4 days / 3 nights
Travel from Bangkok through the beauty of Thailand, to the infamous River Kwai and onwards into Malaysia, colonial Georgetown and Fort Cornwallis, before crossing the causeway over the Straits of Johor to the elegant city of Singapore.
Sunday : Bangkok
Leave Bangkok early evening and settle into your compartment. Dinner is served as you enter the lush countryside, with its rice fields and water buffalo. After a relaxing drink in the Bar Car, retire to your compartment which has been 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. On arrival at the River Kwai Bridge station, the E&O stops to allow passengers to disembark. Guides escort you on the short walk down to the jetty to board a local raft for a cruise along the lush greenery of the picturesque Kwai Yai river, passing under the Bridge.
On board, a local historian provides a brief overview of the history of the Thailand-Burma railway and the bridge. At the E&O landing point you board a motor coach for a brief trip past the North Temple and Chinese Cemetery to the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre. As you explore the informative museum, the historian is available to answer questions. There is time to visit the Don Rak War Cemetery adjacent to the museum if you wish.
Rejoin the coach for the short ride to the Kanchanaburi railway station to board the Eastern & Oriental Express. 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. Here coaches take you across to Georgetown, capital of Penang, on the local ferry. First stop is the Kho Kongsi clan house for a tour of the main hall and temple built in the baroque style of the late Ch'ng dynasty. This is followed by a trishaw ride through the interesting districts, passing colourful shophouses, elaborately-roofed temples, famous colonial landmarks and churches before stopping at the charming "E&O Hotel" for a typical Malaysian lunch.
Take the short ferry ride back to Butterworth and rejoin the Eastern & Oriental Express. 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 : Singapore
After breakfast, soon it’s time to leave the train, having crossed the Straits of Johor into Singapore.
Departures 2007 :
| October 7, 14, 28. | November 11, 18. | |
| December 2, 23, 30. |
Departures 2008 :
| January 27. | February 10, 17. | March 2, 16, 30. |
| April 20. | May 11. | June 15. |
| July 13. | August 17. | September 21. |
| October 5, 19. | November 16, 23, 30. | December 21. |
Departures 2009 :
| January 11, 25. | February 1, 8, 15. | |
| March 1, 15, 29. |
Train Fares (per person) 2007/8/9
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pullman Superior | Double Occupancy | £1,030 | £1,110 | £1,140 |
| Single Occupancy | £1,550 | £1,670 | £1,710 | |
| State Cabin | Double Occupancy | £1,540 | £1,570 | £1,620 |
| Single Occupancy | £2,310 | £2,360 | £2,430 | |
| Presidential Suite | Double Occupancy | £2,110 | £2,140 | £2,200 |
| Single Occupancy | £3,170 | £3,210 | £3,300 | |
Timetable
Arrive |
Depart |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Bangkok (Hualampong Station) | - |
17:50 |
| Check-in from 16:50 | |||
| Monday | Wang Po | 04:10 |
06:45 |
| Transverse Trestle Viaduct | |||
| Kanchanaburi | 08:33 |
11:00 |
|
| Guided tour of River Kwai | |||
| Tuesday | Butterworth (for Penang) | 12:00 |
15:00 |
| Guided tour of Georgetown | |||
| Kuala Lumpur | 23:30 |
00:30 |
|
| Wednesday | Singapore (Keppel Road Station) | 10:30 |
- |
Please note: All timings are approximate and are shown for your guidance only and are shown in local times. Confirmed timings will be supplied with your travel documents.
Inclusive Holidays
Details of inclusive holidays incorporating this journey can be found here:
