Services along KTM’s electrified double track sectors have increased in numbers and destinations significantly since 10 October 2015 with the new timetable and the utilization of 4 new CSR ZELC ETS train sets. Travel times have also been cut significantly, with KL Sentral to Butterworth services, for example, now taking just 3 hours and 53 minutes.
KTM’s newest train readies herself for departure to Padang Besar from KL Sentral.
The new train’s external electronic display feature the train’s destination as well as the train number, useful at stations when there are multiple departures at the same time.
A sample of the train’s interior. The fabric is the same as the CSR ZELC SCS sets for KTM Komuter services.
Seats are arranged in a 2+2 formation.
Comparison of the seats in a reclined and upright position.
Tray tables and footrests are provided at each seat.
A power socket is also available under each pair of seats.
Retractable hangers are also provided by the window seat.
New features include a facing table seating, good for groups travelling in fours.
Luggage racks are also available at the end of the coach.
To access the various sections of the train, press the button to open the sliding doors.
In case of an emergency, intercoms and emergency brake handles are also found on board.
Television screens are also found around the coach to provide entertainment and train information.
The train travels in excess of 140km/h on most stretches of the electrified double track, providing a fast and smooth journey.
The journey includes passing through the Bukit Berapit Tunnel, the longest twin-bored tunnel in South East Asia.
Also over the Bukit Merah lake – the old single track alignment can be seen parallel to the new double track.
And over the Prai swing bridge above the Prai River (Sungai Perai) before entering Butterworth station.
The train makes a scheduled stop of 15 minutes at Butterworth to cater to the larger amount of passenger movement, as well as to facilitate the change of direction of the train, with the driver switching to the other cab to take the train to Padang Besar. The through train from Gemas to Padang Besar does not do this as it uses the Bukit Mertajam bypass line, without entering Bukit Mertajam and Butterworth stations.
Coach C is a unique coach as it has 2 additional features on board.
The ETS Bistro is found here, selling hot meals, sandwiches and drinks.
A small seating area is also available at the Bistro.
Cheese or sardine sandwiches go for RM3.20. Hot drinks are at RM3.
Hot meals such as Nasi Lemak and Bee Hoon Goreng go for RM6.20.
On board food is catered by Brahim’s Airline Catering Sdn Bhd, the same caterer for Malaysia Airlines from KLIA.
A Musholla, or prayer room, for Muslim passengers is also available in coach C.
The scenery changes once in the northern sector.
The ETS now bridges the northern states in intracity and intercity travels.
The journey on the EG9208 from KL Sentral to Padang Besar takes 5 hours and 40 minutes, but the smooth ride, power sockets, entertainment and onboard catering makes the journey less tiring.
The ETS terminates at Padang Besar, where you can wait for the International Express to Hat Yai and Bangkok, or you can walk over the Malaysia-Thailand border into Padang Besar, Thailand where you can continue your journey to Hat Yai with the Padang Besar – Hat Yai Shuttle Train.
The train will return back to KL Sentral as EG9209 departing at 4.15pm.
Book your tickets at any KTM Intercity ticket counter, online, or the KTMB-MobTicket app on Google Play.
Click here to visit the new ETS page.
KTM Train Ticket Booking Methods
- KTM Intercity counters
- Online from 12Go Asia (joint ticketing with connecting trains available)
- Online from BusOnlineTicket
- Online from Easybook
Online from the KTM E-Ticket System (additional RM2 surcharge)UNSTABLE: Proceed at your own risk.
Tickets are open for sale 30 days before departure.
Hotel Booking
Attractions Booking
How do I book tickets online?
- Click here for a step-by-step guide for 12Go Asia.
- Click here for a step-by-step guide for Easybook.
Click here for a step-by-step guide to the KTM E-Ticket System.UNSTABLE: Proceed at your own risk.
Links to the KTM E-Ticket System are strikethroughed due to KTM’s own admission of the instability of their system here after Prime Minister Najib Razak personally posted on Facebook that there is such an issue here. Proceed using the KTM E-Ticket System at your own risk.
Badly want to try this service but need to take a speed demon van from Hatyai at 6 Am first
Reblogged this on Berita Kereta Api Malaysia.
Hello, How long does it take for us to go to the market nearby and how do we get there?:)
Where’s this market that you are referring to?
If you are referring to Padang Besar, it’s walkable from the station.
If I’m buying ticket online, HOW DO I KNOW WHICH SEAT IS FACING FORWARD? I don’t want to travel backwards for 4 hours and THROW-UP all over the train….
Where are you travelling from and to?
Hello,
We would like to purchase 2x adult tickets for ETS train KL -Butterworth for Thursday 11February at 9.30am.
However as the person above comments we would like 2 forward facing seats due to motion sickness.
How do you purchase forward facing seats.
Cheers
Paul & Alison
You can request at the ticket counters.
Hi… I’m writing my own experience on ETS in my blog, I wanna ask for permission to use one of your picture (the power socket ones), is it OK? Thanks.
Ok sure.
Hi,
I would like to purchase 2x ticket from Alor Setar to Bandar Tasik Selatan through online.
I wish to have the 2x forward facing seats.
Appreciate if you could advise me which seats number should I choose.
Thanks.
Regards
https://railtravelstation.com/ktm-berhad/ets/ets-gold/
Hi, I’m traveling from kl- Butterworth in December. How soon can I purchase the tickets?
Tq
60 days before departure.
Hi, Im wondering if i have enough time to do all passport-chopped procedure to get Train to Hatyai which depart at 3.40pm if i arrive Padang Besar at 3.15pm.
Im planning on taking ETS which will be arrived at 12pm but 3 hours waiting will be tiring.
Yes.
Hello,does the ETS train from Bandar Tasek Selatan share the same railway with the KTM Intercity train? thanks
Of course, all KTM trains share the same track. However, there is no more KTM Intercity service between Padang Besar and Pulau Sebang (Tampin).
Hi,
I would like to purchase the ETS return trains from KL to Butterworth.
I’ll be travel with children and they will feel sick if the seat direction is backward.
I need advise :
1. how do I know which seat in which coach is forward seat for each direction?
2. What is the different between platinum and gold ETS?
Thank you.
Please visit the dedicated ETS Gold page, link found at the bottom of the post. If you missed it, it’s https://railtravelstation.com/ktm-berhad/ets/ets-gold/
I understand there are 8 seats on every coach that face each other. These seats are best for groups of friends and family. Can any one suggest, which are those seats numbers. We are a family of 4 , would prefer selecting these seats.
Train Details – ETS 9216 – KL to Butter worth – 21.30