This post is about the travel experience onboard the ETS Gold, Ekspres Selatan and Shuttle Tebrau.
Click here to visit the dedicated ETS Gold information page.
Click here to visit the dedicated Ekspres Selatan information page.
Click here to visit the dedicated Shuttle Tebrau information page.
Following the cessation of through KTM Intercity services on the electrified double track sectors and the truncation of KTM Intercity services to JB Sentral, the Kuala Lumpur to Singapore night journey is now broken and the journey takes 3 trains with 2 transfers.
The “night train” to Singapore from KL is first formed of the 9221dn ETS Gold service from Padang Besar.
This train departs KL Sentral at 1.22am.
The (lack of) passengers on board this train as compared to daytime trains due to the illogical arrangement.
It still gets full on peak days where people are desperate and bus tickets are sold out though.
Not going to get good sleep on the ETS thanks to you, KTM. The irony.
The 9221dn ETS Gold arrives at Gemas at 3.40am, a quick 2 hour and 18 minute journey from KL Sentral.
The 44up Ekspres Selatan arrived shortly after the arrival of the ETS, which means it was delayed. This train will form the 45dn Ekspres Selatan to JB Sentral.
Nevertheless, another easy cross-platform transfer between the 9221dn ETS Gold and the 45dn Ekspres Selatan.
A quick locomotive swap later, and this train is now officially the 45dn Ekspres Selatan. Looks like the previous locomotive might have a slight problem owing to the delay of the 44up.
The interior of my private ASC (INKA) coach. Or more like there’s no one taking this coach on my journey.
The ASC (INKA) seats are way more comfortable than the ones on the ETS, so I was able to sleep for a while.
This train departs Gemas at 4.10am, a 30 minute transit from the 9221dn.
I woke up with the sun as my alarm clock.
Arrived at JB Sentral at 8.25am.
To transfer to the Shuttle Tebrau, you need to go up to the waiting hall to cross over to Gate A of JB Sentral. The link from the platform to the immigration counter is no longer allowed to be used as it will cross into the path of Shuttle Tebrau passengers.
The last leg of this long and arduous journey – the 73dn Shuttle Tebrau.
This train departs at 9am.
The empty first coach of the train, since I took this train on a Sunday morning. The train is crowded towards the rear as that’s where the immigration doors at Woodlands Train Checkpoint are.
The 73dn Shuttle Tebrau arrived at Woodlands CIQ at 9.05am, but no photos are allowed, hence this plain paragraph here.
The total journey time from KL Sentral to Woodlands CIQ is 7 hours and 17 minutes.
After the timetable change on 1 February 2017, this combination will still be in existence, with a change in train numbers from 9221dn ETS Gold to 9525dn.
Would I recommend this journey to anyone?
Not at all. It’s tiring, time consuming and difficult to sleep in when seated (and awaken halfway) throughout the night. My non-existent neighbours on the ETS Gold and Ekspres Selatan made a wiser choice than I did.
Take the night bus instead.
This post is about the travel experience onboard the ETS Gold, Ekspres Selatan and Shuttle Tebrau.
Click here to visit the dedicated ETS Gold information page.
Click here to visit the dedicated Ekspres Selatan information page.
Click here to visit the dedicated Shuttle Tebrau information 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.