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.
Listed below are the timetables for train connections along the entire route between Singapore and Laos.
IMPORTANT FOR FOREIGNERS: Scroll down for the new Visa Policy of Thailand for Overland Travel
Singapore-Bangkok Train 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Singapore to Bangkok by Rail Part 1 – Singapore to Butterworth(outdated)Singapore to Bangkok by Rail Part 2 – Butterworth to Bangkok(outdated)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Special Express 31 Thaksinarath: Bangkok Hua Lamphong to Hat Yai Junction by the Best Train in Thailand(outdated)Express 947 Hat Yai – Padang Besar Shuttle Train: Hat Yai Junction to Padang Besar by Train(outdated)KTM Komuter Northern Sector: Padang Besar to Butterworth by Train(outdated)Day 39: ETS Gold from Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur(outdated)Day 40: ETS Gold from Kuala Lumpur to Gemas(outdated)Day 40: Ekspres Selatan from Gemas to Johor Bahru(outdated)Day 40: Shuttle Tebrau from Johor Bahru to Woodlands CIQ(outdated)
New 2023 Bangkok to Singapore Train Journey
- Special Express 45 International Express from Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Padang Besar (Malaysia)
- KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2963dn from Padang Besar to Butterworth
- ETS Gold 9321dn from Butterworth to Gemas
- Ekspres Selatan 45dn from Gemas to JB Sentral
- Shuttle Tebrau 91dn from JB Sentral 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.
Integrated Train Timetable between Singapore and Bangkok
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 and SRT timetables.
KTM Berhad Train Timetables (Malaysia)
Please click here for KTM Berhad train timetables in Malaysia.
SRT Timetable
Please click here for State Railway of Thailand train timetables in Thailand.
Suggested Journeys
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 by Train
Day 0
Any Shuttle Tebrau: Woodlands CIQ to JB Sentral
OR unfortunately skip this leg of the train journey and enter JB by bus. There is no Shuttle Tebrau connection to the Ekspres Selatan 42up which is the only train which offers further connections from Gemas.
Day 1
Bus from Singapore to JB if Shuttle Tebrau is skipped on Day 0.
0830hrs: Ekspres Selatan 42up: JB Sentral to Gemas
1520hrs: ETS Gold 9322up: Gemas to KL Sentral
Overnight in Kuala Lumpur.
Day 2
0830hrs: ETS Platinum 9274up: KL Sentral to Padang Besar
1800hrs (MY GMT+8): International Express 46: Padang Besar to Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal
Overnight on board International Express.
Day 3
1050hrs: Arrive in Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.
Bangkok to Singapore by Train
Day 1
1450hrs: Special Express 31 Thaksinarath: Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Hat Yai
OR
1535hrs: International Express 45: Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Padang Besar
Overnight on board Thaksinarath or International Express.
Day 2
0725hrs: If taking Special Express 31 Thaksinarath: Arrive in Hat Yai.
0855hrs (TH GMT+7): International Express 45: Hat Yai to Padang Besar
1340hrs (MY GMT+8): ETS Platinum 9277dn: Padang Besar to KL Sentral
Overnight in Kuala Lumpur.
Day 3
1214hrs: ETS Gold 9321dn: KL Sentral to Gemas
1520hrs: Ekspres Selatan 45dn: Gemas to JB Sentral
2130hrs: Shuttle Tebrau 93dn: JB Sentral to Woodlands CIQ
2135hrs: Arrive in Singapore.
KTM Train Ticket Booking Methods
Kaedah Tempahan Tiket Keretapi KTM
- KTM Intercity counters
- Online from 12Go Asia (joint ticketing with connecting trains available)
- Online from Baolau
- Online from BusOnlineTicket
- Online from Easybook
- Online from the KTMB Integrated Ticketing System (KITS)
Tickets are open for sale in set periods of around every 6 months.
Tiket akan dibuka untuk dijual dalam jangka masa kira-kira setiap 6 bulan.
SRT Train Ticket Booking Methods
Kaedah Tempahan Tiket Keretapi SRT
- SRT counters
- Online from 12Go Asia (joint ticketing with connecting trains available)
- Online from Baolau
- Online from Easybook
- Online from the SRT D-Ticket System
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 30 days before departure.
How do I book State Railway of Thailand (SRT) train tickets online?
- Click here for a step-by-step guide for 12Go Asia.
- Click here for a step-by-step guide for Easybook.
Hotel Booking
Attractions Booking
- Klook (Get FREE S$5/RM15 voucher for your first purchase when you sign up here! *subject to exchange rate)
How do I book tickets online?
Bagaimanakah saya menempah tiket dalam talian?
- 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 former 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.
IMPORTANT FOR FOREIGNERS: Visa Policy of Thailand for Overland Travel
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).
From 22 November 2018, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore nationals will also be granted unlimited entries at land borders in addition to Malaysia nationals for the purpose of tourism.
There does not seem to be a limit to the number of overland exits, and there are no limits to entry via flights. The 41 countries entitled to a 30-day visa exemption (45 excluding Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore), which are liable to this new ruling are as follows:
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bahrain
- Canada
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kuwait
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Monaco
- The Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Oman
- The Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- Spain
- South Africa
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
TEL NO. KTM OFFICE WOODLANDS CHECK POINT SINGAPORE ?
Just to check, there is a direct Thai train 46 from Padang Besar (Malaysia) to Krung Tep Aphiwat station directly, correct?
Yes.
Is there a time when they will close the departure gate ? If I travel by ETS train to Padang besar, I can only reach at about 4.33pm ? And I have to clear immigration , will the train 46 wait for everyone to clear immigration first ?
Special Express 46 will wait for all passengers who are present to clear immigration first before departing. The train cannot depart with passengers still in immigration.