Luxury Southeast Asia Rail
Tours made for you
Elegant luxury on scenic railways in Southeast Asia
Rail travel in Southeast Asia brings a gentle rhythm and the freedom to explore slowly, in style and comfort. Our expert travel designers will arrange your journey from the gleaming stations in Singapore on the esteemed Belmond Eastern and Oriental Express, or between Central Vietnam’s Hoi An and Nha Trang on the tranquil Vietage train.
Travel along Malaysia’s idyllic coast or through its inland rainforests on a multi-day adventure or, cross Vietnam’s lush green central highlands in a day. Your exclusive train journey will feature elegant dining cars with fine dining, and opulent lounges with specialist mixologists so that you can raise a class to the panoramic view.
Our team will plan off-train excursions so you can explore destinations across Southeast Asia – disembark the Eastern and Oriental Express to explore George Town, the historic capital city of the island of Penang, or to go snorkelling from Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah. Spend time in Singapore, Hoi An, or on the sandy beaches of Nha Trang. Our travel experts will help you combine your rail journey to form part of a wider trip to Southeast Asia on bespoke itineraries to Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and beyond.
Highlights
Traverse Taman Negara National Park – one of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world – on a rail journey through Malaysia on the esteemed Eastern and Oriental Express
Enjoy afternoon tea featuring lobster, caviar and charcuterie on the journey between Nha Trang and Quy Nhon on The Vietage train
See ancient temples, rice paddies and rural villages from the comfort of your train’s observation car
Round off your trip on the Eastern and Oriental Express with a private island stay on the exclusive positive impact Bawah Reserve in Indonesia
Spend time in Singapore before your train tour, discovering the city’s Michelin-star street food or cruising on a chartered yacht to the Southern Islands
The Belmond Eastern & Oriental Express will meet your every expectation. Your private cabin is all spacious elegance with a plush comfort, and the dining car is decadent, serving sumptuous Malaysian cuisine. There’s even an onboard spa.
Keith Jarman
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury Southeast Asia accommodation and rail routes
There are many incredible places to stay in Southeast Asia. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Southeast Asia trip inspiration
Southeast Asia Rail Tour destinations
Borneo
A compound of untouched rainforest, beaches and mountain ranges, Borneo is an off-the-beaten-track adventure. The island is home to many incredible but endangered species like the orangutan, pygmy elephant, Malayan sunbear, proboscis monkey and Borneo rhino.
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Cambodia
Cambodia has a vast collection of ancient temples, the most iconic being Angkor Wat. Venture further and you will find that Cambodia has more to offer - from its vibrant capital city, Phnom Penh to pristine rainforest, national parks and island.
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Indonesia
Indonesia is a country where beach-meets-jungle. A chain of more than 17,000 islands full of unspoiled beaches, crystal-clear waters and lush jungles that are just waiting to be explored. Add in a collection of immaculately-kept UNESCO Heritage Sites and dramatic volcanoes to conquer.
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Laos
Landlocked Laos enchants with its combination of French-influenced towns, fascinating culture and lush, unspoiled scenery. There are mountains to be explored, temples to marvel at, wildlife to be spotted and friendly locals to meet.
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Malaysia
With a combination of beaches, buzzing cities and rolling hills, Malaysia is a multifaceted destination. There is a wide variety of experiences to take part in - go on a street food tour in Penang, relax on the white-sand beaches of Langkawi, marvel at the iconic twin towers in Kuala Lumpur or set off to the countryside in Cameron Highlands.
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Singapore
Known as the ultimate stopover destination, but without doubt remarkable in its own right. A city of style, economic growth and one that celebrates its residents' diverse cultures and beliefs. A multicultural heritage combined with futuristic attractions and world-class hotels sets Singapore in a league of its own.
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Thailand
Thailand is a country that ignites the senses with its rich culture, natural beauty and incredibly hospitable people. From the bustling metropolis of Bangkok to the pristine islands and rolling highlands, there is so much to experience.
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Vietnam
With everything from modern cities like Ho Chi Minh to the old quarters of Hanoi, to remote beaches, dramatic landscapes and hill-tribe villages, Vietnam is a country that truly has it all. Explore the Mekong Delta by boat, try local Vietnamese coffee, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels or immerse yourself in the history of Hue.
Discover moreWhen to visit Southeast Asia by rail
It’s important to note that Southeast Asia encompasses an incredibly diverse range of climates. Weather patterns vary dramatically between countries, and even within the same country.
Mainland Southeast Asia has a cool, dry season from November to April, an ideal time for exploring Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. During these months, you’ll encounter pleasant temperatures, minimal rainfall and excellent conditions for temple visits and outdoor adventures. However, Indonesia and Malaysia follow different patterns, experiencing their driest months from April to October – though Malaysia’s unique geography offers year-round sunshine on alternating coasts.
The two Eastern and Oriental Express routes run seasonally, and The Vietage runs year-round with the exception of the Lunar New Year month.
Hike volcanoes in Indonesia
June–August
Boat cruises on the Mekong River
November–January
Taman Negara National Park
April–October
Snorkelling and diving in Malaysia
May–August
Travel Guides
Plan your trip to Southeast Asia
Whatever you want from your adventure in Southeast Asia, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.
