Eastern & Oriental Express – Asia’s famous luxury train

Singapore, the renowned city-state in Southeast Asia, is a wonderful destination visited by millions of visitors from around the world every year. The bustling Singapore offers myriad attractions to its visitors. Another big draw for the visitors is a thrilling adventure on the Eastern & Oriental Express, Asia’s famous luxury train.
 
Before hitching a ride on this luxury train, it is worthwhile to know some details about the Eastern & Oriental Express. Knowing this beforehand would make your ride thoroughly enjoyable. The Eastern & Oriental Express is a luxurious fully air-conditioned train equipped with all the facilities offered by a 5-star hotel. It came into existence in 1992 by a company named ‘Orient Express Trains’. The train is being owned and operated by the same company operating the legendary Venice Simplon Orient Express ever since 1982.

This luxury train provides a thrilling adventure to the passengers departing from Singapore onwards to Malaysia and finally to Bangkok in Thailand. The passengers are treated to gourmet dining experience as well as off-train excursions during the course of their luxurious journey. The excursion includes a visit to Penang Island and a cruise on the River Kwai.

The Eastern & Oriental Express is using the Japanese-built coaches. These coaches were earlier used for the Silver Star sleeper service, which was short-lived and served between Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand for only five years from 1972 to 1979. The coaches have been completely redesigned and provided with luxurious suites in every compartment. The train is simply excellent. The entire train is non-smoking. The smokers, however, can make use of the open-air observation car situated at the train’s rear part.  

The passengers are offered 3 types of compartment in the Eastern & Oriental Express. These include Pullmans, Staterooms and Presidential Suite. The Pullmans is the cheapest accommodation among the three compartments available on the train. This cozy compartment offers a fold-out table and sofa to the travelers. The compartment is also equipped with a washroom with shower, toilet and washbasin facilities. Electrical sockets are also available for charging laptops, tablet, mobile, and camera.

The other two compartments – Staterooms and Presidential Suites – are quite expensive. The Stateroom is quite spacious offering double floor space than what is provided in Pullman. The compartment is equipped with a freestanding chair, armchair and sofa. During night the compartment is converted into two lower beds by the steward. Among other facilities include a washroom and electrical sockets as provided in Pullman.

The Presidential Suite is among the best accommodation among the three. The train has only two Presidential Suites available for premium travelers. The compartment is equipped with facilities as provided in the Stateroom.

There are three dining cars available in the Eastern & Oriental Express. The price of lunch and dinner are included in the fare. However, the travelers are required to spend extra on the drinks. The passengers can use their credit cards to pay for their drinks. In order to make your experience more social, for each meal a different table reservation is made, offering the travelers opportunity to mix with different people by sharing a table.

The ride on the Eastern & Oriental Express is indeed a pleasant and thrilling experience. So next time you visit Singapore do remember to go on adventure trip on Asia’s premier luxury train.