🚆 Railway in Malaysia
📍 Malaysia Train Map
🚉 Railway Routes
❓ FAQ + Travel Tips
🎫 Book Train Ticket
Malaysia has a railway and you can use modern fast trains.
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- Malaysia is a modern country and has a railway network, but it is not so large. There are still some places without railway connection and there is necessary to use bus transport. The railway network in Malaysia is operated by KTM Berhad, a corporation owned by the Malaysian government. KTM Berhad offers 2 types of train connection – KTM ETS and KTM Intercity. If you take a look on the railway map of Malaysia you will see 2 railway routes via Gemas Railway Station from the north to the south. Gemas Railway Station is the railway junction.
- KTM ETS is a high-speed rail service and operates along the electrified double-tracked stretch of the West Coast Line between Padang Besar and Gemas (via Butterworth and Kuala Lumpur Sentral). This KTM train travel up to 140 km/h, so we can say, it is a fast way of transport and also comfortable. KTM Intercity is a diesel-hauled rail service that runs along the West Coast Line between Gemas and Johor Bahru and along the East Coast Line between Gemas and Tumpat. KTM Intercity trains travel up to 110 km/h and there are also sleeper berths.
- Malaysia is a modern country and has a railway network, but it is not so large. There are still some places without railway connection and there is necessary to use bus transport. The railway network in Malaysia is operated by KTM Berhad, a corporation owned by the Malaysian government. KTM Berhad offers 2 types of train connection – KTM ETS and KTM Intercity. If you take a look on the railway map of Malaysia you will see 2 railway routes via Gemas Railway Station from the north to the south. Gemas Railway Station is the railway junction.
In Malaysia you can travel by KTM ETS and Intercity trains.
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- KTM Intercity has 2 train services: Ekspres trains stops only at major stations and Shuttle train stops at all stations of the line. KTM ETS train has seats, 2 classes – Seat and Business seat, KTM Intercity has Second class seat and Second class sleeper. The East Coast Line by KTM Intercity train is between Gemas and Tumpat. The railway line interconnects the East Coast states of Peninsular Malaysia. This train is also known as the „Jungle Train“.
- The Ekspres Rakyat Timuran long distance service and the Shuttle Timur local services run between between Johor Bahru and Tumpat. The Ekspress Selatan runs from Gemas to Johor Bahru (KTM Intercity train). This train connects the southern section of the West Coast Line. KTM ETS train is running from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth (Penang) – it is a popular travel route by tourists. You can book tickets for Malaysia trains easily online in advance. Below in this article you can see the most popular railway stations and railway map of Malaysia.
📍 Malaysia Railway Map:
Some small and not so important railway stations in Malaysia are not marked in this Google map. Red circle – the main and bigger railway stations (tourist places). Railway Map of Malaysia was updated in January 2024.
🚉 The most frequented railway routes in Malaysia:
1. Railway route from:
Kuala Lumpur → Penang
2. Railway route from:
Ipoh → Kuala Lumpur
3. Railway route from:
Johor Bahru → Kota Bharu
4. Railway route from:
Kuala Lumpur → Singapore
5. Railway route from:
Kuala Lumpur → Johor Bahru
6. Railway route from:
Johor Bahru → Kuala Lumpur
7. Railway route from:
Butterworth → Kuala Lumpur
8. Railway route from:
Kuala Lumpur → Kuala Perlis
9. Railway route from:
Kuala Perlis → Kuala Lumpur
10. Railway route from:
Kuala Lumpur → Ipoh
11. Railway route from:
Johor Bahru → Penang
12. Railway route from:
Kuala Lumpur → Alor Setar
13. Railway route from:
Kuala Lumpur → Gemas
BOOK a TOUR + TICKETS in Malaysia ➜
🚉 The most frequented railway stations in Malaysia:
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- Kuala Lumpur Sentral – Kuala Lumpur Sentral is a major transportation hub in Kuala Lumpur, providing connectivity between various modes of transportation such as trains, buses, and taxis.
- Gemas Railway Station – Gemas Railway Station serves as a crucial transit point for travelers heading southward, particularly towards Johor Bahru and Singapore.
- Butterworth Railway Station – Butterworth Railway Station, situated near Penang Island, serves as a gateway for travelers commuting between the mainland and the island.
- Johor Bahru Railway Station – Johor Bahru Railway Station, located near the city center, facilitates travel between Malaysia and Singapore, serving as a vital link in the railway network.
- Ipoh Railway Station – Ipoh Railway Station is renowned for its architectural beauty, blending colonial and Moorish influences, attracting both history enthusiasts and regular travelers.
- Padang Besar Railway Station – Padang Besar Railway Station serves as an international railway station, facilitating cross-border travel between Malaysia and Thailand.
- Tumpat Railway Station – Tumpat Railway Station, located in Kelantan, offers connections to various destinations in Peninsular Malaysia, making it an important transit point in the region.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions – Trains in Malaysia:
1. Are there trains in Malaysia?
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- Yes, sure, there are modern trains operated by KTM Berhad. There are highspeed trains seat and fast seat + sleeper trains from the north to the south of Malaysia via Gemas railway junction. KTM is a corporation owned by the Malaysia goverment.
2. How to book and buy train tickets in Malaysia?
3. What are the major railway stations in Malaysia?
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- The main and biggest railway station is Kuala Lumpur Sentral (the capital of Malaysia). Another most frequented stations are in Gemas, Butterworth, Ipoh, Kuala Lipis, Johor Bahru, Gua Musang and Tumpat.
4. Is there a train from Malaysia to Thailand?
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- There is a train (KTM ETS) from Kuala Lumpur to Padang Besar – border town with Thailand and from Pasir Mas to Rantau Panjang.
5. Is there a high-speed train in Malaysia?
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- Yes, KTM ETS train is the high-speed train operating on the West Coast Line between Padang Besar and Gemas.
6. What types of trains can tourists use in Malaysia?
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- There are 2 types of trains in Malaysia – KTM ETS and KTM Intercity trains. KTM ETS train is a seat train and KTM Intercity train offers also sleeper berths. KTM Intercity train from Gemas to Tumpat is also called like „Jungle Train“.
7. What types of trains you can use with KTM ETS train?
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- KTM ETS trains offer three types of service: ETS Platinum – it is the fastest service with minimal stops only at key stations, ETS Gold is a limited service stopping at major stations, and ETS Silver is a local service stopping at all the stations along the way.
8. What types of trains you can use with KTM Intercity train?
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- KTM Intercity train offers 2 types of train service – Ekspres train stops only at major stations and Shuttle stopping at all stations of the line.
9. What is the most frequented railway route in Malaysia?
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- One of the most frequented railway routes is from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth. From Butterworth you can get to Penang by private car, bus or ferry. Penang is the most popular tourist island in Malaysia.
10. How to travel from Johor Bahru to Tumpat?
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- If you want to travel to Tumpat (or Kota Bharu) from Johor Bahru you have to use KTM Intercity train – Ekspres Rakyat Timuran long distance train service and the Shuttle Timur local services run between between Johor Bahru and Tumpat
11. Which train you can use from Tumpat to Johor Bahru?
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- From Tumpat to Johor Bahru you can travel by Ekspres Rakyat Timuran, it is a KTM Intercity service. It connects the states along the East Coast of Malaysia.
12. What is the transportation in Malaysia, what tourists can use?
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- Travelers in Malaysia can use various modern tourist buses, domestic flights, KTM Berhad trains, private cars and nearby islands are accessible by various speedboats or ferries. Read this article: Transportation in Malaysia.
13. What is the railway schedule / timetable in Malaysia?
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- You can read and check this article: Malaysia Train Schedule.
| Train Type in Malaysia: | Description |
|---|---|
| Electric Train Service (ETS) | An express train service in Malaysia with electric trains. It offers faster travel times, comfortable seating, and air conditioning. ETS trains operate on major routes between cities. |
| KTM Intercity | A long-distance train service operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM). It connects various cities and towns across Malaysia. KTM Intercity trains provide different classes of seating and sleeping accommodations. |
| RapidKL LRT | A light rail transit system serving the Kuala Lumpur metropolitan area. It consists of several lines, providing convenient transportation within the city and connecting to major transportation hubs. |
| Komuter | A commuter train service operating in the Klang Valley region, including Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding areas. Komuter trains offer affordable fares and connect passengers to residential areas and business districts. |
| Monorail | A monorail system in Kuala Lumpur, offering a convenient way to travel within the city center. It connects popular tourist destinations and commercial areas. |
| ETS Platinum | A premium class service on the Electric Train Service (ETS) with enhanced amenities and a more luxurious travel experience. ETS Platinum trains offer spacious seating, onboard entertainment, and food services. |
| ETS Gold | A standard class service on the Electric Train Service (ETS) with comfortable seating and air conditioning. ETS Gold trains provide a reliable and efficient mode of transportation for passengers. |
🎫 Search and book your train tickets in Malaysia online:
(You can change your departure place, arrival, date of departure, eg. Kuala Lumpur to Gemas…)
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