Confused about transport in Southeast Asia? Wondering what’s the best way to get from A to B on the ground? And what the heck even is a songthaew? We’ve got you covered!
From bone-jangling tuk-tuk rides and horn-blaring bus journeys to leisurely longtail boat trips, travelling around in Southeast Asia is an experience, to say the least. It might seem daunting working out how best to get from one place to the next but once you understand your options you’ll be travelling like a local in no time!
Here we outline the different ways of getting around so you can navigate transport in Southeast Asia with confidence. All aboard!
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How to Get Around Southeast Asia — A Guide to Local Transport 🚘
Types of Transport in Southeast Asia 🏍️
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Buses in Southeast Asia 🚎
Buses are the cheapest, and often easiest, way to travel around Southeast Asia for both short and long-distance journeys. Bus travel will allow you to reach every corner of a country and is a reliable form of transport whether you’re in a bustling city or remote region.
Southeast Asian buses come in different shapes and sizes with an array of comfort levels. They can range from minibuses or vans, stuffed to bursting point with humans, chickens and luggage, to large and luxurious affairs with private cabins for sleeping (notably in Vietnam).
In several countries there is a distinction between local buses and tourist buses (sometimes called VIP buses, particularly in Thailand and Vietnam). Despite the price difference, it’s worth opting for tourist buses when it comes to long-distance travel. Tourist buses are more comfortable than their local counterparts, especially night buses, which often come with reclining seats and maybe even water and snacks included (and crucially, air con!). The few extra dollars are well worth the additional comfort!
Tourist buses are also more direct than local buses making far fewer stops along the way or even travelling non-stop from A to B. A ‘VIP Van’ may simply be a minivan used to transport backpackers between some of the country’s most popular destinations. It might not necessarily be more comfortable than a local bus but it’ll be more convenient.
If you’re getting off the beaten track expect to rely on the local bus network.
Also read: Tips to survive long-distance buses | 762 Curves: the Chiang Mai to Pai bus
A Note on Timekeeping ⌚️
You’ll quickly learn that the concept of time and punctuality is much more flexible in Southeast Asia than in Western cultures. Take the times on timetables and schedules (where available) with a pinch of salt and allow more time for your journey than you think you might need. Some services (such as shared taxis or minivans) may simply leave when they are full rather than at a specific time. Try not to get frustrated and just go with the flow.
Trains in Southeast Asia 🚂
As a general rule, trains are more expensive but more comfortable than bus travel. However, the availability of train travel in Southeast Asia varies dramatically across the region. The names of classes (e.g. first, upper, second, ordinary etc.) and comfort levels also differ in each country. For longer journeys it’s always worth stumping up the extra dollars for a better class, especially if it is overnight. Thai, Malaysian and Vietnamese trains also have berths on sleeper trains, which are a far more appealing option than the cheapest class where you shouldn’t expect aircon or anything but the most basic seats.
Thailand and Vietnam have the most extensive and efficient rail networks. Thailand has four major lines radiating out from the capital, Bangkok. One travels south down the narrow length of southern Thailand towards Malaysia, while the others head east, northeast and north and into the corners of the country. The Bangkok-Chiang Mai route is particularly popular (and takes about 10-13 hours).
Vietnam’s lengthy north-south train line snakes along the country’s east coast all the way from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). Journeying by rail is the most comfortable and scenic way to travel the length of the country, albeit slow (it takes around 36 hours to get from the capital to HCMC!). There are also a few other lines that strike out from Hanoi, including one heading northwest (useful for reaching the hiking hub of Sapa) and one east towards Haiphong (not far from Ha Long Bay).
Also read: How to travel around Vietnam.
Vietnam’s Reunification Railway 🚞
Vietnam’s 1,726 km length of track between HCMC in the south and Hanoi in the north has connected the country’s major cities since 1936. In the mid-1970s, it became known as the Reunification Line as it symbolised the reunification of the country following the Vietnam War. Services that run directly between HCMC and Hanoi are known as the Reunification Express (although sometimes this phrase is used to refer to the train line itself). However, you won’t find this name on booking platforms or on the trains themselves. If you want to ride the famous Reunification Express look out for the services numbered SE1 to SE8 (odd-numbered services travel north to south and even numbers south to north).
Until recent years, Laos had no rail network. But in 2021, a new shiny railway was opened and the high-speed Laos-China Railway now connects the country with its northern neighbour. It has revolutionalised travel around northern Laos, which came as a relief to locals and travellers alike in a country renowned for the terrible state of its roads.
“I’d highly recommend taking the train over the bus in Laos wherever possible. The roads in the country are some of the worst I’ve ever experienced and make for some uncomfortable bus rides!” Lisa Barham, Writer at South East Asia Backpacker
Cambodia has a very limited rail network with just two lines. One runs from the Thai border at Poipet to the capital, Phnom Penh, and the second continues from the capital to Sihanoukville on the south coast. The popular tourist places of Battambang and Kampot can be reached by rail but otherwise you’ll need to take buses to get around. Even where there are rail connections it can sometimes be quicker to take a bus.
Cambodia’s Bamboo Railway 🎋🛤️
You may have heard of the famous Bamboo Train in Cambodia. The ‘train’ is a bamboo platform (called a norry) powered by a small motor that runs up and down railway tracks. Located in Battambang, the train was originally used to transport goods and people before there was any decent road infrastructure. Nowadays, it’s more of a tourist attraction than a serious way to get around. Besides, you won’t get very far on it as the track is only 7 km long!
In Peninsula Malaysia railway lines span the length of the country, with one route stretching from Thailand in the north along the west coast to Singapore in the south. A secondary line (aka the Jungle Railway) makes its way through the centre of the country from the northeast coast until it meets the main line in southern Malaysia. There is one railway line in Malaysian Borneo running 134 km from Tanjung Aru to Tenom in the State of Sabah. There are no trains in Sarawak.
The island of Java in Indonesia is well served by a rail network. There are also some services on the islands of Sulawesi and Borneo (Kalimantan) plus a few fragmented lines on Sumatra. There are no trains elsewhere in Indonesia, including the popular islands of Bali and Lombok.
The only island in the Philippines with any railway lines is the country’s largest, Luzon. However, it’s a paltry show and unlikely to be of much use to travellers with just one short commuter line running out of Manila and south into the suburbs and another short section further south on the island. The line connecting these two operational tracks is currently not in use.
Myanmar has an extensive railway network, much of which was built by the British during colonial rule. The major cities of Yangon, Mandalay and the capital, Naypyidaw, are hubs and branch lines reach into the corners of the country. The Yangon Circular Railway travels out from the centre of the city into the surrounding towns and back again in a loop. Running clockwise and anticlockwise it is predominantly a commuter line, but riding the rail full circle also makes for an interesting tourist experience. While Myanmar’s rail network is one of the largest in Southeast Asia, the comfort and cleanliness of the trains themselves are somewhat lacking and slower than taking the bus.
The Mandalay-Lashio Railway 🚂
One of the most beautiful train rides in Southeast Asia is the journey from Mandalay to Lashio. The route passes over the feat of engineering that is the Gokteik viaduct, the highest (and most precarious looking) bridge in Myanmar, built over 100 years ago by the British. The most scenic part of the journey is between Hsipaw and Pyin Oo Lwin — expect amazing views and an exhilarating ride!
Boats and Ferries in Southeast Asia ⛴️
Each country in Southeast Asia (with the exception of Laos) has an extensive coastline and there are tens of thousands of islands in the region. It should come as no surprise then that boat travel is an integral part of the transport network across Southeast Asia.
Thailand has an extensive and convenient boat and ferry network. The ferries between major islands and the mainland are large, relatively safe and comfortable with indoor seating and open-deck seating. Most are for foot passengers only but some routes also have ferries that transport vehicles as well (such as the route between Trat and Koh Chang). It’s even possible to cross the border to Malaysia by boat from Koh Lipe to Langkawi.
It’s usually not worth paying the extra for a speedboat over a ferry in terms of time saved or comfort. However, on some routes a speedboat is the only option (for example, between Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe). For shorter journeys, such as from Ao Nang to Railay, the iconic longtail boats are used.
The main ferry companies that service the popular tourist islands of the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao) are Lomprayah and Seatran. Tickets can be booked directly on the ferry websites or at a local travel agency. If you’re flying from Bangkok or elsewhere in Thailand to one of these islands for a holiday, you can also book flight-bus-ferry combos which are a convenient way to book the whole journey in one.
Laos is Southeast Asia’s only landlocked country, yet it is home to one of the region’s most famous boat trips. The slow boat from Thailand to Laos is a journey of backpacker legend. The two-day meander down the Mekong passes beautiful natural scenery and transports passengers from the Thai border to the small but fascinating city of Luang Prabang. The Mekong River is a major waterway in Southeast Asia that runs the length of Laos, through Cambodia and splits in Vietnam to create the Mekong Delta before running out to sea. One of its tributaries, the Namtha River, is a popular river to explore by boat, especially around Luang Namtha.
In Vietnam there is a boat service that runs up the Mekong River from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh in Cambodia, which is an interesting and convenient way to cross the border from the Mekong Delta. There are also regular ferry services to the major islands, including Cat Ba and Phu Quoc.
In Cambodia, boats run from the southern coastal town of Sihanoukville to the popular Koh Rong islands (Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem). The Siem Reap to Battambang boat on the Tonlé Sap Lake (9 hours) is an adventure worth doing for those who love boat trips.
Malaysia also has regular boat services to islands frequented by travellers, including Langkawi, the Perehentians and Tioman Island.
The Philippines comprises thousands of islands (more than 7,500 in fact). It has an extensive ferry network, which is convenient for travelling between islands that are relatively close together. Given the size of the country and the vast differences between some of the major islands, the long-distance ferries can be very lengthy journeys.
Overnight ferries have bunks but expect to be sharing the room with a lot of other passengers and don’t bank on a good night’s sleep. Small wooden double-outrigger boats, known as a banca (or bangka) are used for short distances. The most popular boat journey in the Philippines is the three- or four-day El Nido-Coron expedition in Palawan that takes in some of the country’s most spectacular scenery.
Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s other island nation and the largest country in the region. (It has over 17,500 islands, beating the Philippines by a cool 10,000.) Like the Philippines, boats and ferries are a vital part of the country’s transport system. Ferries are a useful way of hopping between the string of islands that make up the southwest of the country, including Sumatra, Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands (the chain of islands stretching from Bali to West Timor).
Ferries also connect Borneo, Sulawesi, Papua and the Maluku Islands (Spice Islands) with each other and the rest of the country. It’s important to realise that the distances between these islands are much greater than those in the Lesser Sunda region and journeys are correspondingly much longer.
One of Southeast Asia’s most adventurous sea journeys is the four-day boat trip from Lombok to Flores, which sails past the island of Sumbawa and through the famous Komodo National Park. Small wooden fishing boats are known in Indonesia as jukung and are used for short journeys, including reaching dive or surf spots.
From Singapore, it’s possible to take a ferry to Indonesia. Direct Ferries is a useful website that lists the different operators and routes.
Taxis in Southeast Asia 🚕
Taxis in Southeast Asia come in all different sizes, shapes and colours, including cars, motorbikes, tuk-tuks, tricycles and songthaews (see below). Taxis are especially useful for airport transfers and come in handy for short journeys where it’s too far to walk and there isn’t a convenient public transport option.
Motorbike taxis are common all over Southeast Asia and are a very convenient and cheap way to get around towns and cities. Many Southeast Asian cities are plagued by horrendous traffic so you are far better off taking a bike that can zip around than a car that will get caught in congestion. The exception is if you have luggage or if the journey is fairly lengthy, in which case taking a car is the best option. (It’s a personal preference but I’d say anything more than half an hour on a moto-taxi is going to start getting uncomfortable.)
E-hailing apps are available across Southeast Asia with Grab being by far the biggest company in the region. Gojek is a popular alternative in Indonesia. Loca is used in Laos and PassApp in Cambodia. See this article about the different e-hailing apps in Southeast Asia.
Outside of major cities and popular tourist areas e-hailing is often not available. If you need to use a local taxi, always ask the driver to put on the meter. If there is no meter, always agree on a price before getting in to avoid being ripped off at the other end. If possible, get an idea of what a journey should roughly cost from locals or other travellers beforehand.
Tuk-tuks, Trikes and Songthaews 🛺
One of the most fun ways to get around in Southeast Asia (if not the most comfortable!) is by one of the quirky transport options that aren’t readily available in the West. Tuk-tuks are a motorised version of rickshaws, typically with three-wheels and open sides. They are most associated with Thailand but tuk-tuks, or versions of them, are also used in Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and a few select places in Malaysia and Indonesia.
The look and design differ between countries. In Cambodia, for example, a tuk-tuk is essentially a motorbike with a carriage attached to the back for passengers. The Filipino version is known as a tricycle (or trike) and the carriage is attached to the side of the motorbike rather than the back. Tuk-tuks are not used in Vietnam but in some places (notably Hoi An) you can find rickshaws (known here as cyclos), the pedal-powered alternative.
A songthaew is something between a shared taxi and a public bus. The vehicle is like a pick-up truck with two benches in the rear for passengers (the name means ‘two rows’ in Thai) and they are a popular way of getting around cities or islands. They are also found in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. The Filipino answer to songthaews are jeepneys, while in Indonesia it’s bemos, which are like minivans.
Metros in Southeast Asia 🚊
Some of the major Southeast Asian cities have metro systems, sometimes referred to as MRT (Mass Rapid Transport or Metro Rail Transit). Where available, these can be a quick and convenient way of getting around metropolitan areas (but not always!). Bangkok also has the sky train (BTS) which is a great way to get around the city above the traffic.
There are metro systems in:
- Bangkok, Thailand
- HCMC and Hanoi, Vietnam
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Manila, Philippines
- Jakarta, Indonesia
- Yangon, Myanmar
- Singapore
“The MRT in Singapore is very slick and such an easy way to get around the city. You can even take it from the airport to the city centre. Plus, it’s really affordable, which is especially helpful in one of Southeast Asia’s most expensive countries.” Lisa Barham, Writer at South East Asia Backpacker
Planes in Southeast Asia 🛩️
Air travel in Southeast Asia is generally very convenient and affordable. The region’s main hubs are Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and these cities are often the entry or exit points for Southeast Asian adventures. It’s easy to fly within and between countries. On some occasions the price of flying is comparable with land travel, which makes it a very appealing (if not the most eco-friendly) option. Kuala Lumpur-based AirAsia rules the skies in Southeast Asia and is the go-to budget airline for hopping around the region. National carriers are more expensive but more comfortable and usually include luggage and sometimes a meal, or at least a snack however short the flight!
See below for a list of Southeast Asian airlines and their websites.
Why Land Travel is the Way To Go 🛣️
It can be very tempting to jump on a flight that can get you from A to B ten times quicker than a bus or train, especially given the low cost of airfares in Southeast Asia. And if you’re on a tight schedule then air travel may be the only option. However, there are huge advantages to travelling overland. The most obvious and important is that it is far more environmentally friendly than flying. More than that though, overlanding is a real adventure! Not only will you be able to see much of the country as you journey through (sights and landscapes you would otherwise miss!) taking a journey by road, rail or sea allows you to immerse yourself in the culture. Not only will you be experiencing the country like a local (if you eschew the ‘VIP’ services) you may even meet and engage with the local people giving you a richer experience. We know that travelling by ground transport can often be frustrating and challenging but this is all part of the experience and you will learn so much from it, including problem-solving skills, how to adapt, cultural awareness and, perhaps above all else, patience!
Driving a Motorbike in Southeast Asia 🛵
Many people enjoy the freedom and independence of being able to get around on their own wheels and the most popular way to do this is by hiring a motorbike. While most travellers simply hire a bike as a way of getting around in a particular destination, some use them as a means of transport to travel between places or even to explore an entire country. If you’re considering driving a bike in Southeast Asia, make sure you know the rules on International Driving Permits and have the right travel insurance for driving a motorcycle.
Related: Epic motorbike journeys of Southeast Asia.
How to Book Local Transport in Southeast Asia 🎟️
When travelling around Southeast Asia, it is possible to simply turn up at the terminal/station/port and buy a ticket on the day you want to travel. As always, there are exceptions and some routes sell out in advance, especially at certain times of the month/year.
For example, if you want to take a ferry to Koh Samui or Koh Phangan around the time of the Full Moon Party, you’d be advised to plan ahead. Busy times of year for travel include Christmas and other major religious celebrations as well as new year, which varies depending on which country you’re in.
It’s also advisable to book ahead if you have a set itinerary and need to be somewhere on time for a flight or tour. There are a few ways you can buy tickets for transport in Southeast Asia:
Booking Online via Transport Booking Platforms
For those wanting to plan ahead, this is the easiest option. While you may pay a little more than buying direct, the small markup is usually worth it for the convenience. And sometimes the price is the same as buying direct or at the station/port anyway.
By far the most popular website for booking transport in Southeast Asia is 12Go Asia. Founded in 2012 by a traveller-turned-entrepreneur, 12Go has bloomed into the region’s leading online ticket-booking platform. The website makes it easy to book bus, train, ferry and even plane tickets across Southeast Asia and beyond. Note that on 12Go you are essentially reserving the ticket and you’ll normally have to show the email at the station or port to exchange this for a physical ticket so make sure to leave enough time to collect this before your train, bus or boat departs.
Baolau is another tried and trusted transport agency in Southeast Asia and is particularly useful for booking buses and trains in Vietnam. Tickets for Vietnam’s Reunification Express trains are readily available on Baolau but only very few appear on 12Go Asia.
Other popular transport agencies include Easybook, redBus and tiket. These are particularly useful in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia where they tend to be better than 12Go.
Booking Direct Online
If you want to cut out the middleman and potentially save on booking fees/commissions you can book tickets directly with the operator. It’s only usually worth doing this for train tickets as most railways are owned and run by the state and therefore there is only one company and one official source of tickets (this also applies to some ferry services in the Philippines and Indonesia).
On the other hand, when it comes to buses there are a plethora of companies vying for business. The majority of travellers will use private bus companies and unless you know of a specific company you want to travel with it makes much more sense to use a third-party booking site (see above). Tickets for state-run bus services can generally only be purchased at the station.
When buying plane tickets it’s advisable to book directly with the airline. This is because if your flight is delayed or cancelled you may be entitled to a refund or compensation and it is easier to deal with the airline directly in such circumstances. If you book through a third party then your contract is with them (not the airline) and all communication will need to be made through the third party.
Booking through official sites can be less straightforward than using a travel agency. User interfaces are not as good, English language options can be limited and some sites may not accept payment using foreign credit cards. There are also plenty of websites purporting to be the ‘official’ ticket site and it can be difficult to determine which is the correct one. Below is a list of official websites:
TRAINS
- Thailand: The State Railway of Thailand
- Vietnam: Vietnam Railways
- Cambodia: Royal Railway
- Malaysia: KTMB
- Indonesia: KAI (note tickets can only be booked using an Indonesia VPN and Indonesian credit card)
- Laos: For the Laos-China Railway, the official place to buy online is via the LCR Ticket app
- Myanmar: Myanma Railways
FERRIES
- Thailand: Lomprayah | Seatran
- Indonesia: PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry
- Philippines: phferry.com lists the various ferry lines and the areas they cover. Ferry operators: 2GO Travel | Atienza | FastCat |Jomalia Shipping | Lite Ferries | Montenegro Lines | OceanJet | Starlite Ferries | Supercat | Weesam Express
FLIGHTS
- Throughout Southeast Asia: AirAsia
- Thailand: Thai Airways | Bangkok Airways | Nok Air | Thai Lion Air
- Vietnam: Vietnam Airlines | Viet Jet Air
- Laos: Lao Airlines | Lao Skyway
- Cambodia: Air Cambodia | Cambodia Angkor Air
- Malaysia: Malaysia Airlines | Batik Air Malaysia
- Indonesia: Garuda Indonesia | Lion Air | Citilink
- Philippines: Philippine Airlines | Cebu Pacific | Sunlight Air
- Singapore: Singapore Airlines | Scoot
- Myanmar: Myanmar National Airlines | Myanmar Airways
Buy in Person Through an Agency
You won’t be able to turn a corner in Southeast Asia without seeing a tour operator who wants to sell you tickets for a bus/train/ferry. You’ll be paying a markup of course as the tour company takes a cut but it’s a convenient way to purchase tickets in person and can save the hassle of having to decipher timetables.
In many countries the easiest way to book transport is through your accommodation. This is common in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. Here, you simply tell your hostel where you want to go and they will make all the arrangements on your behalf including pick-up from the accommodation.
Booking transport in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines tends to be more of a DIY affair. Hostels will happily advise where to buy tickets but you may find they are less inclined to make the bookings on your behalf.
Buy in Person at the Station
If you’re close enough to the transport terminal, there’s nothing to stop you from popping by the day, or a few days, before you want to travel to buy your tickets in advance. This can offer peace of mind, help you to avoid lengthy queues on travel day and save you money on agency fees.
Cost of Transport in Southeast Asia 💰
Travelling by bus is always the cheapest way of getting around. Shorter journeys of just a couple of hours are likely to cost only a few dollars and long-distance buses are also incredibly cheap. Even the epic 27-hour Hanoi to Luang Prabang bus journey can cost as little as $50 USD.
Trains as a rule are slightly more expensive than buses, although this is usually compensated for by levels of comfort and safety. Travelling by rail isn’t always quicker than travelling by road, but some journeys provide unbeatable views, especially on Malaysia’s Jungle Railway and the Hai Van Pass section of Vietnam’s coastal route. If your budget is tight, look at sleeper trains. Journeying overnight means saving on paying for a night’s accommodation.
Taxis are cheap across the region and even lengthy journeys (more than an hour) will cost just a fraction of what you would pay in Western countries. Quick journeys around cities or islands are likely to cost around $1-2 USD.
Air travel will often, but certainly not always, be the most expensive way to travel. Even so, flying is a very affordable mode of transport in Southeast Asia. It’s difficult to generalise in such a large and diverse region, but overall the cost of domestic flights in Southeast Asia is fairly low, particularly in the more developed countries of Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia where internal flights can cost under $50 USD (and sometimes significantly less!).
The notable exception is Laos, where flights to and within the country are relatively expensive. Flights around the Philippines can get pricey too. Some international flights across Southeast Asia can cost under $100 USD. It’s usually cheapest to fly to/from one of the region’s major hubs.
For more details of the cost of travelling in Southeast Asia, read our country-specific budget guides: Brunei | Cambodia | Indonesia | Laos | Malaysia | Myanmar | Philippines | Singapore | Thailand | Vietnam
Safety of Transport in Southeast Asia 🦺
We won’t sugar coat it, safety standards in Southeast Asia are below those in the West and travelling on local transport can be an eye-opening (or eye-popping!) affair. This is especially true of road travel. The state of the road network varies from country to country, but on the whole it’s safe to say that the roads throughout the region leave much to be desired.
Singapore and Malaysia are notable exceptions where there are modern roads of a high standard. Main routes in Thailand and Vietnam are also pretty good, but off the beaten track it can be a different story. The Philippines and Indonesia are both large countries with very varied levels of development, which is reflected in the infrastructure and sleek highways on developed islands give way to dirt tracks in more remote places. Cambodia’s roads are improving but still lag behind its more developed neighbours and Laos’ roads are, quite frankly, dire.
Add to this the tendency of drivers to travel at breakneck speeds, tailgate and overtake on corners and you have the recipe for a hair-raising experience! It’s also uncommon to see guardrails even on mountainous roads. Sadly, this is simply the norm and there isn’t much you can do to avoid this kind of travel if you want to take local buses.
Trains are safer than travelling by road so riding the rails is a good option where there is a train network. Boat travel can be a bit of a mixed bag and there are plenty of tales of vessels in poor condition, travelling in bad weather or lack of safety equipment.
Statistically speaking, flying is the safest mode of transport, although some countries have a better safety record in the sky than others. Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines are considered the safest countries in the region in terms of air travel.
Tips for Staying Safe on Southeast Asian Transport
After everything above has been said, it’s important to remember that the vast majority of journeys made on transport in Southeast Asia pass without incident. It’s important to be aware of these issues but you certainly shouldn’t let it put you off travelling around the region. Here are a few things you can do to make your journeys as safe as possible:
- Opt for tourist or ‘VIP’ services — These buses tend to have a better safety record and are less likely to be overcrowded.
- Buckle up! — Sadly, seatbelts don’t always come as standard, but when they are there make sure to use them.
- Don’t take night buses — Given the state of some roads in Southeast Asia, it’s best to avoid travelling on roads in the dark where possible. Drivers have also been known to work excessively long shifts and nod off at the wheel. Night trains are a far safer option.
- Always wear a helmet when on a motorbike — If you’re taking a motorbike taxi ask the driver for one and don’t be afraid to cancel the ride and hail a new one if they can’t provide a helmet.
- Avoid overcrowded vehicles — This is particularly important when it comes to boats and minibuses. It might not always be possible to avoid but if a vehicle or vessel seems overcrowded don’t be afraid to get off and wait for the next one or find an alternative.
- Check that there are enough life vests — When travelling by boat or ferry check/ask if there are life vests available and that there are enough for everyone on board. (These are often given out to passengers upon boarding but not always.)
- Keep an eye on your belongings — If you need to stow your luggage, keep your valuables with you, ideally in a small day pack that doesn’t leave your side.
Journeys in Southeast Asia can be wild, interesting and exciting. They can also be slow, frustrating and bewildering.
Whether you’re on two, three or four wheels; setting sail across the sea; or clacking along the railway lines, one thing is for sure: travelling around Southeast Asia is certainly an adventure!
Transport in Southeast Asia might not get you where you’re going on time but it’s guaranteed to give you a few good travel stories.
Share your experience of Southeast Asian transport in the comments!
Lisa Barham
Having always dreamt of travelling the world, Lisa finally decided to follow that dream in her mid-thirties when she left her nine-to-five in London for life on the road. After trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal and learning to surf in Sri Lanka, she headed for wondrous Southeast Asia, where she can currently be found solo backpacking, navigating through life and unfamiliar streets.
Follow her on: Instagram