Eastern & Oriental Express train journey: Singapore → Bangkok
Indulge in the full Singapore → Bangkok journey (2 nights), or enjoy one of the intermediate sector trips :
- Singapore → Kuala Lumpur (KL) (day trip)
- Singapore → Butterworth (1 night)
- Kuala Lumpur (KL) → Bangkok (2 nights)
- Butterworth → Bangkok (1 night)
Day 1 (Thursday): depart Singapore
The Eastern & Oriental Express departs Singapore’s Keppel Road station in the morning. Having been welcomed onboard the gleaming carriages, settle into your compartment and enjoy the passing scenery as the train crosses to Malaysia via the causeway of the Straits of Johor. Lunch is served in one of the opulent dining cars. Dress for dinner, and then spend a relaxing evening in the Bar Car in the company of the train's resident pianist. During the evening, the E&O pauses at Kuala Lumpur’s magnificent Moorish-style station where you may disembark for a stroll. Retire to your compartment, transformed into a cosy bedroom by your steward.
Day 2 (Friday): Penang
Breakfast is taken in your compartment before arriving in Butterworth. The morning’s guided excursion takes you to colonial Georgetown, Penang, and includes an introductory tour of this historic town - the labyrinth of narrow streets reveal colourful colonial architecture and lively markets. Disembark the coach for a stroll through one of Penang’s oldest wet market with its variety of food on display, before boarding a fleet of trishaws for a ride through the colourful narrow streets to the ferry terminal. Board the waiting coaches for the short ferry ride back to Butterworth and the Eastern & Oriental Express for lunch. As the train crosses into Thailand, spend the afternoon watching the changing scenery from the open deck of the Observation Car or relax in the comfort of the Saloon Car. Dinner is served in the sumptuous dining car.
Day 3 (Saturday): Kanchanaburi / arrive Bangkok
After breakfast, the E&O arrives at Kanchanaburi's River Kwai, where the train stops at the local station to allow passengers to disembark. Guides escort you on the short walk to the Bridge and down to the jetty - a good photo opportunity is provided as the train proceeds over the Bridge and then returns 5 minutes later. Then board a traditional large floating barge for a cruise along the Kwai Yai river, a central focus of Kanchanaburi - during the 40-minute sailing time, observe the many splendid Thai teakwood houses amidst peaceful scenery. Disembark at the Ban Lin-Chang landing point, from where a short coach ride takes you past the North Temple, Vietnamese Temple, Chinese cemetery and Don Rak war cemetery to the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre where a local historian will provide an informative tour through the air-conditioned museum. Following this, there is an optional visit to the Don Rak war cemetery. Rejoin the coach for the transfer to Kanchanaburi Main Station, from where your E&O journey continues with lunch. Arrive in Bangkok in the afternoon.
| Timetable | arrive | depart | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Singapore (Keppel Road station) Kuala Lumpur |
- 19:45 |
11:20 20:30 |
| Friday | Butterworth (for Penang) - guided tour of Georgetown |
8:30 | 11:00 |
| Saturday | Kanchanaburi - guided tour of River Kwai Bangkok (Hualampong station) |
8:45 14:45 |
11:25 - |
Departure dates*: (from Singapore)
- Thursdays (unless otherwise stated)
| 2008 | |
|---|---|
| November: | 20, 27 |
| December: | 18, Saturday 27 |
| 2009 | |
| January: | 8~, 29 |
| February: | 5, 12, 19 |
| March: | 5, 12^, 19 |
| April: | 2^, 16 |
| May: | 7 |
| June: | Saturday 13 |
| July: | Saturday 11 |
| August: | Saturday 15 |
| September: | Saturday 12, 24 |
| October: | 8, 22 |
| November: | 5, 12, 19 |
| December: | Sunday 20, Sunday 27 |
* Schedule subject to change
^ Date reserved for large groups or private charters
~ Date closed for private charter