Planning to travel to Bangkok? Wanting to try new experiences? What if we suggest you take on train ride instead of a flight or bus? This could be the best idea for a holiday in your lifetime. This isn’t a normal train ride, we are talking about Eastern & Oriental Express – a 5-star luxury vintage train!
The Eastern & Oriental Express is a luxury sleeper train that was first launched in September 1993. It made history for being the first train to travel the whole length of the 1,943 km Singapore-Bangkok journey. Eastern & Oriental-Express is known as Asia’s finest and most luxurious dream train that travels between Singapore, Malaysia and Bangkok, Thailand. Operated by Belmond Ltd, it is the same company that operates the luxury Venice Simplon-Orient-Express which travels through Europe. However, E&O takes passengers on an extraordinary train ride through Southeast Asia.
5 reasons why you need to hop on board the luxury sleeper train, Eastern & Oriental Express
1. Sleeper trains that are basically like a ‘Hotel on Rails’
The E&O has all the facilities that turn it into a travelling luxury hotel. There are carriages for dining, sleeping or lounging, a bar, a library and a large open-air observation deck. Once you onboard the train, there will be dedicated stewards await dressed elegantly in uniform ready to serve you 24-hour.
The train’s interiors exude strong Asian influences with Jim Thompson silks. The classical carriage exudes an aura of having seen it all. The main decorations are in dark green and dark brown that is submerged beautifully when the sunlight of the Southern Ocean shines in through the window. Magnificent!
2. Passengers can choose three types of cabins
The entire train has 22 carriages including 6 standard stateroom carriages (Pullman Cabin), 7 deluxe stateroom carriages (State Cabin), and 1 presidential suite carriage. The more affordable cabin is Pullman Cabin which is perfect for solo travellers while State Cabin is airy and light. If you want to splurge on the trip, you can choose Presidential Cabin which comes with a WiFI connection and a minibar. All staterooms are equipped with individual beds, bathrooms, shower rooms, electrical outlets, and air conditioning, as well as a dedicated attendant.
3. Food is absolutely delicious
The kitchen is helmed by a professional chef. The menu is carefully crafted and consists of dishes where East meets West. The chef combines local ingredients with French-style cooking like Tom Yam Vichyssoise with Quail, Pan-Roasted Seabass with Sichuan Style Vegetables and many more. Passengers will get daily continental breakfast served in the cabin, daily three-course lunch and four-course dinner as well as house wine, house spirits and local beer.
4. There are four journeys on the E&o to choose from
The E&O not only travel from KL to Bangkok. There are four journeys you can choose from:
- Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok (2D1N)
- Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur (3D2N)
- Bangkok to Singapore (4D3N)
- Singapore to Bangkok (3D2N)
However, if you are looking for a longer trip, you can choose the Fables of Peninsula package. The 7D6N journey will take you on a languid, dreamy ride from Singapore to Bangkok, Thailand.
5. Experience a luxurious tour ride
The journey from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok will take you through the heart of Southeast Asia. You will visit a Malaysian village and choose from several different options for touring Kanchanburi, visiting the infamous River Kwai Bridge, or enjoying a biking tour or cooking class.
For more information regarding the E&O train, you can click here.
