ETS & Intercity Trains — KL to Ipoh, Penang, JB and Padang Besar
KTM's ETS (Electric Train Service) is the comfortable way up and down Peninsular Malaysia's west coast — faster than the coach on most legs and immune to highway jams. Since December 2025, when the electrified double track to Johor Bahru was finished, it runs all the way from the Thai border to JB.
JB SentralPadang Besar
ETS JB Sentral ↔ Padang Besar
Where it goes
| From KL Sentral to | About |
|---|---|
| Ipoh | 2 h 25 min |
| Butterworth (for Penang) | 4 h 5 min |
| JB Sentral | 4 h 20 min |
| Padang Besar (Thai border) | longest run — check the timetable |
On the 1 June 2026 timetable there are 22 ETS services in each direction. From JB Sentral, seven trains a day head north — four to KL Sentral, one to Butterworth and two right through to Padang Besar. Fares between KL and JB start from around RM82.
| Route | Runs | Stops | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETS | JB Sentral ↔ Padang Besar | 38 | Stops & times |
Booking
- Book on KTMB's KITS app or the KTMB website, or at station kiosks. Popular trains — Fridays, Sundays and the days around holidays — sell out, so book early.
- KTMB has been fully cashless since January 2025: pay by card or e-wallet, even at the counter.
- Have each passenger's IC or passport number ready when you book.
Changing trains and getting off
- Butterworth — a covered walkway leads to Penang Sentral and the ferry to George Town. See our Penang guide.
- JB Sentral — the KTM Shuttle Tebrau to Singapore leaves from the same station. See Johor Bahru ↔ Singapore.
- Pulau Sebang/Tampin — the station for Melaka; BAS.MY routes M20 and M21 run from here to Melaka Sentral. See our Melaka guide.
- Northern Komuter — local trains run between Butterworth and Padang Besar (19 trips each way from July 2026).
The east coast: Intercity trains
The older, non-electrified line through the interior to Tumpat in Kelantan is served by KTM's Intercity trains, slower but scenic:
| Route | Runs | Stops | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SH | Gua Musang ↔ Tumpat | 34 | Stops & times |
| ERT | JB Sentral ↔ Tumpat | 23 | Stops & times |
2026 track works: double-tracking south of Kuala Lumpur (the KVDT2 project) runs until about the end of 2026. KTM Komuter trains between Salak Selatan and Seremban are heavily reduced, and some evening ETS trains to JB were retimed. Check the live timetable before you travel.
