Travelling from Singapore to Bangkok by Train: The Ultimate Overland Adventure

Always wanted to travel from Singapore to Bangkok by train? This guide will show you exactly how to do it!

If you’re the kind of traveller who loves slow travel, scenic journeys and crossing borders by land, then the journey from Singapore to Bangkok by train (or vice versa!) might just be the adventure you’re looking for. This isn’t just a way to get from A to B – it’s a chance to travel through three different countries and see Southeast Asia at a different pace.

The journey begins in the ultra-modern city of Singapore and crosses into Malaysia via the short and snappy Shuttle Tebrau. It then winds through Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur and Penang in Malaysia, before finishing with an overnight sleeper train through southern Thailand, arriving in the heart of Bangkok.

I first read about the possibility to travel from Singapore to Bangkok by train in a newspaper article and promptly set about figuring out how to make it happen. The article I read was heavy on storytelling but light on logistical details, so in my guide I’m covering everything you need to plan your trip, including:

• How to book each leg of the journey
• What the trains are like
• Tips for border crossings and things I wish I’d known
• Where to stop and what to do in each destination

Whether you want to blitz through in a few days or stretch it into a leisurely two-week trip (my preference!), this guide will help you plan an incredible overland Singapore to Bangkok train adventure.

All aboard!

The route at a glance

Segment	Train type	Duration	Ticket cost
Singapore – Johor Bahru	Shuttle Tebrau	~5 min	MYR16.90
Johor Bahru – Gemas	Intercity	~5 hours	From MYR21
Gemas – Kuala Lumpur	ETS	~2.5 hours	From MYR33
KL – Butterworth (Penang)	ETS/Intercity	~3.5-4 hours	From MYR33
Butterworth – Padang Besar	Kommuter	~2 hours	MYR11.40
Padang Besar – Bangkok	Overnight sleeper	~16 hrs	From THB848 (for 2nd class sleeper)

Nomad e-sim: Need to stay in touch on your Singapore to Bangkok train adventure? Get an e-sim through Nomad – they’ve got a package that covers Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

Leg 1: Singapore to Johor Bahru

Start this train journey in the modern city of Singapore – which is an incredibly well-connected air hub. (You can also do this journey from Bangkok to Singapore, and I’ll talk about that a little later!)

CHECK FLIGHTS TO SINGAPORE

What to do in Singapore

Depending on your travel plans, you may have a day or two in Singapore before you begin this epic rail journey up to Bangkok. I’ve been to Singapore about a dozen times, I reckon, and there’s always something new to see – and plenty to eat!

Top things to do in a day or two:

• Explore Gardens by the Bay and the iconic Marina Bay Sands – these are both great places during the day, but at night they are spectacularly lit up
• Wander through Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street to eat ALL the food
• Visit Hawker Centres like Maxwell or Lau Pa Sat for cheap and cheerful local eats
• Take a stroll around the Singapore Botanic Gardens (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Enjoy a cocktail at the Raffles Hotel Long Bar, birthplace of the Singapore Sling. Although I reckon the Singapore Sling is waaay overpriced and tastes a bit like medicine, it’s one of those “when-in-Rome” things to do!
• Spend the day at Universal Studios Singapore – fun for any age.

Where to eat in Singapore

There are so many options for eating in Singapore – every cuisine is represented in this city. But your top choices should be Chinese, Indian and Malay, which reflects the city’s cultural mix. The best thing about Singapore is that you don’t need to go fancy – you’ll find some of the best food in the affordable hawker centres. Try:

• Maxwell Food Centre: Try the famous Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice or a plate of char kway teow.
• Lau Pa Sat: Try satay – grilled skewers, peanut sauce and lots of smoke.
• Tekka Centre: The go-to for roti prata, biryani, and fresh mango lassi.

Other great restaurants in Singapore are Keng Eng Kee (KEK) – try the signature moonlight horfun, coffee pork ribs, butter cereal prawns, salted egg squid and prawn rolls. Another good spot is The Coconut Club, which is famous for its nasi lemak, a Malaysian dish of coconut rice served with spicy sambal, crispy anchovies, roasted peanuts, a boiled egg and cucumber, and often accompanied by fried chicken or rendang.

Where to stay in Singapore

Singapore has so many accommodation options. Central areas like Orchard and Chinatown are great, as is the area around Marina Bay.

• For something upscale, the Grand Hyatt Singapore in Orchard is spectacular. It has an incredible nightly buffet. Check availability and prices on Booking.com and Expedia
• The Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay is in a great location and is well-priced. Check availability and prices on Booking.com and Expedia
• For something a little more Wes Anderson, The Great Madras has retro furniture and very Instagrammable spaces. Check availability and prices on Booking.com and Expedia

Taking the Shuttle Tebrau: Singapore to Johor Bahru

The Shuttle Tebrau is the short train that takes you across the border from Singapore to Malaysia. It runs between Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Singapore) and JB Sentral (Johor Bahru) and takes just 5 minutes – but it saves a lot of time compared to the road crossing (the traffic jams are crazy!).

Unfortunately, the first Shuttle Tebrau service leaves Singapore at 8.30am – which is when the train for Kuala Lumpur (leg 2 of this journey) leaves! It’s a shame that these services don’t line up, and it means you’ll need to head to Johor Bahru in the afternoon and spend the night there. (Alternatively, if you don’t want to spend a night in Johor Bahru, you could take a car across the border early in the morning to link up with this train – see below for instructions.)

I recommend taking the Shuttle around mid-afternoon – avoid 5-8pm when everyone is finishing work and heading home, it’s a lot busier. We crossed at this time and the queues were much longer and full of tired-looking locals.

How to book tickets

Book your Shuttle Tebrau tickets well in advance – they sell out quickly.

KTM is Malaysia’s well-functioning train network, and you can book the Shuttle Tebrau through their official KTM website or app. On the website, you need to click on the Shuttle Tebrau option at the top of the page, and in the app, click on the Shuttle Tebrau tab to find tickets. One-way tickets cost from MYR16.90 each.

Tip: If you can’t get a ticket on the Shuttle Tebrau, your fall back is crossing the Causeway (the bridge that crosses the border) by bus or car – but expect long queues, especially during peak hours. To do this, you can either take a car all the way across (you need to book a special car that has permission to cross) or take a taxi or the train to the Woodlands Checkpoint, clear customs and immigration and board a bus to JB Sentral. If you do this crossing early in the morning (before the train to KL) make sure you have plenty of time for the actual trip and immigration processes.

Border crossing

Here’s how the border process works when departing from Singapore:

• Arrive at Woodlands Train Checkpoint at least 30-45 minutes before departure.
• Clear Singapore immigration first.
• Immediately after, go through Malaysian immigration (still on the Singapore side).
• Board the train and cross the Causeway over the river.
• Your passport has already been stamped into Malaysia, so once you arrive at JB Sentral, you can just walk out.

Leg 2: Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur

Once you’ve crossed into Malaysia and arrived at JB Sentral, you’ll continue your journey north to the Malaysian capital: Kuala Lumpur. This leg gives you your first proper taste of long-distance train travel in Malaysia.

You’ll need to take two separate trains to Kuala Lumpur: one from Johor Bahru to Gemas and the second from Gemas to Kuala Lumpur. The line is only electrified from Gemas onwards – but once the network is upgraded, you’ll be able to take just one train from JB Sentral to KL Sentral.

As mentioned, you’ll have to stay the night in Johor Bahru, because unfortunately the timing of the Shuttle Tebrau doesn’t link up with the train to Gemas. However, this will change in coming years as the network is upgraded.

If you do want to spend a bit of time in Johor Bahru, there’s great food to try – and LEGOLAND Malaysia!

Otherwise, book ahead to get the morning train out of JB Sentral, Johor Bahru’s main train station.

Where to stay in Johor Bahru

I recommend the Holiday Inn Johor Bahru City Centre. It’s right near JB Sentral and it’s in a mall so you can easily grab food. The rooms are spacious and the breakfast buffet is excellent. Check availability and prices on Booking.com and Expedia

How to book tickets: JB Sentral to KL Sentral

The first train you’ll take is the KTM ETS (Electric Train Service) from JB Sentral to Gemas. These trains are fast, comfy, air-conditioned and generally run on time.

To arrive in KL by the evening, you should book the 8.30am train to Gemas (the only option that will get you to KL in one day).

Booking options:

• Online via the KTM website or via the app. You can purchase online with an international credit card and all your tickets are saved in one place in the app.
• 12Go Asia – a website that consolidates train travel across Southeast Asia, as well as buses and private vans.
• In person at JB Sentral ticket counter – but tickets can sell out, especially for weekends or holidays.

The second train is another KTM EST from Gemas to JB Sentral. There’s a train from Gemas at 3:52pm that arrives at 6:17pm into Kuala Lumpur. As with the previous train, you can either book on the KTM website or app, or via 12Go Asia.

Tip: Buy your ticket at least a few days in advance!

What the trains are like

The train from JB Sentral to Gemas is comfortable and has toilets and a dining car. The dining car sells some hot meals, but mostly snacks and drinks.

The gate for the platform doesn’t open until about 15 minutes before departure, so there’s no need to get to JB Sentral too far before the train departs.

I recommend not choosing seats in row 1 – there’s no full window view, which was so disappointing. When we travelled, the train was often empty between stations, so we could move to seats with a better view. (You could also go and sit in the dining car for a bit more space.)

Also note that half the carriage seats face forward and the other half face backward – booking in advance will give you a better chance of getting a forward-facing seat.

The trains are well air-conditioned, so take a scarf or jacket.

At Gemas, where the diesel train line from JB ends and the electric line to KL begins, you’ll need to change trains. Unfortunately, the schedules don’t line up well, so you’ll need to wait in Gemas for around 2.5 hours. There’s not a whole lot to do, so prepare for some downtime. (There was also no water in the train station – so the toilets were out of order!)

We walked from the train station into town (only a few minutes’ walk) and got lunch from Curry Point – the food was dubiously sitting out in trays on shelves but I didn’t get sick, so that’s a win! There’s also a KFC near the train station and it looks like a McDonalds will also open up soon. There’s a 7-Eleven on the main street for snacks.

The train from Gemas to KL is far faster. There are hot meals on board, like nasi lemak and nasi goreng, and the toilets are cleaned regularly. Again, the air conditioning is high, so come prepared.

Our seats in row 8 had full windows (but row 9 only had half a window).

What to do in Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia’s capital is a great place to spend a night or two. I’d visited before, but only on a quick work trip, so I was pleasantly surprised by how clean, green and walkable the city is.

We spent three nights in KL, as the train arrives into the city in the evening and we wanted to have two full days to explore.

There are some great things to do in Kuala Lumpur:

• Take a food tour with A Chef’s Tour. We spent several hours wandering around Chinatown with our guide Steve, tasting different dishes until we burst and learning about the history and culture of the city. It was a great way to try dishes I never would have ordered myself – like the lala noodles (clam soup) in the picture below (spoiler: it was absolutely delicious). You can book online – they run daytime “Laksa Lanes” and an evening “Sambal Streets” tours

• Snap a selfie at the iconic Petronas Twin Towers – if you want to go up the towers for the views, you’ll need to book tickets in advance
• Wander the street food haven of Jalan Alor – every night this street comes alive with street vendors (it’s touristy, yes, but it’s a great way to try a whole lot of different foods)
• Check out the incredible street art around Jalan Alor – whole buildings are literally painted in riotous colours

• Visit Batu Caves, a Hindu temple built into a limestone cliff – make sure you go early (around 8.30am) to avoid the crowds, and don’t feed the monkeys! It’s a short Grab or taxi ride from the city centre to the Caves or you can take a day trip like this one. You’ll need to make sure your knees and shoulders are covered.

Tip! To get around KL via car, Grab is your best option. It’s cheap and there are plenty of drivers (just plan ahead at peak hour and allow some extra time).

Where to eat in KL

At night, Jalan Alor, the city’s most famous food street comes alive. Try smoky satay, char kway teow and grilled seafood. It’s touristy, yes – but you can also try many different dishes in the one place.

Palillos Yakitori Bar has a mix of Spanish tapas and Japanese yakitori. Bunn Choon Restaurant is famous for its dim sum and Chinese pastries like egg tarts (which are not as sweet as Portuguese tarts).

Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur

Accommodation is really well priced in KL – you can stay in some spectacular hotels for far less than other major cities.

We stayed at the Hotel Indigo Kuala Lumpur on the Park and loved it – the rooms are huge and there’s a beautiful pool. The enormous breakfast buffet is a great way to try traditional Malay dishes (as well as Western food). Check prices and availability on Booking.com and Expedia

KL also has plenty of hotels with views of the Petronas Towers. The Face Suites is an affordable option, with views of the tower from the rooftop pool. Check prices and availability on Booking.com and Expedia

Bukit Bintang is a fun area with lots of restaurants and bars. The KLoé Hotel is super-chic with lots of natural light. Check prices and availability on Booking.com and Expedia

Wherever you decide to stay, book a hotel with a pool – you’ll appreciate the chance to cool off in the sticky afternoons!

Leg 3: Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth (Penang)

This segment of the journey takes you further north, toward one of Malaysia’s most fantastic destinations: Penang. You’ll take another KTM ETS train from KL Sentral to Butterworth, the mainland transport hub connected to George Town, Penang’s historic, UNESCO-listed heart.

How to book tickets: KL Sentral to Butterworth

You’ll again be travelling on the KTM ETS, and just like the previous leg, it’s best to book early – especially if you’re travelling on a weekend or public holiday. We travelled on a Friday and the train was completely full, so plan ahead.

The same options exist for booking these tickets:

• KTM website or app
• 12Go Asia
• KL Sentral ticket counters

Tip! When booking your train ticket, select “Butterworth” as your destination, not Penang (it won’t show up as an option!).

What the train is like

Depending on the type of train you take (Express, Platinum or Gold), the journey can take anywhere between 3.5 hours and 4 hours 20 minutes.

We took the Platinum service 9172 at 8.05am which takes slightly longer than the Express train, but gets in at 12.10pm – so we still had plenty of time left in the day.

We booked business class seats (fancy!) which were a little roomier, had power sockets and included a snack and hot meal in the price of the ticket.

Like the other trains in Malaysia, it was very clean, with toilets in each carriage and air-con.

What to do in Penang (George Town)

The train terminates at Butterworth Railway Station, and from here you’ll have to walk to the ferry terminal to catch one of the regular services over to Penang island.

The walk to the ferry station takes around 10 minutes, so arriving at 12.10pm gives you plenty of time to catch the 12.30pm ferry if you hustle.

The ferry costs a bargain MYR2 and you simply tap your credit card (as part of a trial – I’m not sure how long this will go for) to go through the gates. Ferries run every half hour (give or take) and take around 10-15 minutes to cross.

Once you arrive at George Town Marina, you can walk to your accommodation or take a Grab or taxi.

Penang is an easy place to linger. Known for its incredible street food, street art and colonial-era architecture, George Town is easily one of Southeast Asia’s best spots.

Some great things to do in Penang include:

• Sample hawker food at places like Gurney Drive or New Lane, or join the crowds at the nightly food markets at Red Garden Paradise or Jetty Food Court
• Explore George Town’s UNESCO-listed Old Town – go hunting for all the incredible street art and murals! The tourist office has a great map of street art, which includes descriptions of each piece – we got a copy from our hotel
• Visit Pinang Peranakan Mansion (a former typical home of the rich of a century ago) or Khoo Kongsi (a clan temple)
• Ride the funicular up to Penang Hill for great views over the island
• Hang out on the beach at Batu Ferringhi (just be careful of the stingers if you want to take a swim!)
• Go for a hike in Penang National Park

Where to eat in Penang

Like all the other cities on this list, Penang is famous for its street food. Head to Gurney Drive Hawker Centre, New Lane or the legendary Chulia Street night stalls. Make sure to try the laksa here, which is a tangy, fish-based soup – different to the creamier coconut laksa you may know.

We loved eating at the food courts at night – each has dozens and dozens of different stalls selling every kind of food imaginable. You order what you like – and servers bring drinks directly to your table. Red Garden Food Paradise is a little more touristy, while The Jetty Food Court felt more local.

We also loved Wheeler’s for breakfast, dim sum from Cheng Zheng (the xiao long bao are the best I’ve ever eaten) and the incredible Middle Eastern desserts from Borak Borak. The Founders Cafe has one of the most interesting quesadillas I’ve ever eaten (scrambled eggs with chicken ham, Sriracha aioli, coriander and cheese topped with pomegranate and pesto oil) plus delicious pastries.

For a drink, happy hour at Spitfire Penang is a great deal, while Kool Koongsi Listening Bar is a very cool spot – and they make a great margarita.

Where to stay in Penang

There are several heritage guesthouses and boutique hotels in George Town. George Town isn’t a huge area so wherever you stay you’ll be close to the main sites (or use Grab to get around).

We stayed at Muntri Grove, which had a lovely little swimming pool and huge rooms with four-poster beds. The only downside was the loud music on the weekend (but that was solved with some ear plugs and a white noise app). Check prices and availability on Booking.com and Expedia

The Blue Mansion is a boutique hotel in a 19th-century mansion. It’s absolutely gorgeous – but if you can’t get a room here, you can take one of the tours held throughout the day. Check prices and availability on Booking.com and Expedia

An alternative to staying in George Town is one of the resorts on Batu Ferringhi Beach. All the hotel chains are here, including the PARKROYAL Penang Resort and DoubleTree Resort.

Leg 4: Butterworth to Bangkok (via Padang Besar)

The final and most epic stretch of this train journey takes you across the border into Thailand and all the way to Bangkok – one of my favourite cities. The journey is via Padang Besar, a border town shared by Malaysia and Thailand, where you’ll board a Thai sleeper train for an overnight ride through the south of the country.

This leg once again involves two separate trains, one from Butterworth to Padang Besar and another from Padang Besar to Bangkok.

How to book tickets: Butterworth to Bangkok

You’ll need to go to two different websites to book the tickets for this segment of the trip.

Butterworth to Padang Besar tickets:

The first site is the by now very familiar KTMB website or app. On either option, you will need to make sure you have selected the Komuter option (at the top of the webpage or the separate tab in the app), otherwise you’ll get a page that says “No trips available”.

The Komuter is like a regular metro train service – you don’t book a seat on the train, but there are always spots available as long as everyone can squeeze in. (Don’t worry – our train had plenty of empty seats.) You can book this train ticket while you’re on the ferry from George Town back to Butterworth.

It stressed me out beforehand that we couldn’t book this train trip in advance – but I didn’t need to worry at all. We took the 1.30pm ferry from Penang, bought our tickets on the ferry and then boarded the 2.35pm Komuter from Butterworth to Padang Besar – we had plenty of time to make the overnight train to Bangkok.

I wouldn’t leave any earlier than the 2.35pm train, otherwise you’ll have a very long wait in Padang Besar and there’s nothing to do in the station! You can however spend some time in the mall attached to the Butterworth ferry station.

Important: There are no toilets on the Komuter train, nor any food options – but it’s just a 1 hour and 50 minute journey.

Padang Besar to Bankgok tickets:

For the Padang Besar to Bangkok tickets, go to the State Railway of Thailand website. (Warning: the website is pretty slow and clunky, so be patient!) You need to select Krung Athep Aphiwat as the destination – it took me quite a while to figure this out! Selecting “Bangkok” as the destination will show up as invalid.  

Book your ticket and choose your seats – we booked a second-class sleeper. Our seat numbers were 9 and 10 which gave us two seats facing each other, which then turned into two beds, one above the other. If you’re travelling solo, the lower berths are wider (and mean you don’t have to climb up and down).

Note: There is an option to book a private cabin but it’s a confusing process. That’s because the carriage that holds these type of cabins isn’t hooked up until the train reaches Hat Yai, and it’s tricky to book a train ticket from Padang Besar to Hat Yai then a separate ticket from Hat Yai to Bangkok.

You can also book the overnight sleeper via 12Go Asia, but you won’t have the option to select seats, which is far too risky in my opinion!

You can buy tickets in person at Padang Besar station, but sleepers do sell out, especially in high season, so you’ll need to do so days in advance. The ticket station was also closed when we went through the station – so check that it will be open!

The border crossing at Padang Besar

The border crossing involves exiting Malaysia and entering Thailand in the same building at Padang Besar station.

Once you’ve disembarked the Komuter train from Butterworth, simply follow the signs to Immigration (inside the station). We had to wait for about half an hour before the gate was opened and then we cleared Malaysian exit procedures.

Then, we continued on to Thai Immigration. Once stamped in, we could wait on the platform for our sleeper train. Our train was already there, so we could board and settle in straight away.

Important! There is a very confusing time difference at Padang Besar. The SRT will state that the overnight train departs for Bangkok at 5pm (Thai time), while the KTM uses Malaysian time. This means that technically the train is leaving at 6pm Malaysian time. All you need to keep in mind is to make sure you are at Padang Besar train station well before 6pm Malaysian time.

What’s the Thai sleeper train to Bangkok like?

This is the longest train trip of this journey – a whopping 16 hours. The train departs at 5pm Thai time (6pm Malaysia time) and arrives around 9am the next morning.

The second-class sleeper carriages have rows of two seats facing each other, with a walkway between. The seats are wide and have full windows so you’ll see plenty of countryside before the sun goes down. The carriages are air-conditioned with two toilets at one end. There are also two separate sinks outside the toilets.

Our carriage didn’t have any power plugs, so bring along a portable charger. However, other carriages did, so it’s really luck of the draw.

At Hat Yai, the train is shunted to add additional carriages – it was interesting to be pushed back and forward quite roughly!

After it gets dark, the carriage attendant comes through to make each bed – done in record time! Each bed has a blanket, pillow and a mattress. They’re actually really comfy and my watch told me I slept for around 7.5 hours, which I wasn’t expecting. If you get cold easily, bring layers to sleep in.

The attendants pack up the beds around an hour before you arrive in Bangkok the next day.

There are other carriages with upright seats – these are obviously much, much cheaper, but it’s a long trip in these types of seats.

Tip: Pack an eye mask and ear plugs to help you sleep. I plugged in my headphones and listened to my white noise app.

As for food, I thought there was a dining car on board, but after walking through five different carriages I gave up looking for it. Anyway, attendants walk through the carriages selling food, either directly from themselves or they’ll bring meal sets to you (which cost around 190 baht). At Hat Yai, vendors come on board selling the most delicious fried chicken with sticky rice – I highly recommend it!

Attendants also come through around breakfast time, with coffee, Ovaltine and food dishes.

Either way, bring plenty of water with you and snacks! All the Thai travellers in our carriage had bags full of snacks and I was very jealous in the morning (after our cash had run out).

Important! Bring baht with you – vendors and attendants don’t accept credit cards. (We forgot to change money beforehand but luckily I had a few hundred baht which I had to stretch out over the long trip!)

Arrival in Bangkok

The train pulls into Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (the new main station in Bangkok) early in the morning. From there, you can take the MRT (subway) to the city or a Grab or taxi.

What to do in Bangkok

This is the end of the journey – but I recommend planning to spend a few days in Bangkok. This city is has endless things to see, eat and experience, and I never tire of visiting.

Top things to do in Bangkok, especially if it’s your first time:

• Visit the Grand Palace and Wat Pho – make sure you cover your knees and shoulders otherwise you’ll have to buy clothing at the entrance
• Take a food tour to experience Thailand’s diverse food scene – on this trip, I actually took another of the A Chef’s Tour food tours. They have two options: a daytime “Old Siam” and evening “Bangkok Backstreets” tour (I did the day tour which included a ride in a boat along the khlongs (canals) and a tuk-tuk ride as well as a million plates of food!)

• Take a canal tour or ride a longtail boat on the Chao Phraya River
• Explore the street food and night markets – we love Jodd Fairs, while the evening Chinatown market will blow your mind with the amount of stalls
• Shop at Chatuchak Weekend Market for knock-off items or the more modern IconSiam
• Grab rooftop drinks at one of the many sky bars, like Vertigo (on top of the Banyan Tree Hotel), Octave or Tichuca Rooftop Bar

Where to eat in Bangkok

Thai food is one of my favourite cuisines (along with Mexican) – and in Bangkok you can eat incredibly well for just a few dollars.

For street food, explore the stalls around Yaowarat Road (Chinatown) or the Jodd Fairs Market.

Try pad krapao (basil-fried meat, usually served with rice and a fried egg on top) from Phed Mark or Krob Kun, and som tam (spicy papaya salad) from Somtum Der. The fried chicken at Polo Fried Chicken is delicious (be prepared for a queue).

Supanniga Eating Room has great Isaan food – and a beautiful view over the Chao Praya River and Wat Arun (book in advance for a table on the deck). Samlor puts a modern spin on famous Thai dishes and is close to great bars. The set menu at Era-izaan is fabulous value – but the food is quite spicy!

And the best mango sticky rice in Bangkok is at Mae Varee!

Where to stay in Bangkok

We have been to Bangkok so many times and I try to stay in a different area each time just to experience a new place.

• Sukhumvit: A lively area with great restaurants, shopping malls and nightlife. Well-connected by BTS Skytrain – perfect for first-time visitors. Citrus Suites is down a small street but the rooms are spacious, while The Continent Hotel Sukhumvit has a great rooftop pool.
• Old Town (Rattanakosin): Stay here if you want to be close to Bangkok’s iconic temples, the Grand Palace and riverside markets. It’s less connected to modern transport. 1905 Heritage Corner is in a beautiful old building, while the House of Machine is in an industrial-style building.
• Thong Lo: Trendy and upscale, Thong Lo has chic cafés, craft cocktail bars, boutique shopping and some great dining spots. Great for foodies and those wanting something less touristy. It’s also right on the BTS line for easy access around the city. The Residence on Thonglor has great value rooms and a rooftop pool, while Staybridge Suites has kitchenettes.
• Siam: The heart of Bangkok’s shopping scene. Home to mega-malls like MBK and Siam Paragon. Perfect if you love shopping, entertainment and being in the centre of it all. Excellent BTS connections. On our most recent stay we checked into the Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road and loved it. LUXX Lang Suan has beautiful minimalist rooms and a lush courtyard swimming pool.

Suggested itineraries: How to travel from Singapore to Bangkok by train

Depending on your schedule, you can either power through the journey in just a few days or stretch it into a slow, scenic trip packed with food, culture and exploration. (I recommend the latter!)

Express route (3-4 days)

For: Travellers short on time who still want to experience the full overland journey.

• Day 1: Singapore → Johor Bahru (overnight in Johor Bahru)
  • Take Shuttle Tebrau over to JB Sentral at a time that suits (alternatively, take a car or bus over the Causeway on the day you travel to KL)
• Day 2: Johor Bahru → Kuala Lumpur (overnight in KL)
  • 8.30am train JB Sentral to Gemas
  • 3.52pm train Gemas to KL
• Day 3: Kuala Lumpur → Butterworth → Ferry to Penang (overnight in Penang)
  • 8.05am train KL to Butterworth
  • 12.30pm ferry Butterworth to Penang
  • Alternatively, if you’re short on time, skip time in Penang and take the 10.41am train from KL Sentral which arrives at Padang Besar at 4.18pm
• Day 4: Penang → Padang Besar → Overnight sleeper train to Bangkok
  • 1.30pm ferry Penang to Butterworth
  • 2.35pm train Butterworth to Padang Besar
  • 5pm overnight train Padang Besar to Bangkok
• Day 5: Arrive in Bangkok mid-morning

You won’t be doing any sightseeing on this rapid-fire ride through three countries, but you’ll still catch glimpses of the region along the way.

Classic route (7 days)

For: Travellers who want a comfortable pace with a bit of sightseeing at each stop.

• Days 1-2: Singapore (explore, eat, shop)
• Day 3: Johor Bahru → Kuala Lumpur (1 night in KL)
• Days 4-5: KL → Penang (2 nights to enjoy food and history)
• Day 6: Penang → Padang Besar → Sleeper to Bangkok
• Day 7: Arrive in Bangkok

Take the same train schedule as outline in the express route above.

Slow travel route (10-14 days)

For: Travellers who want to soak it all in with multiple nights at each stop. This was us!

• Days 1-3: Singapore
• Day 4: Johor Bahru
• Days 5-7: Kuala Lumpur
• Days 8-10: Penang
• Day 11: Padang Besar → sleeper train
• Days 12-14: Bangkok

With two weeks, you could even add in stops in Ipoh or the Cameron Highlands between KL and Penang.

Going from Bangkok to Singapore?

If you’re doing this trip in reverse – Bangkok to Singapore by train – then you could follow the below schedule (just stretch it out based on the number of days you’re travelling):

• Day 1: Take the 4.10pm train from Krung Thep Aphiwat to Padang Besar
• Day 2:  Overnight train arrives in Padang Besar at 9.05am (Malaysia time), then take 10.35am train to Butterworth/Penang (and the ferry over)
• Day 3: Take the 1.05pm train from Butterworth to KL Sentral
• Day 4: Take the 12.15pm train from KL Sentral to Gemas, then the 3.20pm train from Gemas to JB Sentral – if you don’t want to spend the night in Johor Bahru, you could then take the 8.15pm or 9.30pm Shuttle Tebrau to Singapore

Final tips for the Singapore-Bangkok train journey

• Book tickets in advance: Especially the Shuttle Tebrau and Thai sleeper train – they sell out regularly.
• Have backup options: Buses or domestic flights can fill in the gaps if a train is full or delayed.
• Pack smart: Bring snacks, a refillable water bottle, toilet paper or tissues (for some stations) and warm layers for cold aircon.
• Get your necessary currencies ahead of time! Don’t be like us and have to make your baht or ringgit stretch.
• Get an e-sim: The Nomad e-sim has a useful package that covers Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.
• Be flexible: Delays do happen – build in buffer time if you’re connecting to flights.

Final thoughts: Ready to ride?

Travelling from Singapore to Bangkok by train isn’t the fastest way – but it might just be the most rewarding. You’ll glide past jungles, coastlines, bustling cities and sleepy towns, and experience three countries in a completely different way.

I hope this guide helps you plan the kind of journey that makes you fall in love with overland travel!

FAQ: Singapore to Bangkok by train

How long does the full journey take?

The fastest overland route would take under 48 hours, depending on train connections and wait times. But break it up into 4-10 days to enjoy the destinations along the way.

Can I book the entire trip on one website?

No, you’ll need to book each leg separately via Malaysia’s KTM and Thailand’s State Railway of Thailand websites. 12Go Asia is a good option, but I preferred to book direct.

Can I bring big luggage on the trains?

Yes. There’s no strict luggage policy. You can bring suitcases, backpacks or even small roller bags, but make sure you can lift and store them yourself. In the Thai sleeper trains, space is more limited, so soft-sided bags are easier to stash.

Is it safe for solo travellers?

Definitely. I saw quite a few solo foreign travellers, including females. The trains are clean, the stations are staffed and the journey is well-travelled by locals and backpackers alike. Just take the standard precautions you would in any foreign country, especially when travelling overnight.

Do the trains have Wi-Fi or power outlets?

Wi-fi can be spotty, so get an e-sim instead. Power outlets are available on most ETS trains (Malaysia). Thai sleeper trains sometimes have them, but it’s not guaranteed.

When’s the best time to do the journey?

The best time is during the dry season in December to March, when the weather in cooler and there’s less rain. During public holidays in Malaysia and Thailand (like Hari Raya or Songkran), trains get booked out fast. We did our trip in late March/early April.

Can I do this journey in reverse (Bangkok to Singapore)?

Yes, just flip the order. All the same trains and routes operate in both directions. You can check the train timetables online at the KTM and SRT websites. The Man in Seat 61 is a great train resource.

Are you planning to travel from Singapore to Bangkok by train? Drop any questions (or comments) in the comments section below.

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• How to Plan a Trip: 15 Easy Steps to the Perfect Travel Itinerary
• 15 Dream Travel Destinations to Visit Before You Die
• 11 Ways to Travel More With a Full Time Job (+ Vacation Planner!)

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