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From Singapore to Penang, Malaysia: A Wonderful Journey Costing Only S$50In the minds of Singaporeans, Penang is undoubtedly a paradise for food lovers. This city located on the northwest side of the Malay Peninsula is one of the earliest port cities in Southeast Asia. A large number of Chinese and Indians were recruited here for cultivation. After more than a hundred years of development, Penang has become a city where diverse cultures blend. Here, you can find not only traditional Chinese architecture and cuisine but also an Indian street, Indian temples, and characteristic dining.

May 9, 2025, 10:31 am EDT

 

When traveling from Singapore to Penang, most people choose to take a flight or a bus. Some tourists also take a cruise and disembark in Penang for a short tour. However, if you want to experience the scenery along the way in Malaysia, taking a train is a great option, which will definitely be a unique travel experience.

 

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Step 1: From Woodlands to Johor Bahru, Malaysia

To get to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint, you can first take the MRT to Woodlands Station, and then transfer to buses such as 856, 911, and 903 at the bus interchange. These buses can take you directly to the vicinity of the Woodlands Train Checkpoint. At the Woodlands Train Checkpoint, you can take the KTM Shuttle Tebrau train, and it only takes about 5 minutes to reach Johor Bahru Sentral.

 

For ticket purchase, you can buy tickets on the official website or mobile app of KTM Berhad, or at the ticket counter at the Woodlands Checkpoint. The one-way ticket price is S$5. It should be noted that since this is a cross-border journey, all passengers must go through immigration procedures at both the Woodlands and Johor Bahru checkpoints. To ensure a smooth entry and exit, please make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months and that the correct entry stamp is on your passport. Generally, it takes about 15 to 30 minutes to pass through each checkpoint. However, during peak hours or on the eve of holidays, the clearance time may be calculated in hours. So, please set aside enough time and plan your subsequent itinerary.

 

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Step 2: From Johor Bahru to Gemas

After arriving at Johor Bahru Sentral, you need to transfer to the KTM Intercity train to Gemas in Negeri Sembilan. This journey takes about 4 hours and 45 minutes. There are 4 train services between the two places every day. The first train departs at 8:30 am, and the last train departs at 8:25 pm. Along the way, you can enjoy the rural scenery that you can't see in Singapore, which is really refreshing. If you have enough time, you can also take a rest in Gemas. There are some affordable accommodation options in the town, and you can also taste the local Malay cuisine.

 

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Step 3: From Gemas to Butterworth

There are two options for traveling from Gemas to Butterworth in Penang, one is a direct train, and the other is via Kuala Lumpur.

 

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  • Direct Train Option: The direct train is provided by the Electric Train Service (ETS) of KTMB. The journey takes 6 hours and 50 minutes, and the ticket price is RM76 (about S$23.02). But it should be noted that there are only two trains per day, one at 8:12 am and the other at 3:52 pm. So, you may not be able to catch the train.
  • Via Kuala Lumpur Option: First, take a train from Gemas to Kuala Lumpur. There are also two trains per day, and the journey takes about 2 hours and 35 minutes. After arriving at Kuala Lumpur Sentral, while waiting for the next train to Penang, you can visit the shops, restaurants, and lounges, or go to the nearby NU Sentral shopping mall. If you want to leave the station temporarily, there are many things to do around. For example, Little India in Brickfields, which is only a 10-minute walk from the station. Kuala Lumpur Sentral has excellent transportation connections. Taking the LRT can take you to the vicinity of the landmark KLCC within 5 minutes, where the famous Petronas Twin Towers are located. After a short rest in Kuala Lumpur, board the train to Butterworth in Penang. There are 6 trains departing from Kuala Lumpur every day, and the estimated journey time is about 4 hours. The earliest train departs at 8:11 am, and the latest at 8:21 pm. After arriving at Butterworth Station, you can buy a ferry ticket at the Butterworth Ferry Terminal, which is 500 meters away from the train station. The one-way ticket price is RM1 for children and RM2 for adults, and you can take the ferry to the island where Penang is located.

 

 

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All in all, the total cost of this journey is approximately RM160 (about S$48.46). Compared with taking a flight, this train journey is not only cheaper but also does not require cumbersome security checks, allowing you to quietly enjoy the scenery along the way. However, train travel also has some disadvantages, such as a significantly longer travel time, limited comfort options, fewer train schedules, and potential delays, which are all issues you need to consider when making your choice.