This 18-day escorted tour travels from Singapore to Bangkok largely by train, through Malaysia and southern Thailand. It is fully inclusive: return flights from the UK, 3-star-plus and 4-star hotels, all transport, guided sightseeing with entrance fees, and all meals, with 16 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 16 dinners. A national escort accompanies the group through each country, with local guides at the main sights.

In Singapore you visit an orchid garden, walk through the colonial Civic District, take a bumboat along the river and end the day in the Sky Garden above the city. Crossing into Malaysia, you reach Malacca for a sunset boat trip along its canals. A tour of the UNESCO-listed old town follows, including the Street of Harmony, where Hindu and Chinese temples stand beside a mosque. A modern ETS train takes you on to Kuala Lumpur, with a visit to the Hindu shrine of the Batu Caves, the old colonial centre around Independence Square and the view from KL Tower.

The train and a mountain road climb to the cool Cameron Highlands, with a stop at an Orang Asli roadside shop. You walk through the Mossy Forest, among ferns and pitcher plants, and visit a tea plantation before taking the evening train to Penang. In George Town you explore the temples and the Penang Peranakan Mansion, then ride the funicular up Penang Hill for tea at a century-old bungalow.

A short flight takes you to Phuket for three nights. A speedboat explores Phang Nga Bay, where you canoe into the caves of Panak Island and pass Koh Tapu, the famous James Bond Island. You also make an ethical visit to the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary and join a street food tour and night market. In the village of Bang Rong you try rubber tapping and pineapple harvesting, then kayak through the mangroves. The train then follows the Gulf coast to Hua Hin and Bangkok.

From Bangkok, a day trip to Kanchanaburi tells the story of the Thai-Burma Death Railway, with the Railway Museum, the Allied War Cemetery, Hellfire Pass and a ride on the line. A final guided tour visits the Grand Palace and Wat Pho before a farewell dinner.

The pace is relaxed, with some walking and plenty of time on trains. It suits travellers who enjoy rail journeys and want every detail arranged.

Trip highlights

Singapore's Civic District, a bumboat ride and the Sky Garden (Day 3)
Malacca's UNESCO-listed old town and a canal boat trip at sunset (Days 4–5)
The Batu Caves and colonial Kuala Lumpur (Day 6)
The Mossy Forest and a tea plantation in the Cameron Highlands (Day 8)
George Town and the funicular up Penang Hill (Day 9)
Phang Nga Bay by speedboat and canoe (Day 11)
The Death Railway at Kanchanaburi (Day 16)

Map of the 18-day rail journey from Singapore through Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, the Cameron Highlands, Penang, Phuket and Hua Hin to Bangkok — 18-day route: Singapore – Malacca – Kuala Lumpur – Cameron Highlands – Penang – Phuket – Surat Thani – Hua Hin – Bangkok

Singapore Days 1–3
Malacca Day 4
Kuala Lumpur Days 5–6
Cameron Highlands Day 7
George Town Days 8–9
Phuket Days 10–12
Surat Thani Day 13
Hua Hin Day 14
Bangkok Days 15–17
Kanchanaburi Day 16

Fully inclusive, with flights, all meals, guides and entrance fees covered, so most costs are paid before you go. Travelling by train shows you the countryside between three countries at an easy pace, with a national escort to look after every connection.

Best suited to

Rail enthusiasts and travellers who enjoy slow travel
Anyone who wants an all-inclusive tour with flights from the UK
First-time visitors to Malaysia and southern Thailand
Travellers interested in Second World War history

The red colonial buildings of Malacca's old town, Malaysia

Day 1 Fly to Singapore

Board your overnight flight from the UK to Singapore. Flights and taxes are included in the price.

Hotel
Overnight flight
Day 2 · Singapore Arrive in Singapore

You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the lively Bugis district, which has a rooftop infinity pool. Time is free until the welcome briefing and dinner in the evening.

Hotel
Mercure Singapore Bugis or similar

Meals
Dinner
Day 3 · Singapore, Civic District, Orchard Road, Sky Garden Singapore

Visit an orchid garden, then take a walking tour of the Civic District and its colonial landmarks. Continue to Orchard Road, Singapore's famous shopping street, and see the skyline from a traditional bumboat. After some free time, end the day at the Sky Garden high above the city.

Hotel
Mercure Singapore Bugis or similar

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 · Johor Bahru, Malacca Into Malaysia: Malacca

Cross the causeway into Malaysia and drive through the countryside to Malacca, learning about the country's history on the way. You stay in a restored Peranakan townhouse in the old town. In the evening, take a boat along the canals at sunset.

Hotel
Baba House Melaka or similar

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 · Malacca, Street of Harmony, Kuala Lumpur Malacca and train to Kuala Lumpur

Tour Malacca's old town, shaped by Portuguese, Dutch and British rule. On the Street of Harmony, Hindu and Chinese temples stand beside a mosque. After a craft museum and lunch, take the two-hour ETS train from Tampin to Kuala Lumpur.

Hotel
The Chow Kit or similar

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 · Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Independence Square, KL Tower Batu Caves and Kuala Lumpur

Take the metro out to the Batu Caves, one of Malaysia's most important Hindu shrines. Back in the city, see Masjid Jamek, the oldest mosque, the Sultan Abdul Samad clock tower, Independence Square and Central Market, and finish at KL Tower for views over the city.

Hotel
The Chow Kit or similar

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 · Tapah Road, Lata Iskandar Waterfall, Cameron Highlands Into the Cameron Highlands

Take the morning train to Tapah Road, then drive up into the cool Cameron Highlands, stopping at the Lata Iskandar waterfall. Visit an Orang Asli roadside shop selling forest honey and crafts, and, if invited, the nearby village.

Hotel
Strawberry Park Resort or similar

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 · Mossy Forest, Cameron Highlands, Ipoh, Penang Mossy Forest and train to Penang

Walk gently uphill through the Mossy Forest, among ferns and pitcher plants, for views across the hills. Visit a tea plantation to learn how tea is grown and made, then drive down to Ipoh for the evening train to Penang.

Hotel
The Wembley, A St Giles Hotel or similar

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 · George Town, Penang Peranakan Mansion, Penang Hill George Town and Penang Hill

Explore the heritage streets of George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its ornate temples and the antiques of the Penang Peranakan Mansion. After lunch, ride the funicular up Penang Hill for tea and pastries at a century-old bungalow.

Hotel
The Wembley, A St Giles Hotel or similar

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 · Phuket Fly to Phuket

Take a lunchtime flight to Phuket in southern Thailand. The rest of the day is free to relax at the resort or explore nearby Kata Beach.

Hotel
Kata Palm Resort or similar

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 · Phang Nga Bay, Panak Island, Koh Tapu Phang Nga Bay

Explore Phang Nga Bay by speedboat, among limestone islands rising from the sea. Canoe into the caves of Panak Island to see their stalactites, and pass Koh Tapu, the James Bond Island from The Man with the Golden Gun.

Hotel
Kata Palm Resort or similar

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 · Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, Phuket Elephant sanctuary and street food

Visit the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, an ethical sanctuary where rescued elephants live in the forest, and learn their stories. In the evening, join a street food tour of southern Thai dishes and explore a night market.

Hotel
Kata Palm Resort or similar

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 · Bang Rong, Surat Thani Village life and Surat Thani

Spend time in the Bang Rong community, trying pineapple harvesting, rubber tapping and coconut picking. After lunch, kayak through quiet mangrove channels and learn about this important ecosystem before continuing to Surat Thani.

Hotel
S.22 Hotel or similar

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 · Hua Hin Train to Hua Hin

Take the train north to Hua Hin, a 5.5-hour journey along the Gulf of Thailand with views of the coast. Hua Hin is Thailand's oldest beach resort, long favoured by the royal family.

Hotel
Hotel

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15 · Hua Hin, Bangkok Hua Hin and train to Bangkok

A free morning to walk on the beach or browse the markets, then take the afternoon train to Bangkok.

Hotel
Golden Tulip Mandison Suites or similar

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16 · Kanchanaburi, Hellfire Pass Kanchanaburi and the Death Railway

A day trip to Kanchanaburi to learn about the Thai-Burma Death Railway, built by Allied prisoners of war and Asian labourers during the Second World War. Visit the Railway Museum and the Allied War Cemetery, walk through Hellfire Pass and ride the railway for 40 minutes.

Hotel
Golden Tulip Mandison Suites or similar

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17 · Bangkok, Grand Palace, Wat Pho Bangkok city tour

A guided morning visits the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, home of the giant reclining Buddha. The afternoon is free, followed by a farewell dinner.

Hotel
Golden Tulip Mandison Suites or similar

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 18 · Bangkok Fly home

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home, which is included in the price.

Meals
Breakfast

The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Singapore (2 nights) Mercure Singapore Bugis or similar
Malacca (1 night) Baba House Melaka or similar
Kuala Lumpur (2 nights) The Chow Kit or similar
Cameron Highlands (1 night) Strawberry Park Resort or similar
Penang (2 nights) The Wembley, A St Giles Hotel or similar
Phuket (3 nights) Kata Palm Resort or similar
Surat Thani (1 night) S.22 Hotel or similar
Hua Hin (1 night) Hotel
Bangkok (3 nights) Golden Tulip Mandison Suites or similar

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

Included

Flights return international flights from the UK with taxes, plus a domestic flight from Penang to Phuket
Accommodation 16 nights in 3-star-plus and 4-star hotels
Meals — all meals 16 breakfasts, 15 lunches and 16 dinners
Transport Malaysia's ETS intercity trains, Thailand's Special Express trains, coaches, a speedboat and the Penang Hill funicular
Guided sightseeing with all entrance fees, including the Batu Caves, Penang Peranakan Mansion, Phang Nga Bay, the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, Kanchanaburi, the Grand Palace and Wat Pho
Airport transfers and a national escort with local guides throughout

Not included

Visas, if required
Drinks and snacks not included with meals
Optional activities during free time
Travel insurance, tips and personal spending

Colonial shophouses on a street in George Town, Penang

Honest disclaimer — please read

You want plenty of free time — most days are fully guided
You prefer to choose your own restaurants — all meals are included
You want long beach stays — Phuket and Hua Hin are short visits
You want a small group — groups can be larger than on adventure trips

FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Malaysia · UK FCDO travel advice for Singapore · UK FCDO travel advice for Thailand

Tea plantations covering the hills of the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia