I took my family on a South East Asia rail adventure for just £76

During our rail voyage, we experienced rainforest flora and fauna, the breadth of Malaysia’s history, big cities, glorious hills and warm, clear seas. And it’s cost-effective: our four trains for all four people up the entire west coast cost £76 in total. A deep dive into the vivid delights of South East Asia – and all for less than the cost of a summer flight to Europe.

Essentials

Clio Wood was a guest of The Majestic Kuala Lumpur (two interconnecting Deluxe Rooms from £170, including breakfast); Cameron Highlands Resort (two-bedroom suite from £244, including breakfast); Eastern and Oriental Hotel (Studio Suite from £135, including breakfast); and The Datai Langkawi (Canopy Deluxe rooms from £475, including breakfast).

Singapore Airlines and British Airways fly direct from London to Singapore from £500 return.

Trains can be booked directly on KTM’s website, though be sure to do this when bookings open 30 days before travel.

Five other great rail journeys for children

Glenfinnan (aka Harry Potter) Viaduct, Scotland

Sure, you can get The Jacobite steam train version from Fort William to Mallaig, where you’ll be ensconced in period carriages for the full coal and sound effects experience. But it takes six hours (pretending you’re a wizard can only entertain little ones for so long) and costs £65 return per adult and £36 per child. The canny might opt for the 1 hour 22 minute commuter train instead (£17 per adult), which takes the same route, and you won’t mind nearly so much if they spend half of it looking at a screen.

Fort William to Mallaig via Glenfinnan; buy tickets at thetrainline.com