Bangkok to Singapore

The Journey

There are several reasons why we rate this train journey from Bangkok to Singapore. Number one, the countryside is stunning. Number two, you’ll meet some colourful characters en route. And number three, it’s super cheap! A one-way journey between these two tropical cities can cost as little as US$50 travelling in 2nd class sleeper.

Trains depart daily for the two night journey down south and require two changes; either Hat Yai (Thailand) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) or Butterworth and Kuala Lumpur. We say break up the journey and stop in Butterworth, the ferry terminus for the historic island of Penang which lies just beyond the border with Thailand.

The daily ‘International Express’ runs from Bangkok to Butterworth in less than 24 hours with modern air-conditioned 2nd class sleeping cars. This leg of the journey is operated by Thai Railways and comes with a wood-panelled Thai dining car which serves up hot dinners and cheap breakfasts.

From Butterworth there is a daily overnight sleeper train to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital and travellers have the choice of seating cars (economy class seats) or air-conditioned 2nd class sleepers. From KL to Singapore there are a choice of daytime and overnight air-conditioned trains that include the 2nd class sleeper as well as 1st class sleepers (Premier Night) and 1st class deluxe sleepers (Premier Night Deluxe Sleepers).

The journey itself is a colourful one. From the bright lights of Bangkok the train passes through the outer-lying shanty towns dotted with corrugated iron lean-tos and into the countryside. Here you’ll pass rice fields with water buffalo pulling old-fashioned ploughs, ramshackle villages and striking karst limestone formations.

Not long after crossing the border into Malaysia the train pulls in at Butterworth. It’s just a 10 minute journey from the train station to the ferry terminus where regular ferries make the trip out to Penang (15 minutes), docking at Georgetown. This island is an old British colonial trading post and rich in culture and history. Just a short distance from here is Khoo Kongsi, a preserved clan village that includes a theatre, intricately decorated Chinese temple and row houses. China’s influence can also be seen in the UNESCO-listed Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion which now operates as a hotel.

From Butterworth to KL trains rattle along on a mainly single-track railway built by the British past palm plantations and jungle. Once you’ve changed trains in the capital, your journey continues through the southern towns of Malaysia and then over the Straits of Johor to Singapore where the high-rise forest of suburbs rise rapidly to meet you.

Sleeping Options

Overnight trains between Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur offer seating cars (modern but basic economy seats) or air-conditioned 2nd class sleepers. From KL to Singapore there are a choice of daytime and overnight air-conditioned trains that include the 2nd class sleeper as well as 1st class sleepers (Premier Night) and 1st class deluxe sleepers (Premier Night Deluxe Sleepers).

2nd Class Sleepers

Clean, comfortable and safe, the 2nd class sleepers are easily the best and most enjoyable option. The carriages are open-plan with upper and lower berths arranged along each side of the coach, each bunk has curtains for privacy and comes with fresh, clean sheets.

1st Class Sleepers

These sleeper carriages are sold as ‘Premier Night’ sleepers and consist of private air-conditioned 2-berth compartments with washbasin. All bedding, towels and toiletries are included.

1st Class Deluxe Sleepers

These Premier Night Deluxe Sleepers come as 1- or 2-bed private Deluxe Sleepers each with an en suite toilet and shower. You also get two armchairs, a simple packed meal and a TV – that may or may not work.

Prices

You must have a seat or berth reservation on all the long-distance trains in Thailand and Malaysia. Reservations are open one month before the date of travel. The journey between Bangkok and Singapore requires three different trains and so will require three separate tickets but the most you’ll have to wait for a connecting train is a couple of hours. The journey can be broken downs as either:

Bangkok – Hat Yai, Hat Yai – Kuala Lumpur & KL – Singapore,

Or

Bangkok – Butterworth, Butterworth – KL & KL – Singapore.

Pricing as follows:

• Bangkok – Butterworth – 2nd class sleeper (only class available) – $29

• Butterworth – KL

2nd class sleeper $10

2-berth 1st class sleeper $19

• KL – Singapore

2nd class seat $ 9

1st class daytime express $18

2nd class sleeper $11

1st class sleeper $20

Deluxe sleeper $32 sharing, $49 sole occupancy

Children

Children aged 0 to 3 and less than 100cm in height travel free, children aged 4 to 11 and under 150cm travel at half fare, children 12 years old and upwards (or over 150cm high) pay full fare.