travelling overland from uk to australia

The Man in Seat 61

How to travel by train & ship

From the uk to australia.

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Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, europe to australia without flying....

It's a long way to Oz.  There are two options to get there from the UK without flying:

Option 1, Europe to Australia via the Trans-Siberian Railway .  You can travel by train from London to Moscow, then by Trans-Siberian Railway to China & the Far East, then catch a passenger-carrying freighter (if you can find one!) or cruise ship to Australia.  This is a real adventure, and a popular choice with lots to see on the way.  Not currently feasible because of the war in Ukraine & Russia being off limits .

Option 2, Europe to Australia by sea .  You can go all the way from the UK to Australia or New Zealand by sea, either a leisurely direct voyage by infrequent round-the-world cruise, or by one of the few remaining passenger-carrying freighters, sometimes with the need to switch ships in either the USA or SE Asia.  Expect Europe to Australia by sea to take at least 32-40 days and cost at least £4,000+ one-way by freighter including cabin & meals, much more if you use a cruise.

This page outlines the journey and how to go about putting such a trip together, with links to other pages for more detailed information about each part of the journey.  Please remember this is not a tour or a package, just some guidance in putting your own independent trip together using scheduled train services across Europe and Asia.

Europe to Australia by sea

By freighter or cruise ship.

If you'd been going to Australia in the first half of the 20th century, you could have caught the fortnightly P&O liner from Southampton to Sydney, taking several weeks.  These days there are no regular passenger ships from the UK or Europe to Australia, and your choice is limited to one of these, if currently operating:

There are occasional round-the-world cruises from Europe to Australia, stopping at various places on the way.  Some sail westward around the world via the Panama Canal, others sail eastwards via either the Suez Canal or South Africa and the Cape of Good Hope.  This is the most comfortable but expensive option.

There are freighters which take a limited number of passengers although they are now getting very thin on the ground.  There are a mere handful of direct Europe-Australia freighters which carry a few passengers, or there are freighters from Europe to SE Asia where you can change onto another freighter or a cruise ship from SE Asia to Australia.

You can take the Queen Mary 2 from Europe to New York (or use a passenger-carrying freighter), take a train from coast to coast across the United States , then take a passenger-carrying freighter to Australia from the Pacific seaboard of the USA. 

To find out more, and to book a cruise or freighter passage to Australia, try the following sites:

Europe to Australia by Trans-Siberian Railway

Overland to the far east by train.

It's possible to travel most of the way from London to Australia by train via the Trans-Siberian Railway.  In fact, quite a number people travel this way.  Time-wise, we're talking 4-5 weeks one-way, minimum.  But it's a journey of a lifetime.

Update 2024:  There is a war in Ukraine, travel to Russia is inadvisable, there are currently no international trains to Moscow and no Moscow-Beijing trains.

Route, timetable & costs

Travel tickets alone costs only £750 or so from London as far as Singapore, but you must add food, hotels, and tours along the way.  The links below cover travel in either direction, from London to Australia or Australia to London, follow the links to see details of prices and timetables for each section.

Step 1:  London to Moscow by train .  Daily departures taking 2 nights.  Spend at least 1 night in Moscow.

Step 2:  Moscow to Beijing by Trans-Siberian Railway   Two direct trains every week each taking 6 nights.  Spend at least 1 night in Beijing.

Step 3:  Beijing to Hanoi by train A train runs twice a week taking 2 nights, or you can travel any day with a change of train at Nanning.  Spend at least 1 night in Hanoi.

Step 4:  Hanoi to Saigon by train   Several trains daily, 2 nights.  Why not stop off to see Hue or Hoi An?  Spend at least 1 night in Saigon.

Step 5:  Saigon-Phnom Penh by bus Daily, 1 day.  Spend at least 1 night in PP.

Step 6:  Phnom Penh-Bangkok by bus to the border at Poiphet, then local train from Aranyaprathet to Bangkok .

Step 7:  Bangkok to Singapore by train .  Daily, 2 nights.

Step 8:  The final sea voyage from Asia to Australia is the problem:

You can get from Singapore as far as Bali in Indonesia by scheduled ferry, train, ferry & bus using the ferries from Singapore to Jakarta , see the Indonesia page .  But there are no regular passenger ships to Australia from Singapore or Indonesia or anywhere in the Far East .  And don't bother trying to island hop down to Dili in East Timor, it may look the closest land to Darwin, but there are absolutely no ferries of any kind from there to Australia.

You therefore need an infrequent passenger-carrying freighter for the last leg from Southeast Asia to Australia.  There are one or two Asia-Australia freighters that will carry passengers.  They have very very few passenger places and get booked up, so book early.  Freighter travel is not cheap, with limited places in high demand.  Also bear in mind that schedules can change according to freight requirements, a ship can easily leave a day or two earlier than originally scheduled, so build in plenty of leeway!

Option 1 , shipping company CMA CGM have freight ships which carry a limited number of passengers between Port Klang in Malaysia & Fremantle near Perth in Australia every 46 days or so.  The voyage takes 7-10 days and costs around €1,300 for one person in a private cabin with meals included.  CMA CGM also have ships between Singapore & Brisbane roughly once a month taking 14 days.  Contact them directly via their website, www.voyagesencargo.com .  Various agencies can also book this freighter route for you, presumably with an added fee or mark-up, such as thecruisepeople.wordpress.com & www.traveltips.com .

Option 2 , try German agency www.slowtravel-experience.com who can offer infrequent sailings between Singapore & Fremantle near Perth on the ship MOL Guardian .

Option 3 , try Swiss company www.globoship.ch .  They have twice-monthly freighter sailings from Singapore to Fremantle (Perth) taking 7 days.  Their website is in German, so use Google language tools to translate it.  They also have a monthly Singapore-Melbourne freighter taking 15 days.

Feedback on freighter booking & travel would be appreciated.

How to plan & arrange this trip

There aren't any travel agencies who can arrange the whole trip from Europe to Australia, so you will need to plan and arrange each stage of the journey yourself.  It's an exercise in project management, and I use a simple spreadsheet technique like this to plan an itinerary and budget.  Unless time is absolutely no object, you should book the key sections in advance through various travel agencies, for example, book London-Moscow as shown on the London to Russia page , then book Moscow-Beijing & Beijing-Hanoi through a local Russian agency such as www.realrussia.co.uk or Svezhy Veter.  You also need to pre-book the freighter from Asia to Australia, as places are limited.  Tickets for other parts of the trip, for example, Hanoi-Saigon-Phnom Penh-Bangkok can all be bought locally, as you go along.  The place to start is the sea section from Asia to Australia, as that will determine the dates for the rest of the trip.

You'll need to pre-arrange visas for Belarus, Russia, possibly Mongolia, China & Vietnam.  Cambodian visas can be obtained at the frontier.  In many ways, complying with the various visa requirements (and in some cases, requirements for confirmed onward tickets to be held) is actually the biggest hassle, not buying the tickets for the trains, so check this out carefully using the relevant embassy websites.

So where do you start?

First, read through the seat61 pages linked above, as these explain the options for each stage of the journey.

Then sketch out your itinerary using a simple spreadsheet like this , deciding where and for how long you want to stop off.

Next, check out the visa situation for each country.

Finally, follow the advice on each seat61 page to buy tickets for each train journey that you want to pre-book.

Request for more information

If anyone has any more information, an account of this journey, photos or travel reports that would be useful for this page, please e-mail me !

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LONDON TO SYDNEY OVERLAND ADVENTURE TOUR

THIS TOUR IS CLOSED

Our classic 6 month budget overland trip is the perfect gap year tour or career break, suitable for all ages and anyone with a passion for true adventure travel! On this expedition you will visit iconic sights as well as remote areas of Eastern Europe, Turkey, Caucasus, Central Asia, The Stans, The Silk Road, China, Southeast Asia and Australia.

In total you will visit 27 countries on this madventure including UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, China, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Australia.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION, DATES & BOOKING

Price:  £6732 Expedition Payment + $3500 Local Payment (£37 + $19 per day)

Length : 6 months

Accommodation : 35% camping, 65% hotels, guest houses & hostels

Transport : 50% custom-built Madventure overland truck, 50% local transport

Age restrictions : none, all ages are welcome

Group size : 25 is average, minimum is 15, maximum is 36

Start London, UK 24 March 2024 End Sydney, Australia 22 September 2024

ROUTE MAP & TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

PROPOSED ITINERARY

Our proposed itinerary is here to give you an idea of where we will be going and what we will be doing during this expedition. This itinerary is the ideal route we would like to take providing all political and natural situations are acceptable during the time of our travels. Situations sometimes change during an expedition so please be prepared to take an alternative route in the event we encounter any problems. It’s all part of the adventure!

DAY 1 - 12, EUROPE

Our expedition begins in Hammersmith, London, and after a short ferry crossing over the English Channel we are in France and on the European continent. Our first 2 days are spent driving through France, Belgium and Luxembourg before arriving in Germany where we visit the sobering WWII concentration camp of Dachau.

We continue on to Salzburg in Austria, birthplace of Mozart, where you have a day to explore this beautiful city or take a cable-car up a nearby mountain affording stunning views over the Austrian Alps.

In Hungary we start to notice a change as Western Europe begins to fade. A goulash in Budapest is a tasty treat on a day out exploring the city’s wonderful architecture and a boat trip on the Danube River is a great way to take it all in.

In Romania we visit Dracula’s Castle, perched high in the Transylvanian mountains before heading down to the capital Bucharest where you can visit the world’s second largest building – the Romanian Parliament House.

In Bulgaria we camp near the stunning town of Veliko Tarnovo where you can visit the impressive Tsaravets Fortress before we cross over the rolling green foothills of the Balkans heading for Turkey.

DAY 13 – 25, TURKEY

Istanbul, the city that separates Europe from Asia has it all, and you will revel in the history and culture it offers. Take a boat trip up the Bosphorus, marvel at the Aya Sofya and explore the opulent Topkapi Palace. At the end of the day soak your aches away in the Turkish baths and tantalise your taste buds with Turkish delights!

The battlefields of Gallipoli are our next destination where we pay tribute to the thousands of Aussies, Kiwis, Brits and Turks who lost their lives here in 1915. A truly moving experience.

Historic Troy is an interesting stop on our way down the Turquoise coast to the great Roman ruins of Ephesus. Here we camp on the beach and have a day to explore the ruins and enjoy the sunshine.

Pamukkale presents us with a dazzling white mountainside of natural terrace pools where we get to spend the afternoon soaking ourselves or exploring the ancient Byzantine city of Hierapolis.

Inland on the plateau we reach the fairy-tale wonderland of Cappadocia with spectacular canyons, ancient caves and underground cities carved into the geologically diverse land. Start your day with an amazing hot-air balloon ride and finish it off at a raucous night of belly dancing!

Close to the Black Sea we visit the awe-inspiring Sumela Monastery and marvel at the Byzantine frescoes in an amazing cliff-face setting before continuing along the coast towards Georgia.

DAY 26 – 39, GEORGIA & ARMENIA

Our first stop in Georgia is at the almost completely intact Roman fortress of Gonio with its 18 magnificent towers and ancient bath-house.

Kutaisi is Georgia’s second city and one of the world’s most ancient. Here you can explore the Bagrati Cathedral, the History Museum and the Old Jewish district.

Close by and well worth a few hours is Sataplia Nature Reserve, home to magnificent caves and the world’s largest collection of dinosaur tracks.

Vardzia is a beautiful cliff-side cave monastery site that we visit for a step back in time and a delicious trout lunch next to the river.

We now head for Armenia and their capital city Yerevan where you have a couple of days to explore the museums, churches, markets and restaurants that make Armenia such a delight.

On our journey towards the mountains dotted with ancient caravanserais we visit the monastery of Khor Virap with it’s wonderful location beneath Mt. Ararat before heading to the turquoise waters of Lake Sevan where we wild-camp on the lakeshore.

Winding our way north through the breathtaking Debed Gorge our last stop in Armenia is at the fabulously located Haghpat Monastery.

Back in Georgia we arrive at Tbilisi, the beating heart of the country where we have a day or two to wander the cobbled streets of the old town, visit the numerous historical churches, museums and fortresses and of course indulge in fine Georgian cuisine.

A trip to Georgia would not be complete without a trip up the Military Highway to the beautifully located town of Kazbegi situated within a stunning mountain range close to the Russian border. Hiking is the most popular activity here and the hour long trek up to the spectacular monastery is well worth the effort as too is the overnight trek to the glacier.

DAY 40 – 44, AZERBAIJAN

Our first stop is at Sheki, a lovely town nestled into a beautifully forested valley. The town was an important stop on the ancient Silk Route and is also home to the beautiful Khan Palace and a wonderful old caravanserai.

On the shores of the Caspian Sea, one of the world’s largest bodies of fresh-water, we visit bizarre mud volcanoes and the ancient Gobustan petroglyphs.

The cosmopolitan capital of Baku is an oil rich city and exploring the city’s old town filled with mosques, museums, galleries and palaces is a great day out.

From Baku we now take a ferry across the Caspian Sea to Turkmenistan. Please note that this ferry has no schedule so we can not fix dates for this journey, the ferry arrives when it arrives, usually every 3 or 4 days, so we may end up departing Baku earlier or later than originally planned.

DAY 45 – 50, TURKMENISTAN

From the port of Turkmenbashi we head east and spend our first night at Kow Ata where you can bathe in the warm waters of an underground lake.

Close by and worth a visit is Geok-Depe, site of the Turkmen’s last stand against the Russians, and today home to the futuristic Saparmurat Hajji Mosque which also contains the mausoleum of the eccentric ex-president Niyazov.

We continue to the capital city Ashgabat where it seems the current president is using the country’s wealth to build an entire city out of white marble – you have to see it to believe it! Bring your sunglasses as exploring the city’s monuments and palaces is a brilliant experience.

Heading north into the blistering heat of the Karakum (black sand) desert we camp in the dunes and have the opportunity to take a 2 hour walk to the unusual Darvaza Gas Craters. More commonly referred to as the ‘Gates of Hell’ this burning crater makes for a surreal desert experience and is best viewed at night.

Leaving the harsh desert behind our last stop is at Konye-Urgench, beautiful ancient ruins that were once the centre of the Islamic world.

DAY 51 – 59, UZBEKISTAN

The perfectly preserved world heritage town of Khiva is our first stop here where we have time to explore the blue-tiled Mosques, ancient mausoleums, glorious palaces, sky-high minarets and thriving bazaars that make this town a firm favourite.

We continue to Bukhara, Central Asia’s holiest city where it is possible to get a glimpse into the past by viewing the architectural preserve of the royal fortress and vast market complex.

Our journey now takes us through the Kyzylkum (red sand) desert where we have a chance of spotting the Uzbek nomads before arriving at the Silk Route city of Samarkand. This city of domes and minarets has some fantastic attractions including the beautiful Registan, Guri Amir Mausoleum and Bibi-Khanym Mosque.

DAY 60 – 69, TAJIKISTAN

Our first couple of days in this mountainous country are spent at the beautiful lake Iskandar Kul where you have the chance to enjoy some of Central Asia’s most beautiful scenery.

With a cool backdrop of mountains, lazy tree-lined avenues and pastel-hued neoclassical buildings, we move on to Dushanbe, Central Asia’s best-looking capital.

Our journey east now takes us to an area that has been off-limits to travellers until recently – the Pamir Highway. Regarded as one of the world’s most scenic drives we now wind our way along this extremely remote high-altitude road and take in the mountain scenery of a region populated by yurts and yaks and studded with deep-blue lakes. 

DAY 70 – 79, KYRGYZSTAN

This is a land of magnificent mountains and ice-blue lakes and we spend our first couple of days making our way through fantastic scenery and camping in the valleys.

A winding dirt track takes us up to the alpine lake Song-Kol where we get our first experience of staying in a yurt with a nomadic tribe who set up camp here every summer on the green pastures surrounding the lake. Horse riding, hiking and fishing are popular activities in this remote area.

We now head for the beautiful lake Issyk-Kol, the world’s second largest alpine lake. Working our way around the lake we spend a couple of days at Jeti Oguz where you have the option of trekking into the lush surrounding mountains to explore the area’s natural beauty.

Bizarre Bishkek is the capital where you can sing Karaoke at a street stall, beat yourself with a birch branch at the local baths and do vodka shots at the expats bar.

DAY 80 – 83, KAZAKHSTAN

Our first day here is spent visiting bronze-age petroglyphs in a lushly vegetated canyon at Tamgaly.

Our next stop is the economic hub of the country – Almaty, a modern city with great museums and wonderful restaurants, but should you wish to escape the rat-race then take the popular cable-car up to the top of a nearby hill for a fantastic view over the region.

The desert terrain of eastern Kazakhstan opens up into the beautiful fairy-tale rock formations of the Charyn Canyon National Park and it is here we spend our last day enjoying nature and taking advantage of the canyon hiking and rafting options on offer.

DAY 84 – 116, CHINA

We enter China via a remote western border and spend our first few days camping on the fringes of the Taklamakan and Gobi Deserts studded with the odd emerald lake.

Officially the hottest place in China, the oasis town of Turpan is a welcome break where you have the chance to visit a traditional Uyghur Village as well as the crumbling remains of the ancient city Jiaohe.

In Dunhuang we find the amazing Buddhist caves of Mogao where a few hours can be enjoyed marveling at hundreds of giant statues of Buddha, vibrant murals and multi-tiered temples.

We continue into the Gobi Desert where you will have the option to visit the western end of the Great Wall in Jiayuguan as well as a few other natural sites such as the fabulous Rainbow Mountains.

At Bingling Si we discover a series of Buddhist sculptures carved into caves within a canyon along the Yellow River where a precarious wooden walkway allows you to get close to some of the hidden cliff-face caves and the giant Maitreya Buddha.

In Tianshui we visit the Maiji caves where thousands of statues and frescoes remain within the grotto.

Xian gives you the opportunity to visit the famous Terracotta Warriors and see the archaeologists at work uncovering new finds.

We continue to the well-preserved ancient walled city of Pingyao where we spend a day exploring the atmospheric cobbled streets of this typically Chinese town.

On our way to Beijing we visit the iconic Great Wall of China before spending a couple of days in the capital exploring Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the amazing museums.

Please note: from Beijing we say goodbye to our Madventure expedition vehicle and we will be continuing to Sydney via local trains, buses, boats and ferries.

The high speed bullet train now takes us on an 300 KPH journey south to the modern city of Shanghai where we spend a couple of days marvelling at this high-rise metropolis.

We continue to Chengdu where you have the opportunity to visit the Giant Panda Bear Breeding Research Center and get up close and personal with these adorable creatures.

In Kunming you have time to kick back and soak up the Chinese culture or visit nearby attractions such as the Petrified Stone Forest.

DAY 117 – 127, LAOS

Crossing into Laos we visit the extremely relaxed town of Luang Namtha for our first taste of this beautiful country.

From Nong Khiaw you then have the option to take boat trip through spectacular mountain scenery down to Luang Prabang, an architectural wonder full of temples and tradition as well as wonderful markets.

Vang Vieng is our next stop and is a vibey little town set amongst awesome natural beauty. Outdoor activities abound with caving, climbing, kayaking and tubing being popular outings.

The capital of Vientiane is a pleasant destination where we have a couple of days to visit the country’s more modern side.

From the town of Savannahket we now take a bumpy bus ride through limestone mountains to reach Vietnam.

DAY 128 – 140, VIETNAM

Our first stop in Vietnam is the old capital, Hue, home to the splendid tombs of the Nguyen Emporers as well as beautiful pagodas and the remains of the old citadel.

The picturesque river town of Hoi An is well worth exploring with it’s amazing Vietnamese architecture and nearby villages specialising in pottery and wood-carvings. The cuisine here is excellent.

Further south we encounter the emerald waters and unspoiled beaches around Nha Trang and Mui Ne, perfect for spending the days sunbathing and the evenings out partying!

Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) has many highlights but the War Remnants Museum is surely the most sobering. Get a guide and learn all about the atrocities committed during the futile Vietnam war. The Reunification Palace and Notre-Dame Cathedral are also worth a visit and the Mekong Delta day tour is highly recommended.

From HCMC it is also possible to take a trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an area with an elaborate underground network that housed thousands during the war.

DAY 141 – 146, CAMBODIA

Phnom Penh is a compact little town spectacularly located on the confluence of three rivers. The Royal Palaces and Silver Pagoda are great day outings, and the sobering ‘Killing Fields’ and Tuol Sleng Museum are a stark reminder of this country’s recent history under the brutal regime of Pol Pot.

Next stop is one of the most inspiring sites in the world – Angkor Wat. These temples are monumental constructions, the largest religious buildings in the world. The intricacy of the carvings is incredible and the site is well worth 2 days exploration.

DAY 147 – 155, THAILAND

Bangkok has its fair share of Palaces and Pagodas but it is surely most infamous for its sex shows and lady-boys, so expect the unexpected! From Bangkok you also have the opportunity to visit the ‘Bridge on the River Kwai’ on a day tour and get a good insight into what really happened here during the war.

Further south we catch a ferry over to the tropical island of Ko Samui. Here you can either put your feet up for a few days or you have the option of easily visiting the smaller islands of Ko Pha-Ngan and Ko Tao. The islands have some of the world’s finest beaches and the numerous great dive spots will take you into a vibrant underwater paradise filled with exotic fish and coral gardens.

DAY 156 – 163, MALAYSIA & SINGAPORE

Georgetown has a rich history and is a great introduction to this wonderfully diverse country. Visit the Fatt Tze Mansion and Kapitan Keling Mosque, and then sample some of the unique Malaysian street food on offer.

Next we visit the futuristic city of Kuala Lumpur with the Islamic-style Petronas Towers dominating the city’s skyline. Chinatown market is a remnant of the past and contrasts the initial feel of the place. You will even find a British colonial atmosphere lingering amongst some of the architecture and some interesting museums hold the city’s history within their doors.

Further south we visit the port town of Melaka where we have the time to visit the maritime museums and discover what the place was like 400 years ago when it was an important stop on the spice route.

Singapore is our last stop on the Asian continent and is a distinctly clean and modern island. With an abundance of fine dining options and shopping malls this is the place to treat yourself before flying to Indonesia.

From Singapore you now fly to Yogyakarta. Flights are not included in the expedition price so budget approximately £60 for this flight.

DAY 164 – 169, INDONESIA

We fly into Yogyakarta on the island of Java, an artistic town where you can explore the monument of Borobudur, a gem in this area.

An overnight bus and a short ferry ride sees us arrive in Bali, a small island famous for its beautiful beaches and bountiful nightlife, a wonderful last taste of Asia before we head to Australia.

From Bali you now fly to Darwin. Flights are not included in the expedition price so budget approximately £100 for this flight.

DAY 170 – 183, AUSTRALIA

Darwin in the Northern Territory is a small town with some great pubs and is a good introduction to Australia before we head off to the outback.

Kakadu National Park is close by and is a marvel of wildlife and aboriginal rock art. The park is great for walking with a variety of landscapes and it is probably here that we get to see our first kangaroo. The jumping crocodile tour will get you up close and personal with some of Australia’s most feared residents – saltwater crocs!

Katherine gorge is also a beautiful sight where 13 gorges are separated by rapids offering great boat trips through fantastic scenery.

On our route south we have a chance to wet our whistles at NT’s oldest bar, the Daly Waters Pub. This is a real Aussie outback hangout where you are bound to bump into a character or two.

Our desert journey south is broken up by the Devils Marbles, huge boulders naturally formed and piled up in the middle of nowhere.

Basing ourselves in Alice Springs you now have the option to visit Australia’s icon – Uluru (Ayers Rock). As  the world’s biggest monolith, Uluru is an awesome spectacle, as are the nearby smaller collection of red rocks known as the Olgas.

Further south we visit the small opal mining town of Coober Pedy where a day’s outing will take you underground and show you the old prospectors way of life and a visit to the Kangaroo Rescue Sanctuary will ensure you get a feel for these amazing marsupials.

We continue into the Blue Mountains and camp near the quaint town of Katoomba where you get to explore the areas fantastic scenery by means of the world’s steepest railway, gondolas over gorges and bush-walks.

Arriving in Sydney the Opera House, Harbor Bridge and Bondi Beach make this a great end to an unforgettable expedition – LONDON TO SYDNEY OVERLAND!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Booking & payment.

How to Book

To make a booking please fill in our online booking form and then pay a £300 deposit by direct transfer or Paypal, or call us to pay using your credit or debit card over the phone. Once we receive your online booking form and deposit we will confirm your booking by email and send you all relevant information necessary for your expedition preparations.

Expedition Payment

The Expedition Payment of £6732 is the main bulk payment for your expedition and is payable in the U.K. in GBP (£ Sterling). In order to reserve a place on this expedition you must pay £300 as a deposit. Eight months prior to departure a further payment of £3000 must be paid to secure your booking. The final balance of your Expedition Payment £3432 must then be paid in full at least four months prior to the expedition start date. If you book between 4 to 8 months prior to the departure date a deposit of £3300 should be paid upon booking. If you book within 4 months of the departure date the full Expedition Payment of £6732 should be paid upon booking.

The Expedition Payment can be paid by direct bank transfer, Paypal or credit/debit card

Bank Details for Direct Transfers

NOTE: Please use your full name as a reference when paying by direct transfer.

Account name: Madventure Ltd.

Sort code: 400810

Account number: 91618415

IBAN : GB14HBUK40081091618415

Swift/Bank BIC: HBUKGB4B

Branch BIC: HBUKGB4116A

Bank address: HSBC Bank, 6 High Street, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 5AZ, United Kingdom

Paypal account name: [email protected]

Local Payment

This is a cash payment of USD $3500 that must be paid to your expedition leader at the beginning of your trip and will be used to pay for all expenses while you are on the road.

Please bear in mind that this is not a kitty and is not refundable. The local payment is simply a way for us to get cash to the expedition leaders so they can run the trip.

Please bring your local payment in new unmarked $100 bills if possible.

Although all local payment amounts are advertised in USD you may be asked to bring the equivalent amount in either Euros or GBP.

WHAT’S INCLUDED & WHAT’S NOT

We realise that not everyone is going to visit every site or partake in every activity along the way so we have left most of these activities as optional and therefore kept the expedition payment to a minimum.

• Services of your expedition leader/driver
• Use of our own custom-built expedition vehicle and equipment
• Diesel, mechanics, shipping and any other costs relating to the vehicle
• Ferry tickets (when travelling as a group)
• An average of 2 meals a day while camping (usually breakfast and the evening meal)
• All accommodation costs (approx. 35% camping, 65% hotels/guest-houses/hostels)
• National Park entry fees when we enter as a group with our vehicle
• Local transportation costs from Beijing to Sydney

Not Included

• Personal travel insurance
• Personal spending money (£100 – £120 per week recommended)
• Visas & Letters of Invitation (approximately £1000 depending on nationality)
• Meals while staying in hotels/guest houses/hostels
• Accommodation upgrades
• Entrance fees to optional sites and parks
• Any optional activities
• Any flights (approximately £160 worth of flights expected)
• Tent, roll mat, sleeping bag & pillow

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS

Below is a list of the most popular optional excursions along with the most recent prices. Prices can of course change and are not controlled in any way by Madventure so please use the list below as an approximate guide only.

Dachau concentration camp, Germany Free

Hangar 7 (Red Bull Museum), Salzburg Free

Mozart’s House, Salzburg £8

Hop-on-hop-off bus tour & Danube River cruise, Budapest £20

Dracula’s Castle, Transylvania £6

Bucharest walking tour Free

Tsarevets Fortress, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria £2

Blue Mosque, Istanbul Free

3 day Istanbul Museums pass £20

Underground Cistern, Istanbul £5

Bosphorus boat cruise, Istanbul £12

Gallipoli museum £4

Gallipoli sites tour Free

Troy Ruins £5

Ephesus Ruins, Selcuk £8

Pamukkale calcium pools £6

Ilhara Valley Walk, Cappadocia £5

Ballooning, Cappadocia £100

Zelve open air museum, Goreme £5

Underground city, Cappadocia £5

Belly-dancing evening, Cappadocia £20

Sumela monastery, Black Sea Coast £5

Gonio Fortress, Batumi £1

Sataplia National park £2

Bagrati Cathedral, Kutaisi Free

Vardzia cave Monastery complex £1

Narikala Fortress, Tbilisi Free

Ananuri Fortress Free

Kazbegi day hike Free

Genocide Museum, Yerevan Free

Erebuni Fortress & Museum, Yerevan £2

Cascade Museum, Yerevan Free

Khor Virap Monastery, Mt. Ararat Free

Haghpat Monastery, Debed Canyon £2

Sheki Caravanserai Free

Khan’s Palace, Sheki £2

Palace of the Shiranshas, Baku £2

Carpet museum, Baku £3

Gobustan petroglyphs, Caspian Sea £3

Mud volcanoes, Caspian Sea Free

Turkmenistan

Saparmurat Hajji Mosque, Ashgabat Free

Hike to Darvaza Gas Crater Free

Jeep to Darvaza Gas Crater £10

Konye Urgench ruins £5

Khiva highlights pass £12

Bukhara walking tour Free

Registan, Samarkand £7

Hike round lake Iskander Kul Free

Pamir Highway Free

Yurt stay, Lake Song Kol Free

Horse riding (per hour), Lake Song Kol £3

Jeti Oghuz hike Free

Tamgaly petroglyphs £10

Cable Car, Almaty £3

Uighur Old Village, Turpan £4

Jiaohe ruins, Turpan £4

Mogao caves, Dunhuang £25

Rainbow mountain day trip £20

West end of Great Wall, Jiayuguan   £6

Bingling Si caves   £5

Terracotta Warriors, Xian   £15

Pingyao city pass   £15

Forbidden City, Beijing   £6

Great Wall, Beijing   £5

Panda bear center, Chengdu £7

Kunming petrified stone forest £20

Slow boat to Luang Prabang £20

Royal Palace Museum, Luang Prabang £2

Tubing, Vang Vieng £10

Kong Lo Cave tour £7

Perfume River Boat Trip, Hue £2

Hue Ancient Citadel £3

Japanese Bridge, Hoi An Free

Vinpearl Island waterpark, Nha Trang £15

Booze cruise, Nha Trang £10

Mui Ne half day tour £6

Kitesurfing (per hour), Mui Ne £40

Mekong Delta day tour, Ho Chi Minh City £10

War Remnants Museum, Ho Chi Minh City £3

Cu Chi Tunnels excursion £15

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21), Phnom Penh £3

Killing Fields, Phnom Penh £4

Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda, Phnom Penh £3

National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh £2

Angkor Wat (One Day/Three Day Pass), Siem Reap £15/40

Grand Palace, Bangkok £5

National museum, Bangkok £3

Bridge On The River Kwai Day Tour £20

Boat dive, Ko Samui £50

Beach dive, Ko Samui £20

4 day PADI dive course, Ko Samui £200

Georgetown walking tour Free

KL viewing tower, Kuala Lumpur £10

Melaka duck tour £15

Singapore Sling at Raffles £10

Singapore Zoo £15

Hop on hop off bus tour £15

Borobudur, Yogyakarta £10

1 day scooter hire, Bali £10

1 day island tour, Bali £20

Learn to surf half day, Bali £30

Jumping crocodiles, Kakadu £20

Katherine Gorge boat cruise £40

Uluru day tour £130

Coober Pedy opal mining tour £10

Katoomba day pass £30

Harbour Bridge climb, Sydney £130

VEHICLES & EQUIPMENT

We will be travelling in a purpose-built Madventure overland vehicle for approximately 50% of the time on this expedition. A standard bus simply wouldn’t be able to tackle many of the roads we travel on. For the other 50% of the time (from Beijing to Sydney) we will be travelling on local buses, boats, trains and ferries, as well as a private bus in Australia.

The overland vehicle we use is a custom-built expedition truck which can accommodate up to 36 people although most of our expeditions travel with approximately 25 people.

Comfort and safety is of course a big factor during expeditions of this length and nature so all our vehicles have high-backed coach seats with safety belts. The seating is on the upper level of the vehicle giving you an almost 360° view of the surrounding scenery.

Our vehicles are designed to allow sufficient luggage storage and are also equipped with lockers to keep all your gear safe.

Our long range diesel and water tanks ensure our self sufficiency in remote areas and the equipment we take with us is also of vital importance. In case of a breakdown we are equipped with a good selection of spare parts as well as a comprehensive tool kit to undertake any necessary repairs on our own as and when we need to.

There may also be times when we get stuck in the sand or mud when travelling off road so all necessary recovery equipment such as sand mats, cables, ropes, shovels and pickaxes are also on board.

We spend a lot of nights around the campfire so we take along good axes and saws for the times when we have to replenish our wood supply.

We usually carry 500 litres of treated drinking water and we are equipped with a good kitchen which includes all cutlery, plates, cups, pots and pans, utensils, gas cooker, BBQ grate, etc.

All our vehicles are equipped with a small fridge which is used for the cook groups food only. For personal food & drinks we have cooler boxes for everyone to use.

Fold up chairs are provided for outdoor seating and we also have a large tarpaulin to keep us dry on those rainy days.

Our vehicles are equipped with USB charging points only so try and bring all of your important electronic devices such as telephone, tablet & head-torch to charge from a USB socket. We do not have a 120V or 240V power supply on the vehicle but you will have the opportunity to charge your 120/240V electronic equipment when we stay at campsites & hotels.

We carry solar showers and a toilet tent with us for those times when we are bush camping without amenities.

We carry a comprehensive first aid kit for emergencies but we do recommend you bring your own for general use.

FOOD & COOKING

Eating well is a very important factor on our expeditions and good food is vital for everyone’s health and well-being so we always strive to prepare healthy, wholesome and plentiful meals.

We will be cooking a lot of meals from our own kitchen on the truck. When we are camping we usually eat breakfast and the evening meal from the truck. For lunch we usually stop at a cheap local restaurant giving you a chance to taste the local fare too. Lunches are at your own expense. When we are staying in hotels/guest houses/hostels (usually in cities) it is often impractical to cook on the truck so we do not provide any meals at these times.

When it comes to shopping and cooking we will divide ourselves up into groups of 3 or 4 people (depending on group size) who will shop for and prepare the day’s meals and clean up at the end. This will work out that you roughly get to cook once a week (depending on numbers).

Fresh food is generally available daily so we try and eat meat and vegetables for every main evening meal. We do also cater for vegetarians but we cannot cater for fussiness. In these group situations everybody must appreciate we cannot cater for individual likes and dislikes.

Don’t worry if you are not a gourmet cook as your crew are also always there to give advice.

Cleanliness plays an important role throughout this expedition and your crew will make sure an acceptable level of general hygiene is maintained throughout your journey to ensure the wellbeing of the group.

ACCOMMODATION

You will spend 35% of your time on this expedition in your tent camping and 65% of your time staying in local hotels, guest houses and hostels.

Quite often we will camp by ourselves out in the bush or in the desert and other times we will use designated campsites with amenities. The majority of our bush camp locations are usually very scenic and we always strive to find the perfect spot on the banks of a river, overlooking a canyon, behind a dune in the desert, etc. but sometimes we just have to camp wherever we can find a spot.

From past experience on expeditions of this length and nature we have found that people prefer to supply their own tents as they are then not forced to share and they can pick a tent that suits their needs. As a general rule, try and choose a good quality lightweight and waterproof free-standing tent that is easy to erect, take down and carry.

When we are not camping (usually in cities) we always try to use decent, clean budget hotels, guest houses and hostels, however, taking into consideration the sometimes unpredictable nature of this expedition and the remoteness of some of the areas we visit, please be aware that in some circumstances we just have to take what we can get – good or bad. When staying in hotels/guest houses/hostels you can expect to share your room with other expedition members of both sexes.

In many of the places we stay there are upgrade options available so should you prefer not to camp or you just want some time alone you can often rent yourself a private room at your own expense.

There is no camping on the Beijing to Sydney section of this tour so you can send your tents home from Beijing if you like.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. Your contract is with Madventure Limited, a company registered in England and Wales (Company No. 6809461) whose office is at 10 Ablett Close, Oxford, OX4 1XH, United Kingdom.

2. A deposit of £300 is payable at the time of booking. The deposit is non-refundable unless Madventure is unable to offer you a place or you cancel within 14 days of the initial booking date. Madventure guarantees not to increase the tour price once the deposit has been received.

3. A booking is made in the name of the client and is not transferable to another person. You are only permitted to transfer your deposit once to a future tour, after that a further £300 non-refundable deposit will be required to book another tour. Please note that you will be affected if you have transferred and there is a price increase as you will have to pay the current tour price at the time that the tour balance payment is due.

4. Eight months prior to departure a further payment must be received to cover 50% of the total tour price in order to secure your booking. This payment is non-refundable unless we can not provide the tour. The final 50% balance of your tour payment must then be paid in full at least four months prior to the tour start date at which time the tour will be confirmed to run. Once the tour is confirmed to run you will not receive any refunds of any monies paid. If the full payment is not received 4 months prior to departure Madventure may deem the booking cancelled and all monies paid will be forfeited. If you book within the 4 to 8 month period prior to departure a non-refundable 50% deposit of the total tour price should be paid upon booking. If you book within the 4 month period prior to departure the full non-refundable 100% tour payment must be paid upon booking.

5.  Cancellation of a booking must be notified in writing and when received by Madventure any monies paid will be forfeited. You acknowledge that payment for the tour is an intrinsic part of the tour’s income and contributes towards the overall costs of equipment, vehicle running costs, staff administration, travel permits, etc. and Madventure will have incurred a large part of its costs before the actual departure date. You will not receive a refund of any amount after the tour has been confirmed to run (which will usually happen no later than 4 months prior to the tour departing). We therefore recommend you take out your travel insurance from the date you make your final tour balance payment, 4 months prior to departure, so you are insured if you have to withdraw off the tour. If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy you may be able to reclaim these charges but it is your sole responsibility to do so and we accept no liability for any acts or omissions of your insurance company.

6. It is unlikely that we will have to make any changes to your tour, but we do plan all tours many months in advance. Occasionally, we may have to make changes and we reserve the right to do so at any time. Most of these changes will be minor and we will advise you of them at the earliest possible date. We also reserve the right in any circumstances to cancel your tour. For example, if the minimum number of clients required for a particular tour is not reached, we may have to cancel it. However, we will not cancel your tour less than 4 months before your departure date (except for reasons of Force Majeure). If we are unable to provide the tour for any reason you can either have a full refund of all monies paid within 14 working days of the tour being cancelled or accept an offer of an alternative tour of comparable standard from us, if available (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value).  In the event of the tour being cancelled prior to departure, all monies paid by you towards the tour cost only will be refunded. In the event of a cancellation Madventure is not responsible for reimbursing equipment, flights, visa costs, vaccinations, medication, etc. purchased by yourself so we therefore recommend you have suitable travel insurance to ensure these types of expenses are covered under the terms of your insurance policy as you may be able to reclaim these charges but it is your sole responsibility to do so and we accept no liability for any acts or omissions of your insurance company.

7. In the unlikely event of a Force Majeure situation that forces us to cancel the tour within 4 months of the planned departure date because of unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, you can either have a full refund of all monies paid within 14 working days of the tour being cancelled or accept an offer of an alternative tour of comparable standard from us, if available (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). In the unlikely event of a Force Majeure situation that forces us to cancel or change the tour while it is underway because of unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control we will not refund you or pay you compensation, so we therefore recommend you have suitable travel insurance as if the reason for the tour cancellation while underway is covered under the terms of your insurance policy you may be able to reclaim these charges but it is your sole responsibility to do so and we accept no liability for any acts or omissions of your insurance company. Force Majeure situations can include, for example, war, riot, industrial dispute, terrorist activity and its consequences, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, epidemics, pandemics, health risks, closed or congested airports, ports or stations, poor local infrastructure, changes imposed by rescheduling or cancellation of transport by the transport supplier such as flights by airlines or main charterer, the alteration of transport or transport types, adverse weather conditions (actual or threatened), avalanche and technical failure with transport, Foreign & Commonwealth Office advice changing and advising against travel to the tour destination.

8. If you choose to leave the tour for any reason on your own accord once the tour is underway you will not receive any compensation from Madventure including any refunds of the tour payment and/or the local payment. We therefore recommend you have suitable travel insurance as if the reason for your departure is covered under the terms of your insurance policy you may be able to reclaim these charges but it is your sole responsibility to do so and we accept no liability for any acts or omissions of your insurance company.

9. We reserve the right at any time prior to the departure date, without prior consultation with yourself, to merge your tour with one or more other tours travelling at the same time. This will not constitute a major change and would usually just mean swapping vehicles.

10. The tour payment and local payment cover transport, accommodation, some related ferry and train tickets, meals and national park entry fees as specified on the website, repair of our expedition vehicle as well as repair and replacement of camping equipment including stools, cooking equipment & utensils.

11. The tour leader has sole responsibility for the local payment. Any local payment monies or stock remaining at the tour end are non-refundable.

12. You undertake to comply with the laws and regulations, whether in respect of health, immigration, currency exchange control, dress or any other matter of all the countries visited during the tour.

13. You undertake to obtain a valid passport and have enough blank pages in the passport for the tour and your specific passport and visa requirements. Immigration requirements are your responsibility and you should confirm these with the relevant embassies and/or consulates. We do not accept any responsibility and shall not be liable if you cannot travel or cannot participate in any part of the tour because you have not complied with any passport, visa or immigration requirements. You are responsible for obtaining and having available the necessary documents (including but not limited to full, current passport with enough blank pages to complete the trip and valid for at least 9 months from the last day of the tour and visas for all periods, countries and territories within the tour) enabling you to participate in the tour and shall comply with all local legislation and regulations of the countries in which the tour takes place (including immigration requirements, customs regulations and currency exchange). You shall indemnify us against any loss or expense that we may incur or suffer as a result of breach of this condition by you.  We cannot guarantee visa prices and availability of visas. Ultimately visas are your own responsibility to obtain.

14. Madventure reserves the right to deviate from the advertised tour route if in their reasonable opinion such deviation is necessary for the safety or well-being of any or any one of the members of the tour or for the satisfactory progress of the tour. In the event of it becoming necessary to fly over a country or countries in order to satisfactorily and safely continue the tour, all costs of your flights will be borne by yourself.

15. Madventure accepts no responsibility for matters arising out of political disputes, border closures, epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters, climate, armed robbery, terrorism, etc. Should it become necessary to abandon a tour because of such an event Madventure will be entitled to retain all monies paid. We therefore recommend you have suitable travel insurance as if the reason for cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy you may be able to reclaim these charges but it is your sole responsibility to do so and we accept no liability for any acts or omissions of your insurance company.

16. You accept that owing to the nature of countries visited, all tours involve an element of personal risk and are of a potentially hazardous and unpredictable nature. In many countries we visit, the basic infrastructure, such as roads, is very poor and therefore less safe than that familiar to people from many western countries. In particular, lack of road markings or warning signs, unmarked speed bumps, seasonal flooding of roads and bridges, local vehicles which are poorly maintained and driven and which are hazardous to other road users etc. are factors beyond the control of Madventure. You accept that in some areas we drive off-road and that this involves personal risk when the expedition vehicle can be negotiating rough terrain. Madventure owns and operates many of its own expedition vehicles and employs its own crew. Where stated, locally arranged transport and crew, including trains, ferries, buses or coaches are used. Where Madventure’s own vehicles and/or crew are not used for the above services, you agree that the obligation of Madventure to yourself is to select normally competent, independent subcontractors to provide the necessary services related to the tour and to exercise reasonable care in selecting such suppliers to provide these. You also accept that you undertake this tour at your own risk and your participation is your own decision and does not form any part of your contract with Madventure. Madventure does not take responsibility for cancellations, unreliability of services or safety of operators, agents or contractors.

17. You accept that local emergency facilities are usually of a very limited nature. Hospitals outside of large cities often have no accident and emergency facilities and emergency transport facilities can be non-existent.

18. If you have a problem during your trip please inform the tour leader immediately who will endeavour to put things right. If your complaint is not resolved locally please follow this up by emailing or writing to our office giving all other relevant information and, where possible, evidence. We must receive any such complaint no later than 28 days from the date of completion of your tour in order to take appropriate action. Please keep your letter concise and to the point. This will assist us to quickly identify your concerns and speed up our response to you.

19. We do not accept any liability or responsibility for any personal possessions (including but not limited to cameras, jewellery, valuables and money) which is carried on or in our vehicles, carried on public transport or transport supplied by independent subcontractors, left in accommodation provided by us or our suppliers during a trip or left in our care during a tour. Such items are carried and/or left at your own risk.

20. Excursions or other tours that you may choose to book or pay for whilst you are on our tour are not part of your tour arrangements provided by us. For any excursion or other tour that you book your contract will be with the operator of the excursion or tour and not with us. We are not responsible for the provision of the excursion or tour or for anything that happens during the course of its provision by the operator. You accept that the prices quoted for optional activities are approximate as local prices can and do change. Any of the optional activities listed are not necessarily endorsed or recommended by Madventure. You also accept that you undertake any activity at your own risk and your participation is your own decision and does not form any part of your contract with Madventure. Madventure does not take responsibility for cancellations, unreliability of services or safety of operators, agents or contractors.

21. Whilst a tour is in progress you will at all times be expected to act in accordance with all reasonable instructions from us and/or the tour leader. We may exclude you from the tour or any part thereof at any time (including during the tour itself) if we are of the opinion that you are likely to prejudice the good order, discipline or safety of the tour, including as a result of failing to comply with the tour leader’s instructions, breaking any law or regulation of any country where the tour takes place or failing to adhere to the tour code of conduct, provided that we exercise our discretion reasonably in this regard. In such an event you shall reimburse to us any reasonable costs, losses or expenses which we incur or suffer as a result of our decision to exclude you from the tour, and Madventure shall cease to have any responsibility to/for you. No refund will be given for any unused services.

22. By completing the booking form you confirm that you appreciate the risks involved in the tour and that you do not suffer (or have ever suffered) from any pre-existing medical condition that may prevent you from actively participating in the tour other than those that have been declared to us. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are medically fit enough to undertake the tour and to ensure that you have received the necessary vaccinations and medications (and taken them as prescribed by your doctor) relevant to the destination country. Unless informed otherwise in writing we will assume that you are in good health and are not aware of any reason why you may be unsuitable to take part in the tour. We recommend that you consult your doctor before making a booking to ensure that you are medically fit and are fully aware regarding the immunizations and medical issues related to your destination countries. If you have any pre-existing medical condition, illness or disability, are undergoing medical treatment or, since entering into the contract, develop any medical condition, illness or disability or undergo any medical treatment; you will give us full particulars at the earliest opportunity and at the latest sixty (60) days before the departure date. If it is later discovered that a pre-existing condition was not declared within the specified time, and such condition would, if we had knowledge of it, have led to our refusal to accept or to cancel your booking, we reserve the right to withdraw you from the trip without any refund or recompense. In such an event, you shall reimburse to us any reasonable costs, losses or expenses which we incur or suffer as a result. In the event of you being withdrawn from a tour, no refunds will be given and we will not be responsible for (and you agree to indemnify us against) any costs, claims, losses and expenses arising including costs of repatriation, eg. flights and legal expenses. By agreeing to these conditions, you provide your consent to us and our insurers obtaining your medical records should we consider it necessary. You will be responsible for any charges for the provision of the information. We reserve the right to inspect your vaccination book at any time and to withdraw you from the tour in the event that you have not received and/or taken all the requisite inoculations and/or medication. If the information provided by you is incorrect and we discover that the correct information affects your suitability to take part in the tour, we may terminate the contract and withdraw you from the tour without refund or recompense, including during the trip. You agree and acknowledge that certain activities undertaken whilst you are on the tour may be inherently hazardous and have risks associated with them. You agree to abide by all instructions given to you whilst you are on the tour and you acknowledge that we cannot be held responsible for any injuries that may arise as a result of you failing to comply with such instructions.

23. You must be covered by personal travel insurance to undertake any Madventure tour. We recommend you take out a travel insurance policy that covers you fully against the cost of tour cancellation by you or by Force Majeure, medical care and repatriation should you become too ill to continue and above all covers you against the cost of air evacuation should sickness or injury necessitate such a course of action. You should also note that passenger liability insurance covering vehicles, particularly in third world countries, may be inadequate. It is therefore important that your travel insurance cover makes sufficient provision for your dependents in the event of an accident. Please note however that we have no control over the availability or standard of medical and repatriation services and facilities in the areas we visit and these do not form any part of our contract with you. Please remember that many of the areas we visit are not as developed as the UK and the availability and standard of such services may well be lower. Please read your travel insurance policy details carefully and take them with you when you travel. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you purchase is suitable and adequate for your particular needs. We do not check individual insurance policies for suitability.

24. It is understood that on the Madventure tours where we use our own expedition vehicles the sections of the tour that travel through Europe, USA, Canada and Mexico are provided to you free of charge. You will not have to pay any additional fee to travel through Europe, USA, Canada and Mexico with us but it is understood that we do not operate for hire and reward in these areas. We do this purely as a legality in order to operate our specialised overland vehicle in these areas legally.

25. Privacy & Data Protection – we shall ensure that appropriate security measures are in place to protect your personal data (as defined in the European GDPR act 2018 and the UK Data Protection Act 2018) and we do not store our customers financial details. When you make a booking, you do however consent to all the information you provide being passed on to our suppliers, agents, subcontractors, employees or volunteers whether based inside or outside of Europe for the purposes of us providing you with the tour.

26. By agreeing to these terms and conditions you consent (unless otherwise stated on your application form) to our staff taking photographs and or video footage of you during the tour and that these images may be used by us for publicity and training purposes including, but not limited to, brochures, websites, marketing material and in the media.

27. We shall be entitled to novate or assign the contract or any part of it to any third party. You shall not be entitled to assign the contract or any part of it. This contract is made on the terms of these conditions, which are governed by English law, and subject to the provisions of condition you agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts. If any of these conditions is found by any court or other competent authority to be wholly or partly unfair or unenforceable the validity of the rest of the booking conditions and the rest of the condition in question shall not be affected and shall remain valid and enforceable to the extent permitted by law. A reference in these conditions to a statute, convention or regulation shall be as a reference to that statute convention or regulation as amended, re-enacted or extended at the relevant time. The headings in these conditions are for convenience only and shall not affect their interpretation. Where the context otherwise requires, words importing the singular meaning shall include the plural meaning and vice versa and words denoting the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders. Where the context so admits, words denoting persons shall include natural persons, companies, corporations, firms, partnerships, limited liability partnerships, joint trips, trusts, voluntary associations and other incorporated and/or unincorporated bodies or other entities (in each case, whether or not having separate legal personality) and all such words shall be construed interchangeably in that manner.

28. The information given on the website, on social media, in newsletters, in the brochure and other literature supplied is given in good faith but no warranty is given that it is correct.

29. No servant, agent or authorised representative of Madventure has authority to commit Madventure to any liability whatsoever and Madventure will not be bound by any statement or representation unless it is in writing and signed by one of the directors.

30. ABTA – We are members of ABTA, membership no. Y6801. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. We can also offer you ABTA’s scheme for the resolution of disputes which is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. If we can’t resolve your complaint, go to www.abta.com to use ABTA’s simple procedure. Further information on the Code and ABTA’s assistance in resolving disputes can be found on www.abta.com

31. Financial Protection – In accordance with the UK Package Travel & Linked Travel Regulations 2018, Directive (EU) 2015/2302 or the local applicable law in the country of residence of the passenger(s) booking with Madventure Ltd are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all monies received by us, including repatriation costs and arrangements, arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Madventure Ltd.

The respective laws according to the country of residence of the passenger(s) usually only requires us to provide cover for Package & Linked Travel Arrangements, there is no requirement for Financial Protection of day trips or single elements, and none is provided unless the local law requires such. If you have questions on this then please contact Madventure Ltd.

Madventure Ltd has taken out an insurance provided by International Passenger Protection Ltd (IPP) with Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE (LMIE) trading as Liberty Specialty Markets, a member of the Liberty Mutual Insurance Group. LMIE’s registered office: 5-7 rue Leon Laval, L-3372, Leudelange, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Registered Number B232280 (Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés).  LMIE is a European public limited liability company and is supervised by the Commissariat aux Assurances and licensed by the Luxembourg Minister of Finance as an insurance and reinsurance company. This insurance is only valid for passengers who book and pay directly with/to Madventure Ltd.

In the event of our insolvency please make contact as soon as practically possible giving full details of what has happened quoting the name of your Travel Operator:

For UK & Worldwide excluding EU Passengers

IPP Claims at Sedgwick

Telephone: +44 (0) 345 266 1872

Email: [email protected]

or online at http://www.ipplondon.co.uk/claims.asp

For EU Passengers

Telephone: +31 103120666

Email: [email protected]

or online at https://www.ipplondon.co.uk/claims.asp

PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION

Personal budget & travel money.

Personal Budget

We recommend a budget of £100 – £120 per person per week to live comfortably during this expedition. This budget should cover day to day things like lunches, snacks, soft drinks, meals when not camping, the odd few beers, etc.

Budget approximately £1000 for your visas, security clearances and letters of invitation.

We also recommend you put aside £60 for your flight from Singapore to Yogyakarta and £100 for your flight from Bali to Darwin.

Souvenirs are something that can be very cheap or very expensive so if you are going to be buying things like Turkish carpets you should budget for it.

Please also have a look at our Optional Excursions list as you may want to budget for a few of those activities too.

Travel Money

We recommend you bring 1/3 of your money in cash US Dollars and the rest of your money on your Visa or Mastercard credit/debit card.

They generally accept all major currencies for exchange but US Dollars are accepted everywhere.

ATM’s are widely available for you to draw local currency using your Visa or Mastercard credit/debit card except in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan where it is recommended you have US Dollars available for exchange.

To keep your money/credit cards/ipod/camera/laptop safe we recommend you purchase a ‘Pacsafe Travelsafe’ product. They offer various size portable anti-theft bags that can be attached to the vehicle when travelling and also attached to the toilet/bed/closet in your hotel room when off the vehicle.

VISAS & PASSPORTS

Below is general information and recommendations regarding visas and passports. Visas are ultimately your own responsibility to obtain and visa requirements may vary according to your nationality and place of application, so use the information below as a guide only. Madventure is in no way responsible for obtaining your visas or passports.

We recommend you obtain the following visas in your passport before departure – China.

We recommend you obtain the following visas online before departure or during the tour with the assistance of the tour leader – Turkey, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan (including GBAO permit).

All other visas can be obtained en-route.

You can either obtain visas yourself or use the services of a visa agency such as www.thevisamachine.com

Those who are travelling on non-European passports may require additional visas to travel through Europe and Central Asia so please check your requirements with the relevant embassies.

Most nationalities also require Letters of Invitation in order to apply for certain visas such as Turkmenistan and China. We can provide these for you for a fee.

Approximately 3 months prior to departure you will be sent the information required in order to complete your applications and apply for your visas (there are often time restrictions on visas so you can not apply earlier). We recommend that you make your passport available 2 months before departure in order to obtain your visas comfortably.

Budget approximately £1000 for all your visas and letters of invitation.

Please ensure you have 16 free pages in your passport in order to accommodate all the visas and ensure your passport is valid for at least 14 months after your departure date.

You will need approximately 4 passport photos for the duration of the expedition.

VACCINATIONS & MEDICAL

Vaccination requirements are constantly changing so we recommend you seek the latest professional medical advice at least 8 weeks before departure to ensure you allow yourself enough time to obtain all necessary vaccinations. Nomad Travel’s website has up-to-date information on vaccinations, malaria and other general medical advice for all the countries we will be visiting and they also administer vaccinations at their Travel Clinics in various locations within UK.

www.nomadtravel.co.uk

Alternatively speak with your local Health Professionals for current accurate information. You will need to make an appointment with your GP or Travel Clinic and take a list of the countries you are visiting and the approximate dates when you will be there.

Medically Fit & Able

You need to be in good general health for this expedition and be reasonably fit and able. The main concern is that everyone is able to pitch in equally and do their fair share when it comes to group activities like the communal cooking and cleaning up, packing gear in and out of the truck, erecting your own tent, etc. You do not need to be super-fit by any means and all ages are welcome. We always attract a very broad age range on these expeditions, from people in their 20’s through to people in their 70’s.

Please inform us of any medical conditions that you have before departure so that your crew know how to deal with a medical situation if it should arise. All information will be kept confidential unless you request us to inform your fellow travelers. For example, it may be wise to inform fellow travelers if you are allergic to something like bee-stings so they know what to do if you get stung.

First Aid Kit

We carry a comprehensive first aid kit aboard the vehicle but it is recommended that you bring your own basic first aid kit for general use.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is compulsory that every person who travels with Madventure obtain travel insurance for the complete duration of the tour. Proof of travel insurance must be shown before joining a tour.

You may be covered under your credit card’s travel insurance so it might be worth checking with your credit card provider first.

There are various travel insurance companies to choose from and a Google search will bring up a vast selection but for a comprehensive reliable policy that includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation we recommend a London based company named Campbell Irvine, Telephone: +44 20 7938 1734, https://microsite. campbellirvinedirect.com/ madventure/ . They are familiar with what we do so if you mention Madventure and the tour you are travelling on they should be able to provide excellent cover for you.

For people based in North America a company called Allianz offers good cover – Telephone: +1 866 884 3556, www.allianztravelinsurance.com

If you choose to obtain your travel insurance through another company please ensure you read the small-print and make sure your policy includes Covid Cover and Medical Repatriation.

WHAT TO BRING

Tent:  A good quality lightweight and compact waterproof free standing tent is recommended for this expedition. A removable fly-sheet will help you stay cool on hot dry nights. If you are travelling on your own you are restricted to a 1-2 man sized tent. If you are sharing a tent, you are restricted to a 2-3 man sized tent.

Sleeping bag:  Any good quality 2/3 season sleeping bag will be fine but one with a ‘Mummy Hood’ is a good idea for the times that it will be cold. Please make sure that your sleeping bag has a ‘crush bag’ so it can be compacted down.

Sleeping bag liner:  A Thermal Fleece or Silk Liner will bring your sleeping bag up a season when it’s cold and they are good to use on their own when it’s too hot for your sleeping bag.

Roll Mat:  A compact inflatable Thermarest roll mat is recommended. A non-compact mat will not be permitted as they take up too much room.

Pillow:  If you do wish to take a pillow (although most just bring a pillow case and stuff their fleece in it at night) then Thermarest do a good stuff pillow that compacts down small.

Backpack/sports bag/suitcase:  We recommend you carry your luggage in a backpack but irrespective if you prefer a sports bag or a suitcase you are restricted to a maximum 100 liter volume.

Day bag:  You are also permitted to bring a day bag with a maximum 40 liter volume that you can carry in the overhead luggage rack on the back of the truck with you.

Pacsafe:  in order to keep your valuables safe we recommend a Pacsafe product. They make a range of anti-theft bags which vary in sizes and can accommodate your money, credit cards, passport, camera, laptop, etc. They can be attached to the overhead luggage rack on the back of the vehicle when travelling and/or to a fixed item in your hotel.

Headtorch:  an invaluable investment! Check out the Petzl range of USB rechargeable headlamps.

Water purifier – quite a handy thing to have to purify contaminated water and avoid ‘Delhi Belly’. Check out the range of Lifestraw products.

Kindle:  optional but great to keep all your travel guides and books in 1 place.

Ipad/Tablet:  not a necessity but many places have WiFi available these days so having your own Ipad or Tablet will save you hanging around internet cafes.

Smart phone –  not a necessity but very convenient for emailing, taking photos, mapping, and calling home using local sim cards.

Camera:  completely up to you but most people bring one.

Toiletries:  available everywhere but start with some toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss, deodorant, soap and shampoo.

Towel:  a microfiber travel towel is a good option as it dries quickly and packs down small.

First aid kit:  only a basic one is recommended but should include plasters, antiseptic cream, bandage, pain relief tablets, scissors and safety pins.

Passport photos:  You will need approximately 4 passport photos for the duration of the expedition.

Passport:  please ensure you have 16 blank pages in your passport to accommodate all the visas required on this tour.

Yellow Fever vaccination certificate:  an up to date certificate is sometimes required to enter certain countries.

Clothes & shoes:

1 pair of flip flops

1 pair of walking shoes, trainers or boots

4 pairs of socks

4 pairs of undies

4 t-shirts and/or vest tops

2 pairs of zip-off trousers which can be worn long or short

1 swimming trunks/bikini

1 lightweight long sleeve top

1 decent fleece top or fleece jacket

1 beanie/woolly hat for the cold days

1 wet weather jacket

1 light-weight dress/skirt for the ladies

1 collared shirt for the blokes

A pair of thermal gloves

NITTY GRITTY

As our expeditions are not your average run of the mill overland tours we would like to go through every aspect of the trip with you to ensure that you are as informed and prepared as possible. At Madventure we believe in giving you the nitty-gritty details as well as the obvious highlights, as in our opinion these are just as important and we want to explain the expedition in as much detail as possible so you can be sure you are suited and prepared for one of our overland adventures. If after reading this, you decide that this expedition is not for you then, as long as it is within 14 days of your initial booking, you can cancel off the expedition and receive a full refund of your deposit. 

The following may sound a little negative at times, but it’s just so we are secure in the knowledge that we have provided you with as much information as possible, the good and the bad, to ensure everybody is completely aware exactly what type of trips we run for the benefit of you, us and your fellow expedition members as there is nothing worse than getting someone booking on the trip when it is not what they actually wanted or expected as our expeditions are too long and too full on. You need to know what you are in for and be able to handle it!

At times you will be exposed to all the elements, from extreme cold to intense humid heat and high altitude. And, for example, as wonderful as places like Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan are, they do not have a western infrastructure and their acceptable level of hygiene standards are very different to ours.

Mucking In: This is a full participation expedition so you need to be able to participate fully in all aspects of the trip including cooking, cleaning, truck security, carrying water, collecting firewood, digging your vehicle out of bogs and clearing and rebuilding roads – sometimes for several days at a time! (It’s not ‘planned’ to happen but if it does then it’s all hands on deck).

We get everyone to agree that you are medically fit and able and can physically participate fully in all aspects required. Don’t worry, you don’t need any prior experience or knowledge or to be a fitness freak, just to be happy to do your share and have a willingness to get stuck in when necessary.

When things go wrong: The only thing we can guarantee is that at some point things will not go according to plan! We have to follow the legislation of each individual country and they may all have different regulations and attitudes towards us. Generally everyone is always friendly and it’s usually obstacles such as breakdowns, bad roads and natural disasters that have a bearing on the expedition. Everything changes from trip to trip depending on what the current situation or problem is, so it’s not ‘if’ something goes wrong, it’s ‘when’.

Please be prepared to expect the unexpected and accept that things will go wrong from time to time. These instances are usually the stories that remain with everyone so enjoy the experience. An easy-going approach will help the situation immensely. Moaning about every little thing that doesn’t go our way will not!

Attitude & Group Living: A good, easy-going attitude will help you get through this trip and ensure you are liked by your fellow travelers as well as the locals. The one thing that is extremely detrimental to an expedition such as this is your common ‘moaner’. It has nothing to do with age, sex or nationality, it just matters that although they signed up for this ‘in theory’ they can’t cope ‘in practice’ and it’s always got to be someone’s fault. It sounds a bit harsh but by weeding out any moaners early on we can have a chat with them and ensure your expedition is as good as it can be. It’s hard enough at the best of times without in-house problems so by ensuring everyone is on the same page from the get go will start us off in good stead.

We have no age restrictions and if there is one thing we have come to realize, through experience, is that it’s the mental attitude that counts the most and a broader age range is better on a long trip as it stops the stereotyping – the more in the mix the better.

There will be parties and there will be quiet nights. There are no set rules and it always sorts itself out depending on the individual personalities of who’s on board.

Laziness and selfishness will also be spotted early on so we advise everyone to pull their weight. We can guarantee that at some stage during the expedition you will have to just fit in and go with the flow when it’s not what you personally wanted to do. When situations arise where we can’t please everybody we always aim to please the ‘majority of the group’ not the individual.

Please be aware that if any particular person is constantly causing the rest of the group (or the crew) grief due to their behavior they will be warned and then asked to leave the expedition if nothing improves and no refund will be given. This is obviously the most extreme situation but we will not let one or two lazy or selfish individuals spoil it for everybody else. Everybody knows the score from the start and this is for everyone’s benefit. Usually everybody who does our trips has a relaxed approach and everybody gets on very well and any unsuitable people do not last long and leave on their own accord. 

This is a once in a lifetime experience so let’s all enjoy it!

Drive times, routes and proposed itineraries: We are driving half way around the world in a restricted time frame, so yes, there are going to a lot of drive days and some of them will be long. This is where you have to be able to take pleasure in the scenery or a good book from time to time.

As a general rule on a drive day we leave in the morning around 7-8am (after breakfast) and pull up just before dusk in order to set up camp in the daylight, but this really depends on the distance between destinations.

Sometimes it will be a full day’s drive between destinations and you’ll have the following day free. On rare occasions it will be a 3-4 day long drive where you’ll leave early, stop late and bush camp in-between, then have a few free days at your destination. Sometimes it’s only a few hours between locations. Driving is a huge part of the trip so be prepared for a lot of it and expect the odd long drive into the night.

Please note: At times we may placed under military or police escort when travelling through troubled areas. If this occurs then we are at their mercy and they make the decisions with regard to driving hours and routes. We do not argue with those who are trusted to ensure our safety so please be aware that sometimes the pace will be much faster than we would personally choose and the route they pick will be the one we follow, regardless of our proposed itinerary.

Delays: We always strive to arrive at our destinations on time but if we experience any delays we will adjust our itinerary accordingly. If we experience any major delays our end date can be extended to suit our needs.

Our one real exception to the rule is our date to enter China. We will make this date regardless of what we have to miss to get there. The Chinese government is not flexible so we must enter on time as our permits take months to arrange and are not easily changed.

The proposed itinerary is just that, ‘proposed’, and can and will change at the crew’s discretion if need be.

Drugs: In a lot of the countries we travel through drugs such as marijuana and hashish are in abundance and readily available. Please be aware that they are still illegal and some countries hold the Death Penalty as punishment for being caught in possession. Obviously you are free to do whatever you want to do in your own free time but there is NEVER to be any illegal drugs onboard the expedition vehicle at any time.

If you are caught with any kind of illegal drugs on the expedition vehicle, regardless of the amount, you will be asked to leave the expedition immediately and no refund will be given. This is a very serious rule as any inconsideration can lead to the vehicle being impounded, the expedition cancelled and other innocent party’s arrested. We will not hesitate to remove someone if we have to so please respect your other expedition members.

Your Crew: You will normally have a crew of 1 experienced person who fills the role of being the driver/expedition leader. Sometimes our crew prefer to work with a partner so there may occasionally be 2 crew who share the roles of driver and expedition leader. On some expeditions we may also have a cameraman who is there to help market our tours and update our social media accounts.

Your crew member will drive and maintain the vehicle as well as sort out all the accommodation, permits, border crossings and generally ensure the smooth running of the expedition. Your crew member is not a tour guide and will not be giving you the history and facts of every country you travel through. Apart from the odd optional extra that needs to be organized in advance, we leave most of that stuff to you guys, this way ensuring you get to do what you want, at the price you are happy to pay.

You do the reading up on the places we are going to in advance and decide how you want to spend your time and what activities you want to do. Apart from some basic truck rules this is not a trip where we hold your hand, it’s an expedition and we expect that you will want to be as independent as possible when it comes to your free time.

Your crew will be hand-picked and trained by Madventure and will have experience of overland travel but they may or may not have done this expedition before. They will however have detailed notes from previous expeditions and backup from the office in UK.

Tipping:  Tipping the crew at the end of your expedition is always appreciated. As this is a long expedition, but also a budget one, we recommend you tip your driver/expedition leader a minimum of £1 per day if you are happy with their service. Thank you.

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Home » Budget Travel » The ULTIMATE Guide to Overland Travel (2024)

The ULTIMATE Guide to Overland Travel (2024)

It is absolutely without question that my best travel journeys to date have been overland.

Some were on motorbike, others were by way of a cardboard sign on the side of the road, and I have visions of future journeys that involve a big old school bus traversing the lands between Europe and Asia.

Overland travel is inspiring, and it is undoubtedly the best way to hit the road, especially as a backpacker looking to save money and dig deep into countries and cultures. While social media may have you thinking that you need to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a tricked out 4×4 to become an overlander, I’m here to completely dispel that myth.

Sure, van life and Land Rover Defenders are certainly a type of overlanding, but they’re not the end all be all.

Overland travel can be as simple as sticking out your thumb and hitchhiking, or using trains and shared taxis to get from one place to another. But regardless of the rig you choose, I guarantee you the experience of coasting along wide open plains at your own pace, sharing meals of yak yogurt with nomads, and getting to pitch your tent (or park your ride) just about anywhere will be absolutely worth it.

But still, I totally understand that it can all be intimidating. So let’s set the record straight with this ultimate guide to overland travel – where you’ll see that this is very much a “do as you like” adventure.

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What is Overland Travel?

While you most likely already know the literal definition – traveling by land AKA avoiding flights – there’s a lot more to overland travel than just what’s in the name.

Overland travel – whether it be by foot, by bicycle, by rail, by van or whatever method you choose – is an art in and of itself. Closely intertwined with my other favorite form of budget backpacking – slow travel – overlanding allows you to get to know the places you visit far more deeply than a bunch of flights ever could.

Overlanding is TRULY where the journey matters even more than even the destinations themselves. It’s what gave me some of the best moments of my life, something I know virtually all of my favorite adventurers would agree on when reflecting upon their own journeys. 

And once you get started, I promise you you’ll only want to dig deeper and deeper into what it means to become an overlander…

Why YOU Should Overland

Before we REALLY get into this, I want to make something clear.

Overland travel doesn’t HAVE to be an odyssey. While it is for many travellers – like my journey from the UK to Papua New Guinea – you can travel overland without crossing a single international border.

The thing is, there are no rules to this type of travel. There’s no right or wrong way to become an overlander. You don’t need a tricked-out Land Rover Defender, you don’t need a van, you don’t need a bicycle. Hell, plenty of inspiring adventurers have embarked on incredible journeys with nothing but their backpack, a sign, and a stuck-up thumb.

So that, my friends, is one of the reasons WHY you should try overland travel: it’s truly for everyone and anyone.

But beyond that, in all my years on the road, it’s this type of travel that’s kept me addicted to life on the road. It’s absolutely not the most comfortable, but it will teach you the most about the world, and about yourself too. 

Overland travel will push you to your limits, and really make you work for each and every view and experience you attain.

For some – like cyclists – that work may be physical. For others, it may be mental: such as moving past introverted tendencies to get around by hitchhiking or dealing with driving in brand-new countries with insane motorists.

It allows you to experience life on the ground to the fullest: minute by minute, mile by mile.

Ways to Travel Overland

This is no one-size-fits-all all method of travel, as there are so many ways to overland. I’ve even seen people do it completely by foot or on something as crazy as a unicycle.

But the following are the most common, and popular, ways to get around on the ground: 

While I am not a cycling fan myself, those who have done it have nothing but incredible things to say about bikepacking – which is essentially overlanding with a bicycle strapped with a whole lot of stuff. Travelling by bicycle gives you the chance to slow down and see more than virtually any other way of overlanding.

For one your speed (most cyclists don’t do more than 70km per day, depending on the terrain) will allow you to take in just about every village and turn – you’ll get to camp in places far off the tourist trail and meet an incredible lot of locals.

But moreover, cycling is as simple as it is cheap: you don’t need to worry about fuel or engine oil, it’s significantly easier to repair issues, and spare parts don’t tend to weigh that much. It’s also a hell of an accomplishment: unlike all the other forms of overland travel aside from walking, you’ll be physically putting in work every single day.

By Motorbike

As much as I love hitchhiking, traveling by motorbike truly ignites a passion that I have rarely found in other methods of exploring. The feeling of crisp mountain wind on my face as I coast through surreal scenery is one that just doesn’t get old, and it’s certainly something I’d like to try out for longer periods.

The one thing to keep in mind though is that start-up costs will not be cheap. Good bikes that can actually make it across continents are not cheap, and you’ll also need to buy extra tires, tons of fluids, and other parts that likely will not be available in the places you intend to ride.

But still: it’s worth it. You get the benefits of cycling without the intense struggle, and you’ll be able to maneuver in places where cars cannot. You’ll be able to carry a lot more than a bicycle could, and it will still be cheaper than any van or 4×4.

By Van/Your Own Vehicle

Perhaps the most OG form of overland travel is with your own car: whether it be a van, a 4×4 or an old ambulance, I’ve seen adventurous souls carving their own paths in virtually every type of rig you could imagine.

With the popularity of vanlife these days, I’m sure you’ve thought about or at least heard about this craze. I mean, the upsides are many. Your home is with you at all times, you can carry so much more stuff, and you can design your ride exactly as you like. For many, the process of building their house on wheels is just as special as the trip itself.

But there are negatives too: many countries require a carnet de passage that often requires a hefty deposit, repairs can be super expensive, and it’s a whole lot of responsibility. But if you’re determined to make it happen, this is undoubtedly the most comfortable and adventurous way to travel overland, as you can go just about anywhere and won’t be as limited by weather.

By Hitchhiking

My overland hitching journey from UK to Papua New Guinea may not have been completed, but it certainly brought me some incredible (and life-changing) travel memories that I’ll hold on to forever.

Exploring overland by way of the thumb is not for the faint of heart, or for those lacking patience. But it will bring you closer to strangers and teach you more about the world than any other type of travel. When you’re in a vehicle of any kind (even a bicycle) it somewhat separates you from locals: you’re self-sufficient, right?

But when you’re relying on the kindness of random folks to help you see the world, it opens up doors you didn’t even know were in sight. It leads to unexpected family dinners in local homes, to long chats alongside crackling fires, and to hours spent in random places you would have never visited otherwise. Hitchhiking will change you for the better if you let it, and all you need to get started is a smile, a sign and a stuck-up thumb.

Overland Travel Tips

My top travel tips for making your adventure as smooth as it can be…

1. Do your visa research 

While most Westerners are privileged to be able to enter many countries without a visa, you can’t just roll up everywhere. Places like Pakistan, Vietnam, India, and Azerbaijan still require e-visas in advance, and China (often a pain for a lot of overlanders) has a set of very specific rules that usually requires applying for a sticker visa from your home country.

Make sure you read up on every destination you plan to overland through to ensure you don’t find yourself caught out in no man’s land. Sometimes visa rules can change abruptly too, so it’s key to stay on top of them.

2. Bring a LOT of Spare Parts 

I cannot stress this enough: if you’re travelling by way of ANY vehicle, it is absolutely essential that you have a good amount of spare parts in tow. Many of the best places to overland are NOT known for their equipment, which means you could potentially be caught out far, far away from civilization.

Spruce up your rig before heading out into super remote areas, and prepare for the unplanned. It’s far better to be a bit overloaded but have everything you need for a mishap than to travel light and become stranded.

3. Don’t forget the little things

You won’t realize how much you need a laundry bag, an eye mask or a good headlamp until you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere with none of the above to be found.

For little things like these, it’s definitely worth it to double up on your supply. You never know when something can get lost or break on the road. 

4. Bring a first aid kit 

Whether you’re walking, cycling, or traveling in a jacked-out 4×4, the need for a first aid kit remains. You never know when you might need it, but when that time comes, you’ll be incredibly happy you added it to your packing list.

While these honestly aren’t that cheap these days, it’s worth it to splurge on a large, well-stocked one that will actually last you a decent amount of time. If you have any favorite OTC medicines, I highly recommend hoarding them before you head out: pharmacies out in the wild leave much to be desired. 

5. Go slow 

The art of slow travel goes hand in hand with overlanding, but sometimes it can be easy to fixate on the destination rather than the journey.

But unless you have a hard deadline to meet, take it easy out there. The whole point of overlanding is to experience the route, not just each individual destination.

Take some rest days where you do nothing but take it all in. Perhaps dive into some journaling, or park yourself at a nice lake or even a beach. The road has infinite pleasures to indulge in. 

6. Download Maps in Advance

Even if you’re well prepared with a local SIM card, there will undoubtedly be places without service somewhere along your journey.

Unless you have a paper map like the kind I used to travel with back in the day, get all your necessary navigation downloaded and ready for use when you find yourself with a solid data or Wi-Fi connection.

7. Use Google Translate or Dictionaries 

While English speakers are pretty privileged in that we can get by in most of the world, most does not mean everywhere. Take Central Asia for example where Russian rules – you’re going to need some assistance.

While learning a bit of the language in advance is certainly helpful, Google Translate’s offline abilities have truly saved me many times, and it’s a free app you should definitely download. The old-school dictionary method is useful too, especially if you plan to spend time in one place or region for a while. 

Overland Travel Packing List

While your specific adventure packing list may look different depending on your method of overlanding, these are a few universal expedition items that anyone will need on the road.

Osprey Aether 70

• Features: Stow-On-The-Go™ trekking pole attachment >
• > External hydration sleeve in backpanel
• > New IsoForm? CM™ hipbelt

ORIA Combination Lock

• Features: 2 pack : set includes 2 zinc alloy 4-digit re-settable combination travel locks >
• > Offers 10,000 combinations
• > Small volume, light weight, fit through the holes of a lot of suitcases

World Travel Adapter

• Features: Input socket: Euro, USA / Japan, Australia / China, United Kingdom (UK version not in Switzerland) >
• > Retractable plugs: Euro, UK, USA / Japan, Australia / China
• > Charge a laptop and two usb devices at once

• Features: Higher resolution display (300 ppi) – with twice as many pixels >
• > Built-in adjustable light – read day and night
• > A single battery charge lasts weeks, not hours

MacBook Pro

• Features: 2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz >
• > 8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory
• > 128GB SSD storage

Where to Start Overland Travel

You can certainly overland anywhere: from somewhere as simple your home state/province to any country that calls to you, but overall I’d say these are the best places for a truly epic overland travel journey.

Central Asia

The 5 Stans are some of the most adventurous places left on this planet, and they’re home to some of the most mesmerizing roads at that. As of 2023, it’s easy for Western passport holders to travel through all of them (save Turkmenistan), and each one (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan) has something incredible to offer.

Public transport is also expensive and lacking in most of these locales, which makes overlanding that much more valuable.

All four Stans are all interconnected, safe, and essentially a big old playground for overlanders. Do not underestimate the size of this region though: I’d recommend blocking out at least 3 months to get a real feel for what it has to offer.

South/Southeast Asia

Ah, South and Southeast Asia . Home to some of my favourite countries in the world that have made the most indelible marks on my travels and my life.

India, Pakistan, Nepal and the infamous Banana Pancake trail (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam) are perfect places to give overland exploring a try.

Public transport is widespread, and you’ll get a feel for what it’s like to cross borders. But of course, having your own vehicle will make things even more accessible and give you access to rural areas most do not get to see.

When I rode a rickshaw around India , I found myself incredibly off trail in places that had never even seen foreigners before.

Every year, thousands of Europeans head East to Asia in their own cycles, 4x4s or by way of hitchhiking. And while the journey from Europe to Asia is absolutely epic, you can also opt to travel within the continent too.

With so many countries to check out, it may be the easiest (though certainly not the cheapest) place in the world to overland. Border crossings are simple, and so many countries are interconnected, that it’s a breeze to spend months moving about.

For Brits, Americans and other non-EU nationals, it’s key to be aware of the 90-day visa rule within the European Union. Luckily, there are some fantastic countries out East that you can visit once your time is up.

Many van lifers take to the wide open roads of the United States , with 49 to choose from (discounting Hawaii) and the ability to head north into Canada, I can see why this massive country has become so popular in the world of overland adventuring.

Personally, the USA is not at the top of my bucket list for many reasons, but if you’re already living there and want to get a feel for overland travel, incredible landscapes and opportunities await. Just note that public transportation and hitchhiking are definitely not recommended, as the former barely exists and the latter is not safe .

So van lifers, this is your time to shine. I know many folks who have fixed up relatively cheap vans and set out to see virtually all the states in the Union. If you have limited time or money, definitely focus your energy on the West Coast . That’s where you’ll find all the national parks and the scenery that makes the country worth exploring.

Getting Insured BEFORE Hitting the Road

Regardless of where or how you plan to overland, you should definitely sort some solid travel insurance before leaving home.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Final Thoughts on Overland Travel

I hope I’ve now convinced you that your next trip should be an overland one. Ditching flights and committing to crossing borders and provinces on your own wheels (or by way of hitchhiking) will take your travels to entirely new heights.

You’ll have experiences that aren’t possible if you’re jetting about between places, and you’ll get to know each country and region like never before.

With so many ways to make it happen, from cycling to van life to even public buses, overland travel is something that is truly for everyone and anyone.

So what are you waiting for – get to planning and get the hell out there.

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Will Hatton

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Will is a freaking trooper!!! I retained great advises from this articles like: Little things we dont think about, hoard your otc in advances, travel by train, buses, mini vans, bike, download your map is a great one when you out of wifi!! Visas if we go to china or india, google translate a must have and to talk t locals and meet people on the journey, enjoy the journey more than the destination, and to buy a kindle to read if no internet, i myself always have been wanted to explore asia and reading this give me ideas on how to get there cheaper and to see the best of all places.

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What to expect on an Australian overland adventure

Got a craving for wide open spaces, blockbuster beaches, out-of-the-way campsites and nights sleeping under the stars? An overland adventure through Australia offers all this plus kangaroos, emus, rock formations, outback larrikins, bush pubs and a fair few insects that are best left to their own devices.

But what will an overland journey through Australia be like?

Take a seat around the virtual campfire and read on to find out what to expect when on an overland trip through Australia’s heartland.

Sleeping under the stars will be your new normal

Photo captured by Damien Raggatt

Most of us are accustomed to living in big cities where we move from artificially lit offices, through well-lit streets, to our homes where we spend time in front of screens before collapsing into bed. Sometimes with one hand still attached to a screen until our alarm wakes us up with an unceremonious, robotic beep beep beepitity beep.

On an overland adventure through Australia, your new normal will be sitting down to a campfire as the sun sets, sleeping under the stars and waking up to bird calls. But you won’t be sleeping under any ordinary stars. With minimal light and air pollution, the outback sky offers unfiltered, unabated, unbelievable star viewing opportunities.

As a nice bonus, a night sleeping under the stars could ease your jetlag. With some studies suggesting that doing so can help to reset your body clock.

You’ll learn a new vocabulary

Photo captured by Sally Johnson

Just because you speak English, doesn’t mean you’ll be able to converse freely with every local in Australia. More than 120 different Indigenous languages are spoken in Australia, so on your trip you’ll probably meet many multilingual locals who switch between English and their indigenous tongue. Of course, you’re not expected to be fluent in Gundjeihmi or Yawuru,  but it’s a good idea to give a few words a go (even if you botch the pronunciation).

The other vocabulary you’ll have to get your head around is Aussie slang. A ‘dunny’ is a toilet, a ‘frothie’ is a beer, a ‘furphy’ is a tall story, a ‘bush telly’ is a campfire and the word ‘deadly’ means awesome in indigenous culture.

While it may all seem foreign and indecipherable to you in the beginning, it won’t take long before you start telling furphies while drinking frothies in front of the bush telly.

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You’ll tackle tough terrain

Photo captured by Karen Catchpole

It’s possible to drive around entire nations on nothing more than smooth, sealed bitumen. Australia is not one of those places. And that’s what makes it one of the best overland experiences on the planet.

Travelling overland in Australia, you’ll transition from sealed highways to rough gravel tracks, red dirt roads, and bush tracks only accessible by 4WD (or foot). It will get bumpy. Dust and dirt will fly. It will be amazing.

Some days will require long drives because you can’t rush when negotiating the tricky terrain. These days will give you an opportunity to take in the epic scenery while listening to some true-blue tunes (AC/DC, Yothu Yindi and Midnight Oil are all recommended, but if you need to crank some Kylie then so be it).

GO NOW: ROAD-TRIP FROM PERTH TO BROOME ON THIS RUGGED 10-DAY TRIP

You’ll encounter many things with wings

Photo captured by Johan Rentmeesters

Ever wonder why anyone would wear a wide-brimmed hat adorned with corks hanging on strings? Not worn as a fashion statement, cork hats help ward off the notoriously large number of flies living in Australia.

While 30,000 different species of fly can be found in Australia, bush flies and blowflies are the ones that tend to love human company the most. From conglomerating at picnics and barbeques to attaching themselves to the sweaty backs of locals. Flies are ever-present in the Australian outback.

It could be argued that you haven’t really experienced Australia until you’ve accidentally swallowed a fly while biting into a meat pie. And even though fly numbers fluctuate with the seasons, it’s safe to say that by the end of your trip, you’ll have mastered the ‘Bush Salute’ (a reactionary swatting hand movement that has little-to-no impact on fly behaviour).

RELATED: 7 WILDLIFE EXPERIENCES YOU CAN ONLY HAVE IN SOUTHERN AUSTRALIA

Thankfully, you’ll also see many other creatures of the winged variety. Fruit bats in Darwin, black cockatoos in Perth, blue-winged kookaburras in Broome, colourful finches at Lake Argyle and hooded parrots in Katherine. These vibrant (and often incredibly loud) birds that aren’t found in the wild anywhere else in the world will become your constant companions.

Oh, and if you hear an eerie screeching sound in the middle of the night, don’t be alarmed. It’s just the bush-stone curlew, whose unforgettable call sounds not unlike a woman screaming.

GO NOW: JOURNEY FROM ADELAIDE TO ALICE SPRINGS ON THIS 7-DAY OVERLAND ESCAPE

You’ll disconnect, then reconnect

Photo captured by Patrick O’Neill

Unlike many other countries, there are vast tracts of Australia where phone coverage and Wi-Fi signal aren’t available. But don’t panic, there’s always the bush telly (see above) to keep you entertained.

In the beginning, you might catch yourself reflexively scrolling through Instagram or logging into Facebook to find you’ve got no access. Soon enough, your reliance on being connected will start to wane as your connection with the group and the land grows. By the end of the trip, lurking on the internet will be the last thing on your mind.

Of course, there’s always landlines and satellite phones for emergency situations. But otherwise, an overland journey through Australia offers the rare chance to disconnect, then reconnect on an entirely new level.

RELATED: WHY TRAVELLING AUSTRALIA TAUGHT ME HOW SMALL WE REALLY ARE

Want a slice of the action? Explore your overland tour options here .

Feeling inspired?

I'm a travel writer with an unhealthy interest in weird, morbid and strange things. For me, a trip to LA is about visits to the Museum of Death, the Church of Scientology Celebrity Center and Charles Manson-related places of interest - not chilling on Santa Monica Beach. When I'm on the road, I'm the one that has to stop at the burned down church, the abandoned school house and the creepy cemetery. Which is probably why I travel solo so often.

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When can I travel to Australia from the UK? Covid rules for every state and territory as border reopens

Australia is to open its borders to fully vaccinated visitors from 21 february but holidaymakers will have to self-isolate upon arrival in most states and territories.

Australia is to open its borders to fully vaccinated visitors from 21 February but holidaymakers will be required to self-isolate upon arrival in most states and territories.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement on Monday, nearly two years after Australia imposed some of the world’s toughest travel restrictions which prevented Australian citizens from returning home.

At a press conference in the Australian capital of Canberra Mr Morrison said: “I know the tourism industry will be looking forward to that, and over the next two weeks they’ll get the opportunity both for visitors to be coming and for them to be gearing up to welcome international visitors back to Australia.”

However quarantine and testing rules, which are devolved to state and territorial governments, still vary wildly.

Holidays to Western Australia are not possible due to its week-long quarantine requirement, while most other states and territories require visitors to self-quarantine at least until they receive a negative result from a day one arrival test.

Here’s what you need to know as Australia opens up to tourists.

Who can currently travel to Australia?

Right now, the only UK holidaymakers able to enter Australia are backpackers with a valid working holiday visa .

Since 1 November 2021, immediate family members including the parents of adult Australian citizens and permanent residents have been allowed in.

On 15 December 2021, the borders opened to fully vaccinated holders of certain eligible visas, including working holidaymakers.

Travellers who meet exemption criteria or have a compassionate or compelling reason can also enter if their exemption is approved by the Australian government.

What is changing on 21 February?

From 21 February, all fully vaccinated visa holders will be able travel to Australia.

Seven days must have passed since a final dose but there is no expiry date on vaccines. Boosters jabs are not required.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said that those who cannot provide proof of a medical reason for not having the vaccine may apply for a travel exemption.

Can I travel to Australia quarantine-free?

Quarantine-free travel will depend upon what state you are flying to.

Out of Australia’s eight states and territories, only Northern Territory and Tasmania will allow fully vaccinated international arrivals in without the need to take an arrival test or to quarantine.

The strictest entry requirements are in Western Australia, where all visitors must self-quarantine for seven days.

More from Travel

All other states and territories mandate self-isolation until receipt of a negative result from a day one arrival test.

These rules could still change in time for 21 February’s opening.

One week in self-isolation :

Western Australia

Holidays to Western Australia which covers the entire western third of the country and includes the city of Perth will still not be an option.

From Wednesday 9 February international travellers must quarantine for seven days, taking a PCR test or antigen test on day one, and day seven of self-quarantine.

Travellers must then wear a mask in indoor and outdoor settings for the following seven days after leaving quarantine.

Self-isolation until antigen test comes back negative :

New South Wales

Travellers landing in Sydney, News South Wales will need to self-isolate until receiving a negative result from an antigen test.

They must then take another antigen test on or after day six and must not visit high risk places for at least seven days or until receiving their day six negative test result.

Fully vaccinated arrivals must take a Covid test within 24 hours of arrival and isolate until they receive a negative result.

South Australia

To enter South Australia, home to the cosmopolitan coastal state capital of Adelaide, fully vaccinated arrivals must have evidence of a negative PCR test taken in the three days prior to departure.

Upon arrival travellers must take a PCR test within 24 hours and quarantine until a negative result is received.

They must not enter high-risk settings for seven days after arrival.

Australian Capital Territory

Travellers must take a rapid antigen or PCR test within 24 hours of arrival and await negative result in self-quarantine.

Self isolation until PCR comes back negative :

Visitors must take a PCR or antigen test within 24 hours of arrival and quarantine until negative result is received.

No self-isolation or testing upon arrival:

Northern Territory

Travellers visiting Northern Territory will not need to self isolate or test upon arrival.

Tasmania’s government website states that “There are no Covid-19 testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers unless they have spent time in an extreme-risk area (domestic and overseas) in the 14 days before their arrival in Tasmania.” Australia currently has no extreme risk areas anywhere in the world.

What else do I need to do before I leave for Australia?

Tourists must complete an eVisitor visa form online , as well as an Australian Travel Declaration , and in some cases a state or territory declaration or passenger locator form.

You’ll also need an antigen test taken within 24 hours before departure.

What are the entry rules for children?

Children under the age of 12 travelling with fully vaccinated family members are counted as vaccinated.

What are the rules for moving about the country?

Crossing state lines or travelling to remote aboriginal communities could mean quarantining or testing again.

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I have a second-cousin in NSW and am thinking of visiting her in the next few years by travelling overland as far as I can and taking a year to do it (might fly back - or take a different route - not sure!). Has anyone else done this? What route(s) did you take? Comments?

I did much of this trip in reverse two years ago. I had a long-standing wish to travel the silk road and had done a lot of research on the topic. There are plenty of books on it and there's even a Lonely Planet guide - however, last time I checked it wasn't in print. That's probably due to the "fluid" nature of things on the difficult bit.

The difficult bit is, of course, through central Asia. You will have no problem getting through Europe and Turkey, and once you reach the far east, it's easy too. So I'll comment only on the hard bit.

The Hippie trail through the Khyber Pass in Afghanistan is now impossible, so you must go north or south of it.

I had wanted to self-drive through Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and China, but there are real difficulties in Iran and especially western Pakistan around Quetta, so the northern route is easiest and safest.

I travelled by train westward from Beijing to Kashgar (Kashi), then by road thru the former Soviet states of Kyrgystan, Uzbekistann and Turkmenistan, flew across the Caspian (due to ferry "problems"), then rail thru Azerbaijan to Tbilisi in Georgia, thence by road thru Georgia and Turkey.

In a nutshell: Turkey is hugely civilised and is easy to travel through (best busses anywhere!). Georgia is a bit depressed, but has the bit between the teeth on tourism and is a joyous place. Azerbaijan has its own internal issues, but is very prosperous and travel is not difficult. However, Azerbaijan seems to have issues with Turkmenistan and the Caspian ferry is always being delayed - OK if you've got time on your hands and easier west to east than vice versa. Turkmenistan is an extraordinary, regulated country and I recommend travelling with a local travel company. Uzbekistan - with ancient, Khiva, Bokhara, Samarkand and Tashkent - is one of my favourite countries and is very sophisticated in its approach to tourism. I'd go back there tomorrow. Kyrgyzstan is a remote and beautiful place, but very much underdeveloped, so travel can be difficult to organise. Again, use a good local company. China is a breeze, but the very reliable trains are very crowded, too. And all the border crossings deserve a thread in themselves.

http://www.explore.co.uk/holidays/Tour%20Detail?ItineraryId=123

http://www.sundownersoverland.com/journeys/Grand-Asian-Caravan/trip.aspx

Yeppp second that Tez.... also I think there is a book, if you read books :)

Great post luigi and very informative - you must have had some wonderful adventures! Maybe you should write a book about it......... I love watching and reading about Charlie and Ewens adventures as they are so off the beaten track and something most of us would never consider!

i second that luigi- I Iove reading books about other people's travels. I have read Charlie Boorman's books and the make a good read.

I'm a history buff. Before I did this trip I read Marco Polo, The Travels of Ibn Batuta, The Great Game and Foreign Devils on the Silk Road.

And I carried the Lonely Planet Guide every inch of the way.

Ohhhh lordie my feet are sooooo itchy after reading each reply....

Sniggers... Iru

Thanks Luigi, and in fact everyone who contributed. This gives me a great start on the research and I will happily spend about a year doing that before setting off - like reading a recipe, doing the research will be (almost!) as good as eating the cake or going on the journey.

If you have any more thoughts, keep them coming!

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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You can fly every day to the east-coast cities from Europe, North America and Southeast Asia. Fares depend on the season, the highest being the two weeks either side of Christmas. Fares drop during the “shoulder” seasons – late February to May and mid-August to November – and you’ll get the best prices during low season, June to mid-August. Because of the distance from most popular departure points, flying on weekends does not alter the price.

Flights from the UK and Ireland

Rtw tickets, flights from the us and canada, rtw or circle pacific tickets, flights from new zealand and south africa, getting there from southeast asia, agents and tour operators, agents and operators, tailor-made travel itineraries for australia, created by local experts.

12 days  / from 2900 USD

Explore Western Australia from Perth to Broome

Western Australia is the country's largest state, covering more than a third of Australia. This self drive itinerary allows you to explore sunny Perth, stunning national parks and waterfalls, the remote wild west outback, empty beaches and much more.

16 days  / from 3300 USD

Explore South Australia and the Northern Territory

Explore South Australia and the Northern Territory on this self-drive adventure. Start in Adelaide and make your way over the Ayers Rock, Kings Canyon, and Alice Springs to the Kakadu National Park and ultimately Darwin.

23 days  / from 4150 USD

Cross Western Australia to Darwin

Western Australia offers wonderfully remote outback experiences: from spectacular national parks to sandy deserts, pristine beaches to working cattle stations. This itinerary allows you to explore the way from Perth to Darwin in depth and at your own pace, in your own rental car.

The easiest way to find a flight is on flight websites that collate airline and agent prices. Specialist flight agents can also help, and may offer special student and youth fares as well as organize travel insurance, rail passes, car rental and tours. If Australia is a stop on a longer journey, consider a Round-the-World (RTW) ticket. Australia is a fixture in RTW tickets offered by most agents.

The journey to Sydney and other eastern cities from London takes a minimum of 21 hours including stops to refuel. Sydney and Melbourne are served by the greatest number of airlines, the former usually being slightly cheaper, though carriers like Qantas (qantas.com) charge similar prices to fly to any eastern city between Cairns and Adelaide; flights to Darwin and Perth are a little cheaper.

Notwithstanding the stop to refuel, often in Dubai (the new base for Qantas), Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, direct flights depart from London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports, although you can check luggage through if you fly with the same operator from regional UK airports to connect with international flights.

Except for New Zealanders, all tourists (including those on one-year working visas) are required to arrive with a return ticket. The cheapest costs around £700 during the low season (June to mid-August). The most expensive time to fly is around Christmas, when there are few tickets under £1000 return: book at least six months in advance to secure a cheap flight. Prices also blip upwards from mid-July to mid-August, coinciding with the European holiday period. The shoulder seasons of mid-August to November and mid-January to March can provide cheaper deals if you’re flexible.

An alternative to the long direct flight is a multi-stopover ticket , typically in Asia though often in the US or Middle East, which can cost the same or just a little more than the price of an ordinary return and breaks up the journey.

There are no direct flights to Australia from Ireland , so most routings involve a change in a European air hub – London, Paris or Frankfurt – to transfer to a long-haul airline. Return fares in low season are usually around the €800–900 mark, €1500 in high season.

Round-the-World (RTW) tickets will incorporate Australia within a package of global flights. The permutations are tantalizing: typically stopovers allow overland travel in Asia, the Pacific and North America, but you can pretty much devise your fantasy itinerary (say, to South America and the Pacific) and get it priced. A good agent such as STA Travel will piece together sector fares from various airlines; as an idea of prices, a simple London–Bangkok–Sydney–LA–London deal will come in at £750 minimum, while more complicated routings will be over £1400.

From Los Angeles it’s possible to fly nonstop to Sydney in fourteen hours. Qantas, United (united.com) and Air Canada (aircanada.com) operate direct to the east coast of Australia. National Asian airlines usually stop in their capital city (Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong etc) – their fares on the Pacific route from the west coast of North America to the east coast of Australia are generally higher than their American and Australian competitors.

Many of the major airlines offer stopover deals in Pacific Rim destinations such as Tokyo, Honolulu or Kuala Lumpur or at South Pacific locations such as Fiji. Either there will be a flat surcharge on your ticket or they may offer you a higher-priced ticket allowing you to make as many stops as you like, within certain parameters, over a fixed period of time.

As an idea of prices, standard scheduled return fares for low/high seasons are circa US$1600/2000. The price of an open-jaw ticket (flying into one city and returning from another) will be the average of the return fares to the two cities. If you plan to fly around Australia, a Qantas AirPass can pay dividends, though not necessarily due to price slashing by budget domestic flights – do the sums first.

If you don’t mind setting an itinerary in advance, the best deal will most likely be a Round-the-World (RTW) ticket that has stopoffs in Australia and New Zealand from North America, typically via Southeast Asia or Europe but also South America. As ever, prices vary hugely, depending on the agent. A sample RTW itinerary of Los Angeles–London–Dubai–Bangkok–Sydney–Auckland–Los Angeles costs around US$1600. Circle Pacific tickets are similar but restricted to the Pacific region, including North America and Asia. Check the websites of agents such as STA Travel for deals.

New Zealand –Australia routes are busy and competition is fierce, resulting in an ever-changing range of deals; your best bet is to check the latest prices with flight websites that pool all airlines’ prices or consult a specialist travel agent. Budget airlines have slashed fares, with the likes of Virgin Australia (virginaustralia.com) offering daily deals. Ultimately, the price will depend on how much flexibility you want; many of the cheapest deals are hedged with restrictions – typically, a maximum stay of thirty days and a fourteen-day advance-purchase requirement. Air New Zealand ( airnz.co.nz ) and Virgin Australia fly from Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown and Wellington. Flight times from Auckland to Sydney are three and a half hours.

Flying from South Africa , the journey time is around fourteen hours, travelling from Johannesburg to Sydney or around ten to Perth. The main carriers are Qantas and South African Airways (flysaa.com); expect to pay around ZAR20,000 return in peak season to Sydney.

This is a time-honoured route to Australia for European backpackers thanks to its opportunities for travel adventures at budget-friendly prices. Travelling overland through Southeast Asia shouldn’t make too much of a difference to the price of your plane ticket, since many Asian airlines stop in their regional hub en route to Australia – Thai Airways in Bangkok ( www.thaiairways.com ), Singapore Airlines in Singapore (singaporeair.com), Malaysia Airways in Kuala Lumpur (malaysiaairlines.com), even Air China in Beijing ( airchina.com.cn ). If you want to continue overland between, say, Bangkok and Bali, from where it’s a short flight to Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory, consider a Round-the-World ticket with an overland component. Be aware, too, that if you buy a one-way ticket from Bali, you will still need a return ticket out of Australia to get through immigration.

If time is short and you’re reasonably sure of your plans, prebook some accommodation and tours; see the following directory for a list of operators and Australian tour specialists.

AAT Kings UK 020 8225 4220, Australia 1300 228 546, NZ 0800 500 146; aatkings.com . Long-established Australian coach-tour operator to destinations nationwide.

Abercrombie and Kent US 1800 554 7016, abercrombiekent.com. The high-end agent excels in tailored tours and interesting experiences themed by family fun, adventure, highlights or icons. Also has a couple of fixed-itinerary tours.

Explore UK 0845 013 1537, Republic of Ireland 01677 9479; explore.co.uk. Interesting Aussie adventures such as a two-week tour by tall ship as well as a Highlights of Australia tour.

North South Travel UK 01245 608 291, northsouthtravel.co.uk . Small, competitive agency with discounted fares. Profits support projects in the developing world, especially the promotion of sustainable tourism.

STA Travel UK 0871 230 0040, US 1800 781 4040, Australia 134 782, NZ 0800 474 400, South Africa 0861 781 781; statravel.co.uk . Worldwide specialists in independent travel; also student IDs, travel insurance, car rental, rail passes and more. Good discounts for students and under-26s.

Swain Australia Tours US 1800 227 9246, swainaustralia.com . Large range of customizable tours that cover all the major destinations and most regions, plus wine- or wildlife-themed itineraries.

Tasmanian Odyssey UK 01534 735 449, tasmanianodyssey.com . Well-chosen accommodation and tour experiences curated by Britain’s only specialist Tassie agency.

Trailfinders UK 0845 054 6060, Ireland 01677 7888, Australia 1300 780 212; trailfinders.com. One of the best-informed and most efficient agents for independent travellers.

Travel CUTS Canada 1800 667 2887, US 1800 592 2887; travelcuts.com. Canadian youth and student travel firm.

USIT Ireland t 01602 1906, Northern Ireland 028 9032 7111; usit.ie . Ireland’s main student and youth travel specialists also specializes in working holidays.

World Expeditions UK 020 8545 9030, US & Canada 1800 567 2216, Australia 1300 720 000, NZ 09 368 4161; worldexpeditions.co.uk . Australian-owned adventure company; small-group active wilderness holidays; cycling, canoeing, rafting, 4WD excursions, walking and camping.

The Rough Guides to Australia and related travel guides

In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice.

Travel advice for Australia

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written by Andy Turner

updated 26.04.2021

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- THE PLAN -

The plan is essentially structured to visit places we've always wanted see and to try and avoid the wet seasons (where possible).  

Although this is our preferred path it's definitely not concrete; we're approaching this completely open to new experiances which may present themselves on the road.

The current route plan will see the journey start from our humble little home in Cottesloe, Western Australia.  From here we will travel  north through the Pilbara and Kimberley regions, southeast down the Tanami Track to Alice Springs, north to East Arnhem Land and then on to Darwin, where we'll ship the car to Timor-Leste. We will make the short 45 minute flight to Dili and meet our car/home there after a few days at sea. From here, we'll drive west and island hop our way through Indonesia through to Sumatra. We aim to spend as long in Indonesia as our visas allow us. 

Once we reach Medan, North Sumatra, we will need ship the car to Port Klang, Malaysia, and we'll jump on a short flight and meet the car there. 

Through South East Asia, the route will take up through the south coast of Thailand to Cambodia, then up through Laos, back into Thailand and over to Myanmar, where you're required to travel as part of an organised self drive group. 

We'll then work our way through India, Pakistan, China, Central Asia a.k.a "The Stans" (Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan) and Iran, through to Turkey.

The plan for Europe is still very loose. The idea is to basically drive up the middle to Norway, and see where the road takes us on the way, and then back down making our way to Spain, which on the way Mark plans to show Jolie where he spent a winter in the French Alps. 

From Spain we'll drive back up to Calais, France and get the train over to the U.K., our final destination!

Hopefully we can stretch this trip out as long as possible, as it's only so often between life's commitments that we get the chance to spend this much time exploring.

From London, well I suppose we'll just have to wait and see!

How to Travel Overland from Europe to Asia by car, bike and train – The 3 Best Travel Routes

How to travel from Europe to Asia without flying? What is the best direction to travel overland from Europe to Asia? This guide gives you a detailed overview of all the possible routes you can take if you want to hitchhike, cycle or drive from Europe to Asia by land or travel from Europe to Asia by train. You’ll find information on ferries, borders, visas, and how to deal with possible obstacles along the way.

Editor’s note: You’ll find many 2022 updates throughout this guide. I try to keep up as much as I can with these fast-changing global situations. In case you have new updates that haven’t been added to this post, let me know about them in the comments below so I can update accordingly.

Planning a big overland trip requires preparation. And flexibility.

I often had to change my initial plans and routes when I was hitchhiking and traveling from Europe to Asia without flying. The biggest challenge was dealing with closed borders and difficulties in getting visas.

Some countries like to change their visa regulations on a regular basis so you have to adjust your plans accordingly (yes China, I’m talking about you).

Others don’t allow you in their country unless you’re part of a tour group. Iran, for example, doesn’t like Canadians, Brits, and US citizens traveling independently and Turkmenistan is just suspicious of any other nation in the world.

A few countries (like Pakistan and Russia) only issue a visa when you apply for it in your home country and/or give you a very limited time to enter the country between the time the visa is issued and your arrival (e.g. you only have 3 months to enter China from the moment you’ve got your visa).

This isn’t really a problem if you’re taking airplanes but it becomes tricky when you’re hitchhiking, cycling or driving from Europe to Asia and you want to take the time to explore the countries you’re passing through instead of rushing towards your destination.

And let’s not forget about 2020… Land borders are now finally reopening but each country has its own set of extra entry requirements.

So what’s the best way to travel from Europe to China and/or Southeast Asia without too much hustle, bustle and fuzzle?

I’ll give you an overview of all the possible routes on how to hitchhike/cycle/drive/take the train from Europe to Asia, including border and visa obstacles and possible solutions.

Disclaimer: This posts might contain affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for helping to support this website!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Traveling in Europe by land (and sea)

1.1 visas and border crossings in europe.

As a European citizen, you can travel as much and as long as you want in all the countries of Europe. You have the privilege of not needing a visa, not even for the European countries that are not part of the European Union or the Schengen area.

This also means that, if you pass a border checkpoint, you just have to show your passport or national ID card and you’re free to go.

To travel to and in Europe as a non-European citizen , you’ll need a Schengen visa. This visa allows you to stay 90 days in countries that are part of the Schengen area .

The European countries that are not part of the Schengen area will allow travelers holding a Schengen visa to enter and stay in their country for 90 days. This means that you could actually stay for 6 months in Europe (or longer).

I’ll give you an example:

Let’s say you’re traveling from Spain to Turkey by land. You’ve already stayed for 60 days in the EU and are about to enter Croatia .

Croatia is part of the EU but a non-Schengen country, which means that you’ll receive a visa on arrival at the border (after showing you have a Schengen visa) that allows you to stay 90 days in Croatia.

Once you leave Croatia, you still have 30 days on your Schengen visa to travel in the Schengen countries.

Just be aware that the Schengen visa only allows you to stay 90 days in a period of 180 days.

If you decide for example to spend 90 days in Croatia and another 90 days in Albania (also a non-Schengen country) before entering Greece (which is a Schengen country), your Schengen visa will be expired by then and you’ll have to apply for a new one.

→ Make sure to apply for a multi-entry Schengen visa when traveling around Europe !

I tried to explain all of this as clearly as possible. Even as a European citizen I find this whole Schengen – non-Schengen stuff a bit confusing!

Here’s a website that gives you more detailed information about it and it also tells you how and where to apply.

So whatever travel route you take in Europe, as long as you have a multi-entry Schengen visa , you shouldn’t encounter any problems at the borders.

My whole hitchhiking journey from Ireland to Turkey went very smoothly, even for my hitchhiking partner who’s a Canadian citizen. We only had to hurry to enter Turkey once we were in Greece because his visa was running out.

1.2 Driving and cycling in Europe – travel routes

Resources for driving in Europe:

• Driving in Europe –  Requirements and Tips
• Driving in Europe – Checklist
• European Roadtrip Ideas   by Wandering Bird
• 20 Best Road Trips in Europe by Skyscanner

Resources for cycling in Europe:

• EuroVelo : 15 long-distance cycling routes across the whole European continent
• Tom’s Bike Trip : How to prepare yourself for a long bike trip

1.3 Travel in Europe by train

Europe has a great international railway network, including international high-speed trains like Eurostar connecting the UK with mainland Europe .

Here are 2 in-depth guides on how to travel across Europe by train:

• A Complete Guide to Train Travel in Europe by the Savvy Backpacker
• A Beginner’s Guide to Train Travel in Europe by The Man in Seat 61

1.4 Ferry routes and crossings in Europe

When you’re cycling or driving from Europe to Asia, you might want to save some time by skipping a part of the overland journey and take a ferry instead.

Here are some ferry companies that offer different European ferry routes:

• OK-ferry : ferry routes to different destinations of the Mediterranean Sea
• Direct Ferries:   numerous option for ferries in and around Europe

We took a ferry from Ireland to France and from the mainland of Greece to several Greek islands .

2. Europe – Asia Border Crossings

There are 3 different ways to travel across the European-Asian border and make your way towards the East.

2.1 Traveling from Europe to Russia

• Update 2022:
• Due to the current war, you can’t travel from Europe to Russia by land . I’ll leave this section be for now but I recommend skipping it and scrolling to 2.2 Travel from Europe to Turkey.

This is the road less taken if you’re traveling towards Asia as it’s not always that easy to obtain a tourist visa for Russia. You could also opt for a transit visa, which is easier to get but it will only allow you 10 days in Russia (not ideal if you’re cycling).

1) How and where to apply for a tourist visa for Russia

If you’re from Latin America, South Africa, Georgia, Central Asia or any of these 45 countries,  you’ll get a  free visa on arrival that allows you to stay 30 to 90 days in Russia, depending on your citizenship.

Travelers from North America, Europe, Africa, South Asia, and Australia will have to apply for a Russian tourist visa in the Russian consulate or Russian embassy in their home country. 

To apply for a tourist visa for Russia, you’ll need:

• a Letter of Invitation (LOI) ,
• a visa application form that you’ll very likely have to fill in online
• passport with 2 empty pages valid for 6 months after arrival in Russia
• photocopy of your passport
• passport picture
• Travel Insurance for Russia (only for citizens of the EU)
• iVisa is a reputable online passport & visa service that offers  Tourist Invitation Letters (LOI) for Russia .  They can also help you with the whole visa application process to receive the Russian tourist visa.

What if you’re already on the road but you still want to apply for a tourist visa for Russia?

There are only a few countries, such as Canada and the US , of which the citizens can apply for a Russian visa outside their home country.

If you’re a citizen of Europe, Australia, etc, you could always send your passport home and aks a friend or a family member to do the application for you. However, this is risky and not something I’d recommend as your passport might get lost in the mail. It’s also illegal in most countries to travel without having your passport with you.

2) How and where to apply for a transit visa for Russia

You can easily apply for a Russian transit visa in any country that has a Russian consulate or embassy.

A transit visa allows you to stay up to 10 days in Russia. To apply for this visa, you need:

• proof of onward travel like transportation ticket from Russia to the next destination or, if you travel by car, car documents and a print-out of your planned route
• proof of valid visas for the countries from which you enter and exit Russia

Here’s more detailed information on how to apply for a transit visa for Russia.

3) Cycling or driving from Europe to Russia

The best way to travel from Europe to Russia is via the border with Latvia, Estonia or Finland as they all belong to the EU, which means less hassle.

Avoid going from Ukraine into Russia as they were at war with each other and there are still some rebel-held zones in Southeastern Ukraine and Crimea, which you shouldn’t cross at all!

You can also enter Russia via Belarus, but you’ll have to apply for a visa to enter Belarus by land as you can only obtain a free visa on arrival if you arrive by plane. Check the visa policy for Belarus   here . 

The Way to Russia is a great resource for if you want to travel to Russia by car, motorcycle or hitchhiking.

Plan your trip to Russia well in advance. It’s the largest country in the world and even if you get a 90-day tourist visa, you’ll have to drive a lot if you want to cross the country within a decent time frame.

Also, keep in mind that winter isn’t the best time to travel through Russia (especially if you’re cycling or hitchhiking!!). Prepare yourself well!

4) Traveling from Europe to Russia by train

Here are 2 fantastic resources if you want to travel by train from Europe to Russia:

• How to travel by train from London to Moscow & Russia   by The Man in Seat 61
• The Best Train Routes to Russia by The Way to Russia

2.2 Traveling from Europe to Turkey

The most popular way to travel from Europe to China and Asia is by going through Turkey. 

Update 2022 : The following land borders with Turkey are currently open:

• Greece to Turkey at Kastanies–Pazarkule and Kipi–İpsala
• Bulgaria to Turkey at Kapitan Andreevo–Kapıkule, Lesovo–Hamzabeyli and Malko Tǎrnovo–Aziziye
• Turkey to Georgia via Sarp, Türkgözü and Aktaş
• Turkey to Iran at Bazargan-Gürbulak and Sero-Esendere

1) Turkey Entry Requirements

Visa for turkey.

Citizens from Latin America, Central Asia, New Zealand and certain European countries (for the complete list, look here ) receive a free visa on arrival that allows them to stay up to 90 days in Turkey.

If you’re a traveler from North America, Australia, South Africa, South Asia, and following European countries (for the complete list, look here ) need to apply for an e -visa.

It’s super easy and straightforward to apply for the e-visa online and once you receive it, you’ll be allowed to travel for 30 up to 90 days in Turkey. This is plenty of time to cross the country (although, we overstayed our Turkish tourist visa with 6 months , but that’s a different story…)

Turkey Test and Vaccination requirements:

Passengers over the age of 12 must have a document showing a negative COVID-19 test result to enter Turkey. This must be a PCR test taken in the last 72 hours before entering the country or a rapid antigen test taken in the last 48 hours.

If you have a vaccination certificate showing the last dose was given at least 14 days before arrival, then you don’t need a negative COVID-19 test result.

2) Driving or cycling from Bulgaria or Greece to Istanbul

If you’re cycling or driving from Europe to Istanbul and beyond, the easiest and most straightforward way is crossing the land border with Greece in Ipsala or with Bulgaria in Edirne .

You might encounter a lot of security checks at both land borders as many refugees try to enter Europe from here.

3) Taking the train from Europe to Istanbul – the ‘Modern Orient Express’

Does ‘Murder on the Orient Express’, the famous detective novel by Agatha Christie,  ring a bell?

Throughout history, there are many referrals to train travel in Europe on the Orient Express route. The route started in Paris, went across Vienna and ended in Istanbul.

Nowadays, you can still travel by train along the Orient Express Route:

• Read how Naomi from Probe around the Globe followed this famous historical train route from the Netherlands to Istanbul .
• The Man in Seat 61 wrote a comprehensive guide on how to travel by train from London to Istanbul

4) Taking the ferry from Greece to Turkey

When we were hitchhiking from  Europe to Turkey , we took a ferry from Rhodes, one of the Greek islands,  to Marmaris, a port in Turkey. If you like traveling by boat, I’d definitely suggest you take this route.

Here’s a ferry connections route map between Athens, the Greek islands and the ports in Turkey. You can book tickets for the ferry online, in a travel agency in Athens or on one of the islands.

Read: The 13 Best Places to visit in Turkey

5) From Turkey to Georgia

2022 Update: You need to present either  a vaccination certificate or a certificate with a negative PCR test result , no later than 72 before entering Georgia.

The easiest way to travel from Turkey to Georgia is by crossing the border at Sarpi on the Black Sea Coast .

Reading Tip: Georgia Travel Guide: 1 9 u s e f u l things you should know before you go

6) Taking the ferry from Bulgaria to Georgia

There’s also the possibility to skip Turkey and take the ferry from the port of Varna in Bulgaria to the port of Batumi in Georgia. Check the ferry schedule here .

3. Traveling from Europe to Central Asia

There are a few different routes to travel from Europe to Central Asia by land, some easier and more accessible than others.

I’ll focus on one main route as it’s currently the best possible direction from Europe to Asia as most land borders on this route have reopened.

1) From Georgia to Azerbaijan

2022 Update: You must have a vaccination certificate stating you are fully vaccinated or a recovery certificate with a QR code  and a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours before arrival in Azerbaijan.

You can enter Azerbaijan  with an e-visa (since 2017!) which allows you to stay for 30 days in the country. If you’re planning on staying longer than 10 days in Azerbaijan, you’ll have to get registered !

If you want to travel by train, there’s a daily train leaving from Tbilisi (Georgia) to Baku (Azerbaijan) . 

* Note : If you also want to visit Armenia, know that they aren’t the best buddies with Azerbaijan. Definitely avoid going through the disputed region of Nagorno – Karabakh because you can be sure that you won’t be allowed into Azerbaijan at all! If you decide to go through that region, make sure that you have your stamp on a separate piece of paper.

There are also no open borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan so you’ll have to return to Georgia first before entering Azerbaijan or you can go through Iran (see route A).

You can expect annoying questions from the Azerbaijani border controls concerning your visit to Armenia (they will ask if you visited Nagorno – Karabakh) but they will allow you in.

Read: Everything you need to know about traveling in Azerbaijan

2) From Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan by boat

2022 Update: You need to present either  a vaccination certificate or a certificate with a negative PCR test result , no later than 72 before entering Kazakhstan.

You can cross the Caspian Sea from Baku in Azerbaijan to Aktau in Kazakhstan by ferry, which costs around $80. It’s more expensive if you travel by car. 

This ferry doesn’t have a fixed schedule but it leaves at least once every 3 to 7 days.

Read my Comprehensive Guide with everything you need to know about taking the boat from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan . 

3) From Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan by boat

2022 Update: Turkmenistan remains closed for foreign travelers.

Turkmenistan is a pain concerning visas and independent traveling. You can only enter the country on a tourist visa if you’re part of a tour group. If you just want to apply for a transit visa , there’s no guarantee you’ll get it. The rejection rate is 50% and they love to play games.

Applying for a transit visa is like playing the lottery. I also heard stories of couples that applied for the transit visa and while one of them got the visa, the other person got his application rejected.

I’m super curious about this country but it’s not worth the hustle. Oh, and you can’t get any visa during the month of September, due to an important festival in Turkmenistan.

4) Traveling overland in Kazakhstan

Citizens from the European Union, Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Armenia, Georgia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, and Mongolia are eligible for a  free tourist visa upon arrival .

Citizens from non-visa-exempt countries  need to apply   for an   e-Visa  

Find more information about traveling and driving in Kazakhstan in my  Travel guide to Kazakhstan .

If you want to travel around Kazakhstan by train, read the following guide on How to travel by train in Kazakhstan .

Reading Tip: The 26 most beautiful places in Kazakhstan

You have 30 days to cross Kazakhstan into the following countries:

5) Traveling overland in Uzbekistan

2022 Update: You must present either  a negative PCR test result no later than 72 before entering Uzbekistan or proof of vaccination .

Uzbekistan is now issuing free visas on arrival to citizens of more than 30 countries, including citizens of the European Union. With this free visa, you can stay up to 30 days in the country.

Travelers of countries who still need a visa for Uzbekistan can now easily apply for an   e-visa.  You can read all the details in my Travel Guide to Uzbekistan . 

The easiest way to get around Uzbekistan is by train. Here’s a guide on how to take the train in Uzbekistan .

Reading Tip:  Visit the best places in Uzbekistan with these 3 travel itineraries.

6) Traveling overland in Kyrgyzstan

You can easily enter Kyrgyzstan from Uzbekistan and/or Kazakhstan by bus. Kyrgyzstan doesn’t have a proper railway so the best way to get to and around Kyrgyzstan is by (mini)bus or shared taxi.

Here are some guides that can help you:

• How to get from Tashkent (Uzbekistan) to Kyrgyzstan by bus
• How to get from Almaty (Kazakhstan) to Kyrgyzstan by bus

Kyrgyzstan has the most liberal visa regime in Central Asia and offers a free visa on arrival to these nationalities . 

I have many comprehensive guides and useful travel information about Kyrgyzstan:

Find everything you need to know about traveling in Kyrgyzstan (best places to visit, itineraries, practical info,…) in Traveling in Kyrgyzstan – The Ultimate Travel Guide

7) Traveling overland in Tajikistan

2022 Update: There’s still no clear news about whether or not the land borders of Tajikistan have reopened.

You can enter Tajikistan via Uzbekistan or   Kyrgyzstan . More info about the border crossings here .

Tajikistan offers now a free visa on arrival for most nationalities, except when you’re from one of these countries .

Tajikistan is a mountainous country so there are no trains or big buses here. You’ll have to travel around by shared taxi, a public minivan, or your own vehicle.

If you have the time, don’t skip the Fann Mountains and the  Pamir Highway !

Read all my guides about Tajikistan in Traveling in Tajikistan – The Ultimate Travel Guide

4. From Turkey or Central Asia to South-East Asia

1) how to travel overland from central asia to china.

2022 Update: China closed its borders again to foreign travelers

Oh, dear China, how moody art thou!  

While it used to be possible to apply for a visa for China in different countries in Central Asia, they’ve recently changed their visa regulations. It’s currently extremely difficult to obtain a Chinese tourist visa in Central Asia .

Remember that the rules change all the time so you better check the Caravanistan forum for recent updates.

I had a sparkle of hope that I could apply for a Chinese visa in Tbilisi (Georgia) but they are now only issuing visas for residents of Georgia.

The only solution is to send your passport home (there we go again) and ask someone to apply in the Chinese embassy in your home country (unless you’re from Germany, then you have to be physically present to apply for the visa).

Here’s what you need to apply for a Chinese visa .

If you managed to get a visa for China, you can enter China from Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan.

If you want to travel from Kyrgyzstan to China , you can cross the borders at the  Irkeshtam Pass  or the Torugart Pass.

You can travel from Tajikistan to China across the  Qolma Pass .

If you want to drive in China, know that you can’t do this independently. You can only drive with your own car or motorbike in China if you’re part of a tour group or have a personal guide, which is very expensive.

The best solution is to find a group of travelers who also want to cross China by car or motorbike and split the costs. You’ll also need to apply for a Chinese driving license.

Click here   for more information.

2) From Europe to India by land (Myanmar – Thailand)

A lot of people dream of traveling overland from Europe to India. This is also the route we first had in mind. We wanted to travel overland from Europe to Thailand across Iran, Pakistan, and India.

It looks like an easy road on the map but it doesn’t come without any obstacles. This route is also not possible to travel by train.

1) From Turkey to Iran

2022 Update: Iran has reopened its land borders. Aside from a visa, all travelers over the age of 12 are required to provide proof of full vaccination . You also need a negative PCR test taken within the last 72 hours before arrival in Iran, unless it has been at least 14 days since the second dose of a two-shot vaccine (or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine).

The shortest way to travel from Turkey to Iran is by crossing the Gurbulak – Bazargan border or the  Esendere – Siro  border.  Find all the information about the  Turkey-Iran border crossing here . 

Iran issues visas on arrival but only if you arrive by plane . If you travel overland, you still have to apply for a tourist visa at an Iranian embassy.

However, the whole visa situation changes constantly so for the most recent updates concerning the Iranian visa, check out the updates on Caravanistan .

The best place in Turkey to apply for a tourist visa for Iran is at the Iranian embassy in Ankara .

You could also travel from Turkey to Iran across  Georgia   and  Armenia . Both countries offer free visas on arrival to many nationalities (check the visa policy for Georgia and Armenia visa policy ) and are definitely worth a visit!

2022 Update: The borders between Georgia and Armenia are open. For both countries, you need to present either  a vaccination certificate or a certificate with a negative PCR test result , no later than 72 before entering the country.

Read: 15 Amazing Places to Visit in Georgia

If you travel across Georgia and Armenia, apply for an Iranian tourist visa at the consulate of Iran in Batumi (Georgia).

Only citizens of the UK, US, and Canada can’t travel independently to Iran. They need to be accompanied by a tour guide at all times. But… there’s a way around it.

You could enter Iran via the Armenian border where the border controls are known to be less strict. Alex from Lost with Purpose wrote how she entered Iran independently as a UK citizen .

2) From Iran to Pakistan

Update 2022: The land borders between Iran and Pakistan are currently closed. Updates concerning these borders are very welcome in the comments below!

Crossing the Pakistan – Iran border is possible but a bit tricky.

This border crossing is very long and known to be a dangerous area. That’s why you can only cross with an armed escort. Read the border crossing report by Lost with Purpose  and check for updates on Caravanistan .

Pakistan was our second obstacle. You can only apply for a Pakistan visa  in your home country or country of residence. Europeans and Canadians can get a visa on arrival if they arrive by plane and are part of a tour.

Just like with the Russian visa you can try to send your passport to someone in your home country and ask him/her to apply for the visa in the Pakistan embassy of your country.

Know that you’ll be without a passport for a while and you should check the regulations of the country you’re in whether or not it’s illegal to travel there without a passport.

If you are able to obtain a visa for both Iran and Pakistan, it means that you can enter India without too much hustle.

3) From Pakistan to India

Update 2022: There was only one Pakistan – India border where foreigners could cross but this one still seems to be closed now . Updates concerning this border are very welcome in the comments below!

There is one Pakistan – India border that is open only for foreigners.

You can obtain an e-visa for India but only if you arrive by plane. If you want to enter India by land, you’ll have to apply for a regular tourist visa in an Indian embassy .

You can apply for a 6-month tourist visa on your way to India. I’ve heard that the embassy in Pakistan is quite a hassle but you can try to apply for one in Tehran (Iran).

Other options are applying for an Indian visa in Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan,…) but that means you’ll have to make a huge detour and you need to be aware that the visa starts from the date of issue, not from the date of entrance !

4) From India to Myanmar and Thailand 

2022 Update: Myanmar will reopen its borders to international tourists on 17 April . Find the current Myanmar entry requirement s here .

If you’ve finally managed to travel from Europe to India (congrats, let me know if you’ve done it in the comments!!), you might want to continue your journey toward Southeast Asia.

The only way to reach Thailand or Laos is to cross Myanmar (aka Burma).

This is also tricky! You can enter Myanmar from Thailand on an e-visa but there are some mixed reports on whether or not it is possible to enter Myanmar from India. You’ll also need a special permit to travel overland in Myanmar.

Nobody said that traveling by land would be easy, eh?

Alright, one last route:

3) from Central Asia to South East Asia without traveling to China

2022 Update: This route is currently not possible as a) it’s not possible to travel to Russia at the moment due to the war and b) most countries on this route are closed to foreign travelers.

This route is the longest way to travel overland from Europe to China and South East Asia but it’s the best chance to get a visa for China while you’re traveling and make it to Southeast Asia.

1) From Kazakhstan to Mongolia

There is no direct border between Kazakhstan and Mongolia so you’ll first have to travel across a small part of Russia. 

You’ll need to apply for a 2-day Russian transit visa  in Almaty or Nur Sultan . 

If you’re not cycling or driving your own vehicle, you can take the train to cross the distance between Kazakhstan and Mongolia but you have to buy these tickets in advance as proof for your transit visa.

You’ll also need to apply for a Mongolian visa (30 days) at the embassy of Mongolia in Almaty or Nur Sultan. 

2) From Mongolia to Russia 

After visiting Mongolia, you’ll have to apply for a new Russian transit visa (try to get 10 days) in Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) to enter Russia.

To travel from Russia to Asia without taking any flight, you’ll first have to go all the way to Vladivostok in Russia. 

The best way to get there from Mongolia is by train. You can book the train tickets for the Trans-Siberian train from Ulan Ude to Vladivostok (Russia) online .

3) From Russia to South Korea by ferry

There’s weekly one ferry that goes from Russia to South Korea, operated by DBS Ferry company. 

The ferry leaves in Vladivostok (Russia) and arrives about 22 hours later in Donghae (South Korea). You can book online tickets for this ferry  here . 

South Korea offers a free visa on arrival for many countries.  Check here   to see if you need to apply for a visa in advance or if you can get a free visa on arrival. 

You should be able to apply for a Chinese visa at the Chinese embassy in Seoul. Find out  here   what you need to apply for a Chinese tourist visa. 

4) From South Korea to Japan by ferry

There are a few ferry lines connecting South Korea to Japan.

Here is a fantastic and very comprehensive guide about taking the ferry from South Korea to Japan, including the various ferry routes, costs and practical travel information. 

Japan offers a free visa on arrival to many countries.  You can also try to apply for a Chinese visa at the Chinese embassy in Tokyo. 

5) From Japan to China by ferry

There is currently one ferry route running between Japan and China. The ferry leaves from Osaka and arrives 46 hours later in Shanghai. You can check the schedule  here . 

Once you’ve made it to China, you can easily continue your journey toward Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.

If you’re going on a long journey like this, you should get good travel insurance! Here are the 3 best and most affordable travel insurance companies for long-term travelers!

I hope this post has been very useful to you!

If you’re planning to embark on this long overland journey or you’ve traveled this route or parts of it and you have extra information, useful guides, or stories, please share them in the comments below! Feel free to contact m e if you have any questions!

More Useful Resources:

• The Ultimate Travel Guide to Turkey
• The Ultimate Travel Guide to Georgia
• The Ultimate Travel Guide to Azerbaijan
• The Ultimate Travel Guide to Kazakhstan
• The Ultimate Travel Guide to Kyrgyzstan
• The Ultimate Travel Guide to Uzbekistan
• The Ultimate Travel Guide to Tajikistan

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68 thoughts on “how to travel overland from europe to asia by car, bike and train – the 3 best travel routes”.

Hi, the EU part needs updates.

Croatia is in the Schengen now, and the map has a truckload of mistakes, not just related to new Schengen countries but also some EU members, while UK that has left is stil there.

Hi Goran, I know this post needs some updates but just haven’t gotten round to it yet. It’s on my to-do list 🙂

wow ! Absolutely amazing in depth content and information. soo soo inspiring and soo confusing but very very exciting. Good luck on your travels everyone here.

Thanks Steve!

Hi Cynthia, I thoroughly enjoyed your article :How To Travel Overland From Europe To Asia.” I was searching the internet to see if there are still British tour companies offering inexpensive (camping) travel from Indonesia to India or Turkey in a convoy of old British army trucks. Didn’t find any, but found your fascinating accounts of Asian travel. I traveled from Melbourne, Australia to England over a period of about 8 months in 1979. Hitchhiked up the Australian coast; flew to Bali; ferries, trains and deck-class voyages through Java, Sumatra, and Thailand; flew to Katmandu; trekked in Himalayas; flew to India; traveled by old Mercedes bus from New Delhi to Iranian border where bus and German owners were detained by Afghani police for smuggling hashish; detained by revolutionaries in Tehran after overthrow of the Shaw but before the American embassy was taken hostage; by bus to Istanbul, and then on to Munich; hitchhiked to Stuttgart, where I stayed and worked for a few weeks; hitchhiked to Frankfurt; took train to Amsterdam and ferry to London. Whew! Great trip!. I’m glad to see young folks doing similar travel in this changed world. Good luck to you, and thanks for supporting economical, independent international travel.

Hi Paul, wow, you also traveled very extensively overland! Thanks for sharing your story!

Hi. I was just wondering how you’re able to afford staying on the road throughout all this. Is it something you’ve been saving up for, for years, or is it working while travelling? Also what way do you think would be the best way for beginners. Hitchhiking always seems a bit sketchy, because you don’t know who you might encounter, however it’s also the cheapest way i can imagine.

Hi Nicolas, in the early years of my nomadic life, I worked along the way and combined it with a lot of volunteering work . Then I was an online teacher while setting up a business. Nowadays I have a full-time income coming from my business. Hitchhiking requires having trust and a strong intuition. I never had a bad experience (even as a woman alone) and I rely a lot on my intuition (always follow that gut feeling) :). I’m sharing more info about the how’s of my nomadic life here .

Great research. Thanks for sharing. I was considering travelling from Europe yo Asia by motorhome. Have you come across anybody that has done this? Thanks

No, I haven’t met anyone traveling by motorhome yet. The closest thing were people traveling by van. I could always bring you in touch with some of them if you like.

Thanks for this nice clear overview of options! I’m seriously considering cycling from the Netherlands to Australia. So far Iran and Pakistan seem to be the biggest hurdles. Apart from political turmoil, mostly because I have to apply for the visa from my home country and then cycle over there before it expires. Are there any known solutions to this problem?

Hi Robin, one solution that other cyclists did was to send their passport home and let a trusted family member/ friend apply for the visa and then send you the passport back. I know it’s not an ideal solution… I also met cyclists who had 2 passports so they could apply for the visa with one passport while still having another one on them while abroad. Hope this helps?

Thanks for your reply Cynthia, I will definitely consider this option.

Nice work. I see many of the responses are pre covid. not too many to date reports. I have a friend who just got a blood clot in her leg in Greece and needs to get home to Thailand. She can’t fly in this condition for 7-9 months. So, we are looking at how she can do it overland and when you see these maps in Sept.2022 you realize just how messed up things are in these area of the world. pakistan is in rough shape. iran? China? best war/covid/weather issues there doesnt seem to be a clear answer if it can be done right now. I like your Turkey-Iran-Pakistan routing through Myanmar and home but it sounds like Iran is a tough one for Canadians (which she and I are). A tour guide to whisk us through the country…..? Looking forward to reading more on that but again things are very strange at the moment everywhere so any 2019 information is right out the window I would think. Great post as many have said. I hope some people can add some things here. Back in the day we would go to Lonely Planets Thorntree for up to date info around the world from travellers and you know what? It might be interesting to see if it survived all these years. It was a got to at the turn of the century (wow that sounds old). She has an interesting challenge ahead of her.

It’s still going to be challenging to make the overland journey from Greece to Thailand at this point. I’m not sure how the situation is in Myanmar and yes, you can’t travel independently through Iran as Canadian citizens, but you might find a way around that. I hope you find a solution! Best wishes

thank you, Cynthia! very helpful. i’m also planning to travel from Baku to Kazakhstan by ferry this June.

Wow!! I never post comments but this article is hands down one of the best and most in depth things I have ever had the joy to read!!! Thank you so so much for putting in the time and effort to create this article!

Thank you Russel! And thank you for commenting 😀 It’s really lovely to hear your feedback!

Great job on all this. What about a ship like a cruise ship

I haven’ t been on a cruise ship yet so this is unknown territory but it might be possible

This is a very interesting! thanks for sharing these great articles, good luck

Thank you 🙂

Thanks for sharing this great information

My pleasure 🙂

I want to ask that, what I need to aware to ensure my safety, since I heard that traveling through Central Asia is dangerous, which several people lost their lives there, and what equipment and clothings I should bring and wear when I want to cycle through Central Asia to Europe, starting in China? Also, I need to stop to eat when I get hungry and stay at a hotel when I got really dirty and want to find a place to rest for a while. These all need a large amount of money, so how can I bring them ? Can I use credit cards? Can I use the atm there? I am confused 😕 as a starter. Overall, thanks for your inspiring article.

Hi Adrian, I’m curious to know where you’ve heard that Central Asia is dangerous? If you go trekking unprepared in the mountains by yourself, then I’d say, yes, that would be dangerous in any country in the world 🙂

My tips: don’t cycle through Central Asia in winter. Ideally, you’re there between the end of May and end of September. Hostels and homestays in Central Asia are cheap, you can get a bed in a hostel for $5 -$6 a night, you can eat at local restaurants which are also very cheap. You can take out money at the ATM’s in the big cities in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. If you’d cycle through Uzbekistan, get cash out at Tashkent (the capital city). You can also exchange money at the banks in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and Dushanbe (Tajikistan).

I hope this helps. Let me know if you’d have more questions! Wishing you a great and safe journey ahead!

so great website for me. thanks for sharing these great articles with us

Thank you Mino! 🙂

Awesome blog, thankyou for this, really helpful and inspiring 🙂 I am wanting to make the route 3.2, but then enter India or Nepal from China. do you know if this is possible? I am also wondering how much such a journey would cost, how much would route 3.2 cost approx.? Thankyou in advance,

Hi Anne, thanks for reading our blog and I’m happy to hear it’s inspiring! I don’t think it’s possible to enter Nepal from China. It’s possible to go from China to India or from China to Pakistan as I know some people who’ve done it. The costs depend on the way you travel. Are you going to travel by public transport, with your own vehicle (car, bike, motorbike), are you camping or spending most nights at a hostel,…? Let’s say that you were to travel from Central Asia to China overland, and you travel by public transport and spend every night at a hostel, I’d count on an average of US$30 per day (food not included). I hope this helps!

China is running rail through Tibet that will go into Kathmandu, I know they started awhile ago but not sure when it will be finished.

That would be exciting!!

Thank you so much for this, I’m dreaming of driving one of these routes with my dog which of course adds another layer of complexity, do you know of anyone that has traveled overland with a pet?

Thank you! Sophia

I know some people who have traveled with their pet. You need to check with the vet so your pet has a passport and all the documents and vaccinations required!

This is a very interesting ! I look forward to seeing your stories and photos along the path you follow. You have passed through some interesting areas!

Thank you Tina 🙂

Thanks for sharing this informative blog hope soon you will post something about india thanks again for such valuable post

Hi, once we make it to India (and we’d love to travel there one day), we’ll definitely write about it! Happy to hear you like the blog!

Good post! I travelled from Dublin to Varanasi almost 10 years ago, all overland. Amazing trip, but not an easy one, especially because of Pakistan (I was there when Mr. Bin Laden got caught). Anyway, great article. I’m in SEA now and planning my return to Europe next year. I will try to drive all the way through the route I once did by train/bus. Take care!

Oh wow, that journey must have been even more challenging than it is now. Nowadays it’s rather easy to get most of the visas but it must have been quite something 10 years ago 🙂 How was it to travel through Pakistan when Bin Laden got caught? How was the atmosphere? Good luck with your overland return to Europe! It will be interesting for you to make a similar journey all these years later!

This is probably the best informative post on hitchhiking! Amazing and inspirational story!

Thank you Amber! Are you going on a big hitchhiking trip soon?

I’ve tried to be a nomad and it’s fun. It’s hard at first but when you get the hang of it, everything becomes just fun.

Hi Martha, that’s very true! Every change in your life or habits require some adjustment but like you say, once you get the hang of it, it’s fun! 🙂

Just a quick heads-up on the paragraph “the only solution is to send your passport home (there we go again) and ask someone to apply in the Chinese embassy in your home country (unless you’re from Germany, then you have to be physically present to apply for the visa). Here’s what you need to apply for a Chinese visa.” -> there are a number of agencies handling visa applications for German citizens. I live in China (as a German) and get frequent visits from friends and family, and none of them live in Frankfurt (consulate location) or Berlin (embassy location), and none ever had an issue getting a visa. We are using a service called 1A Visum, but there are a number of others around.

Thanks for the update Chris! This will definitely be useful for German citizens!

With this new information about hitchhiking there, we are now considering of going there too

Hi, you can hitchhike all the way from Europe to Central Asia. You still can’t apply for a Chinese visa in Central Asia (you’ll have to do this in your home country). If you have a visa for China, you can hitchhike all the way to South-East Asia. If not, you’ll have to go through Russia and take a ferry to Korea or Japan or you’ll have to fly from Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan to Cambodia or so.

Excelent article! very useful. Now I know that Im not th unique that want to travel and explore by hiking and cycle method through long distances. Thanks!

Hi Ignacio, thank you!! And yes, you’re not alone!! If you’d make this overland trip, you’ll meet many like-minded travelers along the way!!

Dear authers, wanderers,

Great page to start planning for my trip over land to India for next year. I like the size you are thinking in, i mean, in this post you are planning half/whole continents instead of which place to visit whitin a coutry. Anyway… I am planning on the most direct route, which is also known as route A. Would like to do that one up untill India. So I like to start my trip in 8 to 10 months, and take about 7 to 8 months to reach the pakistani-Indian border, hitchhiking from the Netherlands. These numbers are still rather flexible though, is there any country or particilar part I should plan around, concerning the climate? For example.. hitchhiking around Iran in those and those months are way to hot, or visiting the mountains in Pakistan is unduable in those and those months. Any other advise on things I should plan or organize now and not in half a year.

Cheers, A Dutchie

Hi Thijs, I’m happy to hear that this post is useful to you. You’re up for an amazing overland adventure!! You should definitely keep the seasons in mind, summer and winter are at the same time like in the Netherlands but it’s way hotter or colder in Iran or Pakistan 🙂 It can get very hot in Iran so I think late summer, early autumn would be the perfect time to go there but keep in mind that, if you want to travel through the mountains in Pakistan, you should go there before or after winter otherwise certain roads won’t be accessible and it will too cold anyway to go there in winter. Remember that you need to apply for your Pakistani visa in the Netherlands and I don’t know how much time you have to enter Pakistan from the moment you have your visa. Crossing the Iran – Pakistan border and the Pakistan – India border is also another challenge so make sure you’re well-prepared for those (safety, visa,…) Enjoy the preparations of this trip and feel free to contact me if I can help you with something!

Hi Cynthia, I am gratefull for your reply, it feels like a warm welcome. 🙂 So… For now, I decided to aim for crossing Iran-Pakistan border in April. So I can check out the mountains in Pakistan in April/May. I know these borders are a challange on their own, that’s why I am already preparing now. I do have considerable amount of travel experience, so hopefully everything will be fine. Yeah… So considering the pakistani visa, i’m chatting with Alex from Lost with purpose to figure out my best strategy.

All the best from Uni library in Bonn. Thijs

I think that you’re choosing the right season for going to the mountains in Pakistan. Alex is the expert on traveling in Pakistan so I’m sure she’ll be able to give you loads of information about the visa and border crossings! Enjoy your preparations (they’re also part of the journey 🙂 ). And who knows, we might cross paths! That would be really cool! All the best from Morocco! 🙂

Loved your article, it is helpfull! We will head in a year from now on an owerland trip with 2 small kids (1.5yo and 3.5yo than) so will follow a safer route that keeps the budget. Your route seams food but not all the part is possible with a vehicul. We will figure it out of we go part of the way on wheels and part of it witjout and what would we do with a vehicul.. Still lots to plan 🙂 Thanks for all the info!

Hi Morana, what a great idea to make such an overland adventure with your children! The route from Europe over Georgia/Armenia/Iran or Azerbaijan to Central Asia is very safe and beautiful! If you have any questions or need help with planning your journey, don’t hesitate to contact us! Wishing you all the best!!

Hi Morana, I am planning to go from Spain to Thailand in a couple of years when our kids are bit more grown up. We would like to go with an Autocaravan. Please send me some info if you first try it. My email is [email protected]

Nice pictures. I like your blog. You share the information is very helpful. It is very supportive and useful post. I would like to visit the post once more its valuable content. Thanks!

Hi David, thank you so much! Are you planning on making an overland journey soon?

Very good article. I prefer traveling overland like you you are a happy couple. good luck

Thank you! <3

really love this block. very informative post. really love the story.

Thank you Hiroshi! Glad to hear you enjoyed this post!

Nice read but there is some information which is not correct, I hitchhiked all over Uzbekistan and it is allowed. The police/army/guards at roadblocks will even stop cars for you to help you getting a ride 😉 I really loved Uzbekistan and the people there. Also Croatia and Cyprus are EU countries, but indeed not in the schengen zone. Maybe also good to know for people is that if you want to hitchhike in Tajikistan on the Pamir highway (Which I highly suggest) you will need an extra permit which costs extra money. You can either apply in Dushanbe or online with the E-visa.

Hi Paul! Thanks for pointing this out! There was indeed a misunderstanding and some confusion about Uzbekistan and I adjusted it in the article. I came across the info that one has to show tickets from the bus/train when exiting the country. But that is only for night transportation. With this new information about hitchhiking there, we are now considering of going there too 🙂 Thanks for the extra info about the Pamir Highway! Did you hitchhike all around Central Asia? What was your best experience?

yes exactly

This is a super useful guide, well done! I’m so excited to see your stories and photos of the route you laid out. It goes through some fascinating regions!

Thanks Alex! After puzzling our route together I thought I could help a lot of people who want to do a similar journey with this guide (including your super useful articles!!). We’re very curious and excited about the upcoming route!

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19 replies to this topic

He won’t be able to travel overland due to political unrest and border closures.

I think the old overland trips came to a stop in the 70s.

There may be Facebook groups or message boards out there devoted to such a hobby so it's worth a bit of a search.

Still seems to be happening sporadically.

Some sites & blog links that came up in a quick google.

https://www.thewayoverland.com/the-route

Can't say this one is very realistic as it refers to waiting for a ferry to Aus hmmm

https://awe365.com/ultimate-overlanding-adventure-travel-overland-from-london-to-sydney/

http://v2.travelark.org/travel-blog/cimek/1

https://amp.abc.net.au/article/10359558

A you tube diary https://youtu.be/NwIT7fcuP8s

https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/australia/siblings-drive-26000km-from-uk-to-perth-in-a-mini---but-cant-beat-was-outback-ng-a38f6142cf84b9115d8b9622f2a29494.amp

https://www.crankandpiston.com/our-long-drive-home-uk-to-australia-introduction/

Look up the series “the last overland”

About an old Land Rover adventure from Singapore to London (recreating the steps of the original one from London to Singapore.

I’ve planned to do it, and gave up. Trust me, shipping the vehicle is the easy bit. I’ve done the middle bit across Asia, and it’s the border crossings and paperwork that will do your head in.

With the current problems with Russia and the Ukraine, you will be limited to the lower route through the Stans and China or India. Getting your vehicle legally across those borders is tricky.

Your friend will need a proper vehicle - an EarthCruser is the only vehicle I’d consider.

To read all about it read the Jon Faine book https://www.amazon.com.au/Here-There-Father-Road-Trip-Melbourne/dp/0733323871

It will end up consuming the best part of 3 or 4 years of your life. Have fun.

It'll be a long wait for that ferry, PP.

And just another point. We end up in hospital in Turkmenistan. Make sure you are carrying your own medical supplies - saline packs, canulas, hypodermics etc. They had none. Conversing with emergency doctors in broken Russian and English is not fun.

Yeah Grahame, the last overland show has to do a lot of route changes due to Afghanistan and Syria, plus another few countries. The paperwork seems crazy in some parts.

I wish OP best of luck planning the trip.

One book I read ages ago “The Wrong Way Home” by Peter Moore. An enjoyable read.

Podia, yes getting permits and visas into some of those countries and regions is an issue. We were tailed by secret police in several areas, and in the Xinjaing area of China, were regularly stopped and checked for papers. Vehicles searched, cameras, phones and iPads inspected, by Chinese Police who make the TSA look like kind old uncles and aunts.

And another bonus, travel via Iran or Afghanistan notches you up “the suspicious person “ list on your next holiday, and prevents you from getting an ETSA to the US.

Thank you all for your help and advice, I'll pass it on. It seems it would be a huge mission and not so much fun for my friend.

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It all started when I telephoned the overseas touring department of the AA to ask them to send me the Eastern Europe handbook. I was starting to plan my 1967 summer holiday in which I intended to go motoring behind the Iron Curtain for two weeks. As events turned out the holiday was destined never to take place, but that is another story. The brown envelope that arrived in the post a few days later contained the Middle Eastern handbook. Some clerk in the overseas touring section had obviously considered his duty completed, after all the word "Eastern" was correct. This seemingly minor mistake was to change my life.

If you recognise yourself or if you know any of my fellow travellers of the time. If you are one of those travellers or did a similar trip in the late 60's or early 70's, I would love to hear from you. - PLEASE CONTACT ME.

Missing Graphics and Photographs. ( 21st October 2014 )

The missing graphics and photos have now been restored and all pages should now be displaying properly.

I was travelling for almost three years from October 1968 until August 1971. I travelled with a friend, overland through Europe to Istanbul, and then on through Asia to India, mostly by hitch-hiking. Although we started hitch-hiking in India, we soon realised that it was very cheap to travel by train, so trains became our main transport while we were on the Sub-Continent.

Beyond India there was no road through Burma, so we had to fly to Thailand. We then continued hitch-hiking around South East Asia. On Tuesday 8th April 1969, a little over six months after leaving Liverpool we arrived in Darwin, Australia's northemost city and capital of the Northern Territory.

This web site is a record of that overland journey, compiled from the diary I kept at the time, and from the many letters that I wrote home during the trip.

I have been re-writing this journal for the last few years now, whenever I manage to find some time. It may take a few more years to complete, so if you would like me to email you each time I add some more pages, please contact me and I will put you on my mailing list.

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Exercise a high degree of caution in the UK due to the threat of terrorism.

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Exercise a high degree of caution in the UK.

Exercise a high degree of caution in the UK due to the threat of terrorism.

• On 28 March 2023, the terrorism threat level for  Northern Ireland  was raised from 'substantial' to 'severe', meaning an attack is highly likely.
• International terrorists have staged attacks in the UK. The  UK Government's national terrorism threat level  is 'substantial', meaning it assesses an attack is likely. 
• Islamic extremism, extreme right-wing ideology and the status of Northern Ireland contribute to the threat. Always be alert to terrorism. Take official warnings seriously. 
• Avoid areas where protests are occurring due to the potential for disruption and violence. Monitor the media for information and updates. Follow the instructions of local authorities.

Full travel advice:  Safety

• Stay up to date with  public health guidance  and confirm coverage with your insurance provider.
• Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel, and ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance.
• The standard of medical facilities in the UK is good.
• We have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK. Some GP and hospital treatments are free if you're in the UK for a short visit. If you stay more than 6 months, you'll pay a surcharge when applying for your visa.

Full travel advice:  Health

• Penalties for drug offences are severe. Don't use or carry illegal drugs.

Full travel advice:  Local laws

Regular strikes can occur across several industries, including ambulance services, hospitals and public transport. Check  National Rail  or the  Transport for London  websites for the latest service updates.

• If you're travelling to the UK as a tourist for less than 6 months, you usually don't require a visa. If you plan to visit the UK for more than 6 months or for any purpose other than tourism, you should consult  UK Home Office  for the most up-to-date information.
• Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You should contact the nearest high commission or consulate of the United Kingdom for the latest details.

Full travel advice:  Travel

Local contacts

• The  Consular Services Charter  details what we can and can't do to help you overseas.
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• To stay up to date with local information, follow the High Commission's social media accounts.

Full travel advice:  Local contacts

Full advice

The overall UK terrorism threat level is currently 'substantial' (level 3 of 5), meaning an attack is likely. The 3 key sources of this threat are groups or individuals motivated by:

• Islamic extremism  
• extreme right-wing ideology
• the status of Northern Ireland.

UK authorities have installed security barriers on London's major bridges.

Remain vigilant and:

• be alert to the danger of terrorism
• be aware of your surroundings
• report suspicious behaviour or bags left alone on public transport and in other public places to the police
• monitor official warnings
• follow the advice of local authorities.

Northern Ireland

On 28 March 2023, the terrorism threat level for  Northern Ireland  was raised from 'substantial' to 'severe', meaning an attack is highly likely.

In the past, terrorist groups have used firearms and bombs to target security forces. They have attacked or have attempted attacks in public places. Civilians have been at risk.

There's also a risk of isolated violence by dissident groups in Northern Ireland, focused primarily on police and military targets.

Northern Ireland has previously experienced street violence and rioting, including attacks on police with stones, fireworks and petrol bombs. The violence has mainly occurred in loyalist areas in west and south Belfast, Londonderry, and parts of County Antrim. 

Avoid areas where violence is occurring and follow the advice of authorities.

More information:

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International terrorism

Terrorists have attacked other European cities.

Targets have included:

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• sporting venues and mass gatherings, including places popular with foreigners.
• Terrorism and national emergencies

Civil unrest and political tension

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

To stay safe:

• avoid all protests
• monitor the media for the latest information
• follow instructions of local authorities.

Tensions can rise in Northern Ireland from April to August. This worsens in the weeks leading up to 12 July, also known as the 'Twelfth' or 'Orangemen's Day'.

Be alert and aware of your surroundings and safeguard your belongings. Petty crime, including muggings, pickpocketing and mobile phone theft, occurs across the UK. It happens more often in summer.

Be alert to other criminal activities, including drink spiking and fraud.

Violent crimes such as muggings, knife crime and sexual assaults occur across the UK.

• be alert in crowded and tourist areas, airports, restaurants, pubs and bars, and on public transport
• when using ATMs and credit cards, keep your card in sight, conceal your PIN and check your bank statements
• don't accept drinks from strangers or leave drinks unattended in public places, such as bars and nightclubs
• be alert to suspicious behaviour.

Cyber security 

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth. 

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media. 

More information:  

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The UK experiences  severe weather , including:

• strong winds

Expect transport disruptions.

Monitor  local weather reports . Follow the advice of local authorities.

Register with the  Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System  to receive alerts on major disasters.

• Travel insurance

Get comprehensive  travel insurance  before you leave.

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away (including if stopovers on the way to your destination are covered).

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and  mental health  before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. 

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up   
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need.

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you need counselling, the Samaritans provide private phone support. You can call 24 hours a day,  365 days a year on 116 123 (UK free call).

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

• General health advice
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Medications

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be illegal or controlled substances, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring  medication , check if it's legal in the UK. Take enough legal medication for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription and a dated letter from your doctor stating the following:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use.

Check the UK  Home Office  for advice about medication.

Health risks

Health risks are broadly similar to those in Australia.

More Information:

• NHS information and advice

Medical care

Medical facilities.

The standard of medical facilities is similar to those in Australia.

Call the  National Health Service (NHS)  on 111 to find your nearest GP surgery or hospital.

If you need urgent medical care, go to your nearest hospital.

Accessing NHS medical services

There's a reciprocal healthcare agreement between Australia and the UK.

Some GP and hospital treatments are free if you're in the UK for a short visit.

Check the  Department of Human Services  to find out what's covered. You'll need to prove you're eligible.

This agreement doesn't cover other countries in the EU.

If you stay for over 6 months, you'll pay an  Immigration Health Surcharge . This will be charged when you apply for your visa.

Your details will be shared with the NHS when your visa is granted, allowing you access to medical care. Under this scheme, you must produce your  biometric residence permit  at the doctor's or hospital.

There may be delays in accessing medical treatment through the NHS.

The NHS won't cover the cost if you need a medical evacuation. Medical evacuation can be very expensive. Get comprehensive  travel insurance  before you leave Australia.

You're subject to local laws and penalties, including those that appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling, especially for an extended stay.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our  Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Penalties for possessing, using or trafficking illegal drugs are severe. They include imprisonment and fines.

• Carrying or using drugs
• Arrested or jailed
• Controlled substances (GOV.UK)

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Dual citizenship

The UK recognises dual nationality.

• Dual nationals

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can't help you.

If you're travelling to the UK as a tourist for less than 6 months, you usually won't need a visa.

If you're travelling to the UK for other purposes, seek guidance from the  UK's Visa and Immigration Service  on obtaining a visa.

The UK can refuse entry without a visa if they think you're trying to enter for something other than tourism. You'll need a visa if you plan to do  paid or unpaid work ,  volunteer  or  get married . Arrange this before you travel.

Australian Government officials can't help you change your UK visa status.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the  UK High Commission  for details about visas, currency and customs. 

Departure from the UK

Stay in touch with your airline for the latest information on disruptions which can occur at short notice.

Check your route carefully with your travel provider, travel agent, and  Smartraveller  to confirm transit or entry requirements.

Other formalities

If you’re travelling on an Australian ePassport, you can use eGates on arrival in the UK, free of charge. You don't need to complete a landing card.

You can use eGates if you're:

• over the age of 12 years with an Australian ePassport
• a member of the registered traveller service

You need a stamp in your passport if you're:

• travelling on an emergency passport or Document of Identity travel document
• visiting for short-term study (less than six months)
• visiting for other specific reasons or certain types of work (such as Permitted Paid Engagements or with a Tier 5 Creative and Sporting certificate of sponsorship)

Read the   Guide to faster travel through the UK border .

UK airports have extensive security screening. If you're flying to or transiting through the UK, allow extra time. Check  UK Department of Transport  for details.

Check  UK Visas and Immigration  for details. Also, check the UK's hand luggage rules.

Contact your airline or travel provider for more details.

The UK and the EU provide updated guidance on the implications of Brexit for issues such as travel, residency, education and employment. You can check for the latest information on the websites of the  UK Government  and the  European Commission .

• Brexit bulletin

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. You can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting  a new passport .

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the  Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest  Australian embassy or consulate .

Passport with 'X' gender identifier 

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can't guarantee that a passport showing an 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers. 

More information:   

• LGBTI travellers  

The official currency is the Pound Sterling (GBP).

ATMs are available and credit cards are widely used.  Contactless payment is widely accepted.

If you're travelling to or from a non-European Union (EU) country, declare cash of more than 10,000 euros or equivalent. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.

You may have to pay a penalty if you don't declare this cash.

• UK Visas and Immigration

Local travel

Severe weather can affect airline, bus and train services. Check with local transport providers for up-to-date details.

Driving permit

You can drive a car or motorbike for up to 12 months. You need a full Australian licence for the relevant vehicle. After 12 months, you'll need to get a UK driver's licence. An International Driving Permit isn't required.

If riding a motorcycle, always wear a helmet.

Road travel

Road and safety conditions in the UK are comparable to those in Australia. Follow the advice from local authorities.

• Driving or riding

Some people have reported  sexual assaults  and  robberies  in unlicensed taxis. Only use officially marked taxis.

Rail travel

Rail services are extensive. They can be affected by industrial action, weather, or engineering work.

Check  National Rail  or the  Transport for London  websites for the latest service updates.

• Transport and getting around safely

The Australian Government doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check the  UK's air safety air profile  with the Aviation Safety Network.

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Always get a police report when reporting a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

For criminal issues that aren't an emergency:

• call 101 for the local police
• call 0800 555 111 to make an anonymous report to Crimestoppers

Consular contacts

Read the  Consular Services Charter  for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australian High Commission, London

Australia House Strand London WC 2B 4LA, United Kingdom Phone: (+44 20) 7379 4334 Fax: (+44 20) 7887 5559 Website:  uk.highcommission.gov.au Facebook:  Australian High Commission in the United Kingdom Twitter:  @AusHouseLondon Twitter:  @AusHCUK

Check the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

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Travelling To UK from Australia

If you're planning a trip to the UK from Australia, there are a few things you need to know before you go. From travel requirements to cultural differences, this article will guide you through everything you need to make your journey as smooth as possible.

Table of Contents

Visa requirements, flights and airlines, packing for your trip, getting around the uk, accommodation options, currency and money matters, food and dining options, cultural differences to keep in mind, must-see attractions in the uk, tips for a successful trip.

The UK is a popular travel destination for Australians. With its rich history, beautiful landscapes, and diverse culture, there's something for everyone to enjoy. But before you start packing your bags, it's important to know what to expect when travelling from Australia to the UK.

Australian citizens can enter the UK without a visa for up to six months. However, you will need to obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before boarding your flight. The ESTA is an online application that takes only a few minutes to complete, and it is valid for two years.

If you plan to stay in the UK for longer than six months, you will need to apply for a visa. You can find more information on the UK government's website.

There are several airlines that offer flights from Australia to the UK, including Qantas, British Airways, and Emirates. The flight time from Sydney to London is around 22 hours, so it's important to choose an airline that offers comfortable seating and good in-flight entertainment.

If you're on a budget, consider booking a connecting flight through Asia or the Middle East, as these flights are often cheaper than direct flights.

When packing for your trip to the UK, it's important to pack for the weather. The UK is known for its unpredictable weather, so be sure to pack clothing that can be layered.

You should also bring a universal adapter for your electronics, as the UK uses a different type of plug than Australia.

The UK has an extensive public transportation system, including buses, trains, and the famous London Underground. If you plan to do a lot of travelling within the UK, consider purchasing a BritRail pass, which will give you unlimited travel on trains throughout the country.

You can also rent a car if you plan to explore the countryside, but be aware that driving in the UK is on the left side of the road.

There are plenty of accommodation options in the UK, from budget hostels to luxury hotels. If you're looking for a unique experience, consider staying in a bed and breakfast or a self-catering cottage.

It's important to book your accommodation in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.

The currency in the UK is the British Pound (GBP). You can exchange your Australian dollars for pounds at banks and currency exchange offices.

It's a good idea to have some cash on hand for small purchases, but most places in the UK accept credit and debit cards.

The UK is known for its traditional pub food, such as fish and chips and bangers and mash. But there are also plenty of fine dining options, as well as international cuisine.

Be aware that tipping in the UK is not as common as it is in Australia. A service charge is often included in the bill, but it's up to you whether or not to leave a tip.

There are some cultural differences between Australia and the UK that you should keep in mind when travelling. For example, the UK has a more formal culture than Australia, so it's important to be polite and use proper etiquette.

In the UK, it's also common to queue (line up) for things, and cutting in line is considered very rude. Tipping is also not as common in the UK as it is in Australia, so don't feel obligated to leave a tip unless the service was exceptional.

The UK is full of must-see attractions, from historical landmarks to stunning natural scenery. Some of the top attractions include:

• The Tower of London
• Buckingham Palace
• The British Museum
• The Lake District National Park
• Edinburgh Castle
• The Roman Baths

Here are some tips to help make your trip to the UK a success:

• Book your flights and accommodation well in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.
• Pack for the weather and bring a universal adapter for your electronics.
• Take advantage of public transportation to get around the UK.
• Try traditional pub food, but also explore other dining options.
• Respect cultural differences and be polite.

Travelling to the UK from Australia can be a wonderful experience, as long as you're prepared. By following the tips in this article and being respectful of cultural differences, you can have a successful trip and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Thanks for visiting our blog, are you planing to travel to the UK? Check out our UK SIM card before you take off.

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My four-day rail and ferry adventure from the UK to Albania

From London to Tirana, via Chambéry’s medieval streets, bustling Bari and Albania’s dynamic capital, this trip across Europe has treats at every turn

M y overriding memories of crossing countries by train, on a trip from London to Albania, are of half-empty carriages and countryside sweeping past windows bathed in the soft orange glow of sunset. I remember cypress trees, red-roofed villages with square churches, farmland in neat strips and row upon row of vineyards.

On my London-Paris-Chambéry-Turin-Bari-Tirana journey over land and sea, there was, for long stretches, little to do. The wifi was patchy. It took a while to adapt to having so much time to simply watch the world go by, travelling through landscapes without having to navigate them.

The biggest stress happened long before I set off, when a landslide not far from the French border with Italy blocked the rail line between Chambéry and Turin, forcing a closure that continues today. Byway, the no-fly operator I had booked with, offered to reroute me through Nice and on to Turin via the Vermenagna valley (with changes in Tende and Cuneo), or book me on the FlixBus service over part of the Mont Blanc massif. I was keen to see Chambéry and the Alps, so I chose the bus.

People seemed surprised when I told them I was travelling overland to Albania. As I gushed about the romance of slow travel by train and sleeper ferry, and my excitement about Tirana, I got comments about being “brave”. I didn’t feel especially brave: all the planning, tickets and hotel bookings were done for me, and friendly help was a WhatsApp call away if needed.

I just had to download the Rail Planner app for my Interrail pass and make sure I was at the right station at the right time (Turin was the biggest challenge: it has four main railway stations and taxis scream between them bearing anxious-looking passengers).

The entire journey took four days. If I did it all again, I’d stay longer in Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot – and remember to buy my Paris Métro ticket from the cafe on the Eurostar.

Day one: London to Chamb éry

First to Paris’s Gare du Nord, then the metro to Gare de Lyon, where I make a beeline for a cafe opposite the station. Noise pervades the pavement tables of Café Terminus, but the cacophony is delightful – an atmospheric place for a citron pressé .

I’m in plenty of time for the train to Chambéry and, excitingly, am on the upper deck. Soon, we break free from the suburbs to trace huge stands of forest. Beyond Lyon begins a ripple of hills, lazy rivers and thickly forested slopes. As evening approaches, it’s all Alpine scenery. I arrive at an almost-empty station and walk to the boutique Hotel des Princes in Chambéry’s old town.

Chambéry has an Italian feel – it was the seat of the House of Savoy before the dynasty moved on to Turin – and its medieval alleys, cathedral and pastel-coloured townhouses are quietly impressive. The 1838 Fontaine des Éléphants sits in the middle of the closest square to the old town, and peeking from the end of every street are the Bauges and Chartreuse mountain ranges. My stay is peaceful and easy.

Day two: Chamb éry to Turin

From Chambéry, the train to Turin would take about 2½ hours, but the bus takes double this. I’m on the top deck again, which is worth it for the sight of misty fingers of early morning light breaking across the mountain ridge. Snoozing backpackers rouse themselves to snap pictures of remote Mont Blanc peaks, before slumbering once more through the tunnel to Italy. In Turin there’s perfume in the air from the blossom-covered trees.

Turin’s grid of long, straight boulevards is testament to its development by the Romans – the redbrick Palatine Gate is another Roman relic – and its grand piazzas, royal palaces and graffitied colonnades date from the city’s Savoy heyday in the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, the number one attraction is the Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum).

My favourite moments? Ricotta and fig ice-cream on Piazza San Carlo, an aperitivo on off-the-beaten-path Via Sant’Agostino and the towering neoclassical Mole Antonelliana (national museum of cinema). I eat Turin’s famous doughy pizza al padellino (pan pizza) and spend a comfortable night in the eaves of Hotel Urbani in 19th-century residential streets close to the grand Porta Nuova train station.

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Day three: Turin to Bari

The views from my next train are of cinematic Tuscan scenes. Scorched fields, vines and Italian cypress trees. Neat red roofs and shabby-chic farmhouses. Fluffy clouds cling to hills that Google Maps tells me are the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. After hours of soothing golden landscapes, the opal-blue Adriatic wallops into view just north of Ancona. Beach bars whip by and cypress trees are replaced with palm trees: I’ve arrived in the south of Italy.

Bari is hands down my favourite stop. The noise, heat and energy as we step off the train in the early evening are joyous. After Chambéry and Turin, Bari feels brash, a little rough around the edges even; a proper port city. The labyrinthine alleyways of the whitewashed old town are almost cliched in their cuteness. Despite the troupes of tightly packed headphone-wearing Americans following guided tours, it somehow manages to retain a tranquil atmosphere.

Old ladies yawn from the shade as tourists surreptitiously snap pictures and laundry flutters from balconies. I could stay for ever, but after 24 hours (which includes a lot of pasta, a stroll along the posh promenade to the not-so-posh city beach and a night in an elegant aparthotel, Residence Zodiacus , halfway between the station and the old town), it’s time to board the night ferry to Albania.

Day (and night) four: Bari to Tirana

I arrive at the ferry on foot and am escorted through the car deck to jokes about going in the wrong direction (to Albania, instead of from it). In the early morning I spot a pink sky through the cracked window of my comfy en suite cabin, and head to the top deck to see the sun rise over the distant outline of Albania. Disembarking in the port of Durrës is a bit of a scrum and there’s a bus to the capital waiting, but I opt instead for a five-minute taxi ride to the centre of town and breakfast of pastries and espresso on a dazzling white road lined with boutiques and palm trees. I later regret this though, as the aircon on the grubby public bus I eventually take to Tirana is more tired than I am, and drops me in an urban sprawl miles from the centre.

Tirana itself is a revelation. My hotel, Padam Boutique , is a grand villa with handsome rooms and floor-to-ceiling windows, and there’s striking new skyward architecture on every nearby street. A short stroll away is the landmark Pyramid of Tirana , which stands as a symbol and monument to change (and is fun to climb at sunset). Skanderbeg Square – a jumble of buildings erected on a roundabout at the time of the celebrations to mark the fall of communism in 1992 – is now a pedestrianised, glossy public space. There are nods to Albania’s recent, wretched history behind the iron curtain, of course – the Bunk’Art and Bunk’Art 2 museums, in nuclear bunkers are unmissable – but Tirana and the country are more than just the last century. My journey is done, but it feels like Tirana is just getting into its stride.

The trip was provided by Byway , which offers sustainable travel and accommodation packages across the UK and Europe. Its Alps to Albania trip costs from £679pp

• Slow Travel
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• Public transport trips
• Rail travel
• France holidays
• Albania holidays
• Italy holidays

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