Trains, Kuala Lumpur

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The 6-hour train ride from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is safe, smooth, comfortable, and easy. We took the sleeper class. Though the price may be double than that of SG-MY bus/coaches, the train ride is definitely worth the SGD 40. I slept well during the ride... and the sheets and blanket are clean. They even provide plastic bags in case you'll get motion sickness and you need to take "it"all out during the trip.

The train departs from Woodlands Train Checkpoint in Woodlands. To get to Woodlands Train Checkpoint, we took the MRT to Ang Mo Kio station. From Ang Mo Kio, we took another train, the red line of SG MRT to Kranji station. From Kranji, we took the bus with the Woodlands, JB/Larkin signboard. I forgot to take the bus number, I think it was bus 170. You can also ask the driver if the bus stops at Woodlands Train Checkpoint.

It is recommended to book your train seats by emailing callcenter@ktmb.com.my. Indicate the train name and number, passenger names and passport numbers, origin and destination points, and date of departure. You can also purchase online via www.ktmb.com.my. Note that tickets can only be claimed at 'KTMB ticketing office in Woodlands Train Station.

You may also want to read more on SG-MY train at http://www.seat61.com/Malaysia.htm

once I had actually found the train times, I waited till KL to buy my ticket at the station, (KL Sentraal) in person. And as the station was one of the stops on the sightseeing bus tour, I "hopped off", bought the ticket, (and one for Ipoh as well), and "hopped back on again"

(And the tour bus is worth taking, anyway)

I travelled on the overnight sleeper from KL to Singapore last November; personally I thought it was civilised and enjoyable, but that, of course, isn't everybody's idea of fun/pleasure. Cheap as well: as I am over 65, it cost me the equivalent of just over GBP12.00 return. We arrived in SG more or less on time at about 9 a.m.

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An 8 hour train journey up from Singapore for us, the service is operated by Malaysian Railways and operates 2 or 3 times daily.
We thought it was worth paying the small extra cost for an aircon carriage. Interesting and relaxing journey through mostly jungle and small towns, sure the plane is faster but for me not so enjoyable.
Arrival is at KL Sentral station.

Komuter train is a train service operated by KTM Berhad (intercity train company). Komuter is good for transporting passengers to places outside of the city. The fare is cheap compared to Monorail and LRT. Tourist day pass is available at RM12. It is valid for an unlimited travel on the KTM Komuter trains for one day to any destination within the KTM Komuter network.

Komuter train has 2 routes:
Rawang - Seremban
Sentul - Pelabuhan Klang (Port Klang)

Some useful stations on Komuter services are:
1. Midvalley - for shopping
2. Bank Negara - near to city hall and Sultan Abdul Samad Building
3. Kuala Lumpur - the historical train station of Kuala Lumpur, about 15 minutes walk to Chinatown & Central Market
4. KL Sentral - Interchange to other train lines, LRT and Monorail
5. Putra - Walking distance to Putra World Trade Center

Until I read this post I never thought about the different companies etc
We were staying near KLsentral and all the stuff seemed to be there and seamless to use.
We really thought the KL transport and airport links were among the easiest - given we always went back to sentral.
Check out the travel guides on this site "kuala lumpur /transportation" there are some gems in there
try www.myrapid.com.my/rail/routes - it seems to put all of them in one package
(which was how we saw it)
dare I say it - have a look in your copy of The Lonely Planet, that was really helpful too
I can recommend the jump on jump off tourist bus as well if you're just being a tourist like us, "doing the sites"

enjoy KL it's a great place to visit and only bring home the great memories
Don

From Mid Valley take the train to KL Sentral Station (one stop), the Genting Bus Terminal is located at lower gound of Kl sentral.

For pricing & departure schedule refer
http://www.gogenting.com.my/en/express/klsentral.htm

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When in Kuala Lumpur (K L ) as the locals call it I found the local train system to be an absolutely practical way to get around anywhere in the city...there is a Metro System that operates regularly , is fast, efficient, clean, and I must say in peak hours ( like everywhere ) gets very crowded...A travel ticket is available for weekly or daily travel...speak to staff at train station..I purchased one and when I was finished using the ticket I simply was refunded the balance..its a great system...not only Metro but Monorail as well...then of course the long distance International Trains are available south to Singapore or north to Bangkok in Thailand.for info on this international train..(SEE MY H.P. TRAVELOGUE AROUND THE WORLD BY TRAIN #2 ASIA).

When is a train not a train? When you are in KL and there are three different "trains"!

It took a bit of getting used to but at last I have it. KL has 3 different rail networks: the KL monorail, the LRT - light rail transit and the KTM Komuter.

It was confusing having to go from monorail to LRT to KTM when I wanted to get somewhere but after getting hold of a map ( in The Ultimate Guide) I got it together and founf it easy to get around using these three trains. You can't always get the destination tickety at the station but the staff were great in always telling me where I would need to change and to what line etc.

When going well out into the suburbs or into neighboring states there are also connecting buses.

If you are in KL for some time look at getting a day pass or saver pass on the Komuter.

I found that trains were almost always on time but sould be very, very, full at peak hours.

When weighing up whether to take the train or cab it you should take two things into consideration:
1. Is it peak hour? Because if it is DON'T take a taxi! Peak hour traffic in KL is horrible. We got stuck in traffic for about an hour once, when honestly it would have taken about 10 minutes to walk.
2. Do you REALLY know where you're going? If you are a little unsure it might be a good idea to cab it. Taxi's are really cheap in KL, and they will drop you right at your destination. Sometimes it's worth paying the extra couple of ringgit for convenience!