Orient Express Train and other train questions
 

Has anyone here taken the Orient Express Train and if so...how was it? I'm thinking of doing it between either Bangkok and Butterworth or Singapore and Butterworth.I love trains. Then I can go over to Penang from Butterworth. How does one get over to Penang? And if I decide to take a regular, PUBLIC train from Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur, how long does it take? Does anyone remember the website for train schedules in Malaysia? I remember someone posted it last year, but I've lost the information. Thanks. Happy Travels!

Hi Guenmai,
I have only done the dinner trip on the Orient Express train so someone that has actually ovenighted will probably be able to give you a better idea about how it was but we found the train absolutely gorgeous. We saw all three room catagories and I would choose the largest I could swing financially but, I think you travel alone (right?) so the standard cabin should be quite comfortable for you by yourself - travel LIGHT though. The bathrooms were fairly standard not really luxurious IMO but nice. Also, if you love trains I think you will definitely love this one - the only downside for me would be that I think I might go a little stir crazy on the train for three days but that's a personal opinion. If you take the E&O to Butterworth the E&O has a bus that shuttles you into Penang and offers guided tours of the city or will deliver you to your hotel. Hope this helps a little! Have fun!
All the best,
Dana

I took the Orient Express train from Bangkok to Singapore. It was terrific. There was plenty to do and at no time were we bored! In fact, we wished it could have lasted a couple of extra days. We made 2 sightseeing stops: River Kwai and Penang. Both of these were done in top style. The food is fantastic, the evening entertainment was wonderful and the train decor was amazing! If you can swing the three day trip, it would be well worth it.

I did not go to E&O Express but I booked few clients on this train and they loved it. They booked better accommodations though.

There is one suggestion - do not take E&O express extension package unless they have a promo with free hotels. This summer E&O had 2 free nights post trip Oriental in BKK and one free night in Singapore so that was nice. However when I wanted to add BKK sightseeing for clients, their charges were too high. We ended up booking Bangkok and Seam Reap portion with local BKK agency which I used later for myself and was very happy.

Thanks to all of the above. If I take it, then it'll either be between Singapore and Butterworth or Bangkok and Butterworth. I'll book all the hotels in the different places, myself, since I vacation in Southeast Asia regularly and have been to the places along the route except Butterworth and Penang. I'll have to get the cheapest accomodations on the train. I talked with a friend yesterday and she may come along. The price of a pullman is $1110.per person... double occupancy for the routes I'm considering...2005 rate. The single supplement is, if I remember correctly, well over $500. So hopefully she'll go. We're planning this for summer 2006. I plan to rent an apartment in Bangkok for two months...might as well since I vacation there regularly...then I'll have the time and freedom to bop around the region at a slower pace than I usually do.That's why I thought of trying to finally do the Orient Express.I've been trying to do it since 1996. Thanks again for the info. Happy Travels!

The KTMB site is:-

http://www.ktmb.com.my/

There is a quite amazing rail travel site that covers the world, it is non commercial and seems to be complied by train entheusiasts, lots of great infro:-

http://www.seat61.com

You get to Penang over the bridge from Butterworth. 1st class in malaysia and Thailand is just fine and if you enjoy trains you will 'enjoy'. I guess if I had absolutely vast amounts of money I might enjoy the Eastern orient Express, however, not being that rich the price for like 2 days and 1 night on the trainare substantial!

James A...Thanks alot.Happy Travels!

Would support JamesA's tip for seat61.com - you can spend hours reaserching on this top train travel website. It has excellent links to other sites within it.