Singapore to Bangkok on a Train

The first leg of the journey, Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. When I done this Journey it started out in the old train station near Singapore city centre, it is a beautiful old building seeped in history (check the photo gallery for photos). As of the 1st of July 2011, this journey must start at Singapore Woodlands station which is on the border, its only around half an hour in a taxi from the city centre. I took the overnight train which takes around 8 hours ( 7 now from the new station). There are 1st class cabins and second class sleepers available on this journey, we arrived slightly late and there was only second class sleepers available. The second class sleeper is available in top and bottom bunks, I would advise the bottom bunk as it is slightly bigger. The second class sleeper cost's S$43, which is roughly £22/$33. The bed was clean and comfortable and had a small reading light. It had enough room for me to put my backpack at the bottom of the bed and sleep outstretched. Quick tip at the start of the journey the train will be very warm but once it gets going the air con starts to kick in and it is fierce, I found myself waking up and have to put clothes back on because I was too cold.

The next leg of the journey takes us from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth. In Kuala Lumpur central station the train leaves from platform 1A from the main entrance, down the first set of stairs on the left. I took this journey overnight as well, I find it leaves the days open to do things and saves you a nights accommodation. The journey takes 8 hours overnight and 6 if travelling during the day. There are 1st class cabin's, 2nd class sleepers and 2nd class seats available on the overnight journey. We got the first class cabin, it was a steal at RM85 ( £18/$25), the passageway in the first class car is rather tight when you have a big backpack but gives more space in the room. The cabin itself has two beds with reading lights, a fan, a television and a wash basin, you also receive a complimentary bottle of water and slice of banana bread. The beds are comfortable and clean as you would expect and I found sleeping no problem.

The journey from Butterworth to Hua Lamphong station (Bangkok) is next on the list, on this journey you switch from a KTM Intercity train to Thai National Railways train. The Journey itself takes around 18 hours, there are only second class sleepers available, the seats on the train are actually the bottom sleeper, there is a member of staff that comes round at night to make the bed for you. The train is a lot newer (well looking anyway) than the Malaysian one, the seats are leather and very comfortable. they are in a booth type format with a little table stowed away underneath which can be pulled out and set up to eat your dinner or playing games. There is also a dinner service available, although there is no restaurant car as such. A lady will come round and take your order for dinner and breakfast the next morning and deliver it to you when it is ready. The food is quite good and certainly won't break the bank. The lady will take Thai Baht or Malaysian Ringgit's as payment. The Scenery on the Journey up is absolutely fantastic!

In conclusion this epic journey only costs in total £62/$93 and if you like can be done in 48 hours, personally I would recommend a few days in Kuala Lumpur when your passing through as it is an absolutely fantastic city to explore. I have heard people say take a few days at Butterworth to explore Penang Island/ Georgetown (they're the same place just called different depending on who you are talking to), personally I think you would run of of things to do, we spend a few hours between trains there and came back earlier than planned.

Now that I have done the journey would I do it again or take a flight?
I would do it all again tomorrow, an amazing experience compared to getting into a cramped tin can on wings!

A few tips -

Book you tickets a couple of days in advance! we didn't on the return journey and ended up with a second class seat (not sleeper) for an overnight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, not ideal for sleeping.

Smokers!! You can open the door on the Malaysian trains (yes open the door when its moving took me a minute to) and smoke away its the done thing, the Thai trains had a lot of no smoking signs but I chanced my arm a few time an never had anything said to me, although that's not to say I'd recommend it on a Thai train, use your discretion.

Go to the toilet before your journey!! Sounds silly but I would seriously recommend it for westerners, the toilets out there are of a different scale and not all the trains have seated toilets (yes some are the hole in the ground type affair not ideal on a moving train).

Get a few Thai Baht for the journey to Bangkok!! When you cross the border at various stops there will be people getting on selling snacks, local fruit, drinks etc. but they only accept Baht, I had planned just to lift cash when i arrived in Bangkok and regretted it.

Check out things to do at Georgetown before you go if you a long wait at Butterworth! There's is seriously nothing to do. When you arrive if you are going, don't take one of the taxi driers up on there very kind offer of RM50, there is a big ferry about 2 minutes walk from the station for RM2,50 which runs regularly.