KTM KL-Padang Besar Special Overnight Train for Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2026
KTM Berhad is marking the coming festive season with a special KL-Padang Besar overnight train service: the Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri Northern Edition (ELA Utara). The additional overnight train services are positioned as special excursion trains, offering a time-effective overnight journey between Kuala Lumpur Sentral (KL Sentral) and Padang Besar, saving on 1 night of accommodation while on the move.
This special train will operate four (4) services, offering 1,200 Superior Class seating tickets at a one-way fare of RM70.00. The train will operate on 17 March and 22 March (KL Sentral – Padang Besar) and 18 March and 23 March (Padang Besar – KL Sentral).
The ELA Utara special train is provided to help the public plan their journeys home earlier and more comfortably during the tail end of Ramadan and for Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations. Ticket sales for ELA Utara will begin on Friday, 30 January 2026, at 12.00pm.
Ekspres Lambaian Aidilfitri Northern Edition (ELA Utara)
This special KL-Padang Besar overnight train service link KL Sentral directly with 12 key stations including KL Sentral, Sungai Buloh, Tanjung Malim, Kampar, Batu Gajah, Ipoh, Kuala Kangsar, Taiping, Sungai Petani, Alor Setar, Arau, and Padang Besar. This route makes the train particularly attractive for those returning to northern states, as well as railway fans seeking to experience the seasonal run of a locomotive-hauled train on the electrified double-track sector.
Only 1 travel class is available on board the special ELA Utara train service – ASC (Air-conditioned Second Class) seats. There is an ABC (Air-conditioned Buffet Coach) or café providing food and drinks, and a Chillax Coach fitted with artificial grass and beanbags, which can also be used as a surau when required.
| Date | Route | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 & 22 Mar 2026 | KL Sentral – Padang Besar | 10:30 PM | *7:28 AM (Next day) |
| 18 & 23 Mar 2026 | Padang Besar – KL Sentral | 10:00 PM | *6:44 AM (Next day) |
This train will stop at 12 stations: KL Sentral, Sungai Buloh, Tanjung Malim, Kampar, Batu Gajah, Ipoh, Kuala Kangsar, Taiping, Sungai Petani, Alor Setar, Arau, and Padang Besar.
According to KTMB Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Azlan Shah Al Bakri, “The introduction of these special trains during the festive season is part of KTMB’s commitment to supporting national mobility. By encouraging more people to travel by rail, we can help reduce road congestion and ensure smoother and safer journeys back to hometowns.”
Travel Tips and Customer Support
Passengers are advised to purchase tickets via cashless transactions through the KTM Mobile (KITS Style) app, KTMB’s official website, or ticket kiosks to secure their seats and enjoy flexi-fares if and while lower. As of 1 January 2025, KTMB has fully transitioned to a cashless ticketing system.
Passengers are also encouraged to arrive at stations 30 minutes before departure for smoother documentation processes, as boarding gates will close 5 minutes prior to departure to ensure a seamless and comfortable journey.
For further enquiries, please contact the KTMB Call Centre at 03-9779 1200 or visit KTMB’s official social media channels.