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Tailor Made Rail · Luxury train journey

Eastern & Oriental Express: Essence of Malaysia

Luxury train loop through Malaysia from Singapore on the Eastern & Oriental Express

Illustration of Eastern & Oriental Express: Essence of Malaysia

Tailor Made Rail's 10-day Eastern & Oriental Express journey pairs three nights in Singapore's 5-star Fullerton Hotel with three nights aboard the legendary Eastern & Oriental Express luxury train through the Malay Peninsula. After exploring Singapore's temples, markets, and waterfront, you board the train at Woodlands station on Day 5 and settle into your private Pullman cabin. The route loops through Malaysia's rice paddies and coastal regions, with morning excursions to Langkawi's Kilim Geoforest Park mangroves, a Vespa art tour of George Town's colonial quarter, or an optional cookery class. All meals aboard the train are served table d'hôte in the dining car; evening service includes the Bar Car. The package includes return economy flights from the UK, private transfers, and your choice of included excursions at each stop. This journey suits luxury-seekers, repeat rail travellers, and couples seeking a curated blend of colonial-era train travel and Southeast Asian cultural immersion.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price covers hotel, meals, rail fare, and flights; all departures listed run in October or November 2026 only.
  • Cabin type (Pullman, State, or Presidential Suite) and final hotel tier depend on your selection; confirm accommodation details when booking.
  • Several days in Singapore are unguided; you arrange your own activities (Chinatown temples, Clarke Quay, Orchard Road shopping, Night Safari).

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Flight

    Fly to Singapore

    Overnight flight from the UK to Singapore.

  2. Day 2overnight: Singapore

    Fly to Singapore

    Arrive and transfer to the Fullerton Hotel for a 2-night stay; perhaps a Singapore Sling at the hotel bar or a wander around Marina Bay.

  3. Day 3overnight: Singapore

    Singapore

    Explore Chinatown's Tao-Buddhist temples, a bumboat tour from Clarke Quay, or shopping on Orchard Road.

  4. Day 4overnight: Singapore

    Singapore

    Sample Malay food on Arab Street or take a Night Safari at Mandai Wildlife Reserve.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Train (Pullman cabin)

    Board the Eastern & Oriental Express

    Board the train at Woodlands station; settle into your private cabin as it crosses the Straits of Johor into southern Malaysia, with dinner in the dining car and a nightcap in the Bar Car.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Train (Pullman cabin)

    Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi

    Morning aboard the train through Western Malaysia's rice paddies, with an onboard spa massage available; the train stops at Arau Station for a choice of excursions to Langkawi's beaches and the Kilim Geoforest Park mangroves, or Perlis Geopark.

  7. Day 7overnight: Train (Pullman cabin)

    West Coast Line – Butterworth

    Alight for the crossing to Penang Island: a Vespa art tour of George Town's Old Quarter, a cookery class, or independent exploration by tri-shaw; optional tour of Ipoh, gateway to the Cameron Highlands.

  8. Day 8overnight: Singapore

    Return to Singapore

    Final breakfast onboard before arriving back at Singapore Woodlands station and transferring to the Fullerton Hotel for the last night.

  9. Day 9overnight: Flight

    Singapore to London

    Transfer to the airport for the overnight return flight to the UK.

  10. Day 10

    Singapore to London

    Arrive back in the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Arrive in Singapore and settle into the Fullerton Hotel; enjoy a Singapore Sling at the hotel bar overlooking Marina Bay.
  • Day 5Board the Eastern & Oriental Express at Woodlands station and cross the Straits of Johor into Malaysia; dinner in the dining car and a nightcap in the Bar Car.
  • Day 6Travel through Western Malaysia's rice paddies; optional excursions to Langkawi's beaches and Kilim Geoforest Park mangroves, or Perlis Geopark.
  • Day 7Alight at Butterworth for the crossing to Penang Island; choose a Vespa art tour of George Town's Old Quarter, a cookery class, or independent tri-shaw exploration.

Included

  • Return flights to Singapore in Economy Class
  • Private transfers between airport and hotel on arrival and departure from Singapore
  • 4 nights' 5* hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • Private transfers to and from the train
  • Pullman cabin on the Eastern & Oriental Express with 3 nights aboard the train and full table d'hôte dining
  • Choice of excursions off the train
  • Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Three nights aboard the Eastern & Oriental Express in a Pullman cabin are included, with full table d'hôte dining and Bar Car access. Optional upgrades to a State Cabin or Presidential Suite are available.
Is the trip guided or independent?
It is a mix. Singapore days are independent; you choose your own activities. The train journey is fully inclusive of meals and service. At Langkawi and Penang, Tailor Made Rail offers a choice of guided excursions (Langkawi beaches, Kilim Geoforest Park, Vespa tour, or cookery class) or independent exploration.
What is included in the from-price?
Return economy flights from the UK, private airport transfers, 4 nights' 5-star hotel accommodation in Singapore with breakfast, 3 nights aboard the train with all meals, private transfers to and from the train, choice of excursions, and ticket despatch.
When do departures run?
Five departures are scheduled for October and November 2026, all priced at GBP 5,899.
Can I extend the trip?
Yes. Optional extras include a flight to Bangkok or Koh Samui, or a 7-night stay in Langkawi to break the journey.
What is the route?
The train departs Singapore Woodlands, crosses into Malaysia via Arau and Langkawi, stops at Butterworth for a crossing to Penang Island (George Town), and returns to Singapore Woodlands for your final night.

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