I usually follow travelers who travel by land from Malaysia to Europe without taking a flight. Please don’t ask me why I’m willing to endure long-distance travel with public transport. Everyone has their interests. For example, someone who loves sewing but then came someone who suggests to her to buy ready-made clothes.
So, there are several methods:
1. Without a Vehicle
Becoming a commuter by switching between various types of transportation like buses, trains, car/motor e-hailing, ferries, minibusses, and quirky vehicles like tuk-tuks (3 or 4 wheels).
This first method is called backpacking but it’s not cheap because public transport can be expensive. Unless you’re willing to take a 21-hour train ride from southern Thailand to Bangkok in the cheapest economy class (MYR28) for a distance of 947 km and get a shaky seat.
2. By Car (sedan, SUV, campervan, etc.)
A few online friends have done it. Some even used a Perodua Kelisa. It saves accommodation costs because you can bring a tent or sleep in the vehicle.
Fuel? Crossing east to west of the continent doesn’t cost more than MYR5000 depending on the vehicle type and fuel prices in different countries.
Food/drinks? You can cook your own meals. Just buy raw ingredients.
Disadvantages: Spare parts can be an issue if it’s not a well-known brand such as Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu and Mercedes. You also need to apply for a carnet, a permit to bring your vehicle into another country. The fee is a deposit that will be returned. Rumor has it the carnet fee is 70% of the vehicle’s price. For example, a second-hand Kelisa costs MYR8000, so the carnet deposit is around ~MYR6000. That’s why many buy cheap second-hand vehicles for long-distance travel expeditions.
Reference links about the carnet (only for Malaysians):
c. Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry
3. By Motorcycle
This is the most popular. One of my Facebook friends used a Honda EX5 and safely arrived in Mecca. It saves fuel costs. Maintenance is also low.
Another traveler who circumnavigated the world (Anita Yusof) used only a 250cc motorcycle and preferred camping.
The same disadvantages as cars because of carnet costs. Choose a second-hand motorcycle like a Kawasaki Versys with low CC (make sure it’s above 250CC).
4. By Bicycle
Highly encouraged. What are the benefits? Lots. Good health because you’re constantly cycling and sometimes sprinting like doing a HIIT exercise. A few friends (a group) cycled from Europe to Malaysia and a husband-wife team cycled from Malaysia to Mecca. Saves accommodation costs by camping.
Food/drinks? Also can cook your own meals, double the savings. No petrol is needed. No carnet needed. No border restrictions as bicycles are not considered registered items that require a permit. If it gets tough or you’re too lazy, you can put the bike on a train.
How much is the daily expense for a bicycle traveler if camping and buying food only once a day and cooking at night? Don’t be surprised:
Per day: USD10 (MYR46)
Per month: USD300 (MYR1380)
This would be my choice for a low-cost travel.
5. Walking????
Believe it or not, it might seem strange to those who are not used to it. For those who have followed 2-3 people (Malaysian & Indonesian) who have walked to Mecca, it won’t seem strange.
Walking exercise (at least 20,000 steps a day) is very good for health. The only cost is for food and drink.
There is no attachment to vehicles (including bicycles) such as worries about the absence of spare parts, breakdowns on the road, being stolen/robbed by strangers, accidents (vehicles being seized or detained until compensation is paid), and so on.
There are also many disadvantages.
Hot weather, difficult to cross the desert for days. Cold weather is the same. In some situations, health may deteriorate temporarily. Hitchhiking with strangers whose intentions are unknown.
Maybe chased by wild animals. Perhaps forced to spend the night in a dark place because the walking time is not enough to reach the destination (let’s take the closest example… imagine walking in Grik, Kedah, and spending the night in a place that people say is haunted or inhabited by spirits).
This post is shared with those who have the spirit of travel will understand and also those who enjoy appreciation in travel, like to immerse in nature and time is not an issue for them.
So choose the method your travel preferences. For now, my family and I are isolating ourselves for a while in the travel world. One day, God willing, we will make a comeback. For those who have the spirit of travel, you might lose your interest for a while, but it will return sooner.
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