Ten trains run from Johor Bahru to Gemas, nine of them ETS and one the Ekspres Rakyat Timuran (ERT), which goes on to the east coast. The ETS takes between 1 hour 50 minutes and 2 hours 10 minutes, and the ERT takes 3 hours 10 minutes, to cover 196 km.
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How to buy tickets
It’s easiest to book online using Baolau, where you can check routes, availability and buy tickets. Baolau also lets you choose seats on the ETS and Intercity trains, showing real-time availability.
All trains are available to book online apart from the KTM Komuter, which must be bought at the station on the day of travel. You cannot reserve a seat on the Komuter trains but they can’t sell out, so you’ll always be able to at least get onboard, even if all the seats are taken.
Tickets can also be bought at stations for the ETS or Intercity services. Unless you have a good reason to, there’s no need to buy at the station, online is easier.
How far ahead you can book depends on the train and how much of the route you ride. KTMB releases tickets in monthly batches, usually about 6 months ahead, but release dates vary. Travel up to 31 Dec 2026 is on sale now. For full details on booking windows, see the when to book Malaysia train tickets guide.
Johor Bahru to Gemas train tickets
About the route
The ETS leaves JB Sentral from 07:00 to 17:30, and the ERT, the overnight train up the east coast to Tumpat, leaves in the evening, at 19:30. The two do not compete: the ETS is the fast way to Gemas and on to Kuala Lumpur, and the ERT is for people who are going up the east coast.
The ETS tickets are released in monthly batches about six months in advance, so you may need to book early for a peak weekend. JB Sentral is next to the Johor Bahru CIQ checkpoint, so it is a convenient start if you are crossing from Singapore, since the Shuttle Tebrau from Woodlands North brings you to the same station.
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