The Senandung Sutera is no longer in operation.
There are no more direct train services between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur or northern destinations. You must change trains at JB Sentral and Gemas.
- Woodlands CIQ – JB Sentral: Shuttle Tebrau
- JB Sentral – Gemas: Shuttle (JB Sentral – Gemas)
- Gemas – KL Sentral/Ipoh/Butterworth/Padang Besar: ETS Gold/ETS Platinum
The classic journey from Bangkok to Singapore goes through three popular Southeast Asian countries, passing through historical places of worship, rice plantations and villages, along with the modern bustling metropolises embracing the past.
Continuing from the previous post, my journey from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore was taken at night, so not much scenery to talk about here since the Senandung Sutera departs at 11pm and arrives in Johor Bahru (Malaysian Immigration) at around 6.15am.
You enter the platform at Gate B near the bookshop and money changer if you’re heading for a train travelling south of KL. Most of the time, you would turn left from the escalator to board your train at Platform 2. This is to prevent confusion for those travelling north of KL departing from Gate A near KFC where their train would be waiting at Platform 1. Everyone knows their correct train by this method, even if they see 2 identical trains on either side.
You will be looking for Woodlands as your destination instead of Singapore, as shown in your ticket as well. The name Singapore was used for the defunct Tanjong Pagar Railway Station (Station Code 38900) and for ticketing reasons as well as to prevent confusion, Woodlands CIQ (Station Code 37600) is used to recalculate new fares and get everyone to know where exactly they’re departing from.
The 25dn Senandung Sutera prepares to head for Woodlands CIQ.
The standard second class sleeper is available here too.
After departure, the canteen staff goes through the aisle trying to sell you supper. Grab a bite if you wish, but a drink might be enough, considering you would want to get some sleep during the journey.
You will arrive in Johor Bahru, JB Sentral station, where you will go through customs and immigration formalities for exiting Malaysia. Bring all your belongings with you. Washrooms are available before and after immigration, so there’s no need to wake up earlier to use the train’s.
After a brief stop, the train continues on to Woodlands CIQ in just 5 minutes where you will go through Singapore’s entry immigration and customs procedures. The queue gets very long during weekday mornings, so you may want to head for the last coach after reboarding the train at JB Sentral as it is the nearest to the counters.
Taxis are available outside Woodlands CIQ, or you can check out suggested journeys on public transport here. Phototaking is not allowed anywhere in Woodlands CIQ. Woodlands CIQ is a very abrupt and non-emotional end to the long journey, but at least your journey still ends in Singapore. By 2018, all trains will terminate at JB Sentral station when the supposed JB-Singapore RTS will apparently be completed.
Check out our Bangkok to Singapore series here!
Bangkok to Singapore by Rail Part 1 – Bangkok to Hat Yai/Butterworth
Bangkok to Singapore by Rail Part 2 – Hat Yai/Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur
Bangkok to Singapore by Rail Part 3 – Kuala Lumpur to Singapore (Woodlands CIQ)
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