Eastern & Oriental Express

Experience a panoramic view of the mystical landscapes of  Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Laos.  The bygone Colonial era of Singapore Slings, afternoon  tea  and a tinkling piano amidst sumptuous surroundings conjures up a forgotten world.  Along with carriages incorporating Eastern motifs and themes, it is as exotic as it sounds.

Within the variety of the tours one can – cross  Malaysia via the causeway of the Straits of Johor;  travel  up the Malay Peninsula through lush palm plantations before pausing by the Moorish splendour of Kuala Lumpur station; visit Penang to discover the mosques and colourful shophouses of Georgetown;  feel the atmospheric thick jungle crowding in around the train passing through southern Thailand;  pass small villages and hill top temples en-route to Kanchanaburi and the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai;  wander around the capital city of Laos, Vientiane, with its gilded Buddhist temples alongside French colonial architecture;  enjoy the  bustling, vibrant city of Bangkok with its wonderful temples and markets; amble around Singapore with its history and the elegant Raffles;  have the experience of guided tours and lectures;  ride elephants  -  and so much more.

ACCOMMODATION

Suites

Pullman Cabin:  There are 30 Pullman Cabins that measure comfortably at 62 square feet.  During the daytime the compartment is a private lounge provided by a banquette style sofa.  At night the seating converts to an upper and lower bed. A private en suite shower, washbasin and WC is also provided in your cabin, along with a wardrobe and in-room safe.

State Cabin:  There are 28 State Cabins which measure 84 square feet each.  Configured as a private lounge during the day, with a banquette style sofa, fixed chair and one movable chair.  Fixed daytime seating converts into two single beds at night.  A private en suite shower, washbasin and WC is also provided in your cabin, along with a wardrobe and in-room safe.

Presidential Suite:  Each Presidential Cabin measures at 125 square feet, the ultimate in luxury train comfort.  The cabins are configured as a private lounge during the day, with banquette style sofa and fixed chair, and two moveable chairs. Fixed daytime seating converts to two single beds at night.   A private en suite shower, washbasin and WC is also provided in your cabin, along with a wardrobe and in-room safe.

Guests in Presidential Suites enjoy the additional benefit of a complimentary bar in their cabin.

The Dining Cars

You are assured of excellent Eastern and European cuisine in the dining cars, sitting at tables for 2 or 4 people in surroundings lavishly decorated with rosewood and elm panelling.  Lunch and dinner are served in the restaurants whilst breakfast is served in your suite.  Afternoon tea can be taken wherever you would like.

The Bar Car

Find cocktails, aperitifs, liqueurs and a fully stocked international bar on the Eastern & Oriental Express each evening, whilst enjoying a medley of music from the resident pianist as well as local entertainment.   The bar is open throughout the day and late into the night.

The Observation Car

The Observation Car offers you a truly unobstructed view of the scenery around you, with an open observation deck.   Its interior section is the perfect place to enjoy cocktails amidst a colonial ‘veranda’ ambiance with its teak wood flooring, panelled walls, rattan furniture and potted plants.   One-third of the Observation Car is an outdoor observation area decorated with teakwood.    It is the highlight of any train and is the perfect place to watch the exquisite scenery drift by as you sip a cocktail in the evening, tea in the afternoon or that early morning tea/coffee as the sun is rising.

CATERING

Lunch and dinner are served in the two Restaurant Cars, while a breakfast of croissants, fruit, coffee, tea and juice is delivered to your cabin daily.  

Each of the seasonally changing menus is created exclusively for the Eastern & Oriental Express by onboard chefs, incorporating the finest locally sourced ingredients. 

If you have any specific dietary requirements, please let us know prior to your journey.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Included:   All table d’hôte meals on board, with complimentary tea and coffee in your cabin, and sightseeing tours.

Dress Code:   Day Wear – smart casual.  Evening Wear – suit and tie for men, evening dress for ladies.

Luggage:  Luggage is limited to 30 kilos per person for Pullman and State Compartment passengers. There is no limit for those passengers travelling in a Presidential Suite. Please keep your tickets, passports and any medication with you, do not pack them in your through or compartment luggage.

Through luggage: We suggest that items not required for your journey are packed separately in sturdy baggage. At check-in this luggage will be labelled appropriately by our staff and will not normally be accessible until you reach your destination. Ideally, large and/or hard cases should be checked as through luggage.

Compartment luggage: This should contain clothing and items you need during your journey. When you plan your luggage, please bear in mind that storage space is limited. There is a luggage rack plus an additional storage cupboard with hangers. One or two soft sided suit carriers or similar can be comfortably accommodated in each compartment.

Hand luggage: Your passport, tickets, jewellery, money, camera, fragile items and any medication should not be checked in.

Passports:  Check that your passport has at least 6 months remaining validity at time of travel.

Visas:  Visas for tourism visits to Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore are not normally required for stays of less than 30 days, except for nationals of certain Middle Eastern, African and South American countries. Visas may be required for onward travel to other Asian destinations. If you require a visa for a particular country, a visa will still be required even if in transit through that country.  Please note: For Bangkok – Vientiane – Bangkok journeys

Passengers on the Vientiane programme require an entry visa for Laos.  For passengers boarding the train at Bangkok, 2 passport-sized photographs are required upon check-in at Bangkok’s Hualampong Station in order for the visa application to be processed.