Singapore to Bangkok by Train

[Guest reader]

NOTE -- Most readers are likely familiar with Richard Barrow, the Bangkok-based English teacher who devotes much of his free time to updating his websites about travel in Thailand and adjacent countries. Here's one of his most recent postings on traveling between Singapore and Bangkok by train.

From  RichardBarrow.com

By Richard Barrow

This is a guide to taking a train from Singapore to Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur and Penang in 2024. There are no trains that go all the way from Singapore to Bangkok. You must do it in at least four stages. I did it in five as I did a side trip to Penang. These are my notes detailing the trains that I caught and how much it cost me.

file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/Singapore-to-Bangkok.pdf

 

 

[Olddaddy]

On 1/13/2024 at 12:00 AM, Guest reader said:

NOTE -- Most readers are likely familiar with Richard Barrow, the Bangkok-based English teacher who devotes much of his free time to updating his websites about travel in Thailand and adjacent countries. Here's one of his most recent postings on traveling between Singapore and Bangkok by train.

From  RichardBarrow.com

By Richard Barrow

This is a guide to taking a train from Singapore to Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur and Penang in 2024. There are no trains that go all the way from Singapore to Bangkok. You must do it in at least four stages. I did it in five as I did a side trip to Penang. These are my notes detailing the trains that I caught and how much it cost me.

file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/Singapore-to-Bangkok.pdf

 

 

Very interesting post thankyou 

I may look into as I love travelling by train.

Years ago I took the Bangkok to Chiang mai route 

I have always wanted to take the long distance trains in Australia Sydney to Perth along the Nullarbor 🚝🚆

[BjornAgain]

On 1/23/2026 at 12:29 PM, Olddaddy said:

...I may look into as I love travelling by train...

When I'm back in AUS, I take the train from Central up to Casino then hire a car to visit friends up in Northern NSW and QLD. Takes about 11 and a half hours, however normally takes longer.

Have done SYD to BNE, but the killer was BNE to CNS, 36 hours. Although it's only 30 hours today.

Queensland has invested in rail stock, so you get power sockets and more comfortable seats. NSW the cheapskates are still using rolling stock from the 80's, i.e. ex QLD; and have the cheek to call it an Express Passenger Train, no power sockets, no openable windows so if the AirCon plays up you cook, as for the toilets, yuck.

Now, The Ghan on the other hand, The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express of Australia, 54 hours of picturesque mastery. 

 

[Olddaddy]

Doesn't the train (xpt ) ust go to Casino then it's buses , I can't remember, but it doesn't go all the way to Brisbane as far I remember 

To get to Brisbane I just get on Jetstar,quicker .. usually anyway 

[Keithambrose]

21 hours ago, BjornAgain said:

When I'm back in AUS, I take the train from Central up to Casino then hire a car to visit friends up in Northern NSW and QLD. Takes about 11 and a half hours, however normally takes longer.

Have done SYD to BNE, but the killer was BNE to CNS, 36 hours. Although it's only 30 hours today.

Queensland has invested in rail stock, so you get power sockets and more comfortable seats. NSW the cheapskates are still using rolling stock from the 80's, i.e. ex QLD; and have the cheek to call it an Express Passenger Train, no power sockets, no openable windows so if the AirCon plays up you cook, as for the toilets, yuck.

Now, The Ghan on the other hand, The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express of Australia, 54 hours of picturesque mastery. 

 

I gather the Ghan is really expensive,  at least in posh class?  A friend said that after a while it was rather dull. 

[BjornAgain]

On 2/13/2026 at 11:19 AM, Olddaddy said:

Doesn't the train (xpt ) ust go to Casino then it's buses , I can't remember, but it doesn't go all the way to Brisbane as far I remember 

To get to Brisbane I just get on Jetstar,quicker .. usually anyway 

Now it goes all the way. Local buses take you from Casino to Lismore, Ballinia and Byron etc.

[Olddaddy]

5 hours ago, BjornAgain said:

Now it goes all the way. Local buses take you from Casino to Lismore, Ballinia and Byron etc.

I remember years ago must 15 years at least ,driving up that way we stopped at a country town called Nimbin 🌿.... where I was shocked to be offered marijuana cookies in the local cafe 😳

Nimbin the marijuana hippie town 

[BjornAgain]

1 hour ago, Olddaddy said:

I remember years ago must 15 years at least ,driving up that way we stopped at a country town called Nimbin 🌿.... where I was shocked to be offered marijuana cookies in the local cafe 😳

Nimbin the marijuana hippie town 

Still happens today, er, allegedly.