If some roughing it out in a campervan in Malaysia isn’t your cup of tea, perhaps you’d fancy a comfortable commute via high-speed rail instead? It’s been a long time coming wrought with constant delays, but it’s finally happening: Starting from December 12, 2025, you’ll now be able to hop onto Malaysia’s Electric Train Service (ETS) for smooth train rides between Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur – making multi-city trips across the border easier than ever, especially if you don’t drive.
Currently, the ETS high-speed train runs from Kluang all the way to Padang Besar – close to the Thai border – with stops along places including Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Butterworth in Penang and more. The soon-to-be-completed route will finally bridge the gap between those locations and JB. While end-to-end journeys may only see a total of one trip per day each way, there will be a more frequent schedule for the shorter commute between JB and KL, according to Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
Together with the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link that’s slated to open in 2026, hopping abroad this train would allow for easy four-hour journeys between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and vice versa. Although a plane ride will get you from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur in just one hour, this train route is meant to be a more wallet-friendly option that’s suitable for those keen to make stops along the way – especially if you don’t drive, or would rather leave the steering to someone else and not go through the frustration of encountering traffic jams along the way.
More information on the train schedule and ticket prices will be announced in due time. Find out more about Malaysia’s ETS here.
READ MORE
A new luxury resort getaway just a 20-minute ferry ride from Singapore is now open
The 10 best-value travel destinations for Singaporeans in 2026