First Time Buying ETS Train Tickets

UPDATE 25 FEB 2024: Updated info for 2024.

UPDATE 29 NOV 2018: Included latest route map for ETS.

NOTE: This article was written during the purchase of ETS tickets at KL Sentral in December 2016. The latest information might be different. I recommend referring to KTMB alongside using the information in this article for support.

Before asking questions, please read the comments section first as many questions have already been answered. If you still need to ask, make sure the questions are not trivial. Also, I suggest you give KTMB a call at +603-2267 1200 as they are more knowledgeable.

Additional 1: For those looking for ways to take the train from Gemas to Johor Bahru or from Gemas to Kelantan, please refer here. <— it’s best to check here because aside from Gemas, it also covers ETS to the north and other routes.

Additional 2: Mapping KTMB train stations via Google Maps. Refer here.

Looking for a guide to buy Thai train tickets? See also: Guide to Buying Train Tickets in Thailand.

**************

The entry for Carpackers East Coast is not finished yet (Updated 12 Feb 2018, now it’s complete). Meanwhile, I’d like to share information for those buying ETS train tickets for the first time.

While writing this entry, it reminded me of the ‘tutorial’ I made on how to use the Tube train in London. The writing style is quite similar… 😀

Since 1999, it’s been almost 17 years since I took a long-distance train. The last time was to Johor Bahru at the age of 22. The funny thing is, at that time, I thought taking the train would be faster than the bus. Turns out, it was slower and took more than 6 hours because it stopped for a long time at every station in the southern region. Although slow, it’s more relaxing. Very suitable for those who want to ‘sell’ time more quickly. Unlike the bus, which takes about 4 hours.

While on the train, I kept thinking, “When will we arrive, when will we arrive…” a thousand times. If I had known it would be so boring, I would’ve brought a CD player…. (at that time, portable MP3 players weren’t available yet). Plus, it was so cold that the windows froze, and I didn’t bring anything (food, extra clothes) with me. I was also scared to go out of the train to buy snacks when it stopped at any station, I worried I’d be left behind by the train, hehe. So I just sat inside statically like a rock. Actually, I went to Johor Bahru for work. So it was a day trip (starting in the early morning and returning by the evening).

The latest map was updated on May 18, 2020. Photo borrowed from KTMB’s website. ETS trains are only available from Padang Besar (Perlis) to Gemas (N9). Click to enlarge.

Today, I had the chance to buy ETS train tickets to the north. The tickets bought were for two adults and one child. Myself, Tatie, and Aqif. Where to in the north? Destinations are not that far. When? Next week. I’ll tell you more when we get back.

Before that, I want to share something. I’m a bit disappointed because I didn’t get to experience another KTMB trains called Senandung Malam or Senandung Langkawi. I wanted to try a carriage with a Sleeper Berth (bed). Since ETS came into existence, KTMB has gradually phased out express train schedules starting from mid-year. I feel at a loss… my fellow backpackers already got a chance to experience the Sleeper Berth. The second thing that makes me disappointed is that all these express trains are nostalgic for all Malaysians. Like for me, since I was a child.

I remember once when I was 11 years old in 1989, my family (except for my dad) went back to our hometown by KTMB train and departed from the old KTM station (Kuala Lumpur) to Butterworth, Penang. I think my mom booked KTM tickets (before privatization) for the 3rd class because the windows could be lowered and the seats were wooden with only a small cushion on the back (PVC type of seat). I was uncomfortable and even threw a minor tantrum because it took so long to arrive. Plus, my youngest sibling was still little and couldn’t sit still, the tracks and wheels were noisy, and so on. If you want to be a seasoned backpacker, you have to endure all that, right? 😀

So now, I will be taking the ETS next week, God willing. Here are some tips for those who want to book ETS tickets.

1. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.ktmb.com.my.
2. Make sure to buy the desired departure date tickets 7 or 8 days in advance. I myself checked every day for 2 consecutive weeks and got to know which days the tickets would sell out.
3. Departure is labeled as ‘Origin‘ and Arrival is labeled as ‘Destination‘. On the KTMB website when booking tickets, Origin and Destination show different results. This means if you enter Origin as JB Sentral, all Destination results for stations in KL will not appear, only Gemas at the end. If Origin is entered as Gemas, only then will the Destination results for KTMB stations in KL appear.
4. The available seat positions viewed online and at the KL Sentral counter are the same. No such thing as “some seat quotas are reserved for online and some are ‘hidden’ for those queuing at the counter.” Both are the same.
5. For those living in KL, ETS tickets cannot be purchased at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS). However, the departure/arrival train can pass through TBS. Earlier today I went to TBS first and it turns out you can’t buy them there, you have to buy them at KL Sentral. However, my ticket was purposely bought for departure from TBS. (Update February 25, 2024: It’s 2024, not 2017 when I wrote this post. People now use apps and book directly on the web.)
6. And also, for those living in KL, did you know departure tickets from TBS to Padang Besar are MYR3 cheaper compared to from KL Sentral to Padang Besar? I just gave Padang Besar as an example because many of my backpacking friends on Facebook like to travel to Thailand via rail. I live exactly in the middle between KL Sentral and TBS, so I chose to depart from TBS.
7. For those living in KL, it’s easy because there are four departure stations: KL Sentral, TBS, Kepong Sentral, and the old KTM Kuala Lumpur station. So, try to find which station offers cheaper departure tickets.
8. Online or counter purchase? For satisfaction and the chance to chat and get info, definitely at the counter, right? Especially for those working in KL, during lunch hour you can take the LRT to KL Sentral for a moment. But it’s a problem for those driving because parking at TBS is MYR3.00 (less than an hour). And at KL Sentral? Earlier I parked for 1 hour and 3 minutes and had to pay MYR8.00 for parking!!! So consider buying online, okay? (Update February 25, 2024: It’s 2024. People now use apps and book directly on the web.)
9. The waiting time at the counter is usually 15-20 people for almost 1 hour. (Update February 25, 2024: It’s 2024. People now use apps and book directly on the web.)
10. Want to know the seat positions according to the carriage? Check out the picture below before buying tickets, so you’ll be satisfied! (All images borrowed from www.railtravelstation.com). (Update February 25, 2024: The pictures below are old. The latest info is hard to get. Refer to the app or web during booking for easier reference).

There are only 6 carriages…. If you’re heading north, choose “ Northbound ” and if heading south, choose “ Southbound“. Seat positions might be slightly different if you’re taking another type of ETS class train. But at least you can estimate by referring to the pictures above.

Forgot to mention why I chose to buy offline (counter). Previously, when I checked online for the dates December 24 or 25, it said there were 8 seats available, some had 20 seats, and so on depending on the departure time. But when I tried to book, it was not possible. I assumed maybe those not bookable online (but available) were quotas reserved for counter bookings. That’s why I tried my luck at the counter earlier. My assumption was wrong. What is displayed at the counter is the same as online. So, I had to buy ETS tickets a few days before the desired date. No problem. Besides, I’m self-employed and can take a vacation anytime.

Trains in Malaysia are not like they used to be. If the Senandung Express still existed, if you didn’t want to take ETS because it might be a bit expensive for some people, you could buy the Senandung Express tickets. Nowadays, many backpackers take express buses because they are cheaper than ETS.

Did you know, that the ETS route is only from Padang Besar (Perlis) to Gemas (Negeri Sembilan)? You might be interested in ‘trainpacking’ activities as below, involving all types of KTMB trains (only for Peninsular Malaysia):

• How to travel from Gemas to Johor Bahru?
• How to travel from the southernmost (Johor Bahru) to the northernmost (Padang Besar)?
• How to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Tumpat (Kelantan)?
• How to travel from Johor Bahru to Tumpat?

Read this link and try to ‘connect’ the routes provided by KTMB.

P/S: Some might be wondering after we bought the ETS tickets, where did we head out? Check out our Family Backpacking Adventure to Thailand Across to Laos!