The train journey between Singapore and Bangkok 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 Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok 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 with attached showers for a price cheaper than a budget air ticket at times.

IMPORTANT: Scroll down for the new Visa Policy of Thailand for Overland Travel

Listed below are the timetables for train connections along the entire route between Singapore and Laos.

Journey Experiences

Northbound

• Singapore to Bangkok by Rail Part 1 – Singapore to Butterworth (outdated)
• Singapore to Bangkok by Rail Part 2 – Butterworth to Bangkok (outdated)

Southbound

• Special Express 31 Thaksinarath: Bangkok Hua Lamphong to Hat Yai Junction by the Best Train in Thailand
• Express 947 Hat Yai – Padang Besar Shuttle Train: Hat Yai Junction to Padang Besar by Train
• KTM Komuter Northern Sector: Padang Besar to Butterworth by Train
• Day 39: ETS Gold from Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur
• Day 40: ETS Gold from Kuala Lumpur to Gemas
• Day 40: Ekspres Selatan from Gemas to Johor Bahru
• Day 40: Shuttle Tebrau from Johor Bahru to Woodlands CIQ

For the experience on board more types of trains, explore more by clicking the links above on the menu bar. There is no through ticket from Singapore to Bangkok – how you decide to fit your train connections is up to your preferred comfort, budget and timing.

Timetable

Due to to zero popularity (ie. 1 click on average per day), and even complains at times, RailTravel Station’s integrated timetables are no longer available. Please refer to the official KTM timetables.

Timetables from KTM’s website effective 18 December 2017

• Gemas – KL Sentral – Ipoh – Butterworth
• Gemas – KL Sentral – Ipoh – Padang Besar
• Gemas – KL Sentral – Ipoh – Butterworth – Padang Besar
• KL Sentral – Ipoh
• JB Sentral – Tumpat
• JB Sentral – Gemas – Pulau Sebang (Tampin)
• JB Sentral – Woodlands CIQ

Links attached are no longer hosted on Google Drive as RailTravel Station is too often confused with the timetable provider instead of KTM. Should the links be down, it is on KTM’s servers and not on mine.

SRT Timetable

Please search here.

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Suggested Journey

Do note that this is only a suggestion – other combinations and stopovers are definitely possible. Also, I am not liable for any missed connections, delays or any other complains that you may have (which somehow is directed to me instead of KTM) when using this suggested journey.

Singapore to Bangkok

Day 1

0830hrs: Shuttle Tebrau 70up: Woodlands CIQ to JB Sentral
1000hrs: Shuttle JB Sentral – Pulau Sebang (Tampin) 40up: JB Sentral to Gemas
1500hrs: ETS Gold Gemas – Butterworth 9322up: Gemas to KL Sentral

Overnight in Kuala Lumpur.

Day 2

0645hrs: ETS Platinum KL Sentral – Padang Besar 9202up: KL Sentral to Padang Besar
1540hrs (MY GMT+8): Express 950 Hat Yai – Padang Besar Shuttle Train: Padang Besar to Hat Yai
1845hrs (TH GMT+7): Special Express 32 Thaksinarath: Hat Yai to Bangkok

Overnight on board Thaksinarath.

Day 3

1030hrs: Arrive in Bangkok.

Bangkok to Singapore

Day 1

1445hrs: Special Express 31 Thaksinarath: Bangkok to Hat Yai

Overnight on board Thaksinarath.

Day 2

0635hrs: Arrive in Hat Yai.
0730hrs (TH GMT+7): Express 947 Hat Yai – Padang Besar Shuttle Train: Hat Yai to Padang Besar
1000hrs (MY GMT+8): ETS Gold Padang Besar – Gemas 9423dn: Padang Besar to KL Sentral

Overnight in Kuala Lumpur.

Day 3

1312hrs: ETS Gold Padang Besar – Butterworth – Gemas 9421dn: KL Sentral to Gemas
1635hrs: Shuttle Pulau Sebang (Tampin) – JB Sentral 41dn: Gemas to JB Sentral
2120hrs: Shuttle Tebrau 91dn: JB Sentral to Woodlands CIQ
2125hrs: Arrive in Singapore.

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KTM Train Ticket Booking Methods

• KTM Intercity counters
• Online from 12Go Asia (joint ticketing with connecting trains available)
• Online from BusOnlineTicket
• Online from Easybook
• Online from the KTM E-Ticket System (additional RM2 surcharge) UNSTABLE: Proceed at your own risk.

Tickets are open for sale 180 days before departure except for the Shuttle Tebrau which opens 30 days before departure.

SRT Train Ticket Booking Methods

• SRT counters
• Online from 12Go Asia (joint ticketing with connecting trains available)
• Online from the SRT E-Ticket System (additional 30 baht surcharge)

One of the most useful things about 12Go.Asia is that they will create joint tickets for you, so you could actually make a single booking from Bangkok to Singapore and vice-versa.

Tickets are open for sale 60 days before departure.

How do I book tickets online?

• Click here for a step-by-step guide for 12Go Asia.
• Click here for a step-by-step guide for Easybook.
• Click here for a step-by-step guide to the KTM E-Ticket System. UNSTABLE: Proceed at your own risk.

Links to the KTM E-Ticket System are strikethroughed due to KTM’s own admission of the instability of their system here after Prime Minister Najib Razak personally posted on Facebook that there is such an issue here. Proceed using the KTM E-Ticket System at your own risk.

Hotel Booking

• agoda

Attractions Booking

• Klook (Get FREE $4.30*/RM13.00* voucher for your first purchase when you sign up here! *subject to exchange rate)

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IMPORTANT: Visa Policy of Thailand for Overland Travel

http://www.thaiembassy.sg/visa-matters-/-consular/who-requires-visa/summary-of-countries-and-territories-entitled-for-visa-exe

From 31 December 2016, nationals entitled to a 30-day visa exemption, with the exception of Malaysia, are eligible to enter Thailand without a visa through land border checkpoints only twice in a calendar year (ie. only two land entries from 1 January to 31 December).

There does not seem to be a limit to the number of overland exits, and there are no limits to entry via flights. The 44 countries entitled to a 30-day visa exemption (45 excluding Malaysia), which are liable to this new ruling are as follows:

• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bahrain
• Brunei
• Canada
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Kuwait
• Liechtenstein
• Luxembourg
• Monaco
• The Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Oman
• The Philippines
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Singapore
• Slovak Republic
• Slovenia
• Spain
• South Africa
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States of America