How to combine two or three countries in one trip

By the Nexara Holidays travel desk · 2 min read

Combining countries can make a long flight more worthwhile. Done well, it adds variety; done badly, it adds stress.

Choose natural neighbours

Pick countries that are close together with good connections:

• Singapore and Malaysia: Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by short flight or road.
• Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam: short flights between Bangkok, Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City.
• France, Switzerland and Italy: fast trains across Europe.
• Dubai with the Maldives, Mauritius or Turkey: natural stopovers.
• Kenya and Tanzania: safari parks across the border.
• Australia and New Zealand.

Count the nights

Give each country at least three nights. Two countries in a week, or three in ten to twelve days, is comfortable.

Flights or trains?

In Europe, trains are often faster city to city. In Southeast Asia, short flights are usually best. Book early for better fares.

Visas

Each country has its own rules for Indian passport holders. Some, like the Schengen area, cover several countries with one visa. Plan applications in the right order. See How to check visa rules for Indian passport holders (and avoid old information).

Money and phones

A multi-currency forex card and a regional eSIM make multi-country trips easier. See Staying connected abroad: roaming packs, eSIMs and local SIMs.

Luggage

Check baggage allowances on each flight, especially low-cost carriers.

The right order

Plan a logical route, ideally with open-jaw flights. See Which order should you visit places in? Planning a logical route.

Avoid

• Combining countries that are far apart.
• One-night stays in each country.
• Tight connections between flights.

See our Multi-country tours page for tested combinations.