Last week, I hopped on the KTM ETS Business Class train from Ipoh to Butterworth, Penang, looking for a comfy ride.
Usually, I’d fly or take the bus, but this time, I wanted to try the train.
If I can’t splurge on a business-class plane ticket, why not treat myself to a train ride instead?
In case you’re wondering, ETS stands for Electric Train Service, run by KTM (Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad), the big train company in Malaysia.
And guess what?
You can book your train tickets online, easy peasy!
Now, let me spill the beans on the ETS Business Class.
Ipoh Railway Train Station is on the south-western side of Ipoh, and all ETS trains disembark here.
Boarding the ETS Business Class
Stepping into the ETS Business Class, I was immediately greeted by a sleek and stylish ambiance.
Plush seating, generous legroom, and large windows promising scenic views set the tone for what promised to be a comfortable journey.
The exclusivity of the limited seating in Business Class heightened my anticipation.
It’s like the fancier version of the Platinum Class coach!
The seats are big and cozy, way better than the other classes.
And here’s the cool part – they have this 1+2 seating setup, not the usual 2+2.
You can even spin the seats around, and they recline a lot, like 45 degrees a lot!
Oh, and did I mention the personal entertainment?
Each seat gets its own little screen for web surfing, movies, and even ordering food from the train café.
Fancy, right?
Dine in Style
Enjoy complimentary meals as you relax in plush seats – a delightful perk for business-class travelers.
And they serve meals tailored to the time of day.
After dinner, the stewardess handed out snack boxes with orange juice, a KitKat, and nuts.
I heard there was coffee or tea, but was too full, so I grabbed the snacks for later.
Power Points
Plus, you get power points at your seat with USB ports and a plug socket.
Perfect for staying connected.
Coach A Exclusive Seating
Quick heads up – the ETS Business Class is in the first coach of the ETS Platinum train.
With just one business class coach per platinum train, only 36 seats are available, making reservations essential – so it’s a bit exclusive.
Spacious and comfortable – no more squeezing into small, cheap airline seats or on the express bus.
Comfy large seat with cool design to store your entertainment unit.
18 ETS Business Class Trains on the North-South Line
Here are the daily routes and stops
- KL Sentral – Butterworth (5 trains daily, 10 stops each)
- KL Sentral – Padang Besar (4 trains daily, 13 stops each)
- Butterworth – KL Sentral (5 trains daily, 10 stops each)
- Padang Besar – KL Sentral (4 trains daily, 13 stops each)
ETS Business Class Schedule
Check these schedules for the latest full list of stations and stops. The ones highlighted in red are business class trains.
Northbound
KL Sentral – Butterworth
KL Sentral – Padang Besar
Southbound
Butterworth – KL Sentral
Padang Besar – KL Sentral
*Senior citizens (60 years and above), government pensioners/wives, disabled persons (OKU), army, police, firefighters, and students have special ticket prices.
*The ticket prices include an onboard meal.
Where To Buy ETS Business Class Tickets?
Tickets can be purchased at the KTMB ticket counters, the KTMB official website, or the KTMB mobile app.
Toilets Facilities
As I got comfy, I realized the train didn’t have its own toilet for Business Class.
Bummer, right?
You gotta go to the Platinum Class coach for that.
And let me tell you, the toilet wasn’t spotless, but at least it didn’t stink.
ETS Business Class Pros & Cons
Is it worth it? Well, here’s the lowdown:
Pros:
- The train is super punctual.
- The seats are spacious and comfy.
- You get your own single seat.
- Meals and snacks are part of the deal.
- They’ve got plenty of power points.
Cons:
- No private toilet for Business Class.
- Personal entertainment is a bit meh.
- The luggage rack is kinda small.
I paid RM105 for the ticket, and the meals were decent, with plenty of snacks.
Comparing Business Class to Platinum Class, it’s mostly about the meals and extra space.
The personal entertainment wasn’t mind-blowing, mostly slow WiFi.
The Business Class might not be a total steal in my book, but the train was on time, and no flight delays made the journey pretty good.
Some folks might say not having loads of space isn’t a big deal on a train – you can walk around or hit the food coach for a snack.
But if you love having your own space and a single seat, the ETS Business Class is like a slice of heaven.
Overall, it was a nice ride with comfy seats and cool vibes.
My KTM ETS Business Class experience?
A thumbs up from me!
Spacious and comfortable seats, plenty of legroom – no more squeezing into small, cheap airline seats or on the express bus.
I’ll definitely take another train ride soon!
