Malaysia by Train
Trains - Tickets - RoutesA Travel Guide For Train Travel In Malaysia.
Here you will find information for Malaysia about trains, routes, tours, connections, where to buy train tickets, and more.
Useful Information
Population: 31.62 million
Currency: Ringgit
Language: Malay, Mandarin, Tamil
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Country Code: +60
Time Zone: Malaysia Time (MYT)
Train Companies
The rail network in Malaysia is operated by the national railway Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM).
Copyright: RAILWAYHERO
Train Tickets
Buy your train tickets for Malaysia online at 12GO and compare trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
Buy your train tickets for Malaysia online at BAOLAU and compare trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
Rail Passes
There are no rail passes available for Malaysia.
TrAIN tYPES
ETS Komuter trains serve the northern part of the country
- 2nd Class only (Superior)
- No reservations required, nor possible
- Trains are equipped with air-conditioning
ETS Platinum trains make minimal stops and connect top destinations
- 2nd Class only (Superior): Rows of four seats (2+2)
- No reservations required
- The train is equipped with air-conditioning, toilets, and a buffet car selling snacks and drinks.
ETS Gold trains serve top destinations making more stops than ETS Platinum
- 2nd Class only (Superior): rows of four seats (2+2)
- No reservations required
- The train is equipped with air-conditioning, toilets, and a buffet car selling snacks and drinks.
ETS Silver trains operate from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh and are the cheapest option from the ETS services
- 2nd Class only (Superior): rows of four seats (2+2)
- No reservations required
- The train is equipped with air-conditioning
Diesel Rail Car (DRC)
- 2nd Class only (Superior)
- The train is equipped with air-conditioning
Ekspres Selatan (Southern Express) operates on the northern part of the Malaysian West Coast Line
- 2nd Class only (Superior)
- No reservations required
- The train is equipped with air-conditioning
Sabah State Railway trains operate on a single line connecting villages to Kota Kinabalu
- 2nd Class only
- No reservations required
- Buy tickets at train station
Trains that travel from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore (Woodlands North Station) are operated by the Malaysian State Railway (KTM).
- Air-Conditioned 2nd Class (Superior) seats are available from Kuala Lumpur (KL) Sentral to Johor Bahru (JB) Sentral Station, no catering available.
- From Malaysia’s Johor Bahru Sentral station, KTM offers shuttle trains and local buses to Singapore’s Woodlands North Station where there are then plenty of MRT and local connections to choose from.
Tickets for the shuttle train can only be bought with cash, and passport control will be made at the border.
International Express connects Kuala Lumpur and Padang Besar, Malaysia to Bangkok, Thailand. This is operated by the State Railways of Thailand, and a connection must be made in Hat Yai, Thailand, the Thai Border town.
- Sleeping Carriage
- 2nd Class Sleepers, two-bed compartments with air conditioning, and with seats to fold down when the bed is not in use.
- 1st Class (VIP Sleepers), two-bed compartments with air conditioning, and with seats to fold down when the bed is not in use, a washbasin, and bedding included. These sleepers are only available from Hat Yai to Bangkok, Thailand and reservations are unable to be made from Malaysia and not Thailand.
- Seating Carriage
- Local Malaysian ETS electric trains are available from Kuala Lumpur to Padang Besar. Sleepers are not available on this leg of the journey.
- The train is equipped with a restaurant car offering sizable, and affordable portions; however, only from Hat Yai, Thailand to Bangkok.
International Express / Ekspres Antarabangsa
Routes:
-
- Padang Besar – Hat Yai – Bangkok
- No reservations required but recommended during peak travel times and for air-conditioned beds
- 1st Class (VIP Sleepers) – 2-bed compartments with air conditioning and with seats when the bed is not in use, a washbasin, and bedding included
- 2nd Class – bed folded into a seat when not in use, air-conditioned and fan-cooled
- Trains are equipped with a restaurant car offering sizable, and affordable portions
Eastern & Oriental Express
North Borneo Railway
Routes
Frequently Travelled Routes In Malaysia
National
| From > To |
Duration (h) |
Changes | Transport |
| Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth | 4:04 | Direct | Train |
| Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh | 2:25 | Direct | Train |
| Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya | 0:18 | Direct | KLIA Express |
| Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru | 8:00 | 1 | Train |
| Kuala Lumpur to Malacca | 4:16 | 1 | Train & Bus |
| Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi | 7:45 | 2 | Train, Bus & Ferry |
| Kuala Lumpur to Georgetown, Penang Island | 4:54 | 1 | Train & Ferry |
International
| From > To |
Duration | Changes | Transport |
| Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok, Thailand | 20:59 | 2 | Train |
| Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, Singapore | 6:53 | 1 | Train & Bus |
| Johor Bahru to Woodlands, Singapore | 0:05 | Direct | Train |
MAlaysia travel routes
Bangkok to Singapore
Main Train Stations
- KL Sentral
- Butterworth
- Ipoh
- Kuala Perlis
- Johor Bahru
Good to know
Best Time To Travel To Malaysia
We recommend time to travel around Malaysia but depending on which season you decide and which area to visit, this may determine how much rain gear you pack! Depending on when you visit, you could get involved in a massive water fight in April, maybe even a pillow fight, or attend the Chinese New Year in Penang.
You can visit the Batu Caves or witness the wild Thaipusam festival; and, any time of year you are able to cruise the Kinabatangan River to catch a glimpse of wild orangutans, dive to some of the most beautiful reefs in the world, or try all of the amazing food. Malaysia is an amazing country with so much to see and do, but remember don’t forget about Borneo!
- High Season: December – February
- Low Season: March – June
- West Coast Rainy Season: April – October
- East Coast Rainy Season: November – February
- Borneo Rainy Season: October – February
Accommodation In Malaysia
Booking
The best place to find cheap hotels for is to book by www.booking.com. There you will find a large selection of cheap hotels, hostels, and apartments. > BOOK HERE
Hostelworld
If you are looking for a low budget accommodation, then go on www.hostelworld.com. They have the best choice of cheap hostels for backpackers and low budget travelers. > BOOK HERE
Guidebooks For Malaysia
Travel with a guidebook ease your journey to find best sights and things to do. Buy it on Amazon.
