Trains in Malasiya
 

Does anyone here have any experience taking an overnight Kuala Lampur - Singapore train or any other Malasyian trains?

How is cleanliness, safety, etc?

Trains are not commonly used in Malaysia as a way to get around. I'd imagine that if you can find one to take it would be very clean and well run. Personally I'd rather take a bus...of which they have many of very high quality running frequently. It takes about 4 hours from KL to Singapore and the cost will vary depending on the style of bus you take...but will be very reasonable no matter what.
Basically the bus system in Malaysia is much more developed than the train system.

A couple of months back I took day train from Sin to KL. A narrow gage train, clean, narrow width seats in F class, did not see a safety problem and toilette's were Eastern style(ring). When you arr @ train station in Sin you are upon Malaysian soil and the building is of some interest. This express train will let you off @ Kl Sentral station(middle of KL) about 6 hr ride. The price is reasonable in either class and can be purchased on line and printed out for the ride. If you have never done the train and have the time, do it once. It seems the bus is quicker. I flew back on SQ in F class @ about USD100.00(very quick flt).

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UNITED WILL STAND

Thanks for the great advice. I called the Malaysian Railroad and reserved F on a night train , which works out perfectly since the train arrives in KL at 6:40 am.

I booked the return flight, and strangely enough, the most convinient one was on JAL. Any one know why does JAL offer non-stop service between KL and SIN . Does the plane continue to Tokyo from SIN?

I took the KL to SIN train a few years ago. It was cheap and fine. I would take it again.

Disregard. Reread the forums.

[This message has been edited by hbcsc153 (edited 07-13-2003).]

You've made the right choice with the train. It's not as fast as the buses, but it's a more enjoyable journey plus you have the fortune of avoiding arriving into Puduraya bus terminal in KL (there are some executive buses that don't go there I know, but most end up there). I've even found the 2nd class carriages to be more than acceptable, and the 1st class sleepers should give a good night's sleep.

I recently took the Sin-KL train, it was fine, although not very highspeed. Departing from Singapore they charge you Singapore dollars, so it is much better value coming from the Malaysia end. The station in Singapore is interesting and the Malaysian immigration was there while the Singapore people were at the border, which was the wrong way around.

Can anyone refer me to a good booking site for KTMB services? The KTMB's own site leaves much to be desired.

I looked for it for a long time, but couldn't find one. In the end, I just called the ticket office in Kuala Lampur and bought the ticket from them.

Note that they only make you a reservation on the train, you have to pick up the ticket and pay for it at the station.