KTM ETS service is a relaxed way to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Gemas in the south of Peninsular Malaysia. Furthermore, it connects with the Ekspres Selatan to Johor Bahru and the Shuttle Tebrau to Singapore.
The train journey from Kuala Lumpur to Gemas takes 2h 30m. It costs only 7.5 USD. Now you can easily book your train tickets in Malaysia with Baolau.
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KTM ETS train service
KTM Berhad, or KTMB for short, is the main railway operator in Peninsular Malaysia. The operator provides regional, inter-city and commuter services across the national rail network. Currently, KTMB offers passenger services including KTM Intercity, ETS and KTM Komuter.
In general, the Kuala Lumpur–Gemas route is not a crowded line despite being served only by few ETS services daily. However, it is used by travellers who wish to take a journey to the southern states. From here, they can visit the city of Malacca or reach Johor Bahru, the gateway to Singapore.
For those passengers coming from the northern states. There are ETS services departing from Butterworth and Padang Besar bound to Gemas. It is not necessary to transit in Kuala Lumpur if you travel from north-to-south. However, as the electrified double track has not reached all the way down south to Johor Bahru yet. The modern upgraded line along with ETS services currently ends at Gemas, which is around the middle point between Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru.
ETS, shortform for ‘Electric Train Service’, is provided by the most modern trains on KTM’s network. It runs at a maximum speed of 140 km/h on electrified double track sectors. ETS trains can be divided in three services: Platinum, Gold and Silver.
ETS Platinum is the fastest service with limited stops only at key stations. ETS Gold is the most common service available that stops at the major stations along the route. ETS Silver provides an all-stop service with the lowest fares.
Departure from Kuala Lumpur
KL Sentral is the main railway hub of Kuala Lumpur. It connects with KTM Komuter, RapidKL LRT Kelana Jaya Line, RapidKL Monorail Line, RapidKL MRT Sungai Buloh – Kajang Line, KLIA Ekspres, KLIA Transit, intercity buses from KLIA, KLIA2 and Genting Highlands, local RapidKL buses, and free GoKL buses.
All ETS trains depart from Gate B at Level 2, which is one floor above the main concourse. Large signs around the area point towards the correct gate. There are seats around Gate B to wait around. Should you be early for your train.
Boarding for the ETS Gold to Gemas will be called approximately 10 minutes before departure. As it isn’t much time, you should be ready at the gate by then. Once the train is ready for boarding, present your ticket to the staff at the gate to proceed down to the platform. If you book your train tickets online with Baolau, show a printed copy or a digital copy of the e-ticket in your mobile phone or tablet.
ETS Gold trains are usually formed of 93 Class 6-car train sets manufactured by CRRC Zhuzhou. For instance, Coach F on the Ipoh / Butterworth / Padang Besar (north) end and Coach A on the Gemas (south) end.
Trains may depart from either Platform 1 or 2. Last minute platform changes may not be reflected on the information screens. So pay attention to the announcements of the on-ground staff.
As some ETS trains to Gemas are through services from Butterworth or Padang Besar. The train will enter the platform at KL Sentral. It will stop for few minutes so that passengers can alight and board.
Passenger Experience
In the 93 Class train set, there is only one class of travel on board, in a 2+2 seating configuration.
Seats can be reclined. There is a power socket underneath the pair of seats. Seats are sufficiently comfortable for half-day ride. The train also is equipped with on-board washrooms and a Bistro where you can buy food and beverages.
The Bistro is located at Coach C in the middle of the train. If you are planning to continue your journey south to Johor Bahru by train. You should purchase your meal here as there will be limited options at Gemas Railway Station. There is no catering service on board the Ekspres Selatan.
I bought myself a Lasagna set for this journey. The set which comes with a small bottle of mineral water costs RM9.
The journey
The ETS service to Gemas takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes. The train usually runs pretty empty. Mainly, because it is a hassle to travel south and exchange trains. Most passengers are travelling to towns along the ETS route such as Kajang, Seremban or Pulau Sebang / Tampin. Only few of them connect with the Ekspres Selatan onwards to Johor Bahru.
The skyline of Kuala Lumpur is about 10 minutes out of KL Sentral. That is an apt sight to bid goodbye to the capital of Malaysia from the train.
As this is a short trip as compared with Butterworth or Padang Besar. The on-board Bistro may close pretty early too, upon arrival at Seremban. If you are looking to purchase meals on board, be sure to show up early.
Whether you sit on the passenger car or the restaurant car, you get to enjoy the breathtaking views of the nature that Malaysia has to offer. It makes the journey more pleasing to the eye than travelling by bus or by plane.
Arrival into Pulau Sebang / Tampin, access to Malacca
If you are heading to Malacca, Pulau Sebang / Tampin is the closest train station. It takes 1 hour away by taxi or 1.5 hours by bus to the oldest historic city on the Straits of Malacca.
Taxis to downtown Malacca are available at the station. Be sure to discuss a fair price with the driver first. Alternatively, you can walk about 1 kilometer to the bus station and catch a public bus to Melaka Sentral bus terminal. A big Mydin store is along the way if you wish to grab a meal or shop for some travel supplies.
Arrival into Gemas Railway Station, connect with train to Johor Bahru
The train continues its journey to Gemas for another 40 minutes.
Gemas is the southernmost end of the ETS route. It is also the end of the electrified double-track sector. From here, you may change to the Ekspres Selatan to continue your journey onwards to JB Sentral station in Johor Bahru.
If you are connecting with the train to Johor Bahru, you will need to head upstairs to the waiting area.
The waiting area is up the bridge, near the ticket counters.
How to book your train tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Gemas
Even though the ETS train service from Kuala Lumpur to Gemas rarely sells out. We still recommend that you book your train tickets in advance to secure your seats and carry your electronic tickets, avoiding any queue at the station.
Baolau lists the ETS services available, so you can compare and select the most convenient schedule and price.
Fill in the passenger form and select your seat. Proceed to complete the payment before submitting your booking request. Once your reservation is confirmed, you will receive an email with the electronic tickets attached.
The electronic tickets are valid boarding passes. You can use to board the KTM train at the departure station. Passengers can print the e-ticket in advance or carry a digital copy in the mobile phone or tablet and present it before boarding.
