There is a certain romanticism attached to the notion of train travel — rolling through idyllic countrysides, far from highways with speeding vehicles, offering a different view of a country. There are some really amazing scenic train routes around the world that can be destinations in themselves. But more than that, it’s also a practical method for locals and foreigners alike to move around a country.
However, unlike in Europe where traveling from country to country via rail is a simple task, train travel is mostly confined to traveling within a country – links between various Southeast Asia hot spots aren’t that well-developed and crossing from country to country is best left to air travel. But that doesn’t mean that trains aren’t a viable option, especially when traveling in Malaysia. Here are some train routes to consider while in the region.
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Main overland route: Singapore – Bangkok via the West Coast line
While traveling from country to country by train is typically not the most convenient way to go, the train journey from Singapore to Bangkok is the best connected of inter-city train routes in Southeast Asia and can be an enjoyable journey, especially when you add a stop in Malaysia to your trip.
You won’t, however, be able to purchase the full route to Bangkok in Singapore as the journey consists of at least two different trains and you will need to purchase separate tickets for each section. The route is usually broken up into: Singapore – Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) – Butterworth (Malaysia) – Bangkok (Thailand).
Money saving tip: Don’t purchase a train ticket from Singapore to Bangkok direct at the Singapore train station. Instead, purchase a ticket from Singapore to Johor and at Johor station purchase your ticket to the next destination. This is because, while the ticket price is the same, it will be charged in the currency of the country where you made your purchase. Since the Singapore dollar has been much stronger than the Malaysian ringgit, it’s much more economical to make the purchases separately.
Stops to make along the way: Your journey requires at least one change of train. Luckily there’s lots to see along the way via train in Malaysia. Make stops to explore Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur and the bustling city of Penang, a short train ride from Butterworth.
The other side of Malaysia: The Jungle Railway
When traveling by train in Malaysia, most people take the West Coast line, where most of the economic cities of Malaysia such as Kuala Lumpur and Penang are located.
Travelers seeking the train route less traveled may opt for the East Coast line, better known as the Jungle Railway as its stations are in remote, jungle-clad areas, usually with nothing more than a raised platform to show that it’s a stop.
From Singapore, there is only one route you can take till you reach the Gemas station, where the East Coast and West Coast lines meet. This is where you must get off, as most trains coming from Johor are West Coast line bound.
Though the journey hardly goes through any real jungle anymore, thanks to rapid modernization, the sights seen are very different from the ones you would find on the western coast. Many spots of nature’s untouched beauty are visible, including patches of thick jungle, river crossings and beautiful limestone caves.
For those looking to travel to Thailand via this scenic route, the good news is that you can still make the trip. From the Pasir Mas station, you can take a bus to Rantau Panjang, where there is a border crossing into Thailand, to the town of Sungai Kolok. The bridge is short enough for you to cross by foot. At Sungai Kolok, you can board the train headed for Bangkok.
For a trip to remember: Though the better classes of seats are very affordable, achieve an authentic local train experience by purchasing a third-class seat. Expect to be surrounded by stacks of merchandise and livestock for trade, while sharing food and conversation with friendly locals along the way.
Stops to make along the way: The stations along the East Coast line are destinations that are not as popular among tourists as those on the West Coast line. However, this may be due more to ease of access rather than what the destination has to offer. Here are places of interest that will tempt you to make a stop:
- Jerantut – This is the main town that is nearest to Taman Negara National Park, the largest national park on peninsular Malaysia, via a 90-minute bus ride. It is easy to spend several days in the park either embarking on a jungle trekking expedition, doing a night safari drive, exploring the caves or shooting the rapids.
- Wakaf Bahru – The gateway into Kota Bahru, the state capital of Kelantan, where you can get an array of delicious Thai and Malay-influenced dishes and catch a glimpse of historic Islamic architecture.
Additional tips for a smooth train ride
- Be armed with food. Not all trains have a restaurant car, so it’s best to be prepared and travel with dry rations for the length of your journey. On occasion, there are locals that will come on board with packed food and homemade snacks, but if you have a weak stomach, it’s best to have food of your own on board.
- Book your tickets online at the KTMB website. The website has the most up-to-date train schedule information and is your best trip planning aid. When booking, you can also make your seat selection.
- Turn up early and expect to be late. Particularly on the Jungle Railway, trains may have to take a detour to allow express trains to pass by. When this happens, it’s best to do as the locals do and treat it as a normal everyday occurrence.
Feature image: istockphoto/Lorraine Boogich
