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Intercity Trains in Malaysia: ETS, Komuter & ECRL
Malaysia’s electric ETS trains run fast and comfortably from KL Sentral north to the Thai border and now south to Johor Bahru. They are a great alternative to driving or flying.
🔗 Official sites: KTMB · KTMB KITS booking
How to book (official)
- Book on KITS (online.ktmb.com.my) or the KTMB Mobile app (Google Play · App Store). Fares are dynamic, so book early.
- Board at KL Sentral and arrive 30 minutes before departure.
- No bicycles.
- KTMB runs ETS, KTM Intercity, KTM Komuter and Shuttle Tebrau. Book on the KITS website (online.ktmb.com.my) or the KTMB Mobile app. ETS passengers should arrive 30 minutes before departure, and bicycles are not allowed on ETS or Intercity.
Classes and fares
- Platinum (fewest stops), Express, Gold (more stops); ETS3 has a business coach.
- Indicative: Ipoh Gold RM50 / Platinum RM66; Padang Besar Gold RM76 / Platinum RM102.
- ETS3 is a 6-car train with 312 seats (5 standard coaches and 1 business), a bistro, plugs at every seat, and a prayer room.
Routes and journey times
- KTM ETS now runs from Padang Besar (Thai border) to JB Sentral. KL-JB Sentral ETS started after the Gemas-JB electrified double track opened (preview Dec 2025).
- KL Sentral-JB Sentral ETS doubled to 8 daily trips from 1 Jan 2026, and two Padang Besar-Segamat trains were extended to JB Sentral. The journey takes about 4.5 hours.
- ETS journey times: KL Sentral-Butterworth about 3h35-4h05; KL Sentral-Padang Besar about 4h50-5h21; KL Sentral-JB Sentral about 4h20. Classes are Platinum (fewest stops), Express and Gold (more stops). The new ETS3 sets have one business-class coach.
What you will see
- North: limestone karst around Ipoh, Kuala Kangsar’s royal town and the paddy plains of Kedah and Perlis toward Padang Besar.
- South (new Gemas-JB line): Segamat, Kluang and Kulai to JB Sentral.
Coming soon: East Coast Rail Link (ECRL)
- ECRL Phase 1 (Kota Bharu-Gombak) starts commercial operations in January 2027. Gombak-Kota Bharu takes about 4 hours. Gombak links to the LRT Kelana Jaya Line. Phase 2 (Gombak-Port Klang) follows around 2027-28.
- ECRL may start carrying passengers from mid-December 2026, ahead of the January 2027 target (MOT aim).
Route map
Starting from Cormar Suites
KL Sentral is about 10–15 minutes by Grab from Cormar Suites, or take the Monorail from Bukit Nanas (about 10 minutes’ walk) to KL Sentral.
Staying in central KL makes all of this easy. Cormar Suites has spacious serviced apartments with kitchens, Parry Road Café downstairs, and a rooftop infinity pool. Book direct for our best available rate.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book Malaysian train tickets?
On KTMB’s official KITS website (online.ktmb.com.my) or the KTMB Mobile app. Fares are dynamic, so book early.
How long is the train from KL to Penang?
The ETS to Butterworth takes about 3.5–4 hours; then take the ferry or a Grab across to George Town.
Sources
Checked on 11 October 2026. Fares, timetables and services change, so always confirm on the official site before you travel.