The sustainable travel approach that’s turning one flight into endless adventures
Standing patiently on the platform at Bangkok’s Bang Sue Grand Station feeling rather apathetic about the journey that lay ahead of me, I watched families bundle themselves and their belongings chaotically onto the overnight train to Vientiane, when a penny dropped. Here were travellers actually choosing 12 hours on rails over a 90-minute flight, and they looked genuinely excited about it. That moment sparked my first real experiment with tripchaining – the practice of linking multiple countries in one extended overland journey instead of taking separate flights to each destination.
Bangkok’s Aphiwat Central Station, or Bang Sue Grand, has replaced Hua Lamphong as the main train station serving travellers in Bangkok
What started as a niche backpacker strategy has quietly become one of 2025’s most significant travel trends, offering 90% carbon savings whilst often proving more culturally rewarding than traditional fly-in, fly-out tourism. Tour operator Selective Asia reports that bookings for tripchaining holidays have doubled in the last six months, whilst sustainable travel experts Byway found that travellers now include an average of 4.5 destinations in one trip – and Southeast Asia’s geography makes it the perfect testing ground.
The concept isn’t entirely new – backpackers have been following the well-worn Southeast Asian trail for decades. What’s changed is the growing awareness of aviation’s environmental impact and the realisation that slower travel often means richer experiences. “It’s likely that the cost-saving aspect of tripchaining is driving its increasing popularity. Travellers are getting more value from long-haul flights when they’re visiting two or more destinations or countries in one trip,” explains Nick Pulley, founder of Selective Asia.
The numbers behind aviation emissions tell a compelling story. Aviation accounts for 2.5% of global CO₂ emissions but has contributed around 4% to global warming to date due to the additional warming effects of high-altitude emissions. More striking still, only three per cent of the global population flies regularly, yet the consequences of aviation emissions affect everyone.
For Southeast Asian journeys, the environmental case becomes even stronger. Taking the train instead of flying cuts your CO₂ emissions by a staggering 90%, according to research commissioned by Eurostar. When you consider that flying has a higher carbon footprint for journeys less than 1000 kilometres than a medium-sized car, the environmental benefits of overland connections become compelling.
I experienced this firsthand during a two month-long tripchaining journey from Bangkok to Luang Prabang, then overland to Ho Chi Minh City, and finally by bus to Phnom Penh. Instead of four separate flights producing approximately 2.4 tonnes of CO₂, my overland journey generated roughly 0.3 tonnes – a reduction that matched the research findings. It also saved me a lot of cash!
The main overland routes between countries of Southeast Asia have been well-worn by backpackers since the late 1960s but face a new lease of life thanks to interconnected transport routes.
The Perfect Regional Playground
Southeast Asia’s geography and infrastructure make it ideal for tripchaining adventures. The region’s countries are relatively compact, with excellent overland connections and a culture that celebrates slow travel. The classic Vietnam-Cambodia-Laos-Thailand combination remains the gold standard for first-time tripchainers, offering incredible diversity from Vietnam’s bustling street food scenes to Cambodia’s ancient temples, Laos’s pristine wilderness, and Thailand’s beaches – all connected by reliable overland transport.
During my recent journey, I discovered that modern infrastructure has transformed the experience significantly. The newly completed Laos-China Railway, for instance, has cut journey times between Vientiane and Luang Prabang from nine hours to just over 2 hours , opening up previously difficult connections whilst maintaining the overland principle.
More adventurous tripchainers are exploring less obvious combinations. The Malaysia-Thailand-Myanmar route offers deep cultural immersion opportunities, whilst the Indonesia archipelago provides endless island-hopping possibilities using local ferries and boats rather than domestic flights. Each route reveals the gradual transitions that define Southeast Asia: how Thai Buddhism gives way to Lao spirituality, how Vietnamese energy shifts to Cambodian tranquillity.
Border crossings become adventures rather than airport hassles. The friendship bridge between Thailand and Laos offers spectacular Mekong River views, whilst the Vietnam-Cambodia crossing at Moc Bai introduces you to border communities living between cultures. These transitions, invisible from aircraft windows, provide profound insights into regional diversity that no amount of guidebook reading can replicate.
The financial benefits prove substantial as well. It’s possible to save the value of a return flight from London to Bangkok, allowing exploration of multiple countries using affordable overland transport. During my recent tripchaining adventure, I calculated savings of approximately £800 compared to separate flights to each destination. Local transport costs in Southeast Asia remain remarkably low – the scenic train journey from Bangkok to Vientiane can cost under 1000 baht (£23), whilst a bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh runs to approximately £8 at the time of writing. Things are always subject to change, so do keep an eye on prices.
From Bangkok, the comfortable overnight train compartment with seats which convert to a bed setup.
Luxury Without Compromise
One of the biggest misconceptions about sustainable travel is that it requires sacrificing comfort. For tripchainers seeking premium experiences, there are numerous options throughout the region. The Namkhan in Laos offers a complete wellness ecosystem surrounded by jungle, river, and organic farmland, just 15 minutes from Luang Prabang’s UNESCO-listed Old Town. In Cambodia, Song Saa Private Islands sets the bar for eco-luxury resorts, with each villa constructed from recycled timber, and furnished with only organic and sustainable materials.
These properties understand that modern travellers want both environmental responsibility and exceptional experiences. Many offer carbon-neutral stays, organic cuisine sourced from on-site gardens, and meaningful connections with local communities. Bawah Reserve in Indonesia’s Anambas Archipelago, for example, operates entirely off-grid whilst providing exclusive island retreat operating entirely off-grid with a focus on marine conservation, sustainable architecture, and solar-powered operations. While properties like Nihi Sumba in Indonesia, operate solely on biofuel whilst offering unparalleled luxury experiences.
The impact extends beyond personal satisfaction. Studies show that 86% of Indonesian travellers are open to sustainable travel options, with 36% actively seeking them out – the highest in the region. By choosing overland transport and longer stays, tripchainers contribute more significantly to local economies through family-run guesthouses, community-based transport operators, and locally-owned restaurants.
Practical Implementation
Successful tripchaining requires planning, but the process is straightforward. Start with your must-see destinations, then research overland connections. Southeast Asia’s excellent bus networks, scenic train routes, and ferry services provide numerous options. The region’s monsoon patterns affect transport reliability, making November to March optimal for overland travel predictability.
Essential connections to consider include the overnight train from Bangkok to Vientiane (currently taking around 11.5-13 hours including border procedures), the scenic mountain bus journey from Luang Prabang to Hanoi (12 hours), the comfortable highway route from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh (6 hours), and the direct bus from Siem Reap to Bangkok via land border (8 hours). Each journey offers unique perspectives on the changing landscapes and cultures that define the region.
Visa strategy becomes crucial for multi-country journeys. Many Southeast Asian nations offer visa-on-arrival or e-visa systems, simplifying the process considerably. Building buffer days into your itinerary accommodates occasional transport delays, which often lead to unexpected discoveries and spontaneous cultural exchanges.
When our bus broke down in rural Laos, fellow passengers shared food whilst mechanics worked roadside. The delay became an impromptu cultural exchange, with local children practising English and passengers learning basic Lao phrases. Such experiences, impossible during flight connections, create lasting memories that define the tripchaining philosophy.
A chance to stop off en route to enjoy local food is part of the pleasure of tripchaining.
The Future of Thoughtful Travel
The UK’s Prince Harry recently urged the Asia-Pacific travel industry to double down on sustainability commitments at Shanghai’s Envision 2025 conference, highlighting growing awareness of tourism’s environmental impact. Tripchaining represents a practical response to these concerns, demonstrating that sustainable travel needn’t compromise on experience quality or cultural immersion.
The trend shows no signs of slowing. With the strong growth of sustainable tourism and the increasing desire to reduce carbon emissions, rail travel is set to be one of the most prominent travel trends in 2025. Southeast Asian governments are responding with infrastructure investments, including expanded rail networks and improved border crossing facilities.
For those ready to try tripchaining, start small with a two-country combination, perhaps Thailand-Cambodia or Vietnam-Laos. These routes offer excellent infrastructure, straightforward visa processes, and diverse experiences within manageable timeframes. Consider joining the growing community of conscious travellers who’ve discovered that the journey truly can be more rewarding than the destination.
Follow Asia Unmasked on Facebook and X/Twitter for more sustainable travel inspiration and practical tips. The beauty of tripchaining lies not just in reduced emissions or enhanced cultural immersion, but in its fundamental philosophy: that travelling more thoughtfully can lead to richer, more meaningful experiences. In an age of instant everything, Southeast Asia’s overland routes offer something increasingly rare – time to truly absorb the places we visit.
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