UPDATE April 27, 2024: KTMB has introduced a new ETS train route to Segamat, Johor (previously ending at Gemas, Negeri Sembilan). Operations will begin on July 1, 2024. After July 1, with the latest data, I will update this post.
UPDATE February 25, 2024: The latest schedule has been updated (still the same).
UPDATE June 10, 2023: The latest schedule has been updated.
UPDATE January 15, 2023: The schedule and booking procedures have been updated. If the schedule changes again, refer to the latest KTMB ticketing website. Use this article as a reference only. Also included are the latest pictures of Gemas station and a map of KTMB stations in Malaysia.
UPDATE September 9, 2022: Due to this entry getting quite a number of hits every day, we will update it later after gathering the latest information.
UPDATE November 29, 2018: Added the latest map of the train route to the southern part of the country.
Note: This is a continuation of the article on how to book ETS trains.
This information is very suitable for domestic travelers who want to relax, are not in a hurry, and enjoying the scenery.
Looking for a guide to buying Thai train tickets? Also see: Guide to Buying Thai Train Tickets
Has anyone taken the ETS train to the south? Usually, many go to the north, right? Let’s explore the journey to the southern part of the country and possibly head to the East Coast.
I will share the schedule and ticket prices for trains from KL to Gemas, Gemas to JB Sentral (Johor Bahru), or Gemas to Tumpat, Kelantan using the KTM Intercity train. The schedule can be found on KTMB’s website at https://www.ktmb.com.my. For your information, the ETS train route is limited to Gemas only. After that, you need to transit. The reason is that the double-track electric railway is not yet complete.
What’s interesting about Gemas is that it’s not just to Johor Bahru but also the East Coast. If you head north, the railway passes through the middle of Bukit Merah Lake, so what about the view on the East Coast? How about the tunnels and the mountainous scenery cutting through the Titiwangsa Range? Sounds great, right? It’s also dubbed as “Jungle Train” by many international tourists. Furthermore, from Tumpat, you can continue to Narathiwat, Yala, and Pattani, and end in Hatyai by connecting with the Thai train. You might even end up in Bangkok!
Here are the ticket prices and schedule that I have researched. Only these schedules are available. You need to be smart in choosing the time to transit after taking the ETS.
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Note: The Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (Bandar Tasik Selatan) or TBS station is only an example for the explanation below. If you board from any station in the northern part of the Peninsula (regardless of the time and only for ETS trains), you will pass through the TBS station at the same time as the example below. Trains are not like buses that pass through the same route every hour. Trains only pass once or twice per day.
ETS from KL (Bandar Tasik Selatan) to Gemas
For ETS KL (Bandar Tasik Selatan) to Gemas, tickets are priced between MYR28-MYR29 (online for adults).
Available daytime schedule:
a. Departure at 12.35 pm and arrive at 2.52 pm (2 hours 17 minutes)
Available night schedule:
a. Departure at 9.56 pm and arrive at 12.10 pm (2 hours 14 minutes) – this train arrives the next day, so don’t be confused.
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KTM Intercity from Gemas to JB Sentral (Johor Bahru)
For the KTM Intercity train (not ETS – because the track isn’t ready) from Gemas to JB Sentral (the furthest point in Johor Bahru), the ticket is priced at MYR21 (online for adults).
Available daytime schedule:
a. Departure at 7.44 am and arrival at 12.30 pm (4 hours 46 minutes) – (Train number: Express 27).
b. Departure at 9.30 am and arrival at 2.15 pm (4 hours 45 minutes) – (Train number: Express 43).
c. Departure at 3.20 pm and arrival at 7.45 pm (4 hours 25 minutes) – (Train number: Express 45).
Available night schedule:
a. Departure at 2.00 am and arrival at 6.25 am (4 hours 25 minutes) – (Train number: Express 41).
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ETS from KL (Bandar Tasik Selatan) to Gemas and then to Tumpat, Kelantan
For the KTM Intercity train (not ETS but this type of train is VERY POPULAR AMONG TRAIN ENTHUSIASTS) from Gemas to Tumpat, Kelantan (the furthest track and end of the east coast), online ticket prices for an adult are:
a. MYR46 (lower berth / bottom bunk)
b. MYR40 (upper berth / top bunk)
c. MYR88 (seated for AFC class)
d. MYR34 (air-conditioned second-class seated)
Only night schedules are available:
a. Departure at 1.18 am and arrival at 12.54 pm on the same date (11 hours 36 minutes) – (Train number: Express 26).
Website for booking KTMB trains: https://www.ktmb.com.my/
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Example situations involving transit from KL to Johor Bahru
a. If departing from KL to Gemas with the ETS train at 12.35 pm, will arrive at 2.52 pm. Then take the KTM Intercity train from Gemas to Johor Bahru which will depart at 3.20 pm and arrive at 7.45 pm. So, the transit time in Gemas is 28 minutes.
b. If departing from KL to Gemas with the ETS train at 9.56 pm, will arrive at 12.10 am (the next date). Then take the KTM Intercity train from Gemas to Johor Bahru which will depart at 2.00 am and arrive at 6.25 am. So, the transit time in Gemas is 1 hour 50 minutes.
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Example situation involving transit from KL to Gemas and then to Tumpat, Kelantan
Note: There is only one train per day from Gemas to Tumpat, Kelantan. So, you MUST take the ETS train from KL at 9.56 pm.
a. If departing from KL to Gemas with the ETS train at 9.56 pm, will arrive at 12.10 am (next day). Then take the KTM Intercity train from Gemas to Tumpat, Kelantan which will depart at 1.18 am and arrive at 12.54 pm. So, the transit time in Gemas is 24 minutes.
IMPORTANT: DON’T FORGET! MANY PEOPLE GET THE DATE WRONG! For example, if the ETS train departs on January 15, 2023, at 9.56 PM but arrives at 12.10 AM, it means it arrives on January 16, 2023, NOT January 15, 2023. So, make sure to book the train ticket to Tumpat or Johor Bahru for January 16, 2023.
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Notes about Booking
On the KTMB website when booking tickets, Origin and Destination will show a different result. This means if you enter Origin as JB Sentral (Johor Bahru), Destination for stations in KL will not appear, only Gemas at the end. If Origin is entered as Gemas, only then will the Destination for KTMB stations in KL appear.
The journey time from JB Sentral (Johor Bahru) to Gemas takes over 4 hours. To Tumpat, Kelantan, it takes over 10 hours, covering a distance of more than 700 km. To avoid back pain from sitting for hours, Sleeper Berth is only available for the Tumpat destination as shown in the picture below, so don’t forget to book:
Alternative methods to connect Negeri Sembilan and Kuala Lumpur
For those coming from the south, you need to take the KTM Intercity train and transit in Gemas to switch to the ETS train, as ETS trains are limited to Gemas only. From there, there are two ways to connect between Gemas (Negeri Sembilan) and KL:
- Taking the ETS train from Gemas to KL: For this method, you need to ensure the schedule is on time. For example, if the ETS train ticket from Gemas is at 3.20 pm, you need to take the KTM Intercity and arrive in Gemas 1-2 hours before the ETS train departs at 4.00 pm.
- From Gemas station, take any public transportation to Pulau Sebang station in Tampin, Melaka. It’s quite far, around 56 km. Then from Tampin, you can take the KTM Komuter train. Refer to the KTM Komuter map below:
Note 1: It is not recommended to take the KTM Komuter for long distances. In this case, from Pulau Sebang to KL because Komuters usually have fewer seats. If you can stand for a long time, go ahead.
Note 2: THE JOURNEY FROM TERMINAL BANDAR TASEK SELATAN TO PULAU SEBANG (TAMPIN, MELAKA) TAKES 2 HOURS AND 13 MINUTES. KTM KOMUTER HAS NO TOILETS IN THE CARRIAGES!! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. CONTROL YOUR WATER INTAKE. IF NECESSARY, STOP AT ANY STATION AND GO TO THE TOILET. BUT YOU NEED TO WAIT 1-2 HOURS FOR THE NEXT KOMUTER TRAIN. IF YOU PLAN TO STOP HALFWAY TO GO TO THE TOILET, DON’T BUY THE MANUAL TICKET (TOKEN) DIRECT TO PULAU SEBANG. USE A TOUCH N GO CARD OR DEBIT CARD BECAUSE YOU CAN TAP THE CARD AT THE GATE TO EXIT TO THE TOILET LOCATED IN ANY STATION IN BETWEEN.
Surprised? Believe it! There is indeed a KTM Komuter train route from KL to Tampin (Melaka)! Click the map to enlarge.
Latest Pictures of Gemas Station
When I visited here, I found this station has safe free parking. Safe in the sense that it is located within the station area. However, there is no guarantee of security or the availability of empty parking spaces.
In my opinion, if you don’t want to take the ETS train from KL to Gemas or the KTM Intercity train from the south (JB Sentral in Johor Bahru) to Gemas, you can also drive here, park, and board the KTM Intercity to Tumpat, Kelantan. Some people do not have enough time and just want to try the KTMB sleeper berth without vacationing in Kelantan, and taking a round trip on the same day is enough. So it is very suitable for such people.
Bonus: Route Map of the KTMB Train in Malaysia
The mapping effort is owned by the bloggers www.zatiewanderer.com and www.trivacker.com. The locations are accurate based on existing KTMB stations along the train route.
Green – ETS train route from Gemas (Negeri Sembilan) to Padang Besar (Perlis)
Orange – KTM Intercity train route from JB Sentral (Johor Bahru) to Gemas (Negeri Sembilan)
Light Blue – KTM Intercity train route from Gemas (Negeri Sembilan) to Tumpat (Kelantan)
Dark Blue – Sabah train route from Tanjung Aru to Tenom
External Link: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1S6elA24Zyfps_rO6XzFiMMB4ylYtVcdZ&usp=sharing
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