Taking the train from Singapore to Bangkok and back again is becoming an increasingly more popular mode of travel. Traveling by train is a far more comfortable and enjoyable alternative to going by bus. Your time can be spent looking out the window admiring the gorgeous Malaysian and Thai countryside, or you pass the time by doing work or reading a book (which you can’t do so easily on the bus). The 1,250 mile journey will take you two to three days, but you will likely like to break up your travel by staying in some worthwhile destinations along the way.
Start from Singapore’s Keppel Road train station, which is easily accessible by MRT (Tanjong Pagar MRT station is the closest). Three daily trains (7:40 a.m., 3:30 p.m., 9:00 p.m.) end in Kuala Lumpur. The morning train continues to Butterworth. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure to pass through Malaysian customs.
Board the 8:45 p.m. train in Kuala Lumpur for Hat Yai in Thailand (it passes through Butterworth at 5 in the morning). You should arrive in Hat Yai at around 10:30 a.m.
Know that the direct train to Bangkok doesn’t leave until 6:30 p.m. However, Hat Yai is a good launching point for coastal destinations in Thailand such as Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Phuket, and Krabi.
Know that if you do take the evening train to Bangkok, you will arrive in the capital city the following morning at around 11:00 a.m.
Return to Singapore from Bangkok by heading to the Hualamphong Station and board the train to Butterworth at 2:45 p.m.
Catch one of three trains in Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur (9:45 p.m., 7:00 a.m., 10:40 a.m.).
Catch one of three trains in Kuala Lumpur to Singapore (8:15 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 9:10 p.m.).
Take an excursion between Singapore and Bangkok: Cameron Highlands: Get off in Ipoh, Malaysia Penang: Linked by ferry from Butterworth, Malaysia Phuket and Krabi: Transfer to a bus in Hat Yai, Thailand Ko Samui and Koh Tao: Linked by ferry from Surat Thani, Thailand River Kwai: Transfer to another train in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
