Malaysia train travel guide (2026)

With improvement works taking place and investment across the entire network, the future for Malaysia’s railway network looks bright.

Railways are a key component of Malaysia’s transport network, running all the way from the northern border with Thailand, past the major population centres of Penang and Kuala Lumpur, and continuing south to the Singapore border. Don’t forget about the scenic line, affectionately known as the Jungle Line (officially the East Coast Line), which connects the eastern states to the wider network. For those travellers looking to spend a night on the rails, the Jungle Line offers one of Southeast Asia’s most enjoyable sleeper train journey.

Significant investment has been made to the West Coast Line in recent years, leading to faster journeys and more reliable connections. With further improvements planned in the near future, Malaysia’s railway network appears to be going from strength to strength.

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Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia

This guide focuses on the railway network in Peninsular Malaysia, where the vast majority of the routes, investment and passenger numbers are. The only railway in East Malaysia is Borneo’s Sabah State Railway, which connects Kota Kinabalu and Tenom.

How to buy Malaysian train 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 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.

Main train routes in Malaysia

The two main train routes in Malaysia are the West Coast Main Line and East Coast Line (sometimes called the Jungle Line), both run by the national railway company, KTMB. The major junction between the two lines is at Gemas.

You can check the live location of trains running in Malaysia on our Malaysia Train Tracker page.

West Coast mainline

The West Coast line runs the entire length of the country, from the border with Thailand at Padang Besar, to the Singapore border at Johor Bahru. Three separate services run on the line (ETS, Komuter and Intercity), although the latter will be phased out on the West Coast Line in 2026 when the electrification works on the line are complete.

KTM ETS

Over the past twenty years there have been significant improvements to the line, largely focused on electrification and double-tracking. After several delays and false starts, the project to link Johor Bahru to Padang Besar is finally complete, with KTM ETS (Electric Train Service) trains capable of travelling at 100mph now running the length of the country.

KTM ETS routes (and vice versa):

KTM Intercity

Slower, diesel-powered KTM Intercity trains also run along the line, predominantly linking Johor Bahru and Gemas (half way between KL and Johor Bahru), although some seasonal diesel trains further north are also in operation, e.g. between KL Sentral and Hat Yai in Thailand.

The International Express also used the line from Padang Besar to Butterworth (having originated in Bangkok), but as of 2016 it terminates at the border and heads back to Bangkok. Plans have been announced for this service to once again run through to Butterworth, but dates are still to be confirmed.

KTM Intercity West Coast Line routes (and vice versa):

KTM Komuter

KTM Komuter trains run on sections of the line, including Padang Besar to Butterworth, Ipoh to Butterworth, and several routes around Kuala Lumpur. As the name suggests, these services are aimed primarily at commuters travelling around Malaysia’s major population centres. Tickets cannot be booked in advance, and seats cannot be reserved.

Leisure travellers using the rail network are most likely to use the Komuter service to travel from Padang Besar to Butterworth (and vice-versa) when heading into or out of Thailand.

KTM Komuter routes (and vice versa):

East Coast Line

Also known as the Jungle Line, the East Coast Line travels from Johor Bahru to Tumpat via Gemas (the junction with the West Coast line). Although its name suggests coastal views, the line doesn’t reach the east coast until the very end of the route, arriving in Tumpat, just a few kilometres from the Thai border and Kota Bharu, the state capital of Kelantan.

This is only overnight sleeper in Malaysia, with open plan second-class sleeper carriages available on the seventeen hour journey. Services on the East Coast Line are branded as KTM Intercity.

KTM Intercity East Coast Line routes (and vice versa):

What are the Malaysian trains like?

Malaysia has invested heavily in its railway infrastructure and this extends to the train carriages, which are almost all modern and comfortable. In 2025, several new carriages were ordered for the new ETS trains (designed in China and assembled locally), with more set to be delivered as the service frequency increases.

KTM ETS

Onboard the ETS trains, you can expect a comfortable ride with modern amenities, including air-conditioning, reclining seats, information boards, clean toilets, prayer rooms, a buffet car, and charging points. Many routes are extremely popular, especially during weekends and public holidays, so be sure to book in advance.

All ETS routes take one of three designations:

• Express – the premium and fastest trains, only stopping at major stations and are usually about 10% more expensive. Listed as EX on timetable.
• Platinum – the next level down, but still a reliable and efficient service. Listed as EP on timetable.
• Gold – stopping at almost all stations along the route, Silver Class feels a lot slower, but is a few ringgits cheaper. Listed as EG on the timetable.

One business class carriage is available on the Express and Platinum services, offering larger seats, TV screen and a free meal. They’re significantly more expensive than standard class and not really worth the extra expense.

KTM Intercity

Similar to the ETS trains, KTM Intercity is a pleasant onboard experience, with four separate classes to choose from:

• Aircon Premier Class
• Aircon Superior Class
• Aircon Standard Class
• Superior Night Sleeper

The first three classes offer carriages with traditional upright seats. Premier Class provides extra space, with seats arranged 1 × 2, while the other classes use a 2 × 2 layout. As you move down the classes, seats become progressively less comfortable, but they remain more than adequate for shorter journeys.

As these trains cater for the overnight sleeper service, it’s a good idea to book a Superior Night Sleeper berth. These are open plan carriages similar to sleepers in Thailand, with privacy curtains and a washroom at either end of the carriage.

Unlike in some other countries, the beds aren’t converted into normal seats during the daytime, so consider booking a separate ticket in the seating classes for the daytime portion of the journey.

KTM Komuter

Komuter trains are the least romantic of Malaysia’s three services, more like mass transit and aimed at commuters. Since you can’t pre-book tickets or seats, you might board and find no available seat, and luggage storage is limited. If you board at Padang Besar, the train is usually quiet and it’s easy to get a seat, though it fills up as you head south, particularly around Arau and Alor Setar.

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