Skyline view of Bangkok highlighting traditional Thai architecture amidst modern buildings.
8 stops ยท 4 countries ยท ~3,299 km

The Banana Pancake Trail

The classic Southeast Asia backpacker loop: Bangkok, northern Thailand, the Mekong in Laos, the length of Vietnam and Angkor in Cambodia, then back to Bangkok. The best hostels at every stop, and how to get to the next one.

Photo: Zaonar Saizainalin on Pexels.

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ stops
8
๐ŸŒ countries
4
๐Ÿ›๏ธ hostels
901
๐Ÿ’ธ best cheap bed (Siem Reap)
โ‚ฌ0.90

The route

Map ยฉ OpenStreetMap contributors, OpenFreeMap. The line joins the stops in order; it is not a road or flight path.

Stop by stop

  1. Getting to Chiang Mai ยท ~583 km as the crow flies

    • Overnight sleeper trainabout 11โ€“14 hEvening departures, morning arrival; book ahead in high season.
    • Overnight busabout 9โ€“10 h
    • Flight

    โœˆ๏ธ Search flights BKK โ†’ CNXFlights Bangkok โ†’ Chiang Mai

    Times are typical ranges; operators change schedules, so check before you book. Sources: Backpackers Wanderlust, The Backpacking Family.

  2. Getting to Luang Prabang ยท ~352 km as the crow flies

    • Bus to Huay Xai + 2-day Mekong slow boat2โ€“3 daysOvernight stop in Pak Beng; boats leave in the morning, seats are first come, first served.
    • Direct bus20+ h
    • Flight

    โœˆ๏ธ Search flights CNX โ†’ LPQ

    Times are typical ranges; operators change schedules, so check before you book. Sources: Backpackers Wanderlust, Go Laos.

  3. Getting to Vang Vieng ยท ~109 km as the crow flies

    • Laosโ€“China Railwayabout 1โ€“1.5 hVang Vieng station is about 4 km from town; arrive 30โ€“60 min early.

    Times are typical ranges; operators change schedules, so check before you book. Sources: North Vietnam travel guide, Gecko Routes.

  4. Getting to Hanoi ยท ~425 km as the crow flies

    • Train or bus to Vientiane, then fly to Hanoiflight about 1 h
    • Long-distance bus via Vientianeabout 25โ€“30 hNo direct bus; you change in Vientiane.

    โœˆ๏ธ Search flights VTE โ†’ HAN

    Times are typical ranges; operators change schedules, so check before you book. Sources: North Vietnam travel guide, Rome2Rio.

  5. Getting to Hoi An ยท ~629 km as the crow flies

    • Reunification train to Da Nangabout 16โ€“17 hHoi An has no station: 30โ€“45 min by car from Da Nang. Day trains cross the Hai Van Pass in daylight.
    • Sleeper bus, direct to Hoi Anabout 17โ€“20 h
    • Fly to Da Nangabout 1 h 20 min

    โœˆ๏ธ Search flights HAN โ†’ DADFlights Hanoi โ†’ Da Nang (for Hoi An)

    Times are typical ranges; operators change schedules, so check before you book. Sources: Local Vietnam.

  6. Getting to Phnom Penh ยท ~605 km as the crow flies

    • Fly from Da Nangabout 1 h 10 min
    • Bus via Ho Chi Minh Cityabout a day to HCMC, then 6โ€“7 h to Phnom Penh

    โœˆ๏ธ Search flights DAD โ†’ PNH

    Times are typical ranges; operators change schedules, so check before you book. Sources: North Vietnam travel guide, Local Vietnam.

  7. Getting to Siem Reap ยท ~231 km as the crow flies

    • Express bus (day seats or night sleeper)about 5.5โ€“6.5 hGiant Ibis and others run several departures a day.
    • Flight

    โœˆ๏ธ Search flights PNH โ†’ SAIFlights Phnom Penh โ†’ Siem Reap

    Times are typical ranges; operators change schedules, so check before you book. Sources: Move to Cambodia.

  8. Back to Bangkok ยท ~365 km as the crow flies

    • Bus across the Poipet borderabout 7โ€“10 hYou clear immigration on foot at the border; ends near Khao San Road.
    • Flight

    โœˆ๏ธ Search flights SAI โ†’ BKK

    Times are typical ranges; operators change schedules, so check before you book. Sources: Gecko Routes, Hello Angkor.

FAQ

What is the Banana Pancake Trail?

The classic Southeast Asia backpacker loop: Bangkok, northern Thailand, the Mekong in Laos, the length of Vietnam and Angkor in Cambodia, then back to Bangkok.

How long is the Banana Pancake Trail?

About 3,299 km in straight lines between our 8 stops (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Hanoi, Hoi An, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap), back to Bangkok; real road and rail distances are longer.

Which countries does the Banana Pancake Trail go through?

Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia.

Where is the cheapest good hostel bed on the Banana Pancake Trail?

Siem Reap: Mad Monkey Siem Reap, rated 9.8 on Hostelworld, from โ‚ฌ0.90 a night (the lowest dorm price among hostels rated 8+ from 50+ reviews, 11 October 2026).

Hostel prices and ratings from Hostelworld's public listings (11 October 2026). Distances are straight-line between city centres. AirConnect may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.