The incredible train journey that'll ‘ruin every other railway trip you take'

Scottish Sun

7 days ago

Plus, The Sun Travel's favourite train journeys across the world
ON TRACK The incredible train journey that'll 'ruin every other railway trip you take'
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WHAT is your idea of a great rail journey? Perhaps managing to bag a seat in rush hour... or even that it turns up on time.
Well, there's once fancy train that is so posh, it even has its own spa and an open-air 'sightseeing carriage'.
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The Eastern & Oriental Express is a luxury train that runs through Malaysia
Credit: Getty
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It features a Piano Bar Car with a jazz-club atmosphere
Credit: Getty
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The Eastern & Oriental Express is a luxury train with five routes in Malaysia and Singapore, with views of jungles, ancient temples and mountains - think Agatha Christie's Orient Express, without the murder.
The experience is so mind-blowing that travel blog Hand Luggage Only said: "It's easily one of the best train journeys in the whole world!
"[It] might just ruin every other train experience you'll take."
The outside views are stunning but so are the interiors, with carriages featuring wood panelling, silk furniture and velvet walls.
One of the best-looking cars is the Piano Bar Car, which has a jazz club atmosphere and features with vibrant yellows and luxury fabrics that are inspired by the exotic Tiger Orchid flower.
Lunch and evening meals are served up two different dining carriages, with Michelin-starred chef Andre Chiang offering dishes with typical Malaysian flavours, like beef salad, duck curry and spicy 'tom yam cappuccinos'.
Meanwhile, breakfast and afternoon tea is served to guests in their cabins each day.
European sleeper train with private cabins
Away from the dining, there is also a Wellness Car with a "moving spa", with a choice of five different treatments that passengers can enjoy whilst on the move.
For those looking to really soak up the sights, the rear carriage of the train offers an open-air observation deck, where guests can take in the views while enjoying a cocktail.
There are five different three-night experiences travellers can book, on the Eastern & Oriental Express.
The first journey allows passengers to join Chef André Chiang for amazing food experiences, alongside Michelin-starred Vicky Cheng, Jason Liu, Jungsik Yim and expert mixologist Shelley Tai.
Alternatively, the Wild Malaysia journey takes guests through the Taman Negara National Park and into Penang.
Then the Essence of Malaysia route goes to Southeast Asia. And there is a Malaysia Celebration which departs from Singapore for a festive voyage.
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And the onboard chef takes you on a culinary journey
Credit: Alamy
All of the journeys last three nights in total.
Passengers can also choose from three different accommodation types including the Presidential Suite, then there is also the State Cabin and the Pullman Cabin.
In the Presidential Suite, guests can enjoy free-flowing champagne, caviar, a fruit basket and flowers upon boarding, a complimentary spa treatment and 24-hour service.
Depending on what journey you choose, there are different stopping locations and points of interest, but some include Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
However, all of this luxury doesn't come cheap.
Prices start from $4,650 (£3,455.51) per person.
Sun Travel's favourite train journeys in the world
Sun Travel's journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
"After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass." - Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
"Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you're whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too - as you'll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way." Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
"Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what's so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won't have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord." - Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
"From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond." - Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
"The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city's high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I've witnessed anywhere." - Ryan Gray
Looking for something a bit cheaper? One man who travelled 4,000 miles across the UK by rail says the country's most beautiful train journey takes just 10 minutes and costs £3.
Plus, the UK train line 'that time forgot' is crowned one of the best in the world by National Geographic.