Cost Comparison

Country Bus (per 100km) Train (per 100km) Flight (domestic) Scooter/day Taxi/km
🇦🇺 Australia €8–15 €12–25 €50–200 €25–40 €1.50–2.50
🇰🇭 Cambodia €2–4 €30–80 €5–8 €0.50–1
🇮🇩 Indonesia €2–5 €3–8 €15–60 €4–7 €0.40–0.80
🇯🇵 Japan €10–20 €15–35 €50–120 €30–50 €2–3
🇱🇦 Laos €2–4 €30–80 €5–10 €0.50–1
🇲🇾 Malaysia €2–5 €3–8 €15–50 €5–8 €0.40–0.80
🇳🇿 New Zealand €8–15 €55–150 €30–45 €1.50–2.50
🇵🇭 Philippines €2–5 €1–3 €20–80 €5–8 €0.50–1
🇰🇷 South Korea €5–10 €8–18 €30–80 €15–25 €1–1.50
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka €1–3 €0.50–2 €40–90 €5–10 €0.50–1
🇹🇭 Thailand €2–4 €2–6 €15–50 €4–7 €0.40–0.80
🇻🇳 Vietnam €2–4 €2–8 €15–50 €4–7 €0.40–0.70

Transport by Country

🇦🇺

Australia

Main Transport Modes
  • Domestic flights (Qantas, Jetstar, Rex, €50–200)
  • Car/campervan rental essential (Jucy, Britz, Apollo, €40–120/day)
  • Greyhound bus (€30–80)
  • Indian Pacific/Ghan trains (scenic long-distance)
Booking Platforms
Rome2Rio, Greyhound Australia, Wicked Campers
🇰🇭

Cambodia

Main Transport Modes
  • Buses (Giant Ibis, Mekong Express, €5–15)
  • Ferries (to islands and Mekong routes)
  • Tuk-tuks (local transport)
  • No trains available
Booking Platforms
BookMeBus, 12Go Asia, direct from bus company counters
🇮🇩

Indonesia

Main Transport Modes
  • Domestic flights (Lion Air, Citilink, AirAsia, €15–60)
  • Ferries (Pelni, fast boats €10–35)
  • Buses (long-distance)
  • Ojek motorbike taxis (local)
Booking Platforms
Traveloka, Tiket.com, 12Go Asia
🇯🇵

Japan

Main Transport Modes
  • Shinkansen bullet trains (Japan Rail Pass ¥50,000–110,000)
  • Local trains (extensive network)
  • Domestic flights (ANA, JAL, Peach, €50–120)
  • Metro systems in major cities
Booking Platforms
JR Pass online, Hyperdia/Google Maps for routes, Peach Aviation
🇱🇦

Laos

Main Transport Modes
  • Buses and minivans (€3–15)
  • Slow boats on Mekong (scenic)
  • Domestic flights (Lao Airlines, €30–80)
  • Tuk-tuks (local transport)
Booking Platforms
12Go Asia, direct at bus stations, guesthouse bookings
🇲🇾

Malaysia

Main Transport Modes
  • Domestic flights (AirAsia, Firefly, €15–50)
  • KTM trains (comfortable, affordable)
  • Buses (€3–20)
  • Ferries to islands (Langkawi, Penang, etc.)
Booking Platforms
AirAsia app, 12Go Asia, Easybook, Redbus
🇳🇿

New Zealand

Main Transport Modes
  • Rental car/campervan essential (€35–150/day)
  • InterCity buses (FlexiPass available)
  • Interislander ferry (€50–85)
  • Domestic flights (Air NZ, Jetstar, €55–150)
Booking Platforms
RankersCampervan, CamperMate app, InterCity FlexiPass, BookMe.co.nz
🇵🇭

Philippines

Main Transport Modes
  • Domestic flights (Cebu Pacific, AirAsia PH, PAL, €20–80)
  • Ferries (2GO, OceanJet, FastCat, €3–30)
  • Jeepneys (local transport)
  • Tricycles and Grab (urban)
Booking Platforms
Cebu Pacific app, 2GO Travel, Grab app
🇰🇷

South Korea

Main Transport Modes
  • KTX high-speed trains (€20–50)
  • Metro in cities (Seoul, Busan)
  • Buses (€5–15)
  • Domestic flights (Jin Air, T'way, €30–80)
Booking Platforms
Korail website, Kakao Map, T-money card, Naver Map
🇱🇰

Sri Lanka

Main Transport Modes
  • Scenic trains (€1–5, world-famous routes)
  • Buses (€1–5)
  • Tuk-tuks (local transport)
  • Private drivers (€35–50/day)
Booking Platforms
Sri Lanka Railways online, PickMe app, guesthouse-arranged drivers
🇹🇭

Thailand

Main Transport Modes
  • Domestic flights (AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion, €15–50)
  • Overnight trains (€5–25)
  • Buses (€3–15)
  • Ferries to islands (€10–30)
  • Grab (urban transport)
Booking Platforms
12Go Asia, AirAsia app, Thai Railways online, Lomprayah (ferries)
🇻🇳

Vietnam

Main Transport Modes
  • Domestic flights (VietJet, Bamboo, VN Airlines, €15–50)
  • Reunification Express train (€5–30)
  • Buses (€3–15)
  • Grab/motorbike (urban)
Booking Platforms
12Go Asia, VietJet app, Vietnam Railways, Grab

Inter-Country Connections

Budget Airlines

  • AirAsia — Extensive network across SE Asia, Malaysia hub
  • Scoot — Singapore hub, connects to Australia/NZ
  • Jetstar — Australia/NZ to Asia routes
  • Cebu Pacific — Philippines hub, connects to SE Asia
  • VietJet — Vietnam hub, expanding regional network
  • Lion Air — Indonesia hub, domestic and regional

Overland Crossings

  • Thailand ↔ Cambodia — Poipet/Aranyaprathet border (bus)
  • Thailand ↔ Laos — Friendship Bridge (Nong Khai/Vientiane)
  • Laos ↔ Vietnam — Multiple crossings (Dien Bien Phu, etc.)
  • Vietnam ↔ Cambodia — Moc Bai/Bavet border (bus)
  • Malaysia ↔ Thailand — Hat Yai/Padang Besar (train/bus)
  • Malaysia ↔ Singapore — Causeway (bus/train)

Key Transit Hubs

  • Bangkok (BKK) — Major SE Asia hub, connects to all 12 countries
  • Kuala Lumpur (KUL) — AirAsia hub, budget flights across region
  • Singapore (SIN) — Premium hub, connects Asia to Oceania
  • Seoul (ICN) — Gateway to East Asia, connects to SE Asia
  • Tokyo (NRT/HND) — Japan hub, connects to all regions
  • Sydney (SYD) — Oceania hub, connects to Asia