Overland Travel Routes
List of Overland Travel Routes
- Trans-Siberian Railway
- The Silk Routes
- London to Australia
- Africa/Sahara Overland
- The Americas Route
- The Grand Circle of Australia
- Europe to Asia
- The "extreme" overland routes
- Rules of overland travel
Trans-Siberian
A famous route to and from Europe/Asia. The common railway route links Moscow with Vladivostok and Beijing. Couple that it in with the Trans-Mongolian routes and Korean and you have many options. A one way ticket is likely to cost around $500 USD, but this is basically non-stop. The way to do the route really, is to hop on and off en route. This will boost the price up to scary proportions, not to mention add to your Russian visa headache!Trans-Siberian Map
The Silk Road Map
The Silk Road
This ancient trading route is possibly the most famous overland travel route. In actual fact, there's more than one route. So you might have to make up your mind which one to take. Europe, Asia, the Middle East, SEA. They are all linked. Have a look at the map on the right to get an idea. Learning your route's history is going to make it more interesting. A classic route on the Silk Road is Marco Polo's route, or Alexander the Great.
London to Australia
A modern-day overlander's challenge. These days, many people head off from either the UK or OZ for work or permanent moves. They make their way through SEA, up to Russia or through Pakistan and Iran into Europe. The hardest part is actually sticking to the overland part. SEA and Australia are not linked, and boats are scarce. It is possible though. Likewise, for some nationalities, visas can be an issue.
London to Australia Map
Down/Up through Africa Map
Down/Up through Africa
A series of hardcore routes give you the option of starting at one end of Africa, and making it overland to the other end. There are plenty of overland companies out there offering to take you. Then again, going independent is really going to be an adventure of a lifetime. Visas, wars, weather, language, and unpredictability make the African option a place for boys to become men and girls to become women.
Sahara Overland
Like the above, this is not for the faint at heart. There are essentially three routes. Two coastal, and one through the middle. Here, visas, a surprisingly high cost, and the odd closed border are the main issues. You know which route I would prefer don't you? Not to be taken lightly.
Sahara Overland Map
South East Asia Map
South East Asia
Overland Route? Yes, aside from South America, it's probably the most overland crossed travelers region in the world. Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, etc., are all linked with relatively easy borders to cross. Visa hassles are low, and there are plenty doing it. More difficult routes involve The Philippines where Mindanao's terrorist activity makes it difficult along with hazardous ferry crossings similar to the longer distant ferry crossings in Indonesia.
South America to North America
A very long stretch of land. With a problem in the middle. Colombia to Panama overland is to be avoided at all costs. Bad bandit territory has resulted in regular kidnappings, and none that often end well. Apart from Karl Bushby that is. Aside from that hiccup, it's a long journey that can be done with relatively low hassles. Aside, perhaps, from U.S. immigration these days.
South America to North America Map
Grand Circle of Australia Map
Grand Circle of Australia
An overland route around Australia, possible by train, car & ferry, train, ferry& bus, or simply by car & ferry themselves. The northeastern underdeveloped route is the only challenge other than time. Tackling an overland journey like this is not about the route, but it will be about the journey along the way.
Extreme Overland Journeys
There are several overland journeys that can be recorded as "extreme". They usually involve specialized equipment, vast budgets for extraordinary time scales. Examples here would include going from the South Pole to the North Pole overland or circumnavigating the globe on foot. These examples of overland travel are not too common and usually reserved for record-breaking attempts.
Pole to Pole Map
Europe to Asia Overland Map
Rules of Overland Travel
- No flights
- No Multi-country tickets
- Boats are allowed
- Journey should have documentation
- Travel independently
The rules of true overland travel have always had no flights as the most important. However, as times and technology have changed, it's now easier to travel overland than ever before. One can literally book a train in Portugal all the way to Russia on a package tour. The latter, along with many package tours, are now disregarded as holding any merit. One should travel overland independently without the need for a package tour.
Given the ever-changing world, there are exceptions to the "package tour" clause. For example, in 2019, it is not legally possible to enter into Tibet without being part of a package tour. In this case, it is permitted. The true meaning of no package tours relates to taking a tour bus across Europe or a tour across Russia - for both, you need independent transport.
The adage of a boat not being allowed has long been dismissed. Boats traverse the sea or water mass on terra firma. They are permitted in overland travel to cross between two points. Or, in exceptional cases, to bypass a country due to visa issues or safety issues. However, repeatedly taking a boat for said issues is not acceptable. If it's relatively safe and you can get a visa, then you should take the land option.
Finally, the overland journey should be documented. By this, passport stamps, photographs, video are the best options. It's essentially a way of being to prove you made the journey. As an example, some overlanders may well be on a hazardous border and have no passport stamp. In such a case, photographs should back up the claim they made it across to countries or a land mass.
Do see more about overland travel in the following pages.