Last Updated on 12/05/2025
As they say, the journey is more beautiful than the destination and that is where the concept of road trips came into being. To enjoy the green meadows, the deep blue sea, the clear sky, the starry night, different people, different food while you drive your way to your ultimate destination. With the opening of Bangkok highway, the road trips of India are not just limited to Leh and Ladakh you can travel all the way to Bangkok, Bangladesh and other foreign destinations in your car or bike. Sounds amusing? With pleasure, we present you the best international road trips from India, which you must try if you are looking for an out of the box experience.
The Secret- You can take few of these road trips without having your own car or bike. Now, what makes you stop?
1. Nepal
- Distance from Delhi – 1012 km
- Time – 30 hours
- Documents required – Passport and visa are not required but you need a permit, which is called Bhansar in the local language.
Nepal, the country which caters the highest peak of the world has more than just Mt. Everest to offer to its travelers. The antique temples, the scrumptious food, green valleys and smiling people everything is set beautifully in this country. The best thing about this road trip is that you don’t need a passport to travel to Nepal. Road trip to Nepal is the easiest and hassle free road trip from India. All you need to cross the border is a permit from Nepal authorities, which is called Bhansar, costs Rs.350 per day. You will also need a Nepal number plate if you are traveling in your own vehicle which costs around Rs.100 and you are good to go. You will enter in Kakarbhitta, this is where you need to do all the formalities.
The moment you enter Nepal, it will mesmerize you with its tranquil environment, snowy peaks, green jungles, and you know the hours of traveling was worth it all. If you do not have your vehicle and wish to escape the formalities at the border, just take the bus from Delhi, it costs Rs.2300 approx. per person and the trip will be smooth and hassle free.
2. Thailand
- Distance from Delhi – 4198 km
- Time – 71 hours
- Documents required – Passport and Visa with a minimum validity of 6 months, international driving license, Carnet- which is a permit to drive your car in a foreign country, you have to pay a refundable amount of 200% of your vehicle’s value to obtain this permit from Automobile Association of India.
Thailand is known for its tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins and ornate temples displaying figures of Buddha, delicious food and shopping at dirt cheap rates. The newly opened highway from India to Thailand has offered a lot of adventure to all those who love to travel in their car and in their own way. Now there are two routes you can take to reach Thailand, Asian superhighway route 1 which is Accessible for cities such as Moreh, Kohima, Imphal, Dimapur, Nagaon, Jorabat (Guwahati), Shillong, Sylhet, Dhaka, Kolkata, Kanpur, and New Delhi or take Asian superhighway accessible for cities such as Moreh, Imphal, Kohima, Dimapur, Nagaon, Shillong, Dawki, Kakarbhitta, and New Delhi.
You need a passport and Visa with the minimum validity of 6 months. Make sure you have had all the documentation done well in advance before you start your car. Travel in a group of four or more, because this is the law of the country. Places to visit in Thailand are Bangkok, Pattaya, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin district. The country of Thailand will welcome you with great beaches with the cobalt blue water and great food, which makes it a dream destination for all those beach lovers out there.
3. Bhutan
- Distance from Delhi – 2000 km approx.
- Time – 39 hours
- Documents required – Passport with the minimum validity of 6 months or Indian Voter Id Card. Visa is not required but Immigration permits are needed.
I can bet, the person who goes to Bhutan and returns after digging into the culture of Bhutan is not same. Why? Bhutan is known as the happiest country in the world. You will just know that it is not always money which brings happiness, you will see and learn that real happiness lies in something else. The trip to Bhutan is not just about beautiful landscapes and sceneries but also about learning a new chapter in life. Coming back to the information, again, you do not need Visa or passport compulsorily to travel to Bhutan, either you have a passport or voter ID card, you are good to go. You will enter Bhutan through the city of Phuentsholing, you will be welcomed by the majestic entrance of Bhutan and with the different culture altogether.
To travel beyond Phuentsholing, you need immigration permits which you can avail at the office at Phuentsholing. Jaigaon is another village on the border from where you can procure all the necessary documents. At Bhutan you will be wished by the peaceful environment, good people not dying to earn money dishonestly and honest citizens who will help you at every turn. Places to visit in Bhutan are Paro Taktsang, Rinpung Dzong, Tashichho Dzong, Gangteng monastery among others.
4. Bangladesh
- Distance from Delhi – 1713 km
- Time – 30 hours
- Document required – Passport with Visa is required. You can get Visa on arrival in Bangladesh. Carnet, official vehicles permit, and third party insurance is required for your private vehicle to enter in Bangladesh.
Situated in the lap of Bay of Bengal is the sister country of India, Bangladesh. A country of peaceful lush green meadows, beautiful waterways of the Padma, Meghna and Jamuna, a grandeur of Sundarbans shared with India, and home to Royal Bengal Tigers. If you are craving for a scenic trip which is adventurous at the time, plan your road trip to Bangladesh. Take the Asian superhighway 1 for your trip. The border cities through which you can enter Bangladesh are Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet and Chittagong.
As per the new pact between the countries India -Bangladesh passport (IBP) has been waived off, passport with visa required to travel to Bangladesh. Also, you need several other documents to enter in Bangladesh in your own vehicle. Prepare well in advance. The easy way to enter Bangladesh to avoid all the formalities is to catch a bus from Agartala or Kolkata at decently priced fares. You are good to go for the trip of a lifetime to Bangladesh.
5. Myanmar
- Distance from Delhi – 2960 km.
- Time– 55 hours
- Documents required – Passport and Visa, (e-visa, which you can obtain online), Carnet for your vehicle and permits to drive your vehicle in the country.
The land of Buddhist culture which welcomes its travelers with the warm hearts, the impeccable beauty of nature, the well-preserved culture and the grand Shwedagon Pagoda. The vibe and energy of the country never fails to leave its travelers in awe. Myanmar is home to more than 100 ethnic Asian groups and hence there is no dearth of vibrancy and culture in the country. The jaw-dropping views of dawns and dusks, the beaches and tranquil lakes everything calls you towards this country. Road trip to Myanmar is a celebrated idea, with the journey which is no less than a dream for a traveller.
Indian citizens require a valid passport with the minimum validity of 6 months, Carnet and special landing and driving permits are required for your vehicle which you can obtain from Automobile Association of India. Places to visit in Myanmar -Shwedagon Pagoda, Shwenandaw monastery, Ananda temple, Yangon, Bagan, and Inle Lake etc. The bus service was launched from Imphal to Myanmar in 2015, so you can travel all the way to Myanmar by bus and avoid most of the official Vietnam documents in this way.
6. Malaysia
- Distance from Delhi – 5576 km
- Time – 91 hrs
- Documents required – Passport with minimum validity of 9 months, Visa, Carnet for your vehicle, International driving permit and other basics documents of your vehicle. You can apply for e-visa to avoid inconvenience but it is applicable for single entry only.
The country of natural beauty and opulence, Malaysia is known for the heavenly beaches, tropical rainforests, and coral reefs. Malaysia offers you two worlds at the same time. On one hand, it has the serenity of beaches and seas that takes you into its underwater world, the refreshing tea-gardens and the natural vistas of breathtaking islands. On the other hand, it takes you into its world of luxury and opulence with its metropolitan culture. Remember, Malaysia is divided into two parts, one of which can be accessed via road from India. However, to visit the islands of Malaysia, you are required to take a ferry.
You need a Passport with visa well- in advance. Visa on arrival is not allowed in Malaysia. But, if you are traveling to Thailand on the same trip, you can get a visa impromptu to Malaysia from Thailand. Carnet for your vehicle and an International driving permit is required. Places to visit in Malaysia are Mount Kinabalu, Cameron highlands, Teman Negara, Palau Tamara, Langkawi and Petronas twin towers.
7. Vietnam
- Distance from Delhi – 5245 km
- Time – 88 hours
- Documents required – Passport with minimum validity of 6 months, Visa (Although, Vietnam has Visa on arrival policy with India, it is only applicable via air. If you are traveling by road you need to get your Visa in advance. Carnet for your vehicle and International driving license.
Vietnam is a magical land of azure sea, sun-kissed beaches, paddy fields, and Buddhist culture. With its rich history of War, Vietnam will take you back in time with the fascinating war structures which draw in a lot of tourists towards this country. There is no dearth of history, nature and hospitality in this country for its travelers. Getting to Vietnam requires you take India-Myanmar- Thailand Trilateral highway, which begins from Moreh in Manipur in India and ends at Mae Sot in Thailand. After covering the distance till Thailand, you need to further cover the distance of 1020 km, passing through Cambodia to Vietnam.
Before you plan a road trip, make sure you have a Carnet for your vehicle, as it is not only required in Vietnam but in Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia too. Visa in advance is required if you are traveling by road. Places to visit in Vietnam as, Cu- Chi tunnels, Nha Trang, Mekong Delta, Mui Ne, Sa Pa Terraces, Phu Quoc, and Hoan Kiem Lake etc.
8. Cambodia
- Distance from Delhi – 4802 km
- Time – 81 hours
- Documents required – Passport with Visa, International driving license, Carnet for your vehicle
Known for this massive ancient ruins of Angkor Vat, the largest Hindu temple in the world, Cambodia welcomes all its travelers and guests with its warm hospitality and rich culture and its history and can be interestingly linked back to Indian Mythological period. As per the pact between Thailand and Cambodia in the year 2012, you require a single visa for both the countries. But, make sure you have a double-entry visa. Visa on arrival is also available for Indian citizens in Cambodia by road at Cham- Cham International checkpoint, Poipet International checkpoint and O’Smach International checkpoint. For your vehicle, it is mandatory to have a Carnet, International driving permit, insurance among other basic documents of the car. Places to visit in Cambodia are- Angkor Vat, Koh Ker, Koh Kong, Kratie, Koh Tonsay etc.
9. Sri Lanka
- Distance from Delhi by road – 2,400 km
- Time – 10 days by road + 45 hours by ferry
- Documents required – Valid Passport, photo ID proof, copy of Visa On Arrival confirmation
Sri Lanka is an amazingly beautiful place with heart-wrenching islands and a very different and unique culture like ours. A bath with the elephants or just sitting back and relaxing on one of the many peaceful beaches on the island, both will make you feel amazing. The mystical caves will leave you awe-struck and the local culture will leave you speechless, making you want to visit this country more and more. How would you feel swimming with the fishes in the ocean? Yes, you can feel that here while scuba diving.
Moreover, you can actually drive to Sri Lanka. One can simply drive down to Tuticorin Port in Tamil Nadu and get to the Colombo Port in Sri Lanka via the Scotia Prince ferry that offers a drive in & drive out facility for cars. Thanks to this ferry system, travelers can now easily explore the sandy beaches, lush mountains, tea plantations & diverse wildernesses of this tropical heaven on a road trip from Delhi to Sri Lanka.
Surprise, 1 Indian Rupee is equal to 2.1 Sri Lankan Rupee. Yeah, that’s true.
10. Singapore
- Distance from Delhi – 5,000 km
- Time – 22 days
- Documents required – Valid Passport, Visa, special permits, international driving license
Another small island country which is also an Indian favourite among cheap holiday destinations is the ‘Lion City of Asia’ – Singapore! This international destination is famous for its food, culture and architecture. Moreover, the towering buildings with beautiful designs can leave you awestruck. Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands Infinity Pool sits 55 floors up on top of the Marina Bay Sands hotel and casino complex in Singapore. A dip in this pool watching the whole city will be one of the best decisions of your life.
You can travel by your vehicle to this beautiful island city-state via Delhi-Myanmar-Thailand highway. This place may not be a popular option for an international road trip from India, but you can do good shopping and have a vibrant night-life scene in this Garden City which will enhance the explorer in you.
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