KTM Shuttle Tebrau 79dn Train from JB Sentral to Woodlands CIQ (Connection from Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn from Tumpat)
KTM Shuttle Tebrau 79dn is the daily 12.45pm train from JB Sentral to Woodlands CIQ, offering the shortest connection from Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn from Tumpat with only 5 minutes between scheduled Timuran arrival and Shuttle Tebrau gate closing. With such a short transit time, this is NOT ADVISABLE for a pre-planned connection. However, as my looked to be arriving at JB Sentral early, I bought my Shuttle Tebrau 79dn ticket on the KTMB Mobile app for an immediate departure while still on board the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn from Tumpat, so as to make this train journey from Bangkok to Singapore interestingly the shortest possible with this seamless transfer.
Chiang Mai to Singapore by Train
- Special Express 10 Uttrawithi from Chiang Mai to Bangkok Hua Lamphong by Train
- Special Express 37 Thaksin Express from Bangkok Hua Lamphong to Sungai Golok by Train in First Class (Air-Conditioned First Class Day & Night Coach (ANF))
- Cross-Border Walk from Sungai Golok (Thailand) to Rantau Panjang (Malaysia)
- Mutiara Rentas Desa Bus 29 from Rantau Panjang to Pasir Mas by Bus
- KTM Shuttle Timuran 56up from Pasir Mas to Tumpat by Train (61 Class DMU02 / 61102 Kota Bharu)
- KTM Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn from Tumpat to JB Sentral by Train
- KTM Shuttle Tebrau 79dn from JB Sentral to Woodlands CIQ by Train
Johor Bahru Sentral Railway Station (JB Sentral)
With my immediate connection, I simply hopped over from Gate B when arriving from the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn to Gate A to depart on the Shuttle Tebrau 79dn.
This allowed me good time to spare with the main crowd already boarded, and I have about 7 minutes left to scan through the Shuttle Tebrau Automated Control Gate (ACG).
Do note that such a comfortable and seamless transfer time is NOT POSSIBLE if the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn is on schedule. You will have only 5 minutes to get from the door of the train to the Shuttle Tebrau ACG, which may be an Amazing Race feat or simply impossible if there is a crowd blocking you.
Heading to the Shuttle Tebrau Automated Control Gates (ACG) at JB Sentral Gate A.
Scanning my passport at the Shuttle Tebrau Automated Control Gates (ACG). Your passport is your ticket.
My Shuttle Tebrau 79dn train information is displayed on the screen on the ACG once scanned correctly.
Heading down the escalator to Malaysia immigration.
Immigration counters are available on both sides at the end of the path.
I arrived at the waiting area after immigration, still needing to wait for the gate to open.
Heading down to Platform 4 for boarding.
25 Class Locomotive 25107 Pulau Langkawi will be hauling my Shuttle Tebrau 79dn on the southern end.
Boarding my Shuttle Tebrau 79dn, formed fully of 4 ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) coaches.
The interior of the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) coach, with 60 seats in a 2+2 configuration in a fixed forward or reverse direction.
The legroom on board the ASC (Hyundai-Padu Sedia) coach.
A tray table is also provided on the seat back in front.
My Shuttle Tebrau 79dn departed from JB Sentral at 12.48pm – 3 minutes delayed.
Heading out of JB Sentral.
Looking back at the Johor Bahru city skyline. Felt like I had never stepped in JB for this super short transit.
Heading under the Johor-Singapore Causeway viaduct.
Looking back at R&F Princess Cove on the left.
The Causeway water pipeline runs beside the railway tracks.
Crossing the international border from Malaysia to Singapore.
Entering Singapore on the Johor-Singapore Causeway.
Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ)
Singapore immigration and customs clearance follows at Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ). Photos and videos are not allowed to be taken inside Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ).
The façade of Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ).
Bus Stop 46069 (Woodlands Train Checkpoint)
Bus Stop 46069 (Woodlands Train Checkpoint) has many buses continuing onwards to various MRT stations.
Conclusion
It is a nice end to my train journey from Chiang Mai to Singapore, arriving by the properly Shuttle Tebrau 79dn onto Singapore soil. Unfortunately, Woodlands Train Checkpoint (Woodlands CIQ) is just barely a few meters away from the coast of mainland Singapore, but Sigapore land is Singapore land I guess. An arrival at Tanjong Pagar Railway Station would have been much more grand and would feel like a proper end to the train journey from Chiang Mai, but that’s not possible now.
Chiang Mai to Singapore by Train
- Special Express 10 Uttrawithi from Chiang Mai to Bangkok Hua Lamphong by Train
- Special Express 37 Thaksin Express from Bangkok Hua Lamphong to Sungai Golok by Train in First Class (Air-Conditioned First Class Day & Night Coach (ANF))
- Cross-Border Walk from Sungai Golok (Thailand) to Rantau Panjang (Malaysia)
- Mutiara Rentas Desa Bus 29 from Rantau Panjang to Pasir Mas by Bus
- KTM Shuttle Timuran 56up from Pasir Mas to Tumpat by Train (61 Class DMU02 / 61102 Kota Bharu)
- KTM Ekspres Rakyat Timuran 27dn from Tumpat to JB Sentral by Train
- KTM Shuttle Tebrau 79dn from JB Sentral to Woodlands CIQ by Train