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Embark on an enchanting 18-day journey through Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, travelling by a mix of trains, coaches and even a funicular railway.
Immerse yourself in the heritage towns of the Malay Peninsula before venturing into the heart of the Cameron Highlands by train. In Thailand, ancient rainforests and scenic national parks await, with opportunities to hike, swim and relax. A poignant visit to Kanchanaburi offers insight into WWII history, before your journey terminates in dynamic Bangkok.
For advice on where to go, what to do and how to choose your perfect tour, talk to our Travel Experts.
Our Singapore to Bangkok by Rail tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.
Spend an evening at Singapore's incomparable Sky Garden, and discover the secrets of the remarkable SuperTree Grove and its towering vertical gardens.
Immerse yourself in the tropical paradise of Cheow Lan Lake, where you can swim, kayak or simply enjoy south Thailand's stunning scenery.
Venture into Malaysia's less-explored Cameron Highlands, where tea-cloaked valleys and ethereally misty forests await.
Discover the iconic sights of Bangkok with a visit to its beautiful Royal Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most sacred site.
Safe, comfortable, and covering much of the country, Malaysia’s railways are an easy and relaxing way to get around the country. Much of the network is over a century old but has been mostly upgraded to double track electric rail, allowing for modern, higher-speed trains that can travel up to 160 kilometres an hour. ETS trains are the inter-city trains that run on the upgraded lines.
Onboard, in a standard class carriage you’ll find air-conditioning, comfy seats arranged in a 2+2 formation, power sockets and LCD TVs. All ETS trains have a café car from which you can purchase drinks and snacks. For shorter journeys, you’re likely to use the KTM Komuter trains, which you’ll find very similar to UK short distance trains with comfy seats but limited other facilities.
Thailand boasts an extensive intercity rail system that is efficient, economical, safe and comfortable. In fact, it can take you into off-the-beaten-track corners with ease, as well as into the highlands of the north, to the beaches of the south and all the natural beauty inbetween. These journeys give a perfect window into Thailand’s range of incredible landscapes, as the trains pass through plantations, rice paddies, forest and much more.
There are four different types of train here, categorised by speed and facilities: Ordinary trains are for local journeys and stop a lot and don’t have air-conditioning. Rapid trains stop at main stations and select smaller ones and have slightly more comfortable seating. Express trains are faster and more expensive than rapid trains and can be air-conditioned or not air-conditioned. Special Express trains are the fastest option, stopping only at main stations – we use Special Express No. 40 in the Thailand portion of our Singapore to Bangkok by rail tour. Travelling up to 120 kilometres an hour, it has air-conditioning, reclining seats and tray tables; a meal is also included in the ticket price.
Fly overnight to Singapore. You will be met at the airport by your Local Guide or National Escort. Together with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, travel to your hotel and check in. Any time before this evening's dinner and welcome briefing is at leisure to explore.
Explore Singapore, the 'Little Red Dot' that punches well above its weight. Begin at the orchid garden before a walking tour of Civic District, with its beautiful colonial landmarks. Head to the famous Orchard Road, the city's famous shopping street, before hopping on a bumboat to get another perspective of the city's skyscraper-studded skyline. Enjoy some free time before this evening's visit to the Sky Garden. Finish at the SuperTree Grove, an orchard of vertical gardens built in tree-like sculptures. Return to your hotel after dinner.
Depart Singapore via the bridge to Johor Bahru, Malaysia, stopping to pass through customs. Take take a road trip to Malacca, passing through the Malay countryside and hearing about the country's history from your National Escort. Arrive in Malacca in the late afternoon and check in at your hotel. This evening, enjoy an introductory boat trip through the Malacca canals as the sun sets.
Immerse yourself in Malacca's multifaceted heritage with a tour of its fascinating Old Town, where a blend of empires have left their mark. Visit the Street of Harmony, where Hindu and Chinese temples sit peacefully alongside a local mosque, and stop by a local craft museum before lunch. Later, drive to Tampin Station and hop on the two-hour ETS train to Kuala Lumpur, arriving at 17.55. On arrival, check in at your hotel and freshen up before this evening's street food tour.
Hop on the city metro and head thirty minutes out of town to visit Batu Caves, one of Malaysia's most important Hindu temples. Return to Kuala Lumpur and see some city highlights, including Masjid Jamek, Kuala Lumpur's oldest mosque. Admire the old district's iconic landmarks, including Sultan Abdul Samad Clock Tower, Independence Square, the River of Life and Central Market. Finish up at KL Tower, where you can head up to the Skydeck for views over the city skyline, dominated by the Petronas Twin Towers.
The morning is at leisure before taking the 11.32 service to Tapah Road, taking two hours. Enjoy lunch before a scenic road trip into the Cameron Highlands, with a refreshing pit stop at Lata Iskandar Waterfall. Stop by an indigenous Orang Asli roadside shop, selling forest honey and tribal handicrafts. If you're lucky, the village chief will extend an invitation to visit their village. Check into your hotel in the Cameron Highlands before dinner.
Take a relaxed uphill hike to see the Mossy Forest, observing fragile exotic plants such as ferns and pitcher plants. Your reward is the beautiful panoramas at the top of the hill. Afterwards, drive to a tea plantation to learn about local tea production. Drive down through the valley to reach Ipoh. Hop on the 18.26 train to Penang, riding through picturesque countryside and even 'floating' briefly as the train crosses Bukit Merah Lake. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Georgetown, home for the next two nights.
Spend the morning exploring the streets of Georgetown, a city rich in heritage. Admire the intricate décor of the local temples before visiting the Penang Peranakan Mansion to see its fascinating antiques. After lunch, head to the foot of Penang Hill and ride the short funicular train to reach the top of the hill, pausing for a cup of tea and a pastry at the century-old bungalow-turned-restaurant. Continue to the Habitat and ascend to reach a canopy walkway through the edge of the protected rainforest. Stroll through the trails and look out for rare flora and fauna.
Enjoy a morning at leisure before transferring to the airport for your lunchtime flight to Phuket in Thailand. On arrival, embark on a whirlwind journey through this intriguing island, seeing quirky local gems before enjoying a Thai street food tour. Enjoy local treats such as ‘Khanom Chin', rice noodles accompanied by a curry of your choice, and 'Oh Aew' (shaved ice jelly). As dusk falls, head to the bustling night market, known for its upbeat vibes and frequent live music, to sample sticky mango rice and spicy satay skewers.
Hop in a speedboat and discover Phang Nga Bay, home to some of Thailand's most spectacular scenery. Stop by Panak Island and canoe into its mysterious caves to admire the many stalactites. Return to the speedboat and zip around Koh Tapu, or 'James Bond Island', lair of the Man With The Golden Gun in the Roger Moore 007 film. Bring a camera for the fantastic photo opportunities of the stunning Phang Nga Bay. Return to your hotel in Phuket.
Check out of your hotel and head to Khao Sok National Park, one of the oldest forest ecosystems in the world. Stop for lunch before a wonderful afternoon exploring the National Park's lush nature trails. Trails are about 3-4 km, taking up to 3 hours on foot. Good shoes and a hat are strongly recommended. The guide will select the best trail on the day, based on local conditions and the needs of each group. Check in at your hotel at the edge of the national park, your home for the next two nights. Take some time to refresh before dinner.
Transfer to the Ratchaprapa Dam pier at the edge of the famously beautiful Cheow Lan Lake. Hop in a longtail boat and fly across the water to arrive at the Floating Bungalows, where you'll enjoy some free time to swim, kayak or relax before lunch. This afternoon, hop back in the longtail boat and explore the lake area, including Khao Sam Kloe, well-known as the 'little Guilin' of Thailand. If lucky, you may even glimpse wild elephants on the water's edge. Return to your accommodation at the edge of the national park.
Transfer 90 minutes across the peninsula from Khao Sok to Surat Thani train station. Connect with a day train to Hua Hin. A lunch box with a sandwich, seasonal fruit and drinking water will be provided. The train takes around 5.5 hours, but offers excellent views as it meanders up the coast to the seaside town of Hua Hin, arriving at 16.10. Transfer to your hotel and relax until dinner.
Visit the Thum Rong village community in Phetchaburi, to the north of Hua Hin. Immerse yourself in the lifestyle of the villagers, who will demonstrate how their Toddy Palm cake is made and invite you to see their local temple and palm sugar plantation, which produces some of the best toddy palm juice in the country. Have lunch with the community before taking the 16.50 train to Bangkok, arriving at 19.45. Dinner this evening will be at your hotel in Bangkok.
Discover Bangkok's highlights with a morning city tour. Begin at the magnificent Grand Palace, a sprawling temple complex boasting some of the finest architecture in the country. Explore the grounds and their dazzling buildings, including the highly revered Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Afterwards, head across the road to Wat Pho, one of the largest and oldest temples in Bangkok home to more than 1,000 Buddha images. The temple is considered the first public university in the Kingdom, and the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Stop by the amulet market before lunch and hear about Buddhist beliefs in the protection and blessings provided by these charms. After lunch, the afternoon is at leisure to relax or explore more of Bangkok independently.
Take a day trip to Kanchanaburi,. During the Japanese occupation of Thailand in WWII, thousands of Allied POWs and indentured Asian labourers were forced to build the Thai-Burma 'Death Railway'; many of the prisoners died under brutal conditions. Uncover their story at the Railway Museum before paying your respects at the Allied War Cemetery. Visit the dramatic Hellfire Pass before taking a 40-minute ride on the Death Railway – a journey that will take you across the famous Bridge on the River Kwai. Return to Bangkok, arriving early in the evening. Settle down to a farewell dinner to mark the end of your tour.
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.
Places Visited: Singapore (2N) – Malacca (1N) – Kuala Lumpur (2N) – Cameron Highlands (1N) – Penang (2N) – Phuket (2N) – Khao Sok National Park (2N) – Hua Hin (1N) – Bangkok (3N)
All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price. If the dates we have available for this tour don't suit your needs, or you are not sure travelling as part of a group is for you, maybe a Private Tour would be more ideal. If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book.
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Departures for Solo travellers only are available for this tour on selected
dates.
In addition to being for solos only these departures feature smaller group sizes, free
airport lounge access and complimentary cocktails on arrival.
There are no dedicated Solo departures for this year. You can enjoy any of our tours with no Single Supplement on our Happy to Share option or explore the solo departures in other years.
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