Eastern and Oriental Express: Singapore Malaysia Thailand

The Eastern & Oriental Express carries passengers on a three-day jaunt in luxury using sleeping-cars originally built in Japan for the New Zealand Railways Wellington-Auckland sleeper train, between Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Travel through dense rainforests and towering mountains past golden temples of Thailand, rubber plantations of Malaysia, remote towns and villages, and the urban forest of Singapore.

In Malaysia the train stops in Butterworth for a visit to the Spice Island of Penang. A checkered history of British, Malaysian and Chinese influence throughout time makes George Town colorful and diverse. From the people to the architecture, it’s a real melting pot of cultures. The visit by trishaw takes you from a Chinese clan house, impressive with its ornate, colorful and complex carvings, past Little India and the legendary Eastern and Oriental Hotel. This is a good opportunity to see a lot without walking in the stifling heat.