KL to Bangkok by train
 

Mrs G-ARVE and I are planning a train trip from KL to BKK, taking a week or so to get from one to the other. One way as we'll be flying back. Am looking to offload some of my 500k or so HH points along the way. Would really appreciate some advice of where we ought to stop off, and for how long. If there is a 'must see' place that does not have a Hilton, would consider that too.

If its at all relevant, am HHD.

Thanks in anticipation.

I actually thought about doing the same thing a few months back but gave up simply because it took too much time. Along the way from Kuala Lumpur, stay at the Hilton KL which costs 30k points per night, or Doubletree KL (even better deal 10k HH points per night).

3 nights in KL @ Doubletree KL = 30k points ONLY. I assume you're Diamond with that many points. You will get suite upgrade and lounge access which is great.

Take a train from KL sentral to Hat Yai. It's going to take a long time (more than 10 hours) to reach Hat Yai, so I think it's better to pay up and get the best cabin available. You'll reach Hat Yai next day morning at around 10.40am IIRC.

Spend the night in Hat Yai. I recommend the TuneHotels. Very cheap. Of course, if you could get some sleep on the train, then you'd best forget about spending the night in Hat Yai... I don't find it an interesting place.

From hat yai, take a train to Surat Thani, and then take a combination of bus and ferry to Koh Samui, if you feel like it. The Conrad costs 95k points per night though.

If Koh samui doesn't float your boat, you can take a train to Phuket. A couple of Hilton properties there.

From Phuket/Surat Thani, you can journey up north and stay a few nights at Hua Hin, then Bangkok. Should use up at least half your Hhonors points very easily.

Too bad, you can't buy your Thai Railway train tickets online now... would make your trip-planning much easier!

Stop at Butterworth on the way for the short ferry to Penang island. Though there is no Hilton, it's worth stopping for a day or two. Butterworth station is literally 50m from the ferry:
http://goo.gl/maps/oU3k0

signol

Got the overnight between KUL and SIN once. Worst night sleep ever.... Not entirely sure why it's a sleeper given the mini bus from KL station to downtown SIN only took 4 hours (isn). Would love, however, to do KL - BK though

A few friends think strongly that the proper way of seeing South East Asia is by taking a train from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok and preferably even up north. About the train from KL to Singapore which takes ages, they are now trying to create a high speed rail line between the two cities.

Oh by the way, Penang seconded! Don't know how I forget about Penang, because I really like Penang very much. Hawker food haven!

Thanks all, much appreciated.

Did this twice, and this railway line has degenerated into a nightmare for leisure travelers. 1. tracks are not maintained. 2. the train carriages are old so you are guaranteed a good bone rattling. 3. trains are dirty and catering is horrid, sadly the journey only sounds romantic in therouxs words, in reality i doubt if one could enjoy it today.
Please avoid it, unless you are on the orient express.

I'll take the contrary view. I spent much of last summer taking trains up and down Southeast Asia and I never had any trouble sleeping. I found it to be very enjoyable.

That said, I've been known to sleep soundly in middle seats in coach so maybe I'm not the best sample. :D