Backpacking loop · Southeast Asia
Banana Pancake Trail
The classic Southeast Asia backpacker loop through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia by train, bus and plane.
- Distance
- ~3,364 km
- Stops
- 9
- Typical length
- 4–8 weeks
- Transport
- Train, Bus, Plane
- Map style
- Field Notes
Distance is measured stop to stop in straight lines, so the real road or rail distance is longer.
About the route
The Banana Pancake Trail is the well-worn backpacker circuit of mainland Southeast Asia. This version starts in Bangkok, takes the night train to Chiang Mai, crosses into Laos to Luang Prabang, flies to Hanoi, rides the Reunification railway down Vietnam's coast to Hoi An, continues to Ho Chi Minh City, then goes by bus to Phnom Penh, Siem Reap for Angkor Wat, and back to Bangkok.
It's a good example of a multi-transport trip: each leg has its own transport, line style and colour, from the dashed plane arc to the solid train and bus lines. Open it in the editor and change any leg to match how you really travelled.
Tips for your video
- Each transport keeps its own colour, so viewers can see train, bus and plane legs at a glance.
- Add a stamp at each border crossing: Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand.
- A heading-up follow camera feels like a real journey; overview suits a quick recap.
Stops
- Bangkok13.76°N 100.50°E
- Chiang Mai18.79°N 98.98°E
- Luang Prabang19.89°N 102.13°E
- Hanoi21.03°N 105.83°E
- Hoi An15.88°N 108.34°E
- Ho Chi Minh City10.82°N 106.63°E
- Phnom Penh11.56°N 104.93°E
- Siem Reap13.37°N 103.86°E
- Bangkok13.76°N 100.50°E
More famous routes
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