LDN to BKK, The Timeless Route.

If it was possible to have a PhD in route efficiency, I'd be called Dr Josh right now. Sometimes you have to admit defeat, some routes you just cannot escape but as backpackers we have something very valuable which most people don't have, time. This is one of the most underrated flexes in life and trust me, when you're equipped with time, you are in control.

In 2023, my wife and I have taken 15 flights from the UK to Australia over a 5 month period and paid £1,741.81 (£870.90 each). Yes, I still have my spreadsheets from 2023, this is exactly why I am the right man for the job when it comes to building budgeting app for backpackers! Anyway, my point is, we were able to do this because of 1 thing. TIME. Now, with time you have a couple of options: super cheap flights or cheap flights with experiences, this blog is about cheap flights and experiences. Let's get into it.

You're leaving the UK in the next 4 weeks with no plans, maybe it's a trip of a life time, maybe it's a gap year or maybe you're retired. They've all got something in common, time. These days flying from A to B quick is only for a couple of reasons: business or when someone has 2 weeks annual leave and need to be time efficient. We don't, this is slow travel baby! I want to inspire you to look outside the box, instead of flying from A to B, lets fly from A to B over 4 days, visit more countries, enjoy new culture and one of my faves - trying new cuisines (and cooking classes). Below I have made up an itinerary from LDN to BKK over 4 days which is cheaper than booking a 1 connection flight with 23+ hours in the air.

The Route: London - Rome - Seoul - Bangkok.

Day 1 - Rome

06:45 flight from LGW, arrive in FCO at 10:15. Realistically by time you have disembarked and passed immigration it's 11:00. Take the non-stop train from the airport into the city, these run every 15 minutes and costs around £11.90. The journey takes approximately 32 minutes. Depending on which train you catch, you're in the city for 11:30 or 11:45 and you don't need to get the train back until 17:45 meaning you have over 6 hours in the city!

Here's the POA: Firstly buy a pizza and a negroni for lunch, if you're feeling adventurous and ask for pineapple topping. Next head over to the Vatican City and wave good afternoon to Pope Leo XIV, from here you can go to Trevi Fountain and throw in some money you saved from the boring 25+ hours flight from LHR to BKK. Afterwards make your way over to the Colosseum and pretend to listen to your tour guide. Want to know the best part? You've still got time for a cooking class (potentially lol). 17:45 you catch the train back to the airport and catch your 20:15 flight to Seoul. Now, this flight does have 1 layover but it's only for 2.5 hours. By time you've stretch your legs you're already back lining up on the runway preparing to takeoff.

I can already sense you're onboard with the whole 'slow travel' vibes (pardon the plane pun) and no, this doesn't contradict it's name, it's actually the opposite, this is the definition of slow travel.

Day 2 - Seoul

I think it's important to remember that we are moving forward in timezones and after your long haul flight arriving into Seoul at 20:30 the following day, you're understandably going to feel it. Your plan now is just to get to the hotel and rest. Grab the AREX express train into the city which takes 43 minutes and will cost approximately £6.43. Locate your hotel and sleep.

This is the beauty of slow travel, not only have you completed Rome in a day but you have 36 hours in the South Korean capital, Seoul! But allow me to give you some advice so you don't make the same mistake as us. Check the forecast! Back in November 2024 we also visited Seoul, we flew in from Vietnam and on this day South Korea has the worst snow fall in 100 years, hundreds of flights cancelled but ours made it. However, I had no idea South Korea was cold in winter, we both arrived in shorts and flip flops. IT WAS COLD, but also very magical. There's a certain vibe which runs through the city, especially when it's a foot deep in snow.

Day 3 - Seoul

You've slept for 12 hours, you're feeling great, you get changed and hit the road. Now there's many things to do in Seoul but I think what I'm about to recommend you shouldn't be rushed. Firstly it's most likely late morning, you're jet lagged right? find your local Chimaek, this stands for chicken and beer, trust me, you will NOT be disappointed. Most have iPad style monitors on each table, just keep tapping and food keeps arriving. I rate this more than Korean BBQ, (I felt like that was a letdown) After your weekly calorie intake of chicken and beer, head over to the DMZ. This is your opportunity to look into North Korea with your own eyes, it's an experience which doesn't come round often, I feel like it's something which shouldn't be missed.

After adding 163 photos into your camera roll of North Korea there's a traditional village called Bukchon Hanok, this is a picturesque place, super chilled. Go spend some time there and admire your surroundings. You'll see many locals dressed up in Hanbok which is their traditional clothing. If you're feeling like dressing up, you can rent these dresses for photos within the village, cool but not my cup of tea. By this point, it's starting to get dark, head back into the city and immerse yourself yet again in their local cuisine.

Day 4 - Bangkok

You're savvy so you booked a 12:10 flight to BKK meaning no early alarm clock. You wake up, have breakfast and make your way over to the airport. You arrive into BKK at 16:10, which to me is the perfect departure and arrival time. Finally, after your 4 days of slow but impactful travel, you're where the real story starts.

How Much Did It Cost?

Let's walk through each step and compare it against what you'd pay for a flight from LHR to BKK with airlines who get your from A to B the quickest.

Flights
LGW - FCO £54.00
FCO - ICN £232.00
ICN - BKK £53.00
Total £339.00

Fastest
Qatar - £398.00
BA - £399.00
Emirates £513.00

We won't account for spends as if you head straight to BKK you'd still be paying for hotels, transport, food and more. So what are we saving? £70.00, which for me, is an additional 4 days on the road. What will you gain? You will gain an additional 3 countries visited, you waved to Pope Leo XIV, you'll annoy the Italians adding pineapple on pizza, you'll see North Korea with your own eyes, you'll eat Chimaek in Seoul and most importantly, you're a wiser person with these additional experiences.

So what do you think? Are you going to do it?

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