Bangkok to Bali Adventure: Street Eats & Beaches — Self-Launched

Land at Suvarnabhumi and take the Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai (~45 THB/£1) then BTS/taxi to Banglamphu. Check into a hostel dorm or private room near Khao San Road. Spend the afternoon walking to Wat Pho (200 THB/£4.50) and crossing the river by the 4 THB ferry to Wat Arun at sunset. Evening: a street-food crawl along Soi Rambuttri and Phra Athit — pad thai, mango sticky rice and a Chang for under £6. Book a Thai massage (300 THB/£7) if you're jetlagged.

🚌Airport Rail Link + BTS/taxi ~£2-3

🛏Hostel dorm near Khao San Road (£10-14)

• →Wat Pho (200 THB)
• →Wat Arun sunset ferry crossing
• →Khao San Road & Soi Rambuttri street food crawl
• →Thai massage

Morning: hop on a public Chao Phraya Express boat (£0.40-0.60) to Tha Tien, or hire a shared longtail through the Thonburi khlongs (~1,000 THB/£22 per boat, split between 4-6 people). Visit the Grand Palace (500 THB/£11) if you want it — dress code enforced. Afternoon: coffee and aircon break, then head to Sai Tai Mai or Mo Chit bus terminal for the overnight VIP bus to Surat Thani (~600-800 THB/£13-18, ~11 hrs). Book via 12Go Asia in advance. Alternatively take a sleeper train from Krung Thep Aphiwat (~£15-22, book on the SRT app/website).

🚌Chao Phraya boat ~£1; overnight bus Surat Thani ~£15 or sleeper train ~£18

🛏Overnight VIP bus or sleeper train

• →Khlong boat ride
• →Grand Palace (optional, 500 THB)
• →Chao Phraya Express boat

Arrive Surat Thani early morning; take a shared minivan to Khao Sok village (~250-350 THB/£6-8, 2.5 hrs). Check into a riverside bungalow or jungle guesthouse. Afternoon: walk to the Khao Thep Pitak community farm-café for lunch (the farm G Adventures supports — visit independently and support directly). Book tomorrow's Cheow Lan Lake tour with your guesthouse (~1,500-1,800 THB/£33-40 incl. longtail, guide, lunch). Evening: night safari walk or just a Beer Chang by the river.

🚌Shared minivan Surat Thani → Khao Sok ~£7

🛏Khao Sok riverside bungalow (£10-16)

• →Khao Thep Pitak community farm lunch
• →Khao Sok village walk
• →Book Cheow Lan Lake tour

Full-day Cheow Lan Lake trip: longtail boat through the flooded valley, jungle hike to Nam Talu cave area, swim in emerald water and lunch at a floating raft house. Book through your guesthouse or Klook/GetYourGuide the night before. Back by late afternoon — recover with a massage in the village. (If you want the full experience, upgrade to an overnight raft house for ~£25 extra.)

🚌Included in lake tour (longtail)

🛏Khao Sok riverside bungalow (£10-16)

• →Cheow Lan Lake longtail boat tour
• →Jungle hike & swimming
• →Optional overnight raft house

Morning bus/minivan from Khao Sok to Don Sak pier (~2.5 hrs, ~350 THB/£8), then the Raja Ferry or Seatran ferry to Koh Samui (~150-200 THB/£4-5, 1.5 hrs). Settle into a guesthouse a few minutes' walk from Chaweng Beach but away from the noise — Bophut or Lamai are cheaper and calmer. Afternoon on the sand, sunset at Chaweng, then the Chaweng night market or Fisherman's Village Friday market for dinner.

🚌Minivan + ferry ~£12-14

🛏Samui guesthouse/budget hotel (£15-22)

• →Chaweng Beach
• →Sunset at Chaweng viewpoint
• →Fisherman's Village night market

Book a speedboat or big-boat day trip to Ang Thong Marine Park via GetYourGuide or any Samui tour desk (~1,300-1,800 THB/£29-40 incl. pickup, lunch, snorkel gear). Climb the viewpoint on Koh Wua Talap for the famous emerald lagoon panorama, kayak and snorkel. Back on Samui by 17:00. Note: park entry fee (~300 THB) is usually included in the tour price — confirm when booking.

🚌Hotel pickup included in day trip

🛏Samui guesthouse/budget hotel (£15-22)

• →Ang Thong Marine Park day trip
• →Koh Wua Talap viewpoint climb
• →Snorkelling & kayaking

Take the ferry back to Don Sak, then a minivan or bus to Hat Yai (~£10, 4 hrs), then a minivan across the Sadao/Bukit Kayu Hitam border to Penang (~600-800 THB/£13-18, 4-5 hrs) — book the full through-ticket on 12Go Asia. Alternatively fly Samui → KL → Penang. Check into a hostel in the heart of the George Town UNESCO core. Late dinner at a New Lane or Gurney Drive hawker centre.

🚌Ferry + minivans across border ~£25-30

🛏George Town hostel (£10-15)

• →Border crossing Thailand–Malaysia
• →New Lane hawker centre

Self-guided walking day with the free George Town heritage map: Armenian Street street art, Chew Jetty clan houses, Khoo Kongsi clan temple (10 MYR/£1.70), Kek Lok Si temple (free, funicular ~6 MYR). Lunch: char kway teow and cendol at a kopitiam (under £4). Afternoon: Penang Peranakan Mansion (25 MYR/£4.20) or the free Pinang Peranakan. Sunset from Penang Hill (return funicular 30 MYR/£5) — go after 15:00 to avoid queues. Evening food crawl along Chulia Street.

🚌Free CAT bus + walking

🛏George Town hostel (£10-15)

• →Street art walk
• →Chew Jetty
• →Khoo Kongsi (10 MYR)
• →Penang Hill funicular (30 MYR)
• →Peranakan Museum (25 MYR)

Bus from Penang's Sungai Nibong terminal to Kuala Kangsar (~2.5 hrs, ~25 MYR/£4), then a local taxi/Grab to the lakeside homestay (~40 MYR/£7). Book the Suka Suka-style lakeside homestay directly via Booking.com or a local contact — many include dinner and a boat trip. Afternoon: swim or kayak on the lake, help with the evening cooking. Very slow-travel, very good.

🚌Bus + Grab ~£11

🛏Lakeside homestay incl. dinner (£12-18)

• →Chenderoh Lake swim & kayak
• →Homestay dinner

Morning bus or shared taxi to Ipoh (~1 hr), then bus to Tanah Rata (~2 hrs, ~20 MYR/£3.40). Check into a Tanah Rata guesthouse. Afternoon: walk the free trail network (Trail 9 to Robinson Falls is easy) or the Mossy Forest boardwalk if time allows. Cooler air, tea and scones at a Boh tea plantation — a nice shift from the coast.

🚌Local buses ~£8

🛏Tanah Rata guesthouse (£12-16)

• →Robinson Falls trail
• →Boh tea plantation visit

Book an early half-day Mossy Forest + Gunung Brinchang sunrise trip (~60-90 MYR/£10-15 via your guesthouse). Back by noon, then the afternoon bus down to Kuala Lumpur (~4 hrs, 35-45 MYR/£6-8). Check into a hostel near Masjid Jamek/Chinatown. Evening: Jalan Alor street food crawl — grilled seafood, satay, cendol.

🚌Mossy Forest tour bus + KL bus ~£16

🛏KL hostel (£9-14)

• →Mossy Forest & Gunung Brinchang sunrise
• →Jalan Alor food street

Take the KTM Komuter to Batu Caves (~4 MYR/£0.70, 30 min) early to beat the heat and crowds — the 272 rainbow steps and the cave temples are free. Back in town: Islamic Arts Museum (20 MYR/£3.40), then walk the KLCC park and go up the Petronas Towers observation deck (80 MYR/£13.60) or the cheaper KL Tower (52 MYR/£9). Evening: Chinatown night market on Petaling Street and a rooftop bar if you're feeling flush.

🚌KTM Komuter + LRT ~£3

🛏KL hostel (£9-14)

• →Batu Caves
• →Islamic Arts Museum (20 MYR)
• →Petronas Towers Skybridge (80 MYR)
• →Petaling Street night market

Bus from TBS terminal to Melaka Sentral (~2 hrs, 15-20 MYR/£3). Stay in a Chinatown guesthouse near Jonker Street. Afternoon: walk the heritage core — Stadthuys, A Famosa, St Paul's Hill — then chicken rice balls at Chung Wah (get there by 13:00 or expect a queue). Sunset river cruise (~30 MYR/£5) or a trishaw ride. Evening: Jonker Walk night market (Fri-Sun) and Nyonya dinner.

🚌Bus KL → Melaka ~£3.50

🛏Melaka Chinatown guesthouse (£10-15)

• →Heritage walk
• →Chung Wah chicken rice balls
• →Melaka river cruise (30 MYR)
• →Jonker Walk night market

Bus from Melaka Sentral to Singapore (Queen Street or Beach Road, ~4.5 hrs incl. border, 25-35 MYR/£5-6 — book on 12Go). Clear immigration at Woodlands. Check into a pod hostel in Chinatown or Boat Quay (£25-35/night — Singapore is the budget pinch point, so book early). Evening: free walk around Marina Bay for the Spectra light show at 20:00, then hawker dinner at Maxwell or Lau Pa Sat (under £5).

🚌Bus Melaka → Singapore ~£5.50

🛏Chinatown/Clarke Quay pod hostel (£25-35)

• →Spectra light show at Marina Bay
• →Maxwell Food Centre hawker dinner
• →Chinatown & Little India walk

Morning: Gardens by the Bay free outdoor gardens, or the Supertree Observatory if you want the view; walk the Southern Ridges or do the Botanic Gardens (free). Afternoon budget flight Singapore → Jakarta on Scoot/AirAsia (~£40-60, 1h50). Land at Soekarno-Hatta, take the Railink train to BNI City (~70k IDR/£3.50) or a Grab. Check into a cheap hotel in Thamrin/Jalan Jaksa. Evening: nasi goreng and a Bintang on Jalan Jaksa.

🚌MRT/walk ~£2; flight SIN–CGK ~£50; Railink ~£3.50

🛏Jakarta budget hotel, Thamrin/Jaksa (£12-18)

• →Gardens by the Bay
• →Botanic Gardens

Take the Whoosh high-speed train or Argo Parahyangan from Jakarta Gambir to Bandung (~2.5-3 hrs, 150-250k IDR/£7.50-12.50 — book on the KAI app). Bandung sits at 768m so it's noticeably cooler. Afternoon orientation walk: Braga Street colonial architecture, Alun-Alun square and a coffee at one of Bandung's famous third-wave cafés. Evening: try Bandung's street food — batagor and kupat tahu.

🚌Train Jakarta → Bandung ~£10

🛏Bandung budget hotel (£10-16)

• →Braga Street walk
• →Alun-Alun Bandung
• →Bandung street food crawl

Hire a Grab/Gojek driver for a half day (~400-500k IDR/£20-25 for the car, split between 2-4 people) to hit the Ciater tea plantation, the Sari Ater hot springs (entry ~30-50k IDR) and a waterfall such as Maribaya or Curug Dago. Alternatively join a Klook Bandung day tour (~£25-35). Back in town by late afternoon — massage and a Sundanese dinner.

🚌Private Grab driver half-day ~£22 (shared)

🛏Bandung budget hotel (£10-16)

• →Ciater tea plantation
• →Sari Ater hot springs
• →Waterfall visit

Morning train Bandung → Yogyakarta (~7-8 hrs, 200-350k IDR/£10-17, book on KAI — the Argo Wilis or Turangga are comfortable). Arrive late afternoon. Stay in a Sosrowijayan Street guesthouse — backpacker central, 10 minutes' walk from Malioboro. Evening: walk Malioboro for street food (gudeg, ayam geprek) and book tomorrow's Borobudur/Prambanan tours.

🚌Train Bandung → Yogyakarta ~£13

🛏Sosrowijayan guesthouse (£8-14)

• →Malioboro Street evening walk
• →Book Borobudur/Prambanan tours

Book a Borobudur sunrise trip through your guesthouse or GetYourGuide (~350-450k IDR/£18-23 incl. transport and entrance — note the sunrise structure ticket is separate and pricier, ~£35, if you want to climb the monument at dawn; cheaper alternative is the Manohara or Punthuk Setumbu viewpoint). Return mid-morning to nap. Late afternoon: Prambanan temple complex (~370k IDR/£19) for the Ramayana Ballet or just the sunset light on the spires. Evening: optional wayang kulit shadow puppet show (~50k IDR).

🚌Shared tour transport included

🛏Sosrowijayan guesthouse (£8-14)

• →Borobudur sunrise trip
• →Prambanan temple complex
• →Wayang kulit puppet show (optional)

Free-ish day: Kraton Palace (15k IDR/£0.75), Taman Sari Water Castle (15k IDR) and a walk through Kota Gede's silver workshops. Lunch at a local warung (gado-gado, 25k IDR/£1.25). Try a batik workshop if you want something hands-on (~150k IDR/£7.50). Evening: Malioboro again, or a cheap massage.

🚌Becak/Grab ~£3

🛏Sosrowijayan guesthouse (£8-14)

• →Kraton Palace
• →Taman Sari Water Castle
• →Kota Gede silver workshops
• →Optional batik workshop

Book a shared shuttle or join a tour transfer toward Bromo (~5-6 hrs, 250-400k IDR/£12-20). Stay in the Tengger village of Ngadas with a community homestay (book via Booking.com, or arrange through a Bromo tour operator — many include one night village homestay). Afternoon: village walk with a local host, learning about Tengger farming life; home-cooked dinner included. Very cold at night — bring layers.

🚌Shared shuttle ~£15

🛏Ngadas village homestay incl. dinner (£12-18)

• →Ngadas village walk
• →Tengger homestay dinner

Morning trek on the Ancestor Trail through the highland farmland toward the Bromo caldera with a local guide (~150-250k IDR/£7.50-12.50). Afternoon: walk the Sea of Sand and climb the 250 steps to the Bromo crater rim (entrance fee ~220k IDR/£11 weekday / 320k weekend). Stay in Cemoro Lawang guesthouse with a caldera view. Early night — sunrise is at 04:00.

🚌Local guide transfers

🛏Cemoro Lawang guesthouse (£10-16)

• →Ancestor Trail trek
• →Mount Bromo crater climb
• →Sea of Sand walk

Pre-dawn jeep to King Kong Hill or Penanjakan viewpoint for sunrise over the Bromo caldera (~400-500k IDR/£20-25 per jeep, split 3-4 ways; often bundled into your Bromo package). Back for breakfast, then a long transfer south and west to Pantai Pulau Merah (Red Island) — bus/private car via Jember or Banyuwangi, 6-7 hrs (~£15-22 shared). Check in to a beachside losmen. Dinner of grilled fish on the sand.

🚌Bromo jeep sunrise ~£22 shared; shared car to Red Island ~£18

🛏Red Island beach guesthouse (£10-16)

• →Bromo sunrise from Penanjakan
• →Beach sunset at Pulau Merah

Red Island is a mellow, beginner-friendly right-hand point break. Book a 2-hour surf lesson with a local instructor on the beach (~200-300k IDR/£11-16, board rental ~75k IDR/£4). Spend the afternoon lazing, watching the sunset behind the island hill (a 15-min scramble for the classic viewpoint). Cheap warung dinners, no crowds.

🚌Walking

🛏Red Island beach guesthouse (£10-16)

• →Beginner surf lesson
• →Sunset viewpoint climb

Long travel day: shared car or bus to Banyuwangi (~4 hrs), ferry across to Gilimanuk, Bali (~1 hr, ~10k IDR/£0.50 for foot passengers), then a bemo/minivan west along the coast to Pemuteran (~2 hrs, ~100k IDR/£5) — or arrange a direct van from Red Island via a local agent (~£25-30). Pemuteran is a quiet diving village with a famous coral restoration project. Check into a small family-run guesthouse and swim before dark.

🚌Shared car + ferry + minivan ~£25-30

🛏Pemuteran family guesthouse (£12-20)

• →Bali ferry crossing
• →Pemuteran beach swim

Snorkel or dive the Biorock coral restoration reef right off the beach — many guesthouses and dive shops run 2-hour snorkel trips (~250-350k IDR/£14-20 incl. gear and guide). Then Menjangan Island boat trip is the premium option (~£40-50). Afternoon: nap, and wander the fishing village. Sunset beers on the black sand.

🚌Local boat/walking

🛏Pemuteran family guesthouse (£12-20)

• →Biorock reef snorkelling
• →Optional Menjangan Island snorkel trip

Shared shuttle or Grab from Pemuteran down to Kuta via Bedugul and the mountains (~4-5 hrs, ~250-350k IDR/£12-18). Stay in a Legian or Kuta guesthouse a few streets back from the beach. Evening: sunset at Kuta Beach, dinner at a local warung (nasi campur, 40k IDR/£2), then see what Legian's nightlife does to you.

🚌Shared shuttle ~£15

🛏Kuta/Legian guesthouse (£12-20)

• →Kuta Beach sunset
• →Legian Street nightlife

Book a half-day beginner surf class at Kuta Beach through Klook or a beach school (~350-450k IDR/£18-23 incl. board and instructor). The long, sandy beach break is forgiving. Afternoon: chill by the pool or get a cheap Balinese massage (£6). Evening: head to Seminyak for sunset at La Plancha or just a bintang at a beach bar.

🚌Walk/Grab ~£2

🛏Kuta/Legian guesthouse (£12-20)

• →Half-day beginner surf class
• →Balinese massage
• →Seminyak sunset

Head north to the village of Bulian near Singaraja (~3 hrs by Grab or shared shuttle, ~£15-20). Book a community homestay directly — several run in Bulian and neighbouring villages, often with cooking and waterfall add-ons (check Booking.com or contact local operators like Bali Community Homestays). Afternoon village walk, home-cooked dinner with your host family. The G Adventures-supported community training lunch programme operates in this area, so ask your host about local social enterprises you can support directly.

🚌Grab/shared shuttle ~£18

🛏Bulian village homestay incl. dinner (£12-18)

• →Bulian village walk
• →Homestay dinner

Morning Balinese cooking class with your host family (~150-250k IDR/£8-13) — pick ingredients from the garden and make satay, lawar and sambal. Afternoon: hire a local motorbike or driver to visit Gitgit Waterfall (~20k IDR entry) and a natural spring swim; or walk the dragon-fruit farms around the village. Dinner cooked by the family, early night.

🚌Local motorbike/driver ~£6

🛏Bulian village homestay incl. dinner (£12-18)

• →Balinese cooking class
• →Gitgit Waterfall
• →Natural spring swim

Shared transfer Bulian → Ubud (~2.5-3 hrs, ~200-250k IDR/£10-13). Stay in a Ubud homestay (better value and nicer than a hotel for solo travellers, £12-20/night). Afternoon: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (80k IDR/£4), then walk the Campuhan Ridge at golden hour. Evening: Kecak dance performance at Ubud Palace (100k IDR/£5) or Pura Taman Saraswati at 19:30.

🚌Shared transfer ~£12

🛏Ubud homestay (£12-20)

• →Monkey Forest (80k IDR)
• →Campuhan Ridge walk
• →Kecak dance performance

Morning yoga class (~150k IDR/£7.50) or a free walk through the rice terraces at Tegalalang (50k IDR entry). Midday: purify at Tirta Empul water temple (~50k IDR incl. sarong rental). Afternoon: Puri Lukisan museum (50k IDR/£2.30), coffee at a warung, and shop the Ubud art market. Book tomorrow's Gili fast boat ticket through your guesthouse tonight (~450-600k IDR/£23-30).

🚌Motorbike/Grab ~£5

🛏Ubud homestay (£12-20)

• →Yoga class
• →Tirta Empul temple
• →Puri Lukisan museum
• →Tegalalang rice terraces

Pickup from Ubud to Padang Bai (~1.5 hrs), then the fast boat to Gili Trawangan (~2 hrs, ~450-600k IDR/£23-30 including hotel transfer — book with Eka Jaya, Bluewater Express or via 12Go). No motorised vehicles on the island: walk or take a cidomo. Stay in a bungalow 5 minutes from the sunset side. Afternoon: swim, rent a snorkel (~50k IDR), and walk the coast. Sunset at the famous Gili swing, then a beach bonfire bar.

🚌Ubud pickup + fast boat ~£27

🛏Gili Trawangan bungalow/guesthouse (£15-25)

• →Gili fast boat crossing
• →Gili Trawangan swing sunset
• →Snorkelling

Morning swim, a final snorkel with turtles at Turtle Point (or a 3-hour three-island snorkel trip, ~200k IDR/£10), and breakfast on the beach. Departure: fast boat to Padang Bai or direct to Serangan/Benoa for the airport (~£25-30). If you're flying onward, book a flight from Bali (DPS) with the boat timed at least 4 hours before departure. Last nasi campur, then home.

🚌Fast boat back to Bali ~£27

🛏—

• →Turtle Point snorkelling
• →Optional three-island snorkel trip