Bangkok to Singapore by Train 2026 Ultimate Guide
Bangkok to Singapore by train in 2026 is set to be one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting overland journeys, combining comfortable State Railway of Thailand sleepers from Bangkok with upgraded KTM ETS services through Malaysia, which now takes only 2 days end to end! This ultimate guide breaks down every step from Bangkok to Padang Besar, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Singapore with updated 2026 timetables, ticket-booking tips and suggested stopovers so you can plan a smooth, scenic rail adventure across three countries. Whether you are chasing the cheapest overland route, a more comfortable split over multiple days, or a fast connection to Malaysia’s new electric intercity network, this page shows you exactly how to do the Bangkok to Singapore rail trip like a pro.
The train journey between Bangkok and Singapore is perhaps one of the most popular journeys in the world for travelers of all generations, and is also one of my most frequent rail adventure routes, partially for convenience, but also due to familiarity and friends along the line. Each time I take the whole route, or even partially, different experiences and unexpected events (in a good way, of course) await.
The journey gives you a glimpse of the modern cities of Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore with rustic local sceneries and on board food selections en route, especially in Thailand. The train is cheap, comfortable and relatively safe as well, with classes ranging from non-airconditioned third class hard benches for the extreme budget travellers to private compartments for a price cheaper than a budget air ticket at times.
It is very possible to travel from Bangkok to Singapore entirely by train, but it requires several changes in Malaysia and one long overnight train in Thailand and will usually take about 3 days depending on connections. With the new ETS extension to JB Sentral, the train journey from Bangkok to Singapore can now take as short as 2 days!
Overall Bangkok to Singapore Train Route
There are 2 options to travel from Singapore to Bangkok by train – by the modern west coast route or via the rustic east coast route.
Bangkok to Singapore West Coast Train Route
The Bangkok to Singapore West Coast Train Route is the classic overland rail journey that follows Thailand’s Southern Line up to the Malaysian border, then Malaysia’s modern West Coast Line all the way down to Johor Bahru and Singapore.
Day 1
Bangkok to Padang Besar by SRT International Express 45
SRT International Express 45 departs from Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal at 4.10pm.
Day 2
SRT International Express 46 arrives in Padang Besar, Malaysia at 8.05am (Thai Time)/9.05am (Malaysia Time).
Thailand and Malaysia immigration is done at Padang Besar, Malaysia after alighting from SRT International Express 46. Ensure that you get to the front of the queue by showing your following ETS Platinum 9225dn ticket.
Padang Besar to KL Sentral by ETS Platinum 9225dn
ETS Platinum 9225dn departs from Padang Besar at 9.45am and arrives in KL Sentral at 3.10pm.
KL Sentral to JB Sentral by ETS Platinum 9533dn
ETS Platinum 9533dn departs from KL Sentral at 5.35pm and arrives in JB Sentral at 9.55pm.
Johor Bahru (JB Sentral, Malaysia) to Singapore (Woodlands CIQ) by Shuttle Tebrau 95dn
Malaysia immigration is done at JB Sentral, Malaysia before boarding the train.
Shuttle Tebrau 95dn departs from JB Sentral at 10.45pm and arrives in Woodlands CIQ at 10.50pm.
Singapore immigration is done at Woodlands CIQ, Singapore after alighting from the train.
There is no single through train or ticket from Bangkok to Singapore; all passengers must make at least these transfers and buy separate tickets for each train.
Singapore to Bangkok East Coast Train Route
The Singapore to Bangkok East Coast Train Route is the off the beaten path rustic route via Thailand’s Southern Line from Bangkok, then crossing into Malaysia via Sungai Kolok-Rantau Panjang, before continuing on the scenic Jungle Railway (Malaysia’s East Coast Line) down to Johor Bahru and Singapore.
This is the alternative to the faster West Coast route and much slower and complicated if you are dealing with a land border crossing for the first time, but more scenic and comfortable by train, passing through dense jungle, small Malay villages, and proper overnight sleeper options on the 2 main long train journeys.
Day 1
Bangkok to Sungai Kolok by SRT Thaksin Express 37
SRT Thaksin Express 37 departs from Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal at 4.10pm.
Day 2
SRT Thaksin Express 37 arrives in Sungai Kolok at 10.35am (Thai Time)/9.05am (Malaysia Time).
Sungai Kolok to Rantau Panjang by Foot
Walk from Sungai Kolok Railway Station to Sungai Kolok Border Checkpoint, or take a motorbike taxi for 50 Baht.
Clear Thailand immigration at Sungai Kolok Border Checkpoint, Thailand.
Walk from Thailand to Malaysia from Sungai Kolok Border Checkpoint, Thailand to Rantau Panjang Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex, Malaysia across the bridge.
Clear Malaysia immigration at Rantau Panjang Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex, Malaysia.
Thereafter, walk to outside Rantau Panjang Express Bus Terminal.
Rantau Panjang to Pasir Mas by BAS.MY Kota Bharu D32
BAS.MY Kota Bharu D32 departs every 30 minutes during the day from outside Rantau Panjang Express Bus Terminal to Uptown Pasir Mas after Pasir Mas Railway Station.
Pasir Mas to JB Sentral by Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn
Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn departs from Pasir Mas at 7.57pm.
Day 3
Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn arrives in JB Sentral at 1.15pm.
Johor Bahru (JB Sentral, Malaysia) to Singapore (Woodlands CIQ) by Shuttle Tebrau 83dn
Malaysia immigration is done at JB Sentral, Malaysia before boarding the train.
Shuttle Tebrau 83dn departs from JB Sentral at 3.15pm and arrives in Woodlands CIQ at 3.20pm.
Singapore immigration is done at Woodlands CIQ, Singapore after alighting from the train.
There is no single through train or ticket from Singapore to Bangkok; all passengers must make at least these transfers and buy separate tickets for each train.
The timings suggested are for the most efficient way to travel from Singapore to Bangkok by train. Feel free to use other combinations to add more or longer stopovers to your itinerary!