Why Train Travel in Asia Is Having a Moment
While budget airlines have dominated Asian travel for years, train journeys are making a comeback. Japanese travelers, raised on the Shinkansen, appreciate rail travel's unique combination of comfort, scenery, and cultural immersion. You can't experience a country from 35,000 feet — but you can from a train window.
These ten routes range from bucket-list epics to practical transit options that happen to be beautiful. All are accessible to Japanese travelers with basic English and a sense of adventure.
1. The Eastern & Oriental Express: Singapore to Bangkok
The ultimate Asian train journey. This luxury service covers 1,900 kilometers through Malaysia and Thailand over three days. Expect colonial-era elegance, five-course dinners, and stops at Kuala Kangsar and the River Kwai bridge. Prices start at US$3,000 — expensive, but a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
2. Sri Lanka Hill Country: Kandy to Ella
Often called the most beautiful train ride in the world. The 6-hour journey climbs through tea plantations, crosses nine-arch bridges, and passes through cloud forests. A second-class reserved seat costs about 300 yen. The scenery-to-cost ratio is unmatched anywhere in Asia.
3. Thailand Death Railway: Bangkok to Nam Tok
This historically significant route follows the infamous Burma Railway. The train crosses the Wampo Viaduct, clinging to cliff faces above the River Kwai. It's a sobering and beautiful journey that takes about 5 hours from Bangkok's Thonburi station.
4. Vietnam Reunification Express: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
The full journey takes 33 hours, but the best section is Hue to Da Nang (2.5 hours), which climbs over the Hai Van Pass with stunning coastal views. Buy a soft sleeper berth for the longer stretches — about 1,500,000 VND (9,400 yen) for the full route.
5. India's Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
The "Toy Train" is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The narrow-gauge railway climbs from the plains to Darjeeling at 2,200 meters, offering views of Kanchenjunga and the Himalayan foothills. The journey takes about 7 hours — slow, rattling, and completely mesmerizing.
6-10: More Essential Routes
6. Taiwan High Speed Rail: Taipei to Kaohsiung
Japan's Shinkansen technology, exported. The 1.5-hour journey covers Taiwan's entire western corridor. Japanese travelers will feel right at home with the familiar bullet train experience.
7. Malaysia's Jungle Railway
The East Coast Line cuts through peninsular Malaysia's jungle interior from Gemas to Tumpat. It's 14 hours of primary rainforest, rural villages, and old-world railway charm.
8. South Korea KTX: Seoul to Busan
Korea's bullet train covers the 420km in 2.5 hours. The route passes through the heartland, with stops at historic Daejeon and Gyeongju (the ancient capital) adding cultural depth to a practical journey.
9. Japan's Shinkansen: Tokyo to Hiroshima
Sometimes the best train journey is the one you already know. The Nozomi service covers 890km in under 4 hours, passing Mount Fuji on a clear day. The JR Pass makes this Asia's best value high-speed rail experience.
10. China's Kunming to Dali
Yunnan province's railway passes through some of China's most dramatic landscape. The 6-hour journey from Kunming to Dali offers mountain scenery and ethnic minority villages visible from the train.
Q: Do I need to book Asian train tickets in advance?
A: For luxury trains (E&O Express) and popular routes (Vietnam, Sri Lanka), book weeks ahead. For metro-style trains (Taiwan HSR, Korea KTX), same-day booking is fine.
Q: Are Asian trains safe for solo travelers?
A: Extremely safe. Major rail networks in Asia are well-maintained and well-staffed. Keep valuables secure on overnight trains, but personal safety is rarely a concern.
Q: Can I use rail passes as a foreigner?
A: Japan (JR Pass), South Korea (KORAIL Pass), Taiwan (TR Pass), and India (Indrail Pass) all offer foreigner-only rail passes. Each offers different value depending on your itinerary.
Q: What class should I book for overnight trains?
A: Always book soft sleeper or first class on overnight journeys. The cost difference is usually 3,000-5,000 yen, and the comfort improvement is dramatic.
Q: How do language barriers affect train travel?
A: Station signs in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand include English. Vietnam and India can be trickier — download offline translation and have your destination written in the local script.
Recommended Singapore Tours and Experiences
Singapore packs world-class attractions into a compact city-state. From thrilling theme parks on Sentosa Island to iconic skyline experiences, these are the must-book experiences that locals and seasoned visitors swear by.
Recommended Experiences
Here are some top-rated experiences you can book in advance to make the most of your trip:
Frequently Asked Questions
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What things cost in Singapore
Live HolidaySG prices for the experiences in this guide, so you can sanity-check a budget before you commit.
| Experience | Where | From price |
|---|---|---|
| #INSTAWALK: BUGIS, WATERLOO, KAMPONG GLAM | Singapore | From S$61.64 |
| +Twelve | Singapore | From S$127.05 |
| ABOUT MR. LEE | Singapore | From S$105.12 |
| Harry Potter Visions of Magic | Singapore | From S$51.17 |
| Alphard / Vellfire | Singapore | From S$34.43 |
| Ambassador Transit Lounge - T2, Changi Airport Singapore | Singapore | From S$50.91 |
| Ambassador Transit Lounge - T3, Changi Airport Singapore | Singapore | From S$50.91 |
| Balestier Walking Magic Tour | Singapore | From S$35.19 |