Malaysia Train Journeys

Explore Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore on an unforgettable rail journey in the sumptuous comfort of the Eastern & Oriental Express. Operated by the same people who restored the world famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in Europe, the Eastern & Oriental Express is a deluxe train of unequalled luxury and comfort whose shining green carriages will carry you between Bangkok and Singapore.

Each air-conditioned compartment is an elegantly decorated day room and transforms in moments to a cosy bedroom at night. From the Dining Cars, Saloon Car, Bar Car and Observation Car, wherever you venture in this elegant and enchanting train, you will encounter the same extraordinary standards of comfort, décor and service.

It is a journey of 1,200 miles which connects some of the world's most remarkable cities and encompasses all the mystery, excitement and sheer staggering beauty of the East.

History

Following the success of the famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the Eastern & Oriental Express made history as the first ever train to transport passengers directly from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok.

This luxury train was first built in Japan in 1972 and operated as the Silver Star train in New Zealand. Its carriages were then remodelled and designed by Gérard Gallet, the man behind much of the design and refurbishment of both the British Pullman and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

An enormous amount of work went on behind the scenes to put the E&O on the rails. The same team who had worked on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express created the interiors. As well as adding the required air-conditioning system, and ensuring the carriages were compatible with the Malaysian and Thai railway systems, the windows in the dining cars were also extended to offer panoramic views.

On board the Eastern & Oriental Express, the atmosphere harks back to a 'Colonial' age of rattan chairs on the veranda, linen suits and tea dances. The on board cuisine continues the same very high standards already established by the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in Europe.

The inaugural journey departed in September 1993 and the Eastern & Oriental Express quickly built for itself a highly regarded reputation as providing one of the most adventurous and exciting rail journeys in the world. In addition to the two-night journey between Singapore and Bangkok, the E&O also travels overnight to Chiang Mai from Bangkok.

Train Itinerary

SINGAPORE TO BANGKOK

Thursday - Depart Singapore.

Depart Singapore and settle into your compartment as you cross Malaysia via the causeway over the Straits of Johor. Enjoy the passing scenery as lunch is served in the restaurant.

After a relaxing afternoon, during which tea is served in your compartment, dress for dinner and a relaxing evening in the Bar Car with its resident pianist. During the evening, the Eastern & Oriental Express pauses at Kuala Lumpur. Retire to your compartment which has been transformed into a cosy bedroom.

Friday - Penang.

Breakfast in your compartment before a morning guided excursion to colonial Georgetown, Penang, including an introductory tour of the historic town and Fort Cornwallis, partly by trishaw. Enjoy lunch on board. View the changing scenery from the Observation Car as the train crosses into Thailand. Dinner and overnight on board.

Saturday - River Kwai / Bangkok

Following breakfast enjoy an excursion by boat along the River Kwai to the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre where a local historian will provide an informative tour. Lunch on board before arrival in Bangkok mid-afternoon.

December 18, 27.

BANGKOK TO SINGAPORE

Sunday - Depart Bangkok.

The Eastern & Oriental Express departs Bangkok early evening. Having been welcomed onboard the gleaming carriages, settle into your comfortable compartment. Dinner is served as the train travels from city into the countryside with its rice-fields, villages and water buffalo. Retire to your compartment, transformed into a cosy bedroom by your steward.

Monday - Wang Po/Kwai.

Awake early in order not to miss the excitement of the train making its way from Wang Po along the wooden trestle viaduct beside a towering cliff. Later that morning the E&O stops at Kanchanaburi. Here you disembark for an excursion by boat along the River Kwai to the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre where a local historian will provide an informative tour. Rejoin the E&O for lunch. Later reflect on the day's sights over dinner and relax with a drink in the Bar Car before retiring for the night.

Tuesday - Penang.

After breakfast the train arrives into Butterworth. Enjoy a guided tour of colonial Georgetown, Penang, which includes an introductory tour of this historic town and Fort Cornwallis, and a trishaw ride through the colourful narrow streets. Reboard the train for lunch and spend the afternoon watching the passing scenery from one of the lounge cars or from the open deck of the Observation Car. Dine again in one of the opulent dining cars and then spend a relaxing evening in the Bar Car with its resident pianist. Spend your last night on board.

Wednesday - Arrive Singapore.

After breakfast, soon it's time to leave the train, having crossed the Straits of Johor into Singapore.

December 21, 30.

BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI

Wednesday - Depart Bangkok.

The Eastern & Oriental Express departs Bangkok in the morning. Lunch is served while the train journeys northwards through the Thai countryside. You disembark at Ayutthaya where the magnificent ruins of temples, palaces and crumbling fortresses provide eloquent testimony of the former capital's splendour.

A guided tour is followed by a relaxing cruise on board a classical rice barge. Sit back and watch the riverside life glide by and admire the famous Wat Chai Wattanaram and the Queen of Thailand's Ayutthaya Palace. Dinner and overnight on board as the train continues its journey.

Thursday - Arrive Chiang Mai.

Awake to your steward serving breakfast in the comfort of your private compartment before arrival into Chiang Mai, Thailand's second largest city.

CHIANG MAI TO BANGKOK

Thursday - Depart Chiang Mai.

Depart form Chiang Mai in the afternoon. Arrive at Lampang, one of Thailand's most attractive provincial capitals, which has retained a number of its old wooden buildings. Dinner and overnight on board.

Friday - Arrive Bangkok.

After breakfast, arrive at the River Kwai where you disembark before the train crosses the famous bridge. Board a traditional floating barge for a cruise along the river while admiring the lush scenery. A brief visit is made to the Chung Kai Cemetery that honours World War 2 soldiers. Rejoin the train where lunch is served before arrival in Bangkok.

BANGKOK - CHIANG MAI - BANGKOK

Tuesday - Depart Bangkok.

The Eastern & Oriental departs this afternoon from Bangkok. Afternoon tea and dinner are served as you travel through the countryside of Thailand. Overnight on board.

Wednesday - Arrive Chiang Mai.

On arrival in Chiang Mai in the morning, after breakfast, choose from a selection of tours which include a visit to an Elephant Camp and ride, a tour of Chiang Mai or a handicrafts and boutique shopping tour. All include lunch. Depart Chiang Mai in the late afternoon. Afternoon tea and dinner served on board. Overnight on the train.

Thursday - Sawankhaloke.

Arrive in Sawankhaloke in the morning and have a tour of Si Satchanalai, part of the northernmost citadel of the ancient Khmer empire and later one of the principal centres of the kingdom of Sukhothai. Return to the train at Sila At for lunch while you continue your journey through Thailand. Mid afternoon disembark at Lampang for a horse-drawn carriage ride to Baan Sao

Nok "the house of many pillars". Enjoy tea as you tour the house which is built in traditional Lanna Thai style and supported on 116 teak pillars. Return for dinner and overnight on board the train.

Friday - Bangkok.

Arrive this morning and disembark after breakfast.

The above itinerary can be taken one way commencing in either Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

BANGKOK - VIENTIANE - BANGKOK

Tuesday - Bangkok.

Depart Bangkok in the afternoon. Relax in one of the bar cars, saloon car or in the privacy of your comfortable compartment. Afternoon tea is served as you travel into Northeastern Thailand. Later enjoy dinner in one of the beautiful restaurant cars. Retire to your compartment, transformed into a cosy bedroom by your steward.

Wednesday - Hin Dat, Khao Yai.

After breakfast in your compartment, the train arrives at Hin Dat. Disembark for a tour to Phimai, a World Heritage Site and one of the most important Khmer monuments in Thailand. Return to the E & O for lunch as you continue your journey on to Khao Yai. Here you visit local vineyards and have the opportunity to taste wines that are being called "New Latitude Wines". Reboard the train in the early evening in time to prepare for dinner. Overnight on board.

Thursday - Nong Khai, Vientiane.

The E & O arrives in Nong Khai after breakfast. A coach transfers you to Vientiane in Laos across the Mekong via the Friendship Bridge. Special arrangements have been made to clear Lao Immigration. Enjoy a full day's tour of Vientiane including lunch at a local hotel. Capital of Laos, Vientiane is a city of contrasts where French colonial architecture sits alongside gilded Asian temples. Return to the train by coach and depart Nong Khai late afternoon. Dinner and overnight on board.

Friday - Bangkok.

Breakfast is served in your compartment before the train arrives back into Bangkok in the morning.

The above itinerary can be taken one way commencing in either Bangkok or Vientiane.