Lake Toba is the largest lake in Southeast Asia and one of the highlights visiting Sumatra. The nearest big city is Medan, and it takes about four hours by road to travel from Medan to Parapat (the main city on the lake). There is also a railway network in North Sumatra, with Medan as the […]
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train – best train times to see some of the highlights of Thailand
The train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is a great way to see more of Thailand, but depending on your travels it’s not always the best way. With some planning by picking the right trains, you can save money and see some of the highlights of Thailand. Bangkok to Chiang Mai – train, bus, or […]
How to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur by train
Getting the train from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur used to be a straightforward affair. The train would leave Tanjong Pagar railway station (near downtown Singapore), clear immigration for both countries at Woodlands, and then continue on the same train to Kuala Lumpur. I did this journey in 2009 and it was a great way to […]
Southeast Asia current and proposed railways [2017]
Current and proposed railways of Southeast Asia – every line mapped In 2016 I compiled every current and proposed railway in Southeast Asia and created the Future Southeast Asia Railway Map, which depicted all current and proposed railways as a subway map. [Future Southeast Asia Railway Map – 2016 version (Click for larger image).] I’ve […]
Future Southeast Asia – A map of proposed railways in Southeast Asia
What would Southeast Asia look like if it had a fully functioning railway network? I have thought about this many times, usually while on a bus ride from hell (Huay Xai to Luang Prabang springs to mind). I envision it to be a cross between China’s high-speed rail network and Europe’s international InterCity services. With […]
1 month Eurail Global Pass review – How I visited 57 cities in 31 days
In Pictures: Calatrava’s Liège-Guillemins train station
Before I even knew anything about the station one name sprang to mind – Calatrava. Actually it might have been one name and a few words that came to mind…OMG, Liege has a Calatrava! [Liège-Guillemins station] Santiago Calatrava is a Spanish architect who has become something of a superstar in the architect world. He has […]
How to get from Paris to Brussels by local train – The alternative to high speed rail
See four cities in one day and save on high-speed rail reservation fees. One of the great things about train travel with a Eurail Pass is being able to jump onto almost any train and go. While there are some train services that require a reservation fee, this can be avoided by taking local trains. […]
Trains in Java – Indonesia
Java has a useful train network which makes for a great way to get from Jakarta to major cities on the island. [Train at Jakarta Gambir Station] The trains are spacious and comfortable and have a meal service. [Jakarta view from train] After flying and overnight buses the train has been a welcome change. The […]
