How much does it cost?

From £4,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $5,807 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is this an escorted or independent tour?

It is escorted. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from start to finish, and all transport, hotels, and guided tours are arranged.

Which trains are part of the itinerary?

The Burma Railway from Hellfire Pass to Kanchanaburi over the River Kwai bridge; the Laos-China Railway from Vientiane to Luang Prabang; and the Reunification Express from Hanoi to Hue (overnight in private-use cabins) and Hue to Da Nang (Soft Seat class).

What hotels are included?

Great Rail Journeys books 14 nights in four and five-star hotels: Ramada Plaza by Wyndham in Bangkok, River Kwai Resotel in Kanchanaburi, Crowne Plaza in Vientiane, Luang Say Residence or Avani+ in Luang Prabang, Hotel du Parc in Hanoi, Indochine Palace in Hue, Hotel Royal Hoi An, and Angkor Miracle Resort & Spa in Siem Reap. One night is aboard the Reunification Express sleeper and one aboard a Ha Long Bay junk boat.

When does this tour depart?

Departures run in October, November, January, February, March, and April. Eight departures are scheduled across 2026 and 2027.

What meals are included?

Breakfast every day, 11 lunches, 4 dinners, and 1 brunch. Most major meals are provided; some dinners and lunches are described as free or optional (for example, Day 9 evening and some Day 15 options in Hoi An).

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Grand Tour of Southeast Asia

Escorted 19-day rail and cruise journey through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Great Rail Journeys' 19-day Grand Tour of Southeast Asia is an escorted journey through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, departing London Heathrow and returning via Bangkok. The tour opens with two days exploring Bangkok's temples and riverways, then moves to Kanchanaburi to ride the Burma Railway over the bridge on the River Kwai. From there, travelers fly to Vientiane and take the Laos-China Railway to Luang Prabang, where they participate in an authentic cooking class and experience the Tak Bat ritual with monks. The tour includes an overnight luxury junk cruise through Ha Long Bay, an overnight sleeper on the Reunification Express from Hanoi to Hue, and rail travel to the ancient city of Hoi An. The final days are spent exploring Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Throughout the 19 days, a UK Tour Manager provides guidance, accommodation is in four and five-star hotels, and all major transport, most meals, and guided tours are arranged. The pace mixes relaxing resort time with guided sightseeing in major cities and temples.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has fallen £200 since 4 Jul, to £4,299.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

The single supplement is substantial: £6,299 versus £4,499 from, nearly 40 percent above half the double-occupancy price.
Day 15 in Hoi An is unguided; activities are listed as optional choices you organize independently.
An optional Apsara dance show with dinner in Siem Reap is payable locally and not included in the tour price.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: In flight
Overnight flight to Thailand
Meeting the Tour Manager and travelling group at London Heathrow for an overnight flight to Bangkok, via Singapore.
Day 2overnight: Bangkok
A relaxed day in Bangkok
Landing in Bangkok, we transfer to our five-star riverside hotel for a day to acclimatise, with the option to explore independently, before gathering for our first dinner together.
Meals: Dinner
Day 3overnight: Bangkok
Embracing Thai culture and history
A guided tour taking in Wat Traimit's golden Buddha, Wat Pho and its reclining Buddha, and the Grand Palace, followed by lunch and a boat ride along Bangkok's klongs. The evening is free to dine independently.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4railovernight: Kanchanaburi (Sai Yok)
To Kanchanaburi on the River Kwai
A coach journey to Kanchanaburi, visiting the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre and the Allied War Cemetery, before arriving at our jungle resort hotel and taking a long-tail boat to a Mon Tribal Village, followed by dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5railovernight: Vientiane
Riding the Burma Railway and on to Laos
A visit to the Hellfire Pass museum, followed by a journey along the Burma Railway across the bridge on the River Kwai into Kanchanaburi. After lunch, we fly from Bangkok to Vientiane, capital of Laos, checking in to our five-star hotel near the Mekong River.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6railovernight: Luang Prabang
From Vientiane to Luang Prabang by rail
A sightseeing tour of Vientiane's French colonial buildings, Patuxai and Pha That Luang, followed by lunch and a journey on the Laos-China Railway to Luang Prabang at speeds of around 100mph.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7overnight: Luang Prabang
The untouched beauty of Luang Prabang
An early Tak Bat alms-giving ritual, a fresh fruit market and sunrise views from Phousi Hill, followed by breakfast, then a Mekong River cruise to the sacred caves of Pak Ou, and an evening visit to the Ock Pop Tok craft centre.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8overnight: Hanoi
Authentic experiences of Laotian cuisine
A visit to a farm-to-table restaurant and a local market with a chef, followed by a cookery class and lunch of our own creations. We then fly to Hanoi, Vietnam, checking in to our five-star hotel for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9railovernight: Hanoi
Uncovering the sights of Hanoi
A visit to Ba Dinh Square and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, lunch, and a three-hour city tour including the Temple of Literature. The evening is free, with the option to visit Hanoi's 'Train Street'.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10overnight: Onboard junk boat, Ha Long Bay
Experiencing a night cruise on UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay
A transfer to Ha Long Bay to board our luxury junk boat for an overnight cruise, with lunch onboard, a stop at Cat Ba Island for a stroll or bike ride, and dinner as the sun sets.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11railovernight: Onboard Reunification Express
Sunrise on Ha Long Bay and boarding the overnight sleeper train
An optional sunrise tai chi session, then a cruise to Trinh Nu cave with an included kayak trip, before returning to Hanoi for a traditional water puppet show and boarding the Reunification Express overnight to Hue in private-use cabins.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12railovernight: Hue
Arrival in the imperial city of Hue
A picnic breakfast onboard as the train arrives in Hue, followed by an early hotel check-in, lunch, and an afternoon tour of the Imperial Citadel and the Thien Mu pagoda.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 13railovernight: Hoi An
Along the coast to Da Nang and Hoi An
A visit to Hue's Dong Ba market, then a journey on the Reunification Express in Soft Seat class down the coast to Da Nang, visiting the Cham Museum, before transferring to a riverside hotel in Hoi An for a three-night stay.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14overnight: Hoi An
Exploring the 'Lantern City' of Hoi An
A guided walking tour taking in Tan Ky Old House and the Japanese Covered Bridge, followed by lunch and a hands-on lantern-making workshop. The Old Quarter's lanterns can be seen on a free evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 15overnight: Hoi An
Free day to discover Hoi An
A free day in Hoi An, with options including the Cantonese Assembly Hall, Tra Que coconut village and a basket boat trip, or Central Market's street food.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 16overnight: Siem Reap
To the Cambodian jungle city of Siem Reap
A leisurely morning in Hoi An before transferring to Da Nang for a short flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia, checking in to our luxurious five-star hotel for a free evening.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 17overnight: Siem Reap
Exploring Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm Temple
A tuk tuk transfer to Angkor Thom, exploring the Bayon Temple, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Phimeanakas Temple, then Ta Prohm Temple, followed by lunch and a free afternoon, with an optional Apsara dance show with dinner in the evening (payable locally).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 18overnight: In flight
The spectacular lost temples of Angkor Wat
A visit to Angkor Wat, including the Bakan Tower, followed by a blessing from a Buddhist monk and lunch at our hotel, before transferring to the airport for the overnight flight to London Heathrow via Singapore.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 19
Homeward bound
As we land in London Heathrow this morning, your memorable explorations come to an end.
Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

Day 5Day 5: Ride the Burma Railway over the bridge on the River Kwai after visiting Hellfire Pass museum.
Day 6Day 6: Board the Laos-China Railway to Luang Prabang, traveling at 100 miles per hour for approximately two hours.
Day 7Day 7: Rise early for the Tak Bat ritual with Buddhist monks and cruise the Mekong River to Pak Ou and its sacred caves.
Day 11Day 11: Kayak in Ha Long Bay's Trinh Nu cave, then board the Reunification Express overnight sleeper to Hue in private-use cabin.
Day 18Day 18: Explore Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious structure, and receive a blessing from a Buddhist monk.

Included

Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
14 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
1 night in a double occupancy cabin aboard the Reunification Express
1-night cruise aboard a luxury junk boat in Ha Long Bay
Standard & Soft Seat Class rail travel
All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout your tour
Flights from London Heathrow to Bangkok, Siem Reap to London Heathrow via Bangkok
All internal flights
Breakfast each day, 1 brunch, 11 lunches, 4 dinners
All guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £4,299 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $5,807 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?: It is escorted. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from start to finish, and all transport, hotels, and guided tours are arranged.
Which trains are part of the itinerary?: The Burma Railway from Hellfire Pass to Kanchanaburi over the River Kwai bridge; the Laos-China Railway from Vientiane to Luang Prabang; and the Reunification Express from Hanoi to Hue (overnight in private-use cabins) and Hue to Da Nang (Soft Seat class).
What hotels are included?: Great Rail Journeys books 14 nights in four and five-star hotels: Ramada Plaza by Wyndham in Bangkok, River Kwai Resotel in Kanchanaburi, Crowne Plaza in Vientiane, Luang Say Residence or Avani+ in Luang Prabang, Hotel du Parc in Hanoi, Indochine Palace in Hue, Hotel Royal Hoi An, and Angkor Miracle Resort & Spa in Siem Reap. One night is aboard the Reunification Express sleeper and one aboard a Ha Long Bay junk boat.
When does this tour depart?: Departures run in October, November, January, February, March, and April. Eight departures are scheduled across 2026 and 2027.
What meals are included?: Breakfast every day, 11 lunches, 4 dinners, and 1 brunch. Most major meals are provided; some dinners and lunches are described as free or optional (for example, Day 9 evening and some Day 15 options in Hoi An).