Multi-country: Connected Histories, Contrasting CulturesAsia might be not that far from Australia, but why limit yourself to a single country when you can combine multiple destinations into one unforgettable journey? Sounds like fun? Read on for ideas and inspiration then give us a call or send an enquiry and take your first step to making it happen.Asia’s borders might be drawn in ink, but the stories they tell are anything but rigid. Travel across countries here and you’ll trace the path of empires, trade routes, and shared traditions that stretch across rivers, mountains and centuries.Take Vietnam and Cambodia: both shaped by the Mekong, by Theravāda Buddhism, and by decades of French colonial rule. But while Vietnam pulses with fast-paced cities and street food culture, Cambodia’s slower rhythm and deep spiritual focus offer a different kind of energy—anchored by the sheer scale of Angkor.Or consider Japan and South Korea: two nations with shared Confucian roots and entwined histories, yet strikingly different in feel. Japan’s deep reserve and ritual contrast with South Korea’s expressive energy, from its music and fashion to its fiercely proud food culture.These are journeys that cross more than just borders. And while multi-country travel in Asia can be logistically complex - language changes, flight timings, ferry connections - we make it easy. Our Brisbane-based team knows the region intimately and will craft a trip that flows, without the friction. You’ll travel with confidence, backed by expert planning and on-the-ground support throughout.Whether you want to uncover ancient kingdoms, explore regional cuisines, or simply see more of Asia in one go - we’ll design a journey that shows you the connections, the contrasts, and everything in between.Read moreContact our team in Brisbane Overview Trip ideas Trip ideasMore itinerariesPlan my trip Japan Fully customisable A Taste of Japan & South KoreaBibimbap and BBQ take on sushi and ramen in this showdown between Japan and Korea: two giants of the gastronomic world. Multi-country Fully customisable Vietnam & Cambodia UncoveredIf Vietnam and Cambodia are on your bucket list, look no further than this itinerary which covers the best of both. Multi-country Fully customisable Thailand & Laos ExplorerExperience two unique but intertwined cultures as you follow the Mekong from northern Thailand to Laos. Multi-country Fully customisable Discover Vietnam & Cambodia with KidsThis is a holiday your kids will actually get excited about (or at least, ours did). Designed with families in mind, this itinerary combines fun activities with pockets of free time, so everyone from toddlers to teens, and importantly, the responsible adults, can enjoy. Multi-country Fully customisable Borneo & Malaysia DiscoveryRainforests, skyscrapers, mountains and heritage towns. Add wildlife encounters, food tours and street art for an all-encompassing trip to Malaysia and Borneo. Multi-country Fully customisable Best of South Korea & JapanVast cities, lush countryside, hyper-charged pop culture and superlative food: Japan and Korea are a classic combo. Multi-country Fully customisable Laos & Cambodia EntwinedTake your time to soak up the culture and scenery, travelling slow from Luang Prabang to Phnom Penh. Multi-country Fully customisable Indochina HoneymoonWe’re not the kind of people to spend two weeks on a sunlounger. Since you’re here, we’re guessing you’re not either. Multi-country Fully customisable Soulful PursuitsSteeped in Buddhist tradition and indigenous, animist beliefs, Cambodia and Laos make the perfect setting for this gentle exploration of Southeast Asian spirituality. Multi-country Fully customisable World Heritage IndochinaIf you’re only going to visit Indochina once, why not pack the highlights of all three countries into one trip? Multi-country Fully customisable Mekong ExplorerUsually, covering such an amazing variety of destinations means putting up with multiple transfers, uncomfortable road journeys, and numerous hotel check-ins. Not on this trip. Multi-country Fully customisable Trekking Northern Vietnam & LaosFrom the steep valleys and rice terraces of northern Vietnam to the thick jungles and jagged karsts of Laos, this is a journey through some of the most majestic mountain scenery in Asia — bookended by two strikingly different historic capitals. Multi-country Fully customisable Family Fun in Vietnam & CambodiaVariety, balance and adventure. They’re the key ingredients of a great family holiday, and they’re at the heart of this fantastic family trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. Top destinations in AsiaAsia’s cities and urban hubs make ideal anchor points for a multi-country holiday – each with its own rhythm, rituals, and reasons to linger. Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, topped the list as the world’s most visited city in 2024. But beyond the statistics, what really draws people in are the street-level experiences: night markets steaming with drunken noodles and crab fried rice, river ferries chugging past temples, and small family-run shops tucked behind shopping centres – tailors, herbalists, photo studios and snack stalls you’d miss if you didn’t know where to look. It's also a natural springboard to Thailand’s coastlines – from the craggy limestone cliffs of Krabi to the long, lazy sands of Ko Samet.Siem Reap is often added to Vietnam, Laos or Thailand itineraries – and for good reason. It’s the gateway to Angkor Wat, the 12th century temple complex that documents everyday life and spiritual devotion through intricate carvings. But there’s more to explore beyond the vine-entangled ruins. Siem Reap’s countryside is a window into local life: crafters hard at work, families cooking rice in bamboo tubes, mine-detecting rats (really).South Korea’s capital, Seoul, offers a different kind of pace. Here, you’ll find high-speed trains and high fashion, but also peaceful Buddhist temples and forested national parks within easy reach. It’s a great starting point for travellers who want city breaks with cultural depth and the option of fresh air without travelling far.Luang Prabang, Laos’ former royal capital, offers a gentler rhythm. Colonial buildings in peach, cream and buttery yellow line quiet lanes. Mornings begin at sunrise, when saffronrobed monks walk the streets and markets sell jungle herbs by the armful. It’s the kind of place where time slows down – and you’ll feel it the moment you arrive.Singapore is often treated as a convenient layover – and it is – but there’s plenty to warrant a longer stay. You’ll find Peranakan townhouses in Katong, buzzing hawker centres, and tropical gardens with skyscraper backdrops. Transport is simple and efficient, and English is widely spoken – making it one of the easiest places to start or end a more complex Asia trip.Kuala Lumpur, just a short hop away, adds another layer. Beneath its glass towers are old-school noodle shops, ornate mosques and traditional neighbourhoods like Kampung Baru – where you can still find timber houses, open-air satay grills and streetside barbers, all in the shadow of the Petronas Towers.Read more South Korea SeoulSpend a week in Seoul, and you’ll most likely come away feeling that you’ve barely scratched the surface – this hyperactive, endlessly beguiling megalopolis somehow feels uber-cool, hyper-modern, charmingly traditional and historically fascinating, all at the same time. Laos Luang PrabangLuang Prabang is Laos’s Shangri-La: sweeping golden roofs and colonial shophouses against a lush backdrop of jungle-covered mountains, and a laid-back atmosphere of peace and serenity. Malaysia Kuala LumpurKuala Lumpur is a true cultural melting pot, where jade-topped Chinese gates open out onto palm-lined squares, Indian restaurants serve banana leaf curries in marigold-scented alleyways, and old-fashioned Malay villages lie squeezed between the skyscrapers. “These are some of my favourite trips to plan. Multi-country holidays let you see how deeply connected Asia really is – and how different places can be, even across short distances.One of the best parts is getting to compare experiences. And food is a big one. Take pho in Vietnam and kuy teav in Cambodia – both rice noodle soups, both eaten for breakfast, but worlds apart in flavour and presentation. Pho is usually served with rare beef, clear broth and herbs like Thai basil and sawtooth coriander. Kuy teav is pork-based, often topped with fried garlic, pickled vegetables or minced meat, found at street stalls in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap.And don’t forget to give yourself time – not just between flights or buses, but space to slow down. Some of the best memories come between the big sights.” Frequently asked questions Is there enough time to see everything? Not everything – but we’ll help you see the right things for your interests and timeframe. We can adjust any itinerary: cut it down, build it up, or change pace as needed. How long should we spend in each country? This is entirely up to you – but if you're splitting your time, we recommend giving each place at least a week. It’s the difference between ticking off a few lead destination highlights and really getting to know a place. A week gives you room to go beyond the obvious: to stay somewhere a bit more characterful, venture into the countryside, and try experiences you might miss otherwise. That said, if your heart’s set on a quick taste of somewhere new at the end of a longer trip, our travel experts will put together the holiday that’s right for you.However long you have, we’ll build something that fits – and feels right for you. Do I need a visa for every country? Visa requirements vary by nationality and destination. Check in with your government guidelines on each country you plan to visit, to be sure. Will I need different currencies? Yes. None of our destinations share a currency, so plan ahead. Yen is useful in Japan, especially in markets and rural areas, but will be necessary when it comes to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, even in cities, where card is less widely used. In Malaysia and South Korea, on the other hand, card is favoured over cash, so make sure you check whether your bank charges for overseas transactions and make suitable arrangements. We also recommend carrying some US dollars as a backup float, which you can use to exchange should you need to top up. Do I need to fly between countries? Not always. In Southeast Asia, overland travel – including boats and trains – is often an option. Crossing from Cambodia to Vietnam, or from Thailand to Laos via the Mekong, is a popular alternative to internal flights (and, better for the planet). What about phone data and SIM cards? You’ll need separate SIMs, eSIMS or a roaming package that covers multiple countries. Check with your phone provider before you go if you want to prepare before you fly. Otherwise, you’ll be able to pick up SIMs at the airport. Which countries are easiest to combine logistically? Vietnam and Cambodia are connected by land and short flights. Thailand and Laos pair well with river travel. Japan and South Korea are close by air (2–3 hours). Malaysia/Borneo and Singapore work well as a single holiday, or as a springboard into wider Asia. Will this cost more than a single-country trip? Generally, yes – extra flights or transfers between countries add to the cost. But we’ll work within your budget to make it worthwhile, and sometimes ground transport or off-peak travel helps keep costs down. It’s cheaper in the long-run to extend your time in Asia than to come back with another set of international flights I only have a week in Japan – can I still stay in a ryokan? Yes! You can reach places like Hakone from Tokyo in a couple of hours. Staying in a traditional ryokan inn is a great way to understand Japan’s traditions within a short visit. Can we take the ferry between Japan and Korea? There are a couple of overnight ferries which run between Busan (South Korea) and Fukuoka (Japan). While flights are quicker, a ferry trip between Japan and Korea can be part of a slower travel adventure. Why book with InsideAsia? Travel’s friendliest expertsWe promise we’ll care about your trip as much as you do. A dedicated travel consultant will listen, guide and create a trip that could only be yours. Specialists make it effortlessFrom seamless logistics to unexpected discoveries, our deep destination specialism means travel that feels effortless and richer than you could plan for alone. Rockstar service as standardWe guarantee that you'll have our support every step of the way. We never pass the buck or fail to take responsibility. We’ll be there whenever you need us. Our Info-Packs are legendaryTransfers, tickets and check‑ins verified so your trip runs like clockwork. Plus, we create your totally tailored trip bible, so every detail is in your hand, at all times. Ready to plan?Get in touch now and we will plan your perfect multi-destination holidayGet a brochureTell Us Your Travel Dreams
Travel’s friendliest expertsWe promise we’ll care about your trip as much as you do. A dedicated travel consultant will listen, guide and create a trip that could only be yours.
Specialists make it effortlessFrom seamless logistics to unexpected discoveries, our deep destination specialism means travel that feels effortless and richer than you could plan for alone.
Rockstar service as standardWe guarantee that you'll have our support every step of the way. We never pass the buck or fail to take responsibility. We’ll be there whenever you need us.
Our Info-Packs are legendaryTransfers, tickets and check‑ins verified so your trip runs like clockwork. Plus, we create your totally tailored trip bible, so every detail is in your hand, at all times.