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 the ferry to George Town on Penang Island. As one of Malaysia’s top destinations, there are plenty of things to do in Penang; visit the excellent On Penang website for inspiration on how to make the most of your time on the island.
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Route map and details
Padang Besar is the start and end point of Malaysia’s West Coast Line, which runs all the way from here to the border with Singapore at Johor Bahru. For the majority of the route, the Padang Besar to Butterworth train uses the mainline, before veering off onto the Butterworth branch line for the final 10km of the journey.
Timetables
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There are eighteen trains per day from Padang Besar to Butterworth. As this is mainly a commuter service, the frequency of services drops in the late morning and early afternoon.
How to buy tickets
It’s usually easier to buy Malaysian train tickets online using a ticket agency such as Baolau, but the Padang Besar to Butterworth trip is one of the few journeys that can only be booked either at the station or via the official KTMB website (select ‘Komuter’ then ‘Komuter Utara’ from the top menu) on the day of travel.
You can also ‘tap in and out’ using a contactless credit card or with Touch n Go.
This is KTMB’s Komuter service, aimed at mass-transit commuter traffic, so you won’t be allocated a reserved seat; it’s first-come first-served, although it’s usually possible to get a seat at Padang Besar if you board early. Tickets can’t sell out so you’ll definitely be able to board the train, even if you have to stand.
How much does it cost?
Tickets from Padang Besar to Butterworth cost:
| Class | Cost (RM) |
|---|---|
| Unreserved seat | 11.40 |
What to expect onboard
Padang Besar station isn’t well organised, with almost nothing in the way of departure boards or information. The occasional announcements are barely audible so your best bet is to head down to the platform as early as possible and follow the crowds when it’s time to board.
As far as we could see, there are no departure boards on the platform itself, so do make sure you’re boarding the correct train (you can’t trust the display boards on the train itself, ours seemed to think we were in Gemas, which is several hundred kilometres away).
Unlike the ETS and Intercity trains that run elsewhere on the Malaysian railway network, the Komuter trains have little in the way of comfort, character or ambience. Instead, they’re focused on moving as many people as possible from A to B, so you should manage your expectations before boarding. If you’ve recently arrived into Malaysia on the sleeper train from Thailand, Padang Besar station and the Komuter trains aren’t the best introduction to the country.
The rolling stock is made up of modern electric trains, so they are efficient and reliable. Trains can be at capacity during busy periods, so it will be difficult to find a seat if you haven’t boarded at Padang Besar. By the time the train has made its first few stops, it’ll be standing-room only.
As this is a mass-transit service, you won’t be given a reserved seat and there aren’t many attempts to make the journey particularly comfortable or memorable. Seating is either along the side of the carriage, or in pairs of seats either side of the aisle.
Three-pin plug sockets are available next to some of the seats (it’s pot-luck as to whether they work).
In general, the Komuter trains don’t feel like a premium service. Several of the carriage windows on our trip had been vandalised and not yet been repaired, and the lack of toilets, no catering options, and poor signage on the platforms, all remove something from the overall experience.
What are the toilets like?
There are no toilets onboard Komuter trains.
Catering options
There are no catering options on this service, nor can you consume your own food and drink onboard.
Journey description
If you manage to get a seat next to a window, the first hour or so of the journey is the most interesting, with excellent views across the mountains, waterways and nature reserves, where you’ll be able to spot all kinds of birdlife. After Anak Bukit, the views are less impressive and the carriages become fuller at each stop.
Many people disembark at Bukit Mertajam and the train is often much quieter as you approach Butterworth and the end of the line.
Useful reads before you go:
Top tips for Southeast Asia train travel
Reasons why you should travel by train around Southeast Asia
The BEST train journeys in Southeast Asia
10 essentials experienced travellers always take on trains in Southeast Asia
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