How much does it cost?

From £7,565 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $10,219 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Yes, all train rides detailed in the itinerary are included, among them the ETS Gold train, the Jungle Railway, the Penang Hill Funicular, the Special Express Train to Hua Hin, the Floating Train, the historic Death Railway, and the scenic slow train to Bangkok.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes, an experienced Tour Leader accompanies the group throughout, on a tour run in conjunction with a partner operator.

Are international flights included?

No, this is the Ground Only fare; flights to Singapore and from Bangkok are arranged independently, though a Flight Inclusive option via Abu Dhabi is available on request.

What hotels are used?

Eleven different hotels along the route, including the Majestic Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, the Eastern & Oriental Penang Hotel, and the Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside in Bangkok, with one or two nights at each.

One departure is listed, in November 2026, from 7,565 GBP.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Singapore to Siam Discovery (Ground Only) 2026

Nine named train journeys across Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand

Railtrail Tours, working with a partner operator, runs this 19-day, 18-night escorted Ground Only tour from Singapore to Bangkok. A Tour Leader guides the group through Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, the Cameron Highlands, Penang, Khao Sok National Park, Hua Hin, Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi, riding nine named trains along the way, including the ETS Gold train, the Jungle Railway through Malaysia's forests, the Penang Hill Funicular, the Floating Train near Ayutthaya, and the historic Death Railway by the Bridge over the River Kwai. Days mix city sightseeing, food tours, boat rides on Temenggor and Cheow Lan lakes, and stops at war history museums. It suits travelers who want a long, guided rail-focused journey across three countries with varied named train rides, and who are comfortable arranging their own international flights, since this fare covers ground arrangements only.

What to know before you look closer

This is the Ground Only fare; international flights to and from Singapore and Thailand are not included, though a Flight Inclusive option departing London Heathrow via Abu Dhabi is available on request.
The single room supplement, from 9,105 GBP, is higher than the twin-share price of 7,565 GBP itself, a significant premium for solo travelers.
Only 13 lunches and 11 evening meals are included across the 18 nights of bed and breakfast; some meals are at your own expense.
Only one departure is currently listed, in November 2026, and the tour runs in conjunction with a partner operator rather than solely by Railtrail Tours.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: One Farrer Hotel, Singapore
Arrive Singapore
After making your own flight arrangements to Singapore, you will meet the Tour Leader at Changi Airport and transfer to the One Farrer Hotel, our hotel for the next two nights. After check-in, we will enjoy time at leisure to explore our new surroundings before meeting for drinks and enjoying a welcome dinner together.
Day 2overnight: One Farrer Hotel, Singapore
Singapore sightseeing
After breakfast this morning, we will discover the multicultural vibrancy of Singapore and our exploration begins in Kampong Glam where we will stroll along Arab Street's trendy shops and cafes before visiting the elegant Tanjong Pagar Station. Afterwards, we wander through Chinatown's narrow streets ahead of our lunch at Singapore's largest hawker centre with over 220 food stalls to choose from! This afternoon, we walk along Clarke Quay before our evening meal at the historic Fullerton Hotel with the opportunity to stop for a nightcap and take in the spectacular Spectra Light & Water on our way back to the hotel.
Day 3railovernight: The Majestic Hotel, Malacca
Rail to Segamat, on to Malacca
This morning, we collect our breakfast boxes and board our private coach to travel to the Singapore-Malaysia border crossing to the Johor Bahru railway station for our journey to Segamat. On arrival in Segamat, we enjoy our lunch together before continuing by road to Malacca with our route offering beautiful countryside views of oil palm plantations, small kampung villages, and rolling hills as we make our way to the Majestic Hotel for our overnight stay. This evening, we embark on a guided walking tour of the Old Town before enjoying an evening at leisure to dine at a local restaurant.
Day 4railovernight: The Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
Malacca trishaw tour and ETS Gold train to Kuala Lumpur
Today, we head out for a charming trishaw tour through the narrow streets of Malacca exploring distinctive architecture, ancient trades, and historic buildings before taking lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, we transfer to Tampin Railway Station to board the ETS Gold train to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital and, on arrival, we transfer to the luxurious Majestic Hotel for our two-night stay. We will meet in the elegant Contango restaurant and enjoy our evening meal together.
Day 5railovernight: The Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur sightseeing and food tour
After breakfast, we will explore the fascinating city of Kuala Lumpur where tradition meets modernity including the historic Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, a landmark that once housed British colonial offices. Our tour ends at the base of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers where we enjoy some free time to take lunch and explore further. Later in the day, we enjoy a relaxed, guided food tour to savour Malaysia's diverse culinary heritage, discovering a mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian flavours as we visit renowned food stalls, market streets, and hidden gems known only to locals.
Day 6railovernight: Cameron Highlands Resort, Cameron Highlands
Rail to Ipoh, on to Cameron Highlands
Today, we make our way to Kuala Lumpur station for a scenic journey through rolling hills and traditional villages to Ipoh, the gateway to the highlands. The Ipoh Railway Station is often referred to as the 'Taj Mahal of Ipoh' and we have time to explore this colonial building and the Old Town before continuing by road to the Cameron Highlands and our overnight hotel, the Cameron Highlands Resort, for an evening at leisure.
Day 7railovernight: Belum Rainforest Resort, Tanah Merah
Cameron Highlands tea plantation and the Jungle Railway
This morning, we will explore the highlights of the Cameron Highlands including a tea-tasting experience at a tea plantation. Following lunch together at a local restaurant, we transfer to Gua Musang Station to board the famous Jungle Railway, widely considered to be one of the most beautiful train rides in Southeast Asia. This iconic railway will follow winding rivers, traverse dramatic limestone hills, pass through tunnels, and cross viaducts into the lush tropical rainforests and pristine jungle landscapes to Tanah Merah. Here, we transfer to the Belum Rainforest Resort where we check in for our overnight stay and enjoy our evening meal together.
Day 8overnight: Eastern & Oriental Penang Hotel, Penang
Temenggor Lake and on to Penang
This morning, we embark on a boat excursion across Temenggor Lake for a short, guided walk to see the rare Rafflesia flower, one of the most extraordinary and bizarre flowers in the world with a very distinctive smell! Afterwards, we begin our journey to Penang, pausing along the way for lunch at a local restaurant, before checking in to the Eastern & Oriental Penang Hotel for our two-night stay. We will explore the charming streets of the city on an orientation walk ending at Penang's only revolving restaurant and the largest rooftop bar in Malaysia where we will enjoy our evening meal together.
Day 9railovernight: Eastern & Oriental Penang Hotel, Penang
Penang sightseeing and Penang Hill funicular
Today, we delve deeper into Penang exploring the colonial architecture and vibrant street markets before visiting Chew Jetty, an historic waterfront settlement where Chinese communities built stilt houses over the water, and Khoo Kongsi, one of Malaysia's most magnificent clan houses. From here, we will ascend Penang Hill via the country's oldest funicular railway system and enjoy our lunch at the top before spending the rest of the day at leisure to explore at your own pace and dine at a local restaurant.
Day 10overnight: Khaosok Boutique Hideaway, Khao Sok
Fly to Phuket, on to Khao Sok National Park
After breakfast this morning, we will transfer to Penang International Airport for the short flight to Phuket, Thailand's largest island. Here, we will make our way north into the untouched wilderness of Khao Sok National Park, a spectacular park home to one of the world's oldest rainforests thought to predate even the Amazon. After checking in to the Khaosok Boutique Hideaway for two nights, we enjoy our evening meal together surrounded by the park's serene beauty before joining a flashlight-led night safari to discover the nocturnal side of the park.
Day 11overnight: Khaosok Boutique Hideaway, Khao Sok
Cheow Lan Lake
Today, we make our way by road to Cheow Lan Lake for a relaxing boat ride across the water surrounded by towering limestone karst hills rising almost 1,000m above the lake. We will stop at one of the park's remote islands for a guided wildlife tour where we may encounter friendly wild Asian elephants, hornbills, and gibbons before exploring the incredible Pakarang Cave, celebrated for its intricate stalactites and stalagmites. After dipping our feet in the tranquil waters and taking lunch at a local raft-house beneath the rainforest canopy, we will return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.
Day 12railovernight: Centara Grand Beach Resort, Hua Hin
Special Express Train to Hua Hin
After a leisurely breakfast, we transfer to Surat Thani Station to board the Special Express Train for a memorable journey through southern Thailand to the charming town of Hua Hin with lunch served on board. Upon disembarking in Hua Hin, we will step into the historic railway station, adding a nostalgic touch to the experience, before making our way to the Centara Grand Beach Resort for our overnight stay and evening meal.
Day 13railovernight: Classic Kameo Hotel, Ayutthaya
Maeklong Railway Market, Amphawa Floating Market, on to Ayutthaya
Today, we journey north along the Gulf of Thailand stopping along the way at Samut Songkhram, home of the fascinating Maeklong Railway Market located on the railway tracks themselves. Afterwards, we visit the nearby Amphawa Floating Market set along the canals with boats laden with fresh produce, seafood, and other goods selling through the bustling waterways. Here, we enjoy lunch together before continuing to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Ayutthaya where we check in for our two-night stay and enjoy our evening meal together.
Day 14railovernight: Classic Kameo Hotel, Ayutthaya
The 'Floating Train'
This morning, we will experience one of Asia's lesser known but most captivating railway journeys - the 'Floating Train'. Passing near the Chao Phraya River, the tracks are often close to the water's edge giving the floating feel, and our scenic route takes us across a series of viaducts above the Pasak Chonlasit Reservoir where we will stop at the viewpoint in the middle providing a fantastic photo opportunity of both the train and the stunning surroundings. We will complete the return journey to the hotel this afternoon for an evening at leisure.
Day 15overnight: U Inchantree, Kanchanaburi
Ayutthaya sightseeing, on to Kanchanaburi
Today, we will explore the ancient city of Ayutthaya, often referred to as the 'Venice of the East', and we will discover former palaces and temples, gilded structures, and intricate ruins. After enjoying our lunch together at a local restaurant, we continue to Kanchanaburi where we check-in to our hotel in time for our evening meal on the river.
Day 16railovernight: U Inchantree, Kanchanaburi
Bridge over the River Kwai and the Death Railway
After breakfast this morning, we will explore a significant chapter of Thailand's history - The Thai Burma Railway known simply and sadly as the 'Death Railway'. Constructed by the Japanese during World War II and employing forced labour consisting of prisoners of war and Asian labourers, this railway became synonymous with suffering and death due to the thousands of casualties during its construction. We will travel directly to the iconic Bridge over the River Kwai and board a historic train to travel alongside the Kwai Noi River enjoying panoramic views before visiting the Hellfire Pass Memorial. After a morning of reflection, we take our lunch at a local restaurant before returning to our hotel spending the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 17railovernight: Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside, Bangkok
River Kwai museums and scenic slow train to Bangkok
This morning, we will visit two poignant testaments starting at the Thai Burma Railway Centre, a museum and research hub that has dedicated over two decades of researching, mapping, and preserving the railway's history. We continue to the JEATH War Museum, one of the first museums to focus on the atrocities of the Death Railway. We return to Kanchanaburi in a long-tail boat ride along the River Kwai, stopping for lunch at one of the floating restaurants along the way. This afternoon, we board one of Thailand's most scenic slow train rides passing through tranquil landscapes and charming stations as we make our way to Bangkok. Here, we transfer to our hotel for an evening at leisure.
Day 18overnight: Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside, Bangkok
Bangkok sightseeing and farewell dinner
Today, we will explore Bangkok and discover three of the city's most iconic landmarks. Our first stop in the UNESCO listed Wat Pho Temple, home to one of the largest and most impressive Buddha images in the country. We continue to the Grand Palace which once served as the official residence of the Thai kings before completing our tour at the Temple of Dawn with colourful broken porcelain forming floral motifs and mythical creatures across its entire surface. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore before we reconvene this evening for a grand farewell dinner, reflecting on our amazing journey.
Day 19
Depart Bangkok
After our fantastic Southeast Asian adventure, you will make your way to Bangkok Airport for your chosen flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 7The Jungle Railway from Gua Musang to Tanah Merah, 'widely considered to be one of the most beautiful train rides in Southeast Asia,' follows winding rivers and limestone hills.
Day 8A boat excursion across Temenggor Lake for a guided walk to see the rare Rafflesia flower.
Day 11A boat ride across Cheow Lan Lake, surrounded by limestone karst hills rising almost 1,000 meters, with a guided wildlife walk for elephants, hornbills and gibbons.
Day 14The 'Floating Train' crosses viaducts above the Pasak Chonlasit Reservoir near Ayutthaya, stopping at a viewpoint for photographs.
Day 16A visit to the Bridge over the River Kwai and a ride on the historic Death Railway, built during World War II.

Included

18 nights bed & breakfast plus 13 lunches and 11 evening meals
Services of experienced Tour Leader
All train rides, transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed

Not included

International flights to/from Singapore and Thailand (this is the Ground Only fare); a Flight Inclusive option ex-London Heathrow is available on request

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £7,565 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $10,219 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Yes, all train rides detailed in the itinerary are included, among them the ETS Gold train, the Jungle Railway, the Penang Hill Funicular, the Special Express Train to Hua Hin, the Floating Train, the historic Death Railway, and the scenic slow train to Bangkok.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes, an experienced Tour Leader accompanies the group throughout, on a tour run in conjunction with a partner operator.
Are international flights included?: No, this is the Ground Only fare; flights to Singapore and from Bangkok are arranged independently, though a Flight Inclusive option via Abu Dhabi is available on request.
What hotels are used?: Eleven different hotels along the route, including the Majestic Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, the Eastern & Oriental Penang Hotel, and the Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside in Bangkok, with one or two nights at each.
When does it depart?: One departure is listed, in November 2026, from 7,565 GBP.