Ipoh to Penang: A New Year’s Day Travel Survival Guide
Heading from Ipoh to Penang on January 1st had me worried. I knew it would be a “super peak” travel day, and our backup plan—the KTM Komuter Utara—is a first-come, first-served service. While it only takes about 30 minutes longer than the ETS, the holiday crowd makes it a completely different beast.
The ETS vs. Komuter Scramble
My original goal was the ETS Platinum (Train EP9124) (10:29 AM – 12:10 PM). However, the online system repeatedly flashed a “no trips found” error.
💡 Planning the first leg of your trip? If you are traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh first, be sure to check out my Ultimate Guide to Booking the ETS Train to master the seat selection puzzle and avoid sitting backward!
When I arrived at Ipoh Station on December 29th, the ticketing counter revealed the “catch”: bookings for the Ipoh–Butterworth sector only open 48 hours before departure. This policy apparently just started on November 26, 2025.
The “Sold Out” Mystery: As soon as the 48-hour window opened, I was flabbergasted: tickets were sold out instantly. Why? Because this train starts at KL Sentral. Passengers from KL can book weeks in advance. KTMB prioritizes these long-distance bookings and only releases “short-sector” seats (like Ipoh-Butterworth) 48 hours before travel if the train isn’t already full. On a holiday like New Year’s Day, those seats never stand a chance.
💡 Pro Tip: If the ETS is a must, don’t wait for the 48-hour window. Try booking from an earlier station like Kampar (RM 50) or Batu Gajah (RM 45). You’ll pay a small fare difference (Ipoh is RM 41), but you’ll secure your seat weeks in advance!
The Reality of the KTM Komuter Utara
- The Route: Train No. 2098 (10:55 AM – 12:51 PM)
- The Fare: RM 12.80
- The Experience: By 10:25 AM, two long queues had already formed. With the escalator under maintenance, we lugged our bags up the stairs to Platform 2 (there is a lift, but it’s easy to miss!).
What to expect on board:
- Seating: It’s a “metro-style” layout. It’s “every man for himself”—no priority is given to seniors or children. I spent the ride elbow-to-elbow with a fidgety neighbor, while latecomers were left standing for the entire 2-hour journey.
- Luggage: There are no racks. Suitcases end up on laps or blocking the aisles.
- Facilities: Don’t count on a bathroom. Assume there isn’t one.
- The Temperature: The carriage was quite warm at first, but the air-con finally found its stride as we neared Butterworth.
The Bukit Mertajam Alternative: Most passengers alight at Bukit Mertajam. From here, you can skip the final train leg and take the CAT14 free shuttle bus. It’s a 40–60 minute ride that crosses the Penang Bridge directly to Georgetown (Komtar). The interval is roughly every 30 minutes—definitely worth considering to avoid the Butterworth-to-Ferry transfer!
⛴️ Ferry Crossing: Butterworth to Georgetown
After a 10-minute walk from the train station, we reached the ferry terminal for the 15-minute crossing to the Island.
- Terminals: Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (Mainland) to Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (Island).
- Fare: RM 2.00
- Payment: Skip the massive ticket machine lines! You can tap directly at the gantry using Touch & Go (TNG) or DuitNow QR. You can also buy online tickets here, but they are only valid on the date of purchase.
- ⚠️ Warning: Do not loiter after passing the ticket gate. We missed the first ferry because we hesitated, and they stop boarding the moment it hits capacity. Luckily, a second ferry departs almost immediately due to New Year’s demand, but normally it’s a 30-minute wait!
🚌 The Final Stretch: Rapid Penang
From the Georgetown jetty, we faced a 1.3km walk to our guesthouse. Given the scorching heat, we opted for Bus 101 to Komtar.
⚠️ Important Note on Bus Payment: Unlike KL, Rapid Penang buses do not accept Touch & Go. They take cash only (exact change required) or DuitNow QR. We paid RM 3.00 for two people (RM 1.40 each) because no change is given.
Thanks to my husband monitoring our progress on Google Maps, we alighted for a short 550m walk to Lebuh Melayu. It was a long, hot day, and I’ll admit I was a bit grumpy—shoutout to my husband for his infinite patience!
Key Takeaways for 2026 Travelers:
- ETS Strategy: Book from an earlier station (Kampar/Batu Gajah) to bypass the 48-hour local booking restriction.
- Ferry Fast-Track: Tap your TNG card at the gantry and board immediately—don’t wait around!
- Bus Essentials: Always carry RM 1 notes and coins for Rapid Penang!
