In an era where everything races against time, many may find long journeys tedious. But believe it or not, the overland travel trend called "Slow Travel" is making a strong comeback.
The first factor is undoubtedly saving money from "airport taxes" and soaring airfare due to fuel shortages. But the key reason travelers now endure tens of hours on bus seats or train berths is the desire to "heal the soul." Slower travel becomes a precious time to disconnect from chaos, embrace new experiences, and importantly, reflect and learn about oneself amid today’s hectic world. If you want to recharge your life through the art of travel that values the "journey" more than the destination,
Thairath Online will introduce 5 appealing alternative cross-border routes that are easy to travel, budget-friendly, and offer better vibes than expected.
1. Classic overnight train crossing the Thailand-Malaysia border (Bangkok - Padang Besar - Penang)
A popular international route that every slow-life traveler should try at least once. Instead of paying expensive plane tickets, try booking the special express sleeper train (Train No. 45) from Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station straight to Padang Besar station on the Malaysia border.
On this trip, you’ll sleep comfortably on soft beds, waking to lush southern scenery. Upon arrival at Padang Besar, simply disembark to get your passport stamped at the station.
Then you can transfer to Malaysia’s KTM Komuter commuter train to visit the UNESCO World Heritage city of "Penang" or take the high-speed ETS train directly to Kuala Lumpur easily, at a cost saving of more than half compared to flying.
2. Train crossing the Mekong River to check in at the Laotian capital Vientiane (Bangkok - Nong Khai - Vientiane)
Traveling to Laos is now very convenient, easy, and enjoyable, especially with a direct seamless train connection. You can take an overnight train from Bangkok to Nong Khai station, then cross the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge by train to reach Thanaleng station or the newer "Kham Sawat" station, located closer to Vientiane’s city center.
The highlight is crossing the Mekong River by train, where you’ll enjoy expansive river views and a slow-life riverside lifestyle—an enviable photo opportunity.
Plus, there’s no need to squeeze in airport queues or worry about luggage weight. If you have extra time, you can take Laos’ high-speed LCR train to continue exploring Vang Vieng or Luang Prabang.
3. Alternative route of nature and ancient civilization (Bangkok - Ubon Ratchathani - Pakse, Southern Laos)
If you’re seeking new popular alternative routestoday,combining spectacular nature and historical ambiance, the "Southern Laos" route is the perfect choice. You can take the special express overnight train Isan Markha or a sleeper bus from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani, then transfer to an international bus (BKS) crossing the Chong Mek border towards Pakse city in Champasak province at a relaxed pace.
On this trip, you’ll rest fully on the train or sleeper bus, waking to the first light in Ubon. The Chong Mek border crossing is convenient and hassle-free. Once across, the roadside views are filled with green plateaus and coffee plantations.
Southern Laos, especially Pakse, is a gateway to world-class nature like the Bolaven Plateau with spectacular waterfalls such as Tad Fane and Tad Yeuang. It also hosts the "Vat Phou" temple complex, a UNESCO cultural heritage site of ancient Khmer civilization that is both mystical and beautiful. This route perfectly suits travelers interested in history alongside nature.
4. Train route through 3 countries to the land of spring (Bangkok - Laos - Kunming, China)
This route is the ultimate overland epic journey trending among adventure travelers. You can extend from the Nong Khai-Vientiane route by boarding Laos’ high-speed LCR train at Vientiane station, crossing the Laos-China border, and arriving in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, all within one day.
The scenery along this route is spectacular. You’ll pass hundreds of mountain tunnels, cross towering bridges, and witness landscapes gradually changing from tropical Laotian forests to towering mountains with cooler air upon entering China.
The appeal of this route is that it saves both money and time compared to flying to Kunming. Plus, you get to visit popular cities along the way such as Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, and Xishuangbanna. It’s a single trip covering two countries with great value.
5. The epic southern journey: train linking 3 metropolises (Bangkok - Malaysia - Singapore)
For those with time who want to conquer a classic route coveted by backpackers worldwide, try this long train journey from Thailand to Singapore. Start with the special express train from Bangkok to Padang Besar, then transfer to Malaysia’s high-speed ETS train to Kuala Lumpur, and change trains heading south to Johor Bahru station to cross the Woodlands checkpoint into Singapore.
This route lets you witness the transformation of two worlds—from Thai fields and mountains to Malaysian palm plantations and colonial architecture, ending with Singapore’s futuristic skyscrapers. It’s a trip that perfectly satisfies cultural diversity.
Malaysia’s and Singapore’s railway systems are punctual and modern. Although transfers are needed, stations are well connected, allowing seamless stops to explore major cities en route.
It’s undeniable that trains or buses take much longer than planes. Yet within this slowness lie advantages and valuable experiences that speed cannot offer.
In daily life accustomed to rush, sitting still on a bus seat or train berth overnight forces a true pause. No work alerts, no tasks to handle. This is a long trip where you fully reconnect with yourself.
You might finally finish reading a book you’d set aside, listen to a full playlist without skipping, let your mind drift with changing window views, or chat with a stranger sitting beside you. These are the "arts of travel" that refine the mind, slow life’s pace, and help us rediscover the beauty in small things around us.
Ultimately, avoiding airport taxes by choosing overland routes may not just save money but is an investment in "time" and "space" to genuinely recharge your life.