10 International Road Trips from India

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.

• Also Read:- 10 Famous Historical Places and Monuments in Nepal

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 Road Trip

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.

Bhutan Road Trip

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.

Bangladesh Road Trip

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.

Myanmar Road Trip

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.

Malaysia Road Trip

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 Road Trip

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

Cambodia Road Trip

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 Road Trip

• Must Read:- Sri Lanka Travel Tips

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

Singapore Road Trip

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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