The ETS KL to JB service finally connects Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru by modern electric train, cutting a journey that used to take 7 hours by diesel rail — or 4 to 5 hours by car — down to about 4 hours 10 minutes on the fastest service. Launched on 12 December 2025, the route has already become the third-busiest ETS line in the country, recording close to 70,000 passengers in under four months.
This guide covers everything you need to know before booking: the latest 2026 schedule, ticket prices across Gold, Platinum, and Business Class, the new 30% fare discount announced by the Transport Ministry in April 2026, step-by-step booking instructions, senior citizen and OKU concessions, on-board facilities, and how the line connects to the upcoming RTS Link to Singapore.
Last updated: April 2026. As ETS schedules and promotions change frequently, always verify details on the official KTMB website before travelling.

What is the ETS KL to JB?

The ETS KL to JB is the Electric Train Service connecting KL Sentral in Kuala Lumpur to JB Sentral in Johor Bahru, operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB). It uses brand-new KTM 94 Class EMU trains (branded ETS3) running at speeds of up to 140 km/h on the newly electrified southern stretch of the West Coast Line.
The service officially launched on 12 December 2025 at a ceremony in Kempas Baru, officiated by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in attendance. The launch completed the 192-kilometre Gemas–Johor Bahru Electrified Double-Track Project (EDTP), which began in 2017 and establishes an unbroken electric rail corridor from Padang Besar at the Thai border all the way to JB Sentral at the Singapore border.
In short: for the first time in Malaysian history, you can travel the length of Peninsular Malaysia's west coast on a single modern electric train network.

How Long Does the ETS Take From KL to JB?

The ETS KL to JB journey takes approximately 4 hours 10 minutes on Platinum services and up to 4 hours 40 minutes on Gold services, covering 330 kilometres with up to 16 stops along the way.

By comparison:
Express bus: 5–7 hours depending on traffic
Driving: 4–5 hours plus fuel and tolls (RM150–RM210)
Flight (KL–JB): ~1 hour in the air, but 3–4 hours total with airport transfers
Old diesel train via Gemas: close to 7 hours with a train change
For city-centre-to-city-centre travel with no traffic risk and no airport queues, the ETS is now the most time-efficient option for most travellers.

ETS KL to JB 2026 Schedule

As of the February 2026 timetable, there are seven daily ETS departures from KL Sentral to JB Sentral, spanning from early morning to late evening. Most are ETS Platinum services, with one ETS Gold service on the route.
A typical 2026 weekday schedule from KL Sentral to JB Sentral includes:
7:55 AM — First departure, arriving in JB before lunch
Mid-morning, early afternoon, late afternoon, and evening services
9:10 PM — Final departure, arriving after midnight (this late service is being rescheduled from 18 April 2026, see below)
On the return leg from JB Sentral to KL Sentral, the earliest departure is around 7:35 AM and the last in the early evening.

Important schedule update: April 18, 2026

KTMB has rescheduled two late-night ETS services between KL Sentral and JB Sentral effective 18 April 2026, in line with progress on the Klang Valley Double Tracking Phase 2 (KVDT2) project. ETS 9536 (JB–KL, 8:30 PM–12:50 AM) is being replaced by ETS 9530 (3:00 PM–7:20 PM), and ETS 9537 (KL–JB, 9:10 PM–1:30 AM) is being replaced by ETS 9535 (8:00 PM–12:20 AM). Anyone holding tickets for the cancelled services is entitled to a full refund via the KITS Style app.
Always check the official [KTMB website] for the most current timetable before you travel.

ETS KL to JB Ticket Prices (2026)

Three service classes operate on the KL–JB corridor, each with different fare bands. Fares are dynamic — prices fluctuate with demand, day of week, and time of year, with weekend and festive services commanding higher prices.
ETS Gold (Standard Class): RM73–RM81 one-way ETS Platinum (Standard Class): RM96–RM109 one-way ETS Business Class: RM150–RM170 one-way
Business Class includes wider reclining seats, personal entertainment, complimentary meals, and access to the Ruby Lounge at KL Sentral. On the six-coach ETS3 train, only one of the six coaches is Business Class — the other five are Standard.
Booking one to two weeks ahead is strongly recommended, especially around weekends, school holidays, and major festivals.

New 30% ETS Discount: April 2026 Announcement

On 14 April 2026, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced a 30% discount on ETS fares across all routes as part of a broader rail relief package. Key details:
Discount size: 30% off standard ETS fares
Eligible travel days: Monday to Thursday only
Exclusions: School holidays, public holidays, Business Class tickets, Ekspres Rakyat Timuran first-class/sleeper, and existing concession ticket holders
Booking window: 15 to 30 April 2026, using a promotional code to be released by KTMB
Travel validity: 15 April 2026 to 14 October 2026
The same announcement also introduced two new monthly travel passes offering up to 90% off — the MyPutrajaya Monthly Travel Card for civil servants in Putrajaya, and the MyKLIA Monthly Travel Card for KLIA workers.
If you're planning a KL–JB trip and can travel midweek outside of holiday periods, this promotion offers meaningful savings — a typical RM96 Platinum Standard fare drops to around RM67.

ETS KL to JB Concessions: Senior Citizens, OKU, Students

KTMB offers registered concession fares to specific groups of Malaysian citizens. Note that concessions must be set up in advance through your KTMB account (KITS) — they are not applied automatically without registration.

Senior citizens (60 and above)

Malaysians aged 60 and above are entitled to a 50% discount on ETS fares. You'll need to register your MyKad via your KTMB account or at a ticket counter; the concession is valid for three years and is renewable.

OKU (Persons with Disabilities)

OKU cardholders registered with Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) receive a 50% discount across all KTMB services, along with priority seating and boarding on long-distance trains. Registration is done at any KTMB counter using your JKM-registered OKU card and MyKad.

Students

Registered students studying in Malaysia receive 40% off on ETS and KTM Intercity, and 50% off on KTM Komuter. Registration is online through your KTMB account and is valid for one year.

Government pensioners and service personnel

Pensioners (and their spouses), as well as active or retired members of the Malaysian Armed Forces, Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and Fire and Rescue Department are eligible for up to 50% off on selected ETS, Intercity, and Komuter tickets. Registration is in-person at a KTMB counter.

Children

Children aged 4–11 receive approximately 50% off adult fares. Children under 4 travel free when not occupying their own seat.

How to register for a concession

Log in to your KTMB Online account at [online.ktmb.com.my]
Go to the "Concession" tab and select the relevant category (Senior Citizen, OKU, Student, etc.)
Upload supporting documents (MyKad, OKU card, student card, or service ID)
Wait for approval — once approved, discounts apply automatically at checkout
Always carry the original identification document when travelling, as it may be checked during inspection
Important: Concession holders are excluded from the April 2026 30% promotion — you cannot stack the two discounts.

How to Buy ETS KL to JB Tickets

There are four ways to book your ETS ticket:

1. KTMB official website (recommended)

Go to [online.ktmb.com.my], sign up for a KITS (KTMB Integrated Ticketing System) account, enter your journey details (origin, destination, date, number of passengers), select your preferred train and seat, and pay by credit/debit card, KTM eWallet, or Boost eWallet. You'll receive an e-ticket by email.

2. KITS Style mobile app

Download the official KITS Style app from the Google Play Store or App Store. The app supports bookings, concession registration, seat selection, and real-time ticket refunds or rescheduling.

3. Self-service kiosks

Available at major stations including KL Sentral and JB Sentral. Best for same-day purchases if seats are still available.

4. Ticket counters

Still available at all KTMB stations. Ticket counters stop selling tickets 20 minutes before scheduled departure, so arrive early — particularly if you need a senior or OKU concession applied manually.
Tickets are released up to 30 days in advance. For weekends and festive periods, book as early as possible.

Stations and Stops on the ETS KL to JB Route

The full corridor has up to 16 intermediate stops. ETS Platinum services skip some of the smaller stations for a faster journey; ETS Gold services make more stops.

Key stations heading south from KL Sentral:
KL Sentral — departure point, integrated with LRT, MRT, KLIA Express, KTM Komuter
Bandar Tasik Selatan — TBS bus terminal interchange
Kajang
Seremban
Tampin/Pulau Sebang — junction for Melaka
Gemas — junction connecting to the East Coast Line and Shuttle Timuran (Gemas–Kuala Lipis)
Segamat
Labis, Paloh, Bekok, Kluang, Mengkibol, Rengam, Layang-Layang
Kulai — near Senai International Airport
Kempas Baru — gateway to northern JB suburbs
JB Sentral — terminus, connected to the Singapore CIQ complex

Ridership: How Popular Is the KL–JB ETS?

According to data from the government's open data portal (data.gov.my) reported by The Star in April 2026, the KL Sentral to JB Sentral route recorded 69,628 passengers between its launch on 12 December 2025 and 8 April 2026.
That places it third in ETS ridership nationwide, behind only KL Sentral–Ipoh (122,406 passengers) and KL Sentral–Butterworth (86,090 passengers). It is also the only southern route in the top 10 busiest ETS services from KL Sentral — every other high-ranking line heads north.
Peak single-day ridership figures tell their own story about how Malaysians are using the service:

Hari Raya Aidilfitri (21 March 2026): 1,196 passengers — the highest daily count so far
Chinese New Year (17 February 2026): 955 passengers


General trend: sharp upward trajectory from launch through Q1 2026
KTMB has responded by progressively expanding capacity. Initial operations in December 2025 offered just four daily trips; this has now grown to seven daily departures each way, with additional services added around Thaipusam, Chinese New Year, and Hari Raya. Earlier in 2026, KTMB also introduced direct ETS Platinum services between JB Sentral and Butterworth and JB Sentral and Padang Besar, extending the reach of the southern ETS network further north.

Onboard Facilities on the ETS3 Train

The six-coach KTM 94 Class EMU (ETS3) seats 312 passengers across five Standard Class coaches and one Business Class coach. Features include:
Power outlets at every seat
Onboard Wi-Fi (coverage can be patchy along rural stretches)
Onboard café/dining coach
Prayer room
Clean, modern toilets
Business Class: wider reclining seats, personal entertainment, complimentary meals, Ruby Lounge access at KL Sentral
One thing to prepare for: cabin temperatures are set consistently at around 18°C, which most passengers find cold for a 4-hour journey. Bring a jacket or sweater regardless of the weather outside.

Connecting to Singapore: Shuttle Tebrau and the Upcoming RTS Link

JB Sentral is walking distance from the Malaysia–Singapore Causeway, making the ETS an attractive option for travellers heading south of the border.

Current cross-border options from JB Sentral:
KTM Shuttle Tebrau — a short 5-minute train ride directly to Woodlands Train Checkpoint in Singapore
Bus via the Causeway — frequent services to various Singapore destinations
Grab or taxi — door-to-door, though immigration queues can add 30 minutes to 2 hours

The RTS Link (expected 2027)

The long-awaited Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System Link, connecting Bukit Chagar station in JB to Woodlands North MRT in Singapore, is expected to open in late 2026 or early 2027. The crossing itself will take just five minutes. Bukit Chagar is within walking distance of JB Sentral, meaning Singapore-based travellers will eventually be able to take the MRT to Woodlands North, cross to Bukit Chagar via RTS, walk to JB Sentral, and board the ETS directly to Kuala Lumpur — a seamless Singapore-to-KL train journey that has never been possible before.
For more on what the RTS Link means beyond travel time, see our deeper analysis of the [Johor Bahru–Kuala Lumpur ETS, RTS connection, and property impact.]

What the ETS KL to JB Means for Property and Connectivity

The revived rail corridor is reshaping more than travel logistics. Towns along the line — particularly Kulai, Kluang, Segamat, and Kempas — are now within a single train ride of Malaysia's two largest urban economies. This has implications for both own-stay buyers looking for affordable homes with strong connectivity, and investors weighing transit-oriented developments (TODs) along the corridor.

For context on how the southern corridor's property market is responding, our [Johor property market 2026 outlook] covers the intersection of the ETS, RTS Link, and Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). Readers tracking the broader pipeline may also find our analysis of how the [JS-SEZ and RTS Link are shaping homebuyer and investor decisions] useful.

If you're planning a property viewing in Johor and want to make a day of it by train, you can browse verified JB and Johor listings on the [MyRumahBaru map] and book a confirmed appointment with a local agent before you travel.

Key Takeaways

The ETS KL to JB launched on 12 December 2025 and now runs seven daily services each way, with journey times of 4 hours 10 minutes to 4 hours 40 minutes.
One-way fares: RM73–RM81 (Gold Standard), RM96–RM109 (Platinum Standard), RM150–RM170 (Business Class).
From 15 April 2026, a 30% ETS discount applies to Monday–Thursday travel (excluding school/public holidays and Business Class) until 14 October 2026.
Senior citizens, OKU, students, and pensioners can register for 40–50% concessions through their KTMB account.
The route recorded 69,628 passengers in its first four months, placing it third in ETS ridership nationally.
Book through the KTMB website, KITS Style app, self-service kiosks, or station counters — the official website is the most reliable and supports concession registration.

Related Reading

[Johor Bahru–Kuala Lumpur ETS: Travel Time, Fares, RTS Connection & Property Impact]
[Johor Property Market 2026: RTS Link Impact & Growth Outlook]
[Johor's Property Market Is Heating Up: What the JS-SEZ and RTS Link Mean for Homebuyers and Investors]

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much is the ETS ticket from KL to JB?

A: One-way ETS KL to JB tickets cost RM73–RM81 for Gold Standard Class, RM96–RM109 for Platinum Standard Class, and RM150–RM170 for Business Class. Prices vary with demand, time of day, and how far in advance you book. From 15 April to 14 October 2026, a 30% discount applies to most ETS fares on Monday–Thursday travel.

Q: How long does the ETS KL to JB take?

A: The journey takes approximately 4 hours 10 minutes on ETS Platinum services and up to 4 hours 40 minutes on ETS Gold services. This is significantly faster than the previous 7-hour diesel train journey and comparable to driving without traffic.

Q: How do I book ETS KL to JB tickets online?

A: Go to online.ktmb.com.my or download the official KITS Style mobile app, create a KTMB account, search for your route (KL Sentral to JB Sentral), select a train, and pay by card or eWallet. Tickets are released up to 30 days in advance, and booking early is recommended for weekends and festive periods.

Q: Do senior citizens get a discount on ETS KL to JB?

A: Yes. Malaysian citizens aged 60 and above can register for a 50% concession on ETS fares through their KTMB account or at any ticket counter. Registration requires MyKad verification and is valid for three years. Note that senior concession holders cannot combine their discount with the April 2026 30% promotional discount.

Q: Where can I buy ETS tickets in person?

A: ETS tickets are available at all KTMB station ticket counters, including KL Sentral and JB Sentral, as well as at self-service kiosks at major stations. Counters stop selling tickets 20 minutes before scheduled departure, so arrive early — especially if you're applying a concession or buying for multiple travellers.

Q: Will the ETS connect to Singapore?

A: Not directly, but once the RTS Link opens in late 2026 or early 2027, you'll be able to take the Singapore MRT to Woodlands North, cross to Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru in five minutes, walk to JB Sentral, and catch the ETS to Kuala Lumpur. Until then, travellers can connect via the KTM Shuttle Tebrau (JB Sentral to Woodlands), Causeway buses, or Grab/taxi.

Written by MyRumahBaru Editorial Team. This article is for general information only. Schedules, fares, and promotions are subject to change — always verify the latest details on the official KTMB website before travelling.