Cracking the Code: The Ultimate Guide to Booking the ETS Train from KL to Ipoh
While I usually have the privilege of traveling to Ipoh by private car, my recent trip heading north before flying back to Bangkok called for a different kind of adventure: the ETS Train.
While the journey itself is a breeze, the online booking process—specifically selecting the perfect seat—is a surprisingly complex puzzle. If you’ve ever sat backward for two hours or ended up next to a noisy bistro café, this guide is for you. Here is the full breakdown of how to navigate the system, choose your seat, and ensure a smooth ride.
🗺️ Planning to head further North? Once you’ve mastered the trip to Ipoh, check out my follow-up guide: Ipoh to Penang: A New Year’s Day Travel Survival Guide for tips on the tricky 48-hour booking window and the ferry crossing!
1. ETS vs. KTM Intercity: Which should you choose?
For the KL–Ipoh route, you generally have two choices. Unless you are on a very strict budget, the winner is clear:
- ETS (Electric Train Service) – ETS 9004 Express Recommended
- Journey Time: ~2 hours.
- Fare: RM 54 (Super Peak).
- Perks: Faster, modern coaches, and includes a bistro café coach.
- KTM Intercity
- Journey Time: ~2.5 hours.
- Fare: RM 44.
- Note: The RM 10 savings is negligible for a slower service. There is a late-night “budget” option at 21:40 for RM 30, but it arrives well after midnight.
💰 Pro-Tip on Fares: KTMB now uses a Flexi Fare system. Prices vary based on your Booking Window:
- Early Bird: Over 30 days out (Cheapest).
- Intermediate: 6–30 days out.
- Last Minute: Under 6 days (Priciest).
- The RM 54 fare mentioned above was for the Super Peak period during the last week of December 2025.
2. The Booking Process: Step-by-Step
To book, you must register an account on the KTMB website.
- Details Needed: Name, password, email, and telephone number. Foreigners must input their passport number and expiry date.
- Availability: We booked on Dec 8th for a Dec 29th trip and found plenty of seats, but holiday periods fill up fast!
- ⚠️ The Golden Rule: Avoid booking between 23:00 and 00:15 (Malaysia Time). The system undergoes daily maintenance and will likely fail or glitch during this window.
3. The Seat Selection Puzzle: Facing Forward
This is where most travelers get confused. Because the train changes direction for the return journey, seats that face “Forward” on the way North will face “Backward” on the way South.
The “Forward-Facing” Cheat Sheet (KL to Ipoh – Heading North):
To ensure you face the direction of travel, follow this logic:
| Coaches | Forward-Facing Rows | Backward-Facing Rows |
| A & B | Rows 9 – 15 | Rows 1 – 8 |
| D, E, & F | Rows 1 – 8 | Rows 9 – 15 |
- Real-World Confirmation: I booked Coach F, Seats 6C and 6D, and they were confirmed forward-facing. A fellow traveler confirmed B-11A also faces forward.
4. Coach & Luggage Hacks
Not all coaches are created equal. Here is how to choose your environment:
- Avoid Coach C (The Bistro Coach): While convenient for snacks, the constant foot traffic and noise make it the least peaceful coach. The food is basic (cup noodles/sandwiches), so I recommend bringing your own. A prayer room (surau) is also located in Coach C.
- The “Quiet” Coach (F): Coach F is furthest from the entrance at KL Sentral. Because it requires a longer walk down the platform, it often has more vacant seats.
- The “Big Luggage” Hack (Coach D): Coach D has two designated wheelchair (OKU) seats (Row 11). Even if unoccupied, this area is spacious and often used for storing oversized bags.
- Communal Racks & Hidden Space: Large racks are located at the ends of the coaches (A/F: near Row 2; B/E: near Row 14). Be careful: Large trolley bags can slide during transit.
- Pro Tip: In Coach B, Seats 1C/1D have enough floor space to keep a medium bag right in front of you. There is also a gap between the forward and backward-facing rows that passengers often use for small strollers or thin suitcases.
- Luggage Limits: Officially, each passenger may bring two medium-sized bags and one smaller bag. While we didn’t see strict checks, it’s good to be mindful of the space.
- ❄️ The Aircond Factor: It gets very cold on board. Many passengers wear jackets. While we enjoyed the chill without them, you might want a light layer just in case.
5. Pro-Tips for the “Perfect” Seat
- Avoid the “Wall” Seats: Not every window seat has a view; some are positioned against the plastic pillar. Even-numbered seats are generally safer for a clear view. I chose 6C/6D specifically to avoid the wall. (Note: All windows include a pull-down blind).
- The Scenic Side: For KL to Ipoh, choose Seats C and D (the right side). This offers better views of the limestone hills and greenery as you enter Perak.
- Working on Board? Standard foldable tables are small. If you need space for a laptop, book the four-seater clusters (with the large fixed table), though you will face other passengers. Alternatively, the first rows of some coaches offer slightly more legroom.
- Coat Hooks: These are hit-or-miss. Our seats (6C/D) didn’t have them, but 7C did.
6. The Boarding Experience at KL Sentral
Expect a bit of chaos during peak holiday seasons.
- Timing: We arrived at 11:35 AM for a 12:00 PM departure. Lines were already massive.
- The Flow: The two main lines eventually split into multiple ticket gates. Once you pass the gate, there is a priority waiting area for seniors, families with young children, pregnant women and disabled passengers.
- The 5-Minute Rule: While you don’t need to join the “mad dash” (your seat is reserved!), the gate closes 5 minutes before departure. You must pass the ticketing barrier before then to ensure you have enough time to reach the platform.
- On-Board: The train was perfectly on time. Remember to bring your own toilet paper for the onboard restrooms, as it often runs out! Keep your ticket handy for the ticket checks during the journey.
Resources I Used:
- Adlan Khalidi’s Guide (Malay)
- ETS Video Walkthrough (YouTube) — Highly recommended to check window alignments!
