Self-Launched Cycle Southeast Asia: Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

Fly into Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK) airport. Take the Airport Rail Link into the city centre (~£1.50) or a metered taxi (~£8-10). Check into your hostel or guesthouse in the Silom or Sathorn area. Spend the evening wandering the streets, grabbing street food from a night market, and getting your bearings. Download the Grab app for cheap local taxis throughout Southeast Asia.

🚌Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi (~£1.50) or metered taxi (~£8-10)

🛏Lub d Bangkok Silom (popular social hostel, private rooms ~£20-28/night) or similar

• →Airport Rail Link or metered taxi into the city
• →Check in and explore Silom/Sathorn neighbourhood
• →Street food dinner at a local night market

Take an early train from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong or Bang Sue station to Ayutthaya (1.5 hrs, ~£1.50). Hire a bicycle at the station or near the guesthouses for around £3-5/day and spend the afternoon cycling through the Ayutthaya Historical Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pedal past the famous reclining Buddha at Wat Lokayasutharam, the towering prangs of Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and scattered shrine ruins. Roughly 20-30 km of easy, flat riding.

🚌Train from Bangkok Hua Lamphong/Bang Sue to Ayutthaya (~£1.50, ~1.5 hrs)

🛏Baan Are Gong Riverside Guesthouse or Tony's Place (~£15-22/night)

• →Train from Bangkok to Ayutthaya (~£1.50)
• →Rent a bicycle near the station (~£3-5/day)
• →Cycle Ayutthaya Historical Park — Wat Lokayasutharam, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Mahathat
• →Explore the ruins at your own pace

Today's longest ride in Thailand — approximately 82 km through rubber plantations, rice paddies and quiet rural roads. This largely flat route can be done as a self-supported ride; load your bags onto a local bus or songthaew (shared pickup truck) to meet you at the end. Stop at a local roadside restaurant for lunch (£2-4 for a full Thai meal). Arrive into Kabin Buri by late afternoon.

🚌Self-supported cycle; bags transferred by local songthaew or minibus (~£3-5)

🛏Sirin Cabana Resort or similar budget guesthouse in Kabin Buri (~£18-25/night)

• →~82 km self-supported cycle through rural Prachinburi province
• →Roadside lunch at a local Thai restaurant (~£2-4)
• →Explore Kabin Buri town in the evening

Transfer by local minibus (~1 hr) to Thung Yao Temple area in Prachantakham, then cycle ~82 km through village lanes, paddy fields and farmland to the impressive Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam. Cool off with a swim at nearby Wang Takhrai waterfall. After the ride, pack your bike and take a local bus or minivan back to Bangkok (~2.5 hrs, ~£4-6). Evening free in Bangkok — great time to visit a rooftop bar or Chatuchak area.

🚌Minibus to start point; local minivan or bus back to Bangkok (~£4-6)

🛏Lub d Bangkok Silom or Nap Hostel Bangkok (~£20-28/night)

• →Minibus transfer to start point (~£3-5)
• →~82 km cycle to Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam
• →Swim at Wang Takhrai waterfall
• →Local bus or minivan back to Bangkok (~£4-6)

Head to Don Mueang airport (DMK) for a budget flight to Siem Reap (SAI) with AirAsia or Bangkok Airways (~£35-70 booked in advance). Arrive mid-morning, grab a tuk-tuk from the airport to your guesthouse (~£4-6). Rent a bicycle from a guesthouse or local shop (~£3-5/day) and take a short afternoon ride along the Siem Reap River through local villages, finishing with a sunset at the Angkor Wat moat — one of the most iconic views in Asia.

🚌Budget flight (~£35-70); tuk-tuk from airport (~£4-6)

🛏Soria Moria Boutique Hotel or Nebo Siem Reap (~£20-30/night)

• →Budget flight Bangkok DMK to Siem Reap SAI (~£35-70)
• →Tuk-tuk from airport to guesthouse (~£4-6)
• →Rent a bicycle for Angkor exploration (~£3-5/day)
• →Afternoon cycle along Siem Reap River and Angkor Wat moat at sunset

Purchase a 3-day Angkor Pass (~£55) at the ticket office — this covers today, Day 7, and gives you flexibility. Head out early (5:30am) for sunrise at Angkor Wat, then cycle the Grand Circuit visiting Ta Prohm (the 'Tomb Raider' temple with massive tree roots), Angkor Thom and the stunning Bayon temple with its 37 towers of four-faced stone kings. The temples are linked by shady avenues — perfect for cycling. Hire a local guide at the gate for extra context (~£10-15 for a half-day). Book via GetYourGuide if you'd prefer an English-speaking guided bike tour.

🚌Bicycle (already hired); optional tuk-tuk for tired legs (~£8-10 for the day)

🛏Soria Moria Boutique Hotel or Nebo Siem Reap (~£20-30/night)

• →3-day Angkor Pass (~£55 — covers Days 6 & 7)
• →Sunrise at Angkor Wat (depart 5:30am)
• →Cycle to Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom, the Bayon
• →Optional: hire a local guide at the gate (~£10-15)

Today's longer ride (~72 km round trip) takes you out to Banteay Srei, the exquisite 10th-century 'Citadel of Women' famed for its intricate pink sandstone carvings — a highlight of the entire Angkor complex. The route passes rice paddies and quiet rural villages. Stop at a local village to meet residents and try a Khmer noodle-making demonstration (often available through community tourism initiatives, ~£3-5). In the afternoon, explore lesser-visited temples on the way back. Optional: sunset boat trip to Tonle Sap Lake floating villages (~£6-10 by tuk-tuk + boat).

🚌Bicycle; optional tuk-tuk for Tonle Sap excursion (~£6-10 return)

🛏Soria Moria Boutique Hotel or Nebo Siem Reap (~£20-30/night)

• →~72 km cycle to Banteay Srei and back via village roads
• →Banteay Srei temple (covered by 3-day Angkor Pass)
• →Village stop: Khmer noodle-making demonstration (~£3-5)
• →Optional: Tonle Sap Lake floating village boat trip (~£6-10)

Take a shared minibus or tourist bus from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh (~£7-10, ~6 hrs). Ask your guesthouse to arrange a stop at Sambor Prei Kuk, or visit as a separate day trip if budget allows (~£15-20 tuk-tuk from Kampong Thom, a stop on the Siem Reap–Phnom Penh route). Sambor Prei Kuk is a UNESCO-listed pre-Angkorian temple complex — remarkable and much less visited than Angkor. Arrive Phnom Penh by late afternoon. Sundowners on the Mekong riverfront — easily walked from most guesthouses.

🚌Shared tourist minibus Siem Reap–Phnom Penh (~£7-10, ~6 hrs)

🛏Pavilion Hotel Phnom Penh or Mad Monkey Phnom Penh (~£18-28/night)

• →Shared tourist minibus Siem Reap to Phnom Penh (~£7-10)
• →Stop at Sambor Prei Kuk pre-Angkorian temples (arrange via bus company or tuk-tuk detour)
• →Arrive Phnom Penh — evening walk along the Mekong riverfront

A powerful and important day. Visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda in the morning (~£8 entry). Then head to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 prison, ~£3 entry) — deeply moving and essential to understanding Cambodia's recent history. In the afternoon, hire a tuk-tuk to the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek (~£5-7 return tuk-tuk, ~£5 entry including audio guide). Recharge in the evening at the Russian Market or a riverside café. Optional: sunset cruise on the Mekong (~£8-12, bookable via GetYourGuide).

🚌Tuk-tuk around the city (~£5-10 for the day)

🛏Pavilion Hotel Phnom Penh or Mad Monkey Phnom Penh (~£18-28/night)

• →Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda (~£8 entry)
• →Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (~£3 entry)
• →Killing Fields at Choeung Ek (~£5 entry + £5-7 tuk-tuk)
• →Russian Market browse
• →Optional: Mekong sunset cruise (~£8-12 via GetYourGuide)

Take a local bus or shared taxi south from Phnom Penh to Takeo (~£4-6, ~1.5 hrs). From Takeo, rent a bicycle or hire a tuk-tuk to bring you to the Phnom Den/Tinh Bien border crossing (~50 km cycle or ~£8-10 tuk-tuk). Ensure you have your Vietnam e-visa sorted in advance (apply at evisa.mofa.gov.vn, ~£18). Cross the border and cycle approximately 30 km on quiet Vietnamese roads to Chau Doc, a laid-back river town on the banks of the Hau Giang River. Dine on fresh Mekong fish by the riverside.

🚌Bus to Takeo (~£4-6); bicycle/tuk-tuk to border; cycle into Vietnam

🛏Victoria Chau Doc Hotel (budget wing) or Murray Guesthouse (~£15-25/night)

• →Bus or shared taxi from Phnom Penh to Takeo (~£4-6)
• →Cycle or tuk-tuk to Phnom Den/Tinh Bien border (~50 km or ~£8-10 tuk-tuk)
• →Vietnam e-visa (pre-arranged, ~£18)
• →Cycle ~30 km from border to Chau Doc
• →Riverside dinner with Mekong fish dishes

Today is one of the most scenic days of the entire trip. Cycle ~62 km through the Mekong Delta's patchwork of paddies, waterways and fruit orchards on quiet back roads. Visit the ancient village of Long Dien B for a glimpse of traditional Mekong rural life. Use local ferries (phà) to cross the river channels — they cost pennies and are a highlight in themselves. Overnight at a riverside boutique guesthouse in the Can Tho or Cai Be area — many have riverside gardens and kayak access.

🚌Self-supported cycle; local river ferries (~£0.20-0.50 per crossing)

🛏Mekong Riverside Lodge or Nam Bo Boutique Hotel, Cai Be/Can Tho (~£22-32/night)

• →~62 km cycle through Mekong Delta backroads
• →Visit Long Dien B ancient village
• →Cross river channels by local ferry (phà, ~£0.20-0.50 each)
• →Morning kayak on the Mekong from your guesthouse

Wake early (5am) to catch the Cai Be floating market at its most lively — a spectacular scene of boats loaded with tropical fruit and vegetables. Cycle ~36 km along the scenic Mekong riverbank through coconut groves and village lanes. After the ride, transfer to Ho Chi Minh City by local bus or express minibus (~3-4 hrs, ~£5-7). Check into your HCMC accommodation in the Bui Vien or District 1 area. The city is electric — spend the evening in a rooftop bar or exploring street food on Bui Vien Walking Street.

🚌Express minibus Mekong Delta to HCMC (~£5-7, ~3-4 hrs)

🛏The Common Room Project or Saigon Backpacker Hostel (~£18-28/night)

• →Cai Be floating market (early morning, ~5am)
• →~36 km riverside cycle along the Mekong
• →Local express bus or minibus to Ho Chi Minh City (~£5-7, ~3-4 hrs)
• →Evening on Bui Vien Walking Street or District 1 rooftop bar

A full free day to explore this chaotic, vibrant city at your own pace. Must-sees include the War Remnants Museum (~£2), the Reunification Palace (~£2), Ben Thanh Market and the striking Notre-Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office. Book a half-day Cu Chi Tunnels tour via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£12-18) if you want to venture outside the city. In the evening, celebrate completing your Southeast Asian cycling adventure with a farewell dinner — head to a rooftop restaurant in District 1 for cold beers and Vietnamese food.

🚌Grab taxi or walking within District 1 (~£3-6 for the day)

🛏The Common Room Project or Saigon Backpacker Hostel (~£18-28/night)

• →War Remnants Museum (~£2)
• →Reunification Palace (~£2)
• →Ben Thanh Market & Notre-Dame Cathedral
• →Optional: Cu Chi Tunnels half-day tour (~£12-18 via GetYourGuide/Klook)
• →Farewell dinner in District 1

Your adventure ends today in Ho Chi Minh City. Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) is about 7 km from the city centre — take a Grab taxi (~£4-6) or the 109 Airport Bus (~£0.50). Allow at least 2.5 hours before your flight. If you have time before checkout, grab a final bowl of pho or a Vietnamese iced coffee (cà phê đá) — you've earned it.

🚌Grab taxi or 109 Airport Bus to SGN airport (~£0.50-6)

🛏N/A (departure day)

• →Final Vietnamese breakfast — pho or bánh mì
• →Grab taxi or 109 Airport Bus to Tan Son Nhat Airport (~£0.50-6)