours here. Optional: visit the Angkor National Museum (~£10, book via Klook). In the evening, attend a performance at Phare, the Cambodian Circus (~£16–20 for Section B equivalent, book directly at phare.io or via GetYourGuide) — an unmissable show supporting Cambodian youth.
🚌Tuk-tuk full day hire for Angkor temples ~£12–15
🛏Guesthouse or budget boutique hotel in Siem Reap (same as Day 6) ~£12–22/night
- →Angkor Wat full visit (1-day park pass ~£37, buy at gate)
- →Angkor Thom and South Gate exploration
- →Bayon Temple face-tower visit
- →Optional: Angkor National Museum (~£10, book via Klook)
- →Phare Cambodian Circus evening performance (~£16–20, book at phare.io)
Siem Reap to Bangkok — Flight & Temple Tour
Bangkok, Thailand
Fly Siem Reap to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (budget carriers AirAsia or Bangkok Airways, ~£45–80 booked in advance). Take the Airport Rail Link to the city (~£1.50). Join a self-booked Bangkok temples half-day tour (GetYourGuide ~£15–20) or go independently: Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Kaew) entry ~£12, Wat Pho & Reclining Buddha ~£5, Wat Arun across the river (~£1 ferry + £3 entry). Explore a local food market in the evening (Talad Rot Fai or Or Tor Kor Market). Optional: rooftop bar at Vertigo, Sky Bar, or a more budget-friendly option like Octave Rooftop.
🚌Flight Siem Reap to Bangkok ~£45–80; Airport Rail Link to city ~£1.50; BTS Skytrain/tuk-tuks for temples ~£5–8
🛏Budget hotel or hostel in Bangkok (e.g. Lub d Bangkok Silom or Nap Krung Kasem) ~£15–25/night
- →Fly Siem Reap to Bangkok (AirAsia/Bangkok Airways ~£45–80)
- →Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha Temple) visit (~£12 entry)
- →Wat Pho and Reclining Buddha (~£5 entry)
- →Wat Arun via cross-river ferry (~£4 total)
- →Evening local food market exploration
- →Optional: rooftop bar visit
Bangkok — Explore & Depart
Bangkok, Thailand
Your final morning in Bangkok — enjoy a leisurely breakfast and do any last-minute exploring. Head to Chatuchak Weekend Market (if it's a weekend) or browse the street markets around Khao San Road. Take the BTS Skytrain or Airport Rail Link to your departure airport. The Airport Rail Link from Phaya Thai to Suvarnabhumi takes ~30 mins (~£1.50). Safe travels!
🚌BTS Skytrain and Airport Rail Link to airport ~£3–5
- →Chatuchak Weekend Market (weekends only) or street market browse
- →Khao San Road area exploration
- →Depart from Suvarnabhumi Airport via Airport Rail Link (~£1.50)
Self-launched vs. Travel Talk
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Travel Talk | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£565 | £905 |
| Duration | 9 days | 9 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £340 per person (38%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Travel Talk-style trips? Check them out here.~£565
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 Self-Launched Fantastic Cambodia & Thailand: Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £565 per person for 9 days in Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Battambang, Siem Reap, Bangkok. 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 Travel Talk?+
Yes — Travel Talk charges around £905 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £565 — a saving of roughly £340 (38%) per person.
How long is the Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Battambang, Siem Reap, Bangkok trip?+
This itinerary runs 9 days, covering 9 day-by-day stops through Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Battambang, Siem Reap, Bangkok.
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 culture, adventure, backpacker trip through Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Battambang, Siem Reap, Bangkok, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
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