Malaysia

For most travellers arriving overland from Thailand, Padang Besar is the entry point into Malaysia. Like most border towns, it’s nondescript and slightly soulless, but it marks the northernmost point of the country’s railway network and is directly linked to Kuala Lumpur by a modern and comfortable train service. Route map and details Padang Besar…

Padang Besar marks the northernmost point of Malaysia’s railway network. As the gateway to neighbouring Thailand, it’s a key hub in the region’s transport infrastructure, processing thousands of travellers a year through its compact station. If you’re in Kuala Lumpur and intend to travel overland to Thailand, the best option is one of the comfortable…

Special Express train number 46 travels 1000km from the Malaysia/Thai border at Padang Besar to Bangkok. By the time you arrive in Thailand’s capital city, you’ll have completed one of the best train journeys in Southeast Asia. This international train operates as a comfortable and convenient overnight sleeper service, departing Padang Besar in the late-afternoon…

Padang Besar is the gateway to Malaysia from Thailand, marking the border crossing and the most northerly point on the Malaysia’s railway network. After arriving, many travellers set their sights on Butterworth, 170km to the south, which is linked by a reliable, basic, and affordable train service. Consider spending an afternoon in Butterworth before taking…

Butterworth is the gateway to Penang Island and an important station on Malaysia’s West Coast railway line. Many travellers making their way through Peninsular Malaysia include a stop in Butterworth to explore Penang, before jumping back onto the train and continuing northwards to Thailand on the sleeper train. The journey from Butterworth to Padang Besar…

Ipoh is a popular weekend escape from Kuala Lumpur and also a common stop for travellers heading south through Malaysia from Thailand or Penang. Whatever brings you here, the next logical destination is usually Kuala Lumpur, which can be reached easily on one of eighteen daily ETS services. Route map and details Ipoh is the…

Whether you’re travelling to Ipoh to explore the city or using it as a base for visiting the nearby Cameron Highlands, it’s only a simple two-hour journey from Kuala Lumpur. Eighteen comfortable and reliable trains run the route each day, arriving at Ipoh’s glorious historic railway station (pictured above). Route map and details Kuala Lumpur…

After visiting Penang Island, many travellers return to the mainland by ferry and catch a train from Butterworth. The most common onward destination is Kuala Lumpur, with trains arriving at the modern KL Sentral station. With seven ETS trains running each day, the journey is extremely popular with both locals and tourists, so it’s best…

Thanks to recent improvements on Malaysia’s West Coast railway line, a direct train now operates from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru, reducing journey times and greatly simplifying the journey between two of the country’s most important cities. Route map and details Malaysia’s West Coast Line has been upgraded in recent years and it’s now electrified…