Best of Cambodia & Northern Thailand — Self-Launched
15 days · Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand
G Adventures charges £1,685
No-markup version: ~£690 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched 15-day overland route from Ho Chi Minh City through Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Bangkok to Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai — same temples, canals, waterfalls and sleeper train as the G Adventures small-group tour, but booked day by day. You'll use local buses, Cambodia's Giant Ibis express, budget flights and Thailand's overnight sleeper train instead of a private van, stay in hostels and family guesthouses, and self-book guides for Angkor, Tuol Sleng and Ayutthaya via GetYourGuide, Klook or at the gate. Costs are approximate backpacker rates in GBP per person, excluding international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Land at Tan Son Nhat and take a Grab or metered Vinasun taxi to District 1 (about 150,000 VND / £5). Check into a hostel dorm or private room in the Pham Ngu Lao backpacker pocket, then walk to the Ben Thanh night market for a first bowl of pho and a bia hoi. Complete Vietnam's online pre-arrival declaration within 3 days of flying in.
🚌Airport Grab/taxi ~£5
🛏Hostel dorm in District 1, ~£9
- →Settle into District 1
- →Ben Thanh night market dinner
Mekong Delta or Cu Chi Tunnels
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Pick a self-booked day trip: the full-day Mekong Delta tour (Ben Tre/Cai Be — boat through coconut canals, candy workshops, village lunch) books from about £18-25 on Klook or from any District 1 travel agency. Alternatively take local bus #13 to Cu Chi and hire a guide at the gate (~£10 entry) or book a half-day tour from ~£15. Evening: banh mi crawl and the rooftop bars around Bui Vien if you want the backpacker scene.
🚌Included in day tour / local bus ~£1
🛏Hostel dorm in District 1, ~£9
- →Full-day Mekong Delta boat tour (Klook/GetYourGuide)
- →Or Cu Chi Tunnels half-day
- →Street food evening
Border crossing to Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Book the Giant Ibis or Virak Buntham express bus HCMC–Phnom Penh (about 6 hours, $15-20/£14, includes help with the Bavet/Moc Bai border formalities — have your Cambodia e-visa or $30 + passport photos ready). Arrive early afternoon, drop bags at a riverside guesthouse, then do the classic cyclo loop yourself: hire a cyclo near Wat Phnom (~$5/hour) and ride past the post office and colonial facades to the Royal Palace and National Museum exteriors. Sunset beers on the Sisowath Quay riverside.
🚌Giant Ibis express bus ~£14, cyclo ~£4
🛏Riverside guesthouse in Daun Penh, ~£12
- →Cyclo tour of colonial Phnom Penh
- →Wat Phnom
- →Riverside sunset
Tuol Sleng, Choeung Ek and city life
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Do the sobering S-21 prison and Killing Fields independently: Tuol Sleng entry $5 with an excellent audio guide ($3), then a tuk-tuk out to Choeung Ek ($5 entry incl. audio, ~$10-12 round trip by tuk-tuk, or share). Use PassApp to keep fares fair. Afternoon options: Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda ($10), National Museum ($10) or Russian Market for cheap eats and handicrafts.
🚌PassApp tuk-tuks ~£5
🛏Riverside guesthouse in Daun Penh, ~£12
- →Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (self-guided audio)
- →Choeung Ek Killing Fields
- →Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda
Bus to Siem Reap
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Take the morning Giant Ibis or Mekong Express bus to Siem Reap (~6 hours, $13-18/£12). Check into a hostel or guesthouse around Wat Bo or the Old Market area, then wander Pub Street and the night market for dinner. Buy your Angkor pass online in advance or at the Angkor Enterprise ticket office after 5pm (next-day entry) — 1-day pass $37, 2-day/3-day passes available. Book a tuk-tuk driver for tomorrow's sunrise run (~$18-20 for the day).
🚌Giant Ibis bus ~£12
🛏Guesthouse near Old Market, Siem Reap, ~£11
- →Angkor pass purchase
- →Old Market & night market
Angkor Wat sunrise and the small circuit
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Meet your tuk-tuk at 4:45am for sunrise over Angkor Wat's lotus pond. Join a licensed guide at the temple (book a shared small-group sunrise tour via GetYourGuide/Klook from ~£15-20, or pick up a guide at the west entrance ~$25 for 2 people) to hear the bas-relief stories. Continue to Bayon's stone faces and tree-strangled Ta Prohm. Back in town by mid-afternoon — rest, then eat at a social-enterprise restaurant such as Haven or New Hope for a Khmer dinner supporting trainees.
🚌Tuk-tuk day hire ~£8 (split)
🛏Guesthouse near Old Market, Siem Reap, ~£11
- →Angkor Wat sunrise with licensed guide
- →Bayon
- →Ta Prohm
- →Community-supporting Khmer dinner
Angkor's outer temples or Tonlé Sap
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Second temple day — hire a tuk-tuk (~$25 for the grand circuit) to reach Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som and Pre Rup for sunset, or cycle the circuit yourself (~$3 bike rental). Alternatively book the Tonlé Sap floating village boat trip (~$25 including a shared boat) to Kompong Khleang, the less touristy stilted village. Evening option: Phare Circus, the social-enterprise Cambodian circus — book direct from ~$18.
🚌Tuk-tuk ~£10 or bike hire ~£3
🛏Guesthouse near Old Market, Siem Reap, ~£11
- →Angkor grand circuit by tuk-tuk or bike
- →Or Tonlé Sap floating village boat
- →Optional Phare Circus ~£15
Fly to Bangkok
Bangkok, Thailand
The Thailand–Cambodia land border is currently closed to tourist crossings, so fly: AirAsia or Thai Vietjet Siem Reap–Bangkok from around £45-70 one way (book ahead; the land-only overland route via Poipet is not reliable). Complete Thailand's Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 3 days of arrival. From Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang take the Airport Rail Link (~45 THB/£1) plus BTS, or a Grab (~350 THB/£8), to a hostel around Khao San or Silom. Easy evening: street food at Banglamphu.
🚌Flight Siem Reap–Bangkok ~£55; airport rail ~£2
🛏Hostel dorm, Khao San/Banglamphu, ~£10
- →Fly Siem Reap to Bangkok
- →Khao San evening street food
Free day in Bangkok
Bangkok, Thailand
Your own Bangkok. Grand Palace (500 THB) and Wat Pho (300 THB), cross the river by the 5 THB orange-flag ferry to Wat Arun, or take the BTS to Chatuchak Weekend Market if it's a weekend. Cheap and cheerful lunch at a Chinatown shophouse on Yaowarat Road; afternoon at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (free). Book tomorrow's klong longtail boat direct with a Tha Chang or Tha Tien pier operator (~1,200-1,500 THB per boat, split between 4-6 people).
🚌BTS/ferry/boat ~£4
🛏Hostel dorm, Khao San/Banglamphu, ~£10
- →Grand Palace & Wat Pho (self-guided)
- →Wat Arun river crossing
- →Yaowarat food crawl
Klong boat to Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Morning longtail boat through the Thonburi canals (~1,200 THB split) to see riverside communities, stopping at the Artist's House. Then take the local bus from Bangkok's Mo Chit or Sai Tai Mai terminal to Kanchanaburi (~2-3 hours, 120-150 THB/£3). Check into a floating raft house on the Kwai Noi river (~£15-20 for a simple raft room) — the same style of accommodation as the group tour, bookable directly on Agoda/Booking.
🚌Longtail boat ~£7 (split); bus ~£3
🛏Floating raft house on the Kwai Noi, ~£17
- →Thonburi klong longtail boat tour
- →River raft house evening
Erawan Falls and the Bridge on the River Kwai
Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Take the local Kanchanaburi–Erawan bus or songthaew (~50-60 THB each way, first departures ~8am) to Erawan National Park (300 THB entry) and hike up the seven turquoise tiers — swim at levels 2-4 and continue to the top. Return mid-afternoon and visit the Bridge on the River Kwai and the Thailand–Burma Railway Centre (150 THB). If you want the train ride, catch the Nam Tok line across the bridge (100 THB, 3rd class) — check the timetable at the station the day before.
🚌Local bus to Erawan ~£3; train ~£2
🛏Floating raft house on the Kwai Noi, ~£17
- →Erawan Falls hike and swim
- →Bridge on the River Kwai
- →Thailand–Burma Railway Centre
Ayutthaya ruins and overnight sleeper to Chiang Mai
Ayutthaya → Chiang Mai, Thailand
Visit the Allied War Cemetery and Railway Centre in the morning, then take a local bus or minivan to Ayutthaya (~2.5 hours, ~100 THB). Hire a bicycle at the ruins (~50 THB) or a tuk-tuk for the highlights: Wat Mahathat (Buddha head in tree roots), Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Chaiwatthanaram at sunset. Then take a songthaew or taxi to Ayutthaya station for the overnight sleeper to Chiang Mai (2nd-class berth ~800-900 THB/£19 booked on the Thai Railways site or at the station) — departures usually around 7-8pm, arriving early morning.
🚌Minivan ~£2.50; bike/tuk-tuk ~£3; sleeper train ~£19
🛏Overnight sleeper train, 2nd class
- →Ayutthaya Historical Park by bike
- →Wat Mahathat & Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Arrive Chiang Mai — old city and Doi Suthep
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Arrive early morning, walk or red-truck (songthaew, 30 THB) to a guesthouse inside the old city moat (~£10-13), and drop bags. Rest, then explore the old city temples on foot or by bike. In the late afternoon take a songthaew up to Doi Suthep (~60-80 THB each way, or split a red truck) for the golden chedi and sunset views over the city.
🚌Songthaews ~£4
🛏Guesthouse in Chiang Mai old city, ~£12
- →Old city temple walk
- →Doi Suthep sunset
Thai cooking class and night market
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Book a half-day cooking class direct with a local school (Thai Farm, Pantawan or the much-loved evening classes from ~£25-30 including market visit and hotel pickup) — or pick up a slot on Klook. Afternoon free for a massage (~200-300 THB) or a walk around Nimman. Sunday means the Walking Street market on Ratchadamnoen Road; otherwise the Night Bazaar and Ploen Ruedee food market.
🚌Walking/songthaew ~£2
🛏Guesthouse in Chiang Mai old city, ~£12
- →Northern Thai cooking class with market visit
- →Night Bazaar / Walking Street
Depart Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Slow breakfast, last-minute shopping at Warorot Market, then a red truck or Grab to the airport (~150 THB/£3.50) for your onward flight. If you have time, hire a scooter or take a songthaew to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep's forest temple or the Baan Kang Wat artist village before flying out.
🚌Airport transfer ~£4
🛏—
- →Warorot Market
- →Optional Baan Kang Wat
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£690 | £1,685 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £995 per person (59%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£690
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 Best of Cambodia & Northern Thailand — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £690 per person for 15 days in Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand. 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 G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,685 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £690 — a saving of roughly £995 (59%) per person.
How long is the Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand.
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, budget, backpacker trip through Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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