Eastern & Oriental Express: Southeast Asia's luxury sleeper train
The Eastern & Oriental Express, a Belmond train, is the only luxury sleeper in Southeast Asia - glossy green-and-cream carriages gliding out of Singapore into the Malaysian jungle, with dining curated by two-Michelin-star chef Andre Chiang, a piano bar, an open-air observation car and the first Dior Spa in the region. Three-night journeys start around US$4,650 per person, all-inclusive. Booked through Stars Desk, an accredited Belmond Bellini Club advisor, you pay the same Belmond fare and receive a US$100 per-person onboard credit, cabin-upgrade priority and VIP welcome treats, at no extra cost.
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The other Orient Express - and where it actually goes today
Two clarifications save a lot of confusion. First, the Eastern & Oriental Express is the Southeast Asian sister of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express - both Belmond trains, born of the same family in 1993 - and a different thing from the Accor-owned "Orient Express" brand. Second, the famous Bangkok to Singapore route no longer runs: since the train's post-pandemic relaunch, journeys are round trips out of Singapore (Woodlands) through Malaysia - Penang, Langkawi and the Taman Negara rainforest - without crossing into Thailand. If you find itineraries mentioning Bangkok, they are historical. This page covers the train as it runs today, and yes - it is very much running.
Why book your Eastern & Oriental journey with Stars Desk
Stars Desk is an accredited advisor in the Belmond Bellini Club, Belmond's invitation-only preferred-partner program held by fewer than one hundred agencies worldwide. You pay the same best available rate published by Belmond, and receive a US$100 per-person onboard credit, priority for a cabin upgrade, VIP welcome treats and a welcome letter at no extra cost.
On this train the advisor work is mostly before you board: visas confirmed early (there is no visa-on-arrival at the land borders the train crosses), flights timed with the generous buffer Belmond itself recommends, Singapore hotel nights either side, excursions reserved in advance - and any dietary requirements documented in writing with the train's operations team, then reconfirmed, which matters more on a single-galley train than anywhere else we book. One advisor, the whole itinerary.
The Eastern & Oriental Express at a glance
| Region | Malaysia - round trips from Singapore (Woodlands), via Penang, Langkawi or the Taman Negara rainforest |
| Journey length | 3 nights (core journeys); 6 nights on special departures |
| Cabins | 32 in three categories - 10 Pullman, 20 State, 2 Presidential Suites - all with private en-suite bathrooms |
| Dining | Two restaurant cars with menus curated by chef Andre Chiang; piano bar car; observation car with its own bar |
| Wellness | Dior Spa - the first in Southeast Asia on rails, two treatment cabins |
| From (guide, per person) | ~US$4,650 (Pullman); State from ~US$6,550; Presidential from ~US$11,850 |
| Season | Departures most of the year; high season April to September |
| On board currency | US dollars, cards only - no cash |
Guide "from" prices in US dollars, per person based on two sharing, for three-night journeys. Belmond fares are dynamic; we confirm the exact live fare when you enquire.
Journeys: where does the Eastern & Oriental Express go?
Essence of Malaysia - 3 nights
The classic: out of Singapore into the peninsula, with Penang's heritage streets and a day of marine life and beaches around Langkawi - the journey to choose for a first taste.
Wild Malaysia - 3 nights
The adventurous one: into the jungle heart at Merapoh by Taman Negara - caves, eBikes and rainforest walks with excellent local guides - one of the most distinctive excursion days on any luxury train.
Tastes of Tomorrow - 3 nights
The gourmet special: Andre Chiang hosts with invited Michelin-starred guest chefs on select 2026 departures - the food-lover's pick.
The Tiger Express - 6 nights
The flagship special with Save Wild Tigers: deeper into the peninsula, supporting Malayan tiger conservation - Belmond donates US$70,000 a year from Wild Malaysia journeys to habitat and ranger programs.
Festive & New Year - 3 nights
December departures with Christmas and New Year celebrations on board - the piano bar at its best.
Life on board: Chiang, the piano bar and a Dior Spa
Dining by Andre Chiang
The celebrated chef curates menus that read like the journey - Penang duck curry, laksa bouillabaisse - served in two restaurant cars, with all meals, wines, spirits and cocktails included.
The piano bar
A jazz-club ambience after dinner: signature cocktails, a resident musician and the train's most sociable hours.
The open-air observation car
At the very tail of the train, with its own bar from morning to late - the place to watch the jungle, paddies and kampongs glide past in the tropical air.
Dior Spa
Two treatment cabins in partnership with Dior - the first Dior Spa in Southeast Asia. Slots are limited; the Bellini onboard credit is made for this.
An advisor's honest take: who the Eastern & Oriental is right for
Stars Desk books all seven Belmond trains, so here is the honest version. The Eastern & Oriental is a train cruise: the train itself is the destination. You will spend most of the journey on board - at the table, in the piano bar, on the observation deck - with excursions as curated windows, not full days out. Guests who board expecting a sightseeing tour of Malaysia come back frustrated; guests who board for the golden-age romance, the dining and the slow tropical theatre outside the window call it magical. Three practical truths we share before you book. First, sleep: Malaysian tracks are older than European ones, and there is genuine motion and noise at night - light sleepers should pack earplugs and consider a State or Presidential cabin over the entry Pullman. Second, dietary needs: on a single-galley train, allergies and strict diets need to be documented with the operations team in writing before departure and reconfirmed on board - we handle exactly that, and for severe medical restrictions we will tell you honestly whether this kitchen is the right fit before you spend the money. Third, value: this is among the most expensive hotel nights in Asia; if you simply want to see Penang and Langkawi, flights and suites cost a fraction. What the fare buys is the last golden-age sleeper east of Europe - with every cabin en-suite, something even the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express's historic cabins cannot say. For the European original, compare the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express; for a cooler-climate sleeper, the Royal Scotsman.
Belmond Bellini Club benefits on the Eastern & Oriental Express
| Book direct on belmond.com | Book through Stars Desk (Bellini Club) | |
|---|---|---|
| Fare | Best available rate | The same best available rate |
| Onboard credit | - | US$100 per person, per journey |
| Cabin upgrade | - | Priority, subject to availability |
| VIP welcome | - | Welcome treats and a welcome letter |
| Future-travel voucher | - | US$500 on qualifying bookings (terms vary) |
| Trip logistics | Self-serve | Visas, flight timing, Singapore hotels, excursion reservations and dietary documentation handled |
Benefits apply to the standard best available rate and are not combinable with restricted or promotional rates. The US$500 voucher is a rotating Belmond promotion; we confirm current terms at booking. See our full Belmond Bellini Club guide.
Planning your journey: when to book and what to know
Book 6-12 months ahead
For Presidential Suites, the Tastes of Tomorrow chef departures and the December festive dates - with 32 cabins per departure, the calendar is small.
Visas come first
There is no visa-on-arrival at the land borders the train crosses - travelers who need visas must secure them before boarding, and passports need six months' validity. We confirm requirements for your nationality at enquiry.
Time your flights generously
Belmond itself advises a wide buffer between the train's published arrival and any onward flight - tropical railways run to their own clock. We build the buffer, plus a Singapore hotel night, into the itinerary.
Packing: elegant wear for dinners (jackets for men are the norm), light tropical clothing for excursions, insect repellent and sunscreen. Year-round tropical weather, 75-95 F; high season April to September.
Frequently asked questions about the Eastern & Oriental Express
How much does the Eastern & Oriental Express cost?
Three-night journeys start around US$4,650 per person in a Pullman cabin, around US$6,550 in a State cabin and around US$11,850 in a Presidential Suite, based on two sharing. The fare is all-inclusive: meals, wines and cocktails, excursions and transfers. We confirm the exact live fare, in US dollars, when you enquire.
Is the Eastern & Oriental Express the same as the Orient Express?
It is the Southeast Asian sister of Belmond's Venice Simplon-Orient-Express - same family, same golden-age spirit, tropical setting. It is separate from the Accor-owned "Orient Express" brand. One practical difference in its favor: every cabin on the Eastern & Oriental has a private en-suite bathroom, which the European train's Historic Cabins do not.
Does the Eastern & Oriental Express still go to Bangkok?
No. The classic Bangkok to Singapore route ended with the train's pandemic pause; since relaunching, the Eastern & Oriental runs round trips from Singapore (Woodlands) through Malaysia - Penang, Langkawi and the Taman Negara rainforest - without entering Thailand. Itineraries mentioning Bangkok are historical.
Is the Eastern & Oriental Express worth it?
For lovers of golden-age rail romance, exceptional dining and slow travel, it is the definitive - and only - luxury sleeper in Southeast Asia. It is a train cruise: most of the experience happens on board, with excursions as curated windows. If your priority is maximizing sightseeing days in Malaysia, flights and fine hotels do that for far less; the train is for travelers for whom the journey itself is the destination.
Do cabins have their own bathroom?
Yes - every cabin, from Pullman to Presidential, has a private en-suite with shower and toilet. State Cabins convert to two lower beds at night; Pullman Cabins to upper and lower berths; Presidential Suites add a lounge, larger bathroom and complimentary minibar.
What is the dress code - can you wear jeans?
By day, smart tropical casual is fine. Dinners are elegant occasions: jackets are the norm for men and most guests dress up - jeans and sneakers are out of place in the restaurant cars at night. Excursions call for light clothing and comfortable shoes.
Are drinks included on the Eastern & Oriental Express?
Yes - wines, spirits, beers, cocktails and soft drinks are included throughout, in the restaurant cars, piano bar and observation car. Presidential Suites add champagne and a complimentary in-cabin minibar. On-board extras are charged in US dollars, cards only.
Can the train handle allergies and special diets?
With preparation, yes - and preparation is the honest key. The train has a single galley kitchen, so requirements need to be documented with the operations team in writing before departure and reconfirmed with the maitre d' on board; we do both as standard. For severe medical restrictions such as celiac disease, talk to us first - we will be straight with you about what a moving tropical kitchen can and cannot guarantee before you book.
Can you sleep well on the train?
The train travels through the night on Malaysian tracks that are older than Europe's, so there is genuine motion and some noise. Most guests sleep fine and love the rhythm; light sleepers should bring earplugs and consider a State or Presidential cabin. Unlike Scotland's Royal Scotsman, the Eastern & Oriental does not stable every night.
When is the best time to take the Eastern & Oriental Express?
The train runs most of the year in a climate that is tropical year-round, 75-95 F. April to September is high season with the most departures; December brings the festive journeys. We match the journey - Essence, Wild Malaysia or a chef departure - to your dates.
How many passengers does the train carry?
Just 32 cabins - 10 Pullman, 20 State and 2 Presidential Suites - or roughly 60-plus guests at capacity, with a high crew ratio. Small enough that the piano bar feels like a house party by the second night.
How do I get an upgrade or onboard credit on the Eastern & Oriental Express?
Book through an accredited Belmond Bellini Club advisor such as Stars Desk. You pay the same Belmond fare and receive a US$100 per-person onboard credit, priority for a cabin upgrade and VIP welcome treats, at no extra cost.
Request Eastern & Oriental rates & availability
Tell us your dates and the journey you have in mind - or the occasion, and we will match it. We confirm live fares, cabins, visas and excursions, with your Bellini Club benefits applied.
Explore the rest of the fleet on our Belmond luxury trains guide, compare the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and Royal Scotsman, or see all Belmond Bellini Club benefits.