I did Bangkok to Butterworth in 2008, in a similar sleeper to those. Far better than the idea of sharing a compartment with a stranger, it didn't bother me at all, and there was no noise to worry about. I didn't get 9 hours sleep though, but waking at dawn and seeing the countryside waking up from the comfort of a bed was unforgettable
@@RUHappyATM Malaysia now promises to extend ETS from KL to JB by Apr 2025, cutting train journey times between the 2 cities by 2h to 3.5h. Then from JB there's the Tebrau shuttle train to SIN but you then need a bus connection to continue travelling to downtown SIN, which sometimes I heard is cancelled if the JB-SIN border crossing gets crowded. Come 2026 the Tebrau train will be replaced by a new RTS train but with a capacity of only 10000 ppl/hr I'm not sure if it'll be enough
Done this leg four times but only in the north-south direction. Twice in the 1980s with old fashioned, but preferable, non-aircon stock with a sleeper berth cabin, and at a slower speed. Back then, you had to change from the Thai sleeper to KTM day train in Butterworth, and the charm of using the old Hualampong and the original KL stations and right into Tanjong Pagar in Singapore made the journey seem more exotic. Also did it twice on the E&O which is crazy money, but worth every penny.
As an American I find it amazing that their trains run up to almost 90 mph on meter gauge track. Just slightly wider than our old 3 ft. narrow gauge from the 19th Century. Our narrow gauge trains averaged probably around 25 mph, and the preserved tourist ones never get much faster than that. I have seen video of full-size U. S. locomotives on meter gauge track in Brazil, but they seem to be limited to around 40 mph. Meter gauge trains in Switzerland, some of the best in the World, seem to max out around 50 mph.
The track on the Malaysian side (the northern section, as seen in this video) was completely rebuilt about 15 years ago. It was electrified, double-tracked, curves straightened, new foundation, new bridges, new ballast and concrete sleepers. Level crossings were removed and flyover/underpass for vehicles built. Before this, on the original track (at least 80-100 years old), passenger trains were hauled by locomotive like the Thai ones, and it could only run at about 60-80km/h (40-50mph). It ran slower than that in the northern section (as seen in this video ) because of the hilly areas in the section between Ipoh and Taiping. The central sections (KL+surrounding) were rebuilt back in the 1990s and the tracks are currently being rehabilitated. The southern route is being rebuilt like the central and northern sections and it’s expected to be completed next year. The east coast branch line was rehabilitated with concrete sleepers a few years ago. It remains single track and not electrified. On this branch line, CRRC-built DMUs could run up to a max 120km/h (75mph) (design max is 140km/h, 87mph).
@@gan247 If they were going to go to that much trouble to rehab the line, why not rebuild it to standard gauge while they were at it, like Japan did when they built their high-speed lines in the 1960s?
Two things: It costs too much money and there will be a lot of disruption on both passenger and freight services. The current upgrades were done as separate projects: Central sector (completed in 1995) Northern sector (2008 to Ipoh, 2014 to Thai border) Southern sector (2013 to Gemas junction, 2025 to Johor Bahru) East coast (2020). The Japanese did not upgrade their narrow gauge tracks for the bullet trains. The name Shinkansen literally means new line. An entirely new standard gauge track was built for the bullet train. Only 4251km of tracks in Japan are standard gauge. They have 22,300km of narrow gauge (1067mm, 3ft 6in) tracks.
14:30 little bit correction, there is no province in Malaysia, we call it states. It actually at the same level in administrative division between province overseas and States in Malaysia
@@NonstopEurotrip We are a federal country, similar to that to Australia and the United States, so the states are states, with nine of those states being kingdoms with their own royal families.
Interestingly 'province' in China translates as 省 but 'province' in Thailand translates as 府 (which also means 'prefacture'), maybe because Thailand's provinces are relatively smaller
@@lzh4950 I'm Thai. Japan’s prefectures and Thailand’s provinces (จังหวัด, pronounce Jung Wud) are both primary administrative divisions with local governments handling administrative functions. However, there are key differences. Japan has 47 prefectures with elected governors and significant local autonomy. In contrast, Thailand has 76 provinces with governors appointed by the central government (except for Bangkok, where the governor is elected), resulting in more central control. Compared to states governing system, Japanese prefectures have similar autonomy, while Thai provinces are more centrally governed.
This is one of the best "traveling tourist" videos I ever had the pleasure to watch. Content - well researched - I never say perfect but this one is. The vlog is packed with information, presented by a person who has the talent and the voice to talk about facts entertainingly - and to top it off - filmed by somebody who has the talent of a visual artist. That includes the talent to use light like a brush, highlighting and amplifying the beauty of the objects he is focusing on - and on top of it picking the angle of view at which he is focusing on the object that is resulting in what we see. Perfection. Thank you.
I love how this comment section has now become a hangout pub for some of the great TH-cam travel and transit vloggers. Superalbs, Steve and Thom all showing up to the party is so funny to see 😁👏
Unlike flying, train travel is always something special. I kind of difficult to remember my flying experiences, they are so nothing-special. To me, long distance (or long duration) train travel is different, so unique.
@@wkuntjoro6130 Closer to ground, closer to the local sceneries, closer to local people etc. You get to smell, hear & see all of that. While on air in the airplane, you can not get experience or will be very limited to do the same.
In 1970 I flew Bangkok to Chiang Mai in an unpressurized plane - the seats were folding chairs bolted to the floor. So I took an overnight train back from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and had an experience very similar to yours. Lower bunk and pleasant journey. Much more comfortable than the flight north!
Excellent video and very useful guide for first time travellers. I've used the SRT service from Padang Besar to Hua Hin A few years ago. Very enjoyable, I must say. Another thing that newbie travellers must take note is that Thai trains air conditioning is extremely cold. You are advised to bring some warm clothes
Nice travel, this brings back memory of me doing train travel from Butterworth Malaysia to Bangkok Thailand 24 years ago, similar coach (older version of course), and it was quite comfy then. The Bangkok arrival station was at Hualamphong station.
I have traveled on KTM between KL Sentral and Butterworth on both older diesel loco-hauled train (in a car similar to those Thai sleepers from this video) when the electrification and modernization of the line was ongoing (I think it was in 2014) and the new ETS service (in 2016-2018). Also have ridden the commuter service between Butterworth and Padang Besar in 2018. Then traveled on SRT between Hat Yai and Bangkok (Hua Lampong) on a sleeper but my car was newer Chinese-built one. And on different local trains between Bangkok and Ayutthaya. Also traveled on different trains in Indonesia. Local trains in Jakarta area, Jakarta - Surabaya line via Semarang, Surabaya - Yogyakarta and some other lines. I'm happy to see that the railway infrastructure is being modernized in all these countries and looking forward to travel to this amazing part of the world again and ride their trains. Thanks for the great video!
Thank you, for this wonderful train journey, really enjoyed this wonderful episode from KL to Bankok. A big thumbs up with loads of appreciations. Jacolyn.
I traveled to the other Thai border crossing: From KL take the train to Gemas then transfer to a northbound train toward the Thai border town of Sungai Kolok. This trip is more difficult as you need to take a taxi the last few km from a Malaysian station to the Thai border. Although it takes much longer, it is beautiful single track through remote jungle passing waterfalls, rivers, and tree covered rock formations.
Thank you for you are present. High speed train in South route in Thailand is long time plan (Open full route estimate 2043 from Bangkok to Padeng Besar.) In the present, South route is the first completely for single to double railway track (Open from Bangkok Aphiwat to Chumpon Station and in the future, expect construct and open full double track railway from Bangkok to Padang Besar on 2030-2032.)
best train door view i've had? gotta be in Sri Lanka, from Kandy down to Colombo. sitting in the doorway the whole way down the mountain getting some beautiful clear views (and photos) of the scenery was a wonderful experience
I did this trip 4 years ago in the reverse (Bangkok to Penang) and I remember 2nd class was still the old layout so wider seats/berths but no power and no luggage rack. It was a good enough trip but we ended up incurring delays that snowballed (I kinda knew it was gonna happen) to the point that when we arrived at Padang Besar, I had missed the connecting shuttle to Butterworth meaning I had a 3 hour wait at the border. If you wanna do this trip but cant be bothered to share your berth, you can always book the top bunk and use that to store luggage; the attendant will still lower the bunk and make it as a bed but its up to you how you want to use it.
I know there are many hardcore fans of traintravel, but with literally dozens of daily flights between Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, for a price comparable to the trainticket and at less than 2 hours travel time, this is a niche. Only when real highspeed trains become reality in SE Asia, they may become an alternative to flying.
@@NonstopEurotrip Clearly you’re one of the ‘hardcore fans’ as mentioned. ;-) What I mean, as I stated, is that the train from KL to BKK is not an alternative to air travel. For sure, locals take the train on a short commute in between these cities, but no sane person would take it from KL to BKK or vice versa.
@@EGO0808Not everyone wants to travel in a rush, it’s stressful. If your intention is only to visit Bangkok, then air travel is the way to go. For many people, they prefer a slower pace, relaxed journey and they also want to have a different experience from the typical air travel stress of going to the airport 3-hours before the flight, possible flight delays or cancellation, flight check-in, baggage drop-off, immigration and security check, waiting to board, cramped seats, pressurised cabin, staying on your seat in case of turbulence, arrival, luggage wait, getting into the city.
Thanks for the video. It used to be a very long delay on the Thai southern route (sometimes even 3-4 hrs).. the new double track upgrade will make this better albeit right now it is still missing some portion near Nakhon Pathom.
I always enjoy your trips. Hope you can continue your train journey all the way to Europe (Bangkok - Vientiane, Vientiane - Kunming, Kunming - Urumqi... etc.)
Recently, Indonesian Railways Company (KAI) has been upgrading some of their passengers coach, try some intercity routes to Bandung, Jogjakarta or Surabaya to feel the new experience with KAI new generation coaches 👍🏻 (it’s comparable with the Indonesian new High Speed Rail / Whoosh) 😊
In 2015 when KTM launched their Electric Train Service, i took it from KL Sentral to Alor Setar. It departed on time and arrived only 20 minutes late, which was quite something. (KTM was notoriously unreliable). From there i went to Penang, and then to Ipoh via the old diesel train, which was still running until all the ETS trains were launched. On board that old train was a kitchen where the cook made fresh fried rice and noodles and chicken to order. The new electric trains don't have on board cooking, which is a shame. We lost something special. Thank you for this vlog.
*Welcome to Malaysia truly Asia good food, people beautiful beach, skyscrapers & others, Msian likes to lepak Mamak drink Teh Tarik Jom joining Malaysian 🇲🇾💙🧡♥️💙🇲🇾*
its all very easy modern and fast but aint half as much fun as the 1980's when we rattled our way round SEAsia You couldnt consult the internet we didnt even have LPlanet yet Ahhhh the wonderful old KL station (which thankfully at least they havent knocked down yet )
Cannot agree more on that. We have done 3 times in 1989-1992 that trip. And it was AMAZING the old honky bonky trains leaving from the center of BBK the first hour at a snail pace. But what a trips we had. We are quit big to say it nice 2 meters in hight and 150 kilo each. In the night the people were complaining that we were snoaring very loud. And the last 2 hours from 6 am untill 8 arriving at chang mai were the moments with the best vieuws ever. Amazing landscape on slow speed, the smell of the moisty morning jungle. I can still smell it. And we payed the 185 bath for the trip and 40 bath for the bunk.
The train is a nice idea, but not recommended if you are very tall. I've done the second class sleeper from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and got bad leg cramps from the short bed. I ended up with only a couple hours sleep. Also beware of the top bunks. The "ladders" are an invitation for a hurt ankle if having to use the toilet in the middle of the night.
Remember to take along winter jackets and boots on the train from KL to Butterworth. The AC is on full blast and the temperature inside was 17! degrees Celcius. I asked if they could turn it down but was told that everybody liked it. That was my last train trip in Malaysia.
3:14 As to why you were told to go through the KTM Komuter gates and platform, it's because of the ongoing KVDT1 and KVDT2 railway track rehabilitation projects, so the original platforms for ETS train were probably closed off at that time and the ETS trains have to depart from platforms meant for Komuter trains.
I travelled Bangkok Singapore by train in 1965 aged 13 on sleeper train . No great problems as I remember. Interesting the 1000 mm track gauge. I thought the NZ 1067 mm pretty small.
what a lovely baby bullet and an excellent premium product; the leg room looks amazing and entertainment screen a great bonus! (that woman yapping away loudly would have annoyed the bejeezuz outta me TBH) the 2nd class sleeper looked decent as well and your access to outside views is awesome - this trip was indeed an excellent value. curious: did it at all get warm in the car for you on the final leg given no A/C(?)
Wow.. gone were the days of the old sleeper trains by KTM... I still remember the sleeper trains from Tanjong Pagar, Singapore to KL sentral. It took like 12-13hours.
Interesting video. I remember taking it from Butterworth to padang besar in early 2000. It was the Thai train, and I remember the train has no air conditioner. The seat is still the same after more than 20 years :)
Thanks for the video. Great tips. I live in KL at the moment, but I may have to do a weekly commute to Bangkok for work soon. So, checking all the options - slow train but ability to work on laptop and sleep on it versus faster flight and then have to check into hotel each week.
I did BKK to Pratchuap Kiri Kan in sleeper, bottom bunk (tried top bunk on a different journey, much narrower, not recommended at all) and had a good rest! The travel attendant forgot to wake me up as he was fast asleep himself, so nearly missed my stop! 😅 Next time Hua Hin, really loved my travels through Thailand and Malaysia by train i started Chiamg mai, PKK, Georgetown and KL, totalled 2300 plus km.
Thailand has invested heavily in roads at all levels over the past 50 yeas and just improved the rail tracks and trains recently. With the single tracks, it takes so much time to travel around. The second tracks have been completed in some parts of the country and dual high speed train tracks are being built. Overall, the train system in Thailand is still far behind that of Malaysia. Hopefully, in the next 3-5 years we will be able to catch up with Malaysia's advanced railway system.
There are 3 lines that connect to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, though the station on the Red line SRT, Light Red line SRT and blue line MRT are all called Bang Sue (sometimes known as Bang Sue Grand.) Also Bang Sue is the name commonly used for the whole complex.
Nice ride, did it several times, but it has been a time, obviously a lot has changed in Thailand and Malaysia - new Stations, new tracks, new trains - time from KL to Padang Besar used to take about 12 hours back then .. // Thai sleeper trains are great value, but be careful drinking when you have booked the "upper" class berth, it maybe a bit shaky up there due tue some bent tracks ;-) //
Great trip. It's great you can get sleeper train directly from Padang Besar to Bangkok, rather than taking shuttle Train to Hat Yai and take Hat Yai to Bangkok Sleeper Train.
I ( we ) took an overnight train from Bangkok down to the pier to meet the ferry that would take us to Koh Samui. It was nothing special.... similar to riding the city bus, except on rails.
Thanks for this video.. good information for travellers like me. There is a video of my fellow Malaysian travel to China by train. Have you tried the three level bunkers in Vietnam?
Indian sleepers don't look this clean and comfortable but It seems like it is not possible to book a single private room on trains in Asia...or even on some European trains either.
Alternatively you can take the 1 hour shuttle train across the border and then a First Class sleeper in a private room, from Hat Yai to Bangkok, on a different service.
This is a very informative video! How long were the wait times at immigration and to board the sleeper train? Amazingly, people are still defecating on the tracks! Don't expect a good night's sleep on the train. You will arrive feeling like you drove over 24 hours from KLM to Bangkok.
The geography of Thailand and its SE Asian peninsula neighbors make it ideal for fast international railway system but the chronically underfunded under invested railway system meant that the system is stuck in the early postwar period with its narrow gauge single track that makes it impossible to run fast trains. Thailand has come such a very long way economically since the 60's and 70's but Thai railway has progressed hardly at all.
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i dont like travellinf
i like travel what adout the kuala lumpur train travel to singapore?
😊😊😊@@realcartoongirl
4:29 ETS (Platinum)
I did Bangkok to Butterworth in 2008, in a similar sleeper to those. Far better than the idea of sharing a compartment with a stranger, it didn't bother me at all, and there was no noise to worry about. I didn't get 9 hours sleep though, but waking at dawn and seeing the countryside waking up from the comfort of a bed was unforgettable
How did you secure the valuables?
Stuck my wallet and passport under my pillow, didn't worry about anything else
Get a private room 😊
LOL, years ago I took the KTM from SIN to KL, the slowest journey!
@@RUHappyATM Malaysia now promises to extend ETS from KL to JB by Apr 2025, cutting train journey times between the 2 cities by 2h to 3.5h. Then from JB there's the Tebrau shuttle train to SIN but you then need a bus connection to continue travelling to downtown SIN, which sometimes I heard is cancelled if the JB-SIN border crossing gets crowded. Come 2026 the Tebrau train will be replaced by a new RTS train but with a capacity of only 10000 ppl/hr I'm not sure if it'll be enough
Done this leg four times but only in the north-south direction. Twice in the 1980s with old fashioned, but preferable, non-aircon stock with a sleeper berth cabin, and at a slower speed. Back then, you had to change from the Thai sleeper to KTM day train in Butterworth, and the charm of using the old Hualampong and the original KL stations and right into Tanjong Pagar in Singapore made the journey seem more exotic. Also did it twice on the E&O which is crazy money, but worth every penny.
Thanks for sharing, I'd love to do the E&O one day ❤️
this video will be handy, if i go to Malaysia.
since i've always wanted to try a train from Singapore / Malaysia to Thailand :p
As an American I find it amazing that their trains run up to almost 90 mph on meter gauge track. Just slightly wider than our old 3 ft. narrow gauge from the 19th Century. Our narrow gauge trains averaged probably around 25 mph, and the preserved tourist ones never get much faster than that. I have seen video of full-size U. S. locomotives on meter gauge track in Brazil, but they seem to be limited to around 40 mph. Meter gauge trains in Switzerland, some of the best in the World, seem to max out around 50 mph.
It's a little scary sometimes 👀
The track on the Malaysian side (the northern section, as seen in this video) was completely rebuilt about 15 years ago. It was electrified, double-tracked, curves straightened, new foundation, new bridges, new ballast and concrete sleepers. Level crossings were removed and flyover/underpass for vehicles built.
Before this, on the original track (at least 80-100 years old), passenger trains were hauled by locomotive like the Thai ones, and it could only run at about 60-80km/h (40-50mph). It ran slower than that in the northern section (as seen in this video ) because of the hilly areas in the section between Ipoh and Taiping.
The central sections (KL+surrounding) were rebuilt back in the 1990s and the tracks are currently being rehabilitated. The southern route is being rebuilt like the central and northern sections and it’s expected to be completed next year. The east coast branch line was rehabilitated with concrete sleepers a few years ago. It remains single track and not electrified. On this branch line, CRRC-built DMUs could run up to a max 120km/h (75mph) (design max is 140km/h, 87mph).
@@gan247 If they were going to go to that much trouble to rehab the line, why not rebuild it to standard gauge while they were at it, like Japan did when they built their high-speed lines in the 1960s?
Two things: It costs too much money and there will be a lot of disruption on both passenger and freight services.
The current upgrades were done as separate projects:
Central sector (completed in 1995)
Northern sector (2008 to Ipoh, 2014 to Thai border)
Southern sector (2013 to Gemas junction, 2025 to Johor Bahru)
East coast (2020).
The Japanese did not upgrade their narrow gauge tracks for the bullet trains. The name Shinkansen literally means new line. An entirely new standard gauge track was built for the bullet train. Only 4251km of tracks in Japan are standard gauge. They have 22,300km of narrow gauge (1067mm, 3ft 6in) tracks.
@@gan247 I know what they did in the '60s, it just seems like it might have been worth it for Indonesia to do the same thing with their mainline.
14:30 little bit correction, there is no province in Malaysia, we call it states. It actually at the same level in administrative division between province overseas and States in Malaysia
I knew that, sorry for the mistake!
@@NonstopEurotrip We are a federal country, similar to that to Australia and the United States, so the states are states, with nine of those states being kingdoms with their own royal families.
Interestingly 'province' in China translates as 省 but 'province' in Thailand translates as 府 (which also means 'prefacture'), maybe because Thailand's provinces are relatively smaller
@@lzh4950 I'm Thai. Japan’s prefectures and Thailand’s provinces (จังหวัด, pronounce Jung Wud) are both primary administrative divisions with local governments handling administrative functions.
However, there are key differences. Japan has 47 prefectures with elected governors and significant local autonomy. In contrast, Thailand has 76 provinces with governors appointed by the central government (except for Bangkok, where the governor is elected), resulting in more central control.
Compared to states governing system, Japanese prefectures have similar autonomy, while Thai provinces are more centrally governed.
Great video of a trip I'd love to make! Cheers mate
Thanks Steve, it's a great trip for sure 😀 what video do we have from you this week?
This is one of the best "traveling tourist" videos I ever had the pleasure to watch.
Content - well researched - I never say perfect but this one is. The vlog is packed with information, presented by a person who has the talent and the voice to talk about facts entertainingly - and to top it off - filmed by somebody who has the talent of a visual artist. That includes the talent to use light like a brush, highlighting and amplifying the beauty of the objects he is focusing on - and on top of it picking the angle of view at which he is focusing on the object that is resulting in what we see. Perfection.
Thank you.
Thank you so much, comments like this really spur me on to make bigger and better videos and I'm so glad you liked it 🙏🏻😀
I concur.
I love how this comment section has now become a hangout pub for some of the great TH-cam travel and transit vloggers. Superalbs, Steve and Thom all showing up to the party is so funny to see 😁👏
I know right, I love it too. Wait til you see whose gonna turn up soon 😄
@@NonstopEurotripwho?
@@Paul_Lucas it's you! 😍
Unlike flying, train travel is always something special. I kind of difficult to remember my flying experiences, they are so nothing-special. To me, long distance (or long duration) train travel is different, so unique.
@@wkuntjoro6130
Closer to ground, closer to the local sceneries, closer to local people etc. You get to smell, hear & see all of that.
While on air in the airplane, you can not get experience or will be very limited to do the same.
In 1970 I flew Bangkok to Chiang Mai in an unpressurized plane - the seats were folding chairs bolted to the floor. So I took an overnight train back from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and had an experience very similar to yours. Lower bunk and pleasant journey. Much more comfortable than the flight north!
Wow that sounds like an experience 😂
I took the padang besar to bangkok train in 2002, some 22 years ago, and the interior is exactly the same!!
Excellent video and very useful guide for first time travellers. I've used the SRT service from Padang Besar to Hua Hin A few years ago. Very enjoyable, I must say. Another thing that newbie travellers must take note is that Thai trains air conditioning is extremely cold. You are advised to bring some warm clothes
Glad it was helpful!
Great video! I keep meaning to do this trip by train but Malaysia Airlines and their satay keeps winning out 😉
You don't even get satay on that route 🤪
KTM should read this and offer satay onboard 😂
😂😂😂
Your video sharing comes in handy as i have been contemplating taking train from KL to BKK, or even to China.... Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
great video as always. looking foward to the next indonesian video 👍
Coming soon! 😁
Tak tunggu kawan ,Kereta api kelas ekonomi pintu otomatis rasa eksekutip 2024 , next video .
Nice travel, this brings back memory of me doing train travel from Butterworth Malaysia to Bangkok Thailand 24 years ago, similar coach (older version of course), and it was quite comfy then. The Bangkok arrival station was at Hualamphong station.
Sounds great!
Great Info for my trip next week from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok
Have fun!
@@NonstopEurotrip Thank You
I have traveled on KTM between KL Sentral and Butterworth on both older diesel loco-hauled train (in a car similar to those Thai sleepers from this video) when the electrification and modernization of the line was ongoing (I think it was in 2014) and the new ETS service (in 2016-2018). Also have ridden the commuter service between Butterworth and Padang Besar in 2018.
Then traveled on SRT between Hat Yai and Bangkok (Hua Lampong) on a sleeper but my car was newer Chinese-built one. And on different local trains between Bangkok and Ayutthaya.
Also traveled on different trains in Indonesia. Local trains in Jakarta area, Jakarta - Surabaya line via Semarang, Surabaya - Yogyakarta and some other lines.
I'm happy to see that the railway infrastructure is being modernized in all these countries and looking forward to travel to this amazing part of the world again and ride their trains.
Thanks for the great video!
Your videos do keep me calm and relaxed. Thank you.
I'm so glad!
2:45 yes the LRT KJ Line runs through the building! Best part of KL Sentral!
Yesssss!
❤ 🇲🇾 from 🇹🇭. You guys are always welcome to visit us anytime.
Excellent video with great narration. A difficult journey made easy with brilliant detailed instructions. Something to try on my next travels.
Glad it was helpful!
Another great video !!
Thanks again!
Thank you, for this wonderful train journey, really enjoyed this wonderful episode from KL to Bankok. A big thumbs up with loads of appreciations. Jacolyn.
Glad you enjoyed it 😁
I used to train to the East Coast from the old station.
It's really serene that time, unlike the bustles in KL Station.
I traveled to the other Thai border crossing: From KL take the train to Gemas then transfer to a northbound train toward the Thai border town of Sungai Kolok. This trip is more difficult as you need to take a taxi the last few km from a Malaysian station to the Thai border. Although it takes much longer, it is beautiful single track through remote jungle passing waterfalls, rivers, and tree covered rock formations.
And against travel advice atm
Thank you for you are present. High speed train in South route in Thailand is long time plan (Open full route estimate 2043 from Bangkok to Padeng Besar.) In the present, South route is the first completely for single to double railway track (Open from Bangkok Aphiwat to Chumpon Station and in the future, expect construct and open full double track railway from Bangkok to Padang Besar on 2030-2032.)
best train door view i've had? gotta be in Sri Lanka, from Kandy down to Colombo.
sitting in the doorway the whole way down the mountain getting some beautiful clear views (and photos) of the scenery was a wonderful experience
Oh I agree, one of my favourites too.... That reminds me I must make the video 😂
I agree, done that before and spent nearly the entire journey at the door! 😍
I rode this route in 2007 and it was wonderful! I was also standing in the doorway for much of the ride.
Teringin sangat nak cube kereta laju indo. Taniah indo people🙏
I did this trip 4 years ago in the reverse (Bangkok to Penang) and I remember 2nd class was still the old layout so wider seats/berths but no power and no luggage rack. It was a good enough trip but we ended up incurring delays that snowballed (I kinda knew it was gonna happen) to the point that when we arrived at Padang Besar, I had missed the connecting shuttle to Butterworth meaning I had a 3 hour wait at the border.
If you wanna do this trip but cant be bothered to share your berth, you can always book the top bunk and use that to store luggage; the attendant will still lower the bunk and make it as a bed but its up to you how you want to use it.
Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻
great Video, now i have an Idea to travel to Bangkok from Singapore.
You should!
Aspiring female solo traveler here. Great informative video! Cheers! 🤩
Glad it was helpful!
0:59 this magnificent lord Muruga temple you see is Tamil architecture
The 20 minute mark is the best eye opener 😊
I know there are many hardcore fans of traintravel, but with literally dozens of daily flights between Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, for a price comparable to the trainticket and at less than 2 hours travel time, this is a niche. Only when real highspeed trains become reality in SE Asia, they may become an alternative to flying.
Not at all. People enjoy the journey and experience
@@NonstopEurotrip clearly you have time on your hands. Most people don’t. And certainly not those living here.
@@EGO0808 clearly they do, which is why both trains were full.
@@NonstopEurotrip Clearly you’re one of the ‘hardcore fans’ as mentioned. ;-) What I mean, as I stated, is that the train from KL to BKK is not an alternative to air travel. For sure, locals take the train on a short commute in between these cities, but no sane person would take it from KL to BKK or vice versa.
@@EGO0808Not everyone wants to travel in a rush, it’s stressful. If your intention is only to visit Bangkok, then air travel is the way to go. For many people, they prefer a slower pace, relaxed journey and they also want to have a different experience from the typical air travel stress of going to the airport 3-hours before the flight, possible flight delays or cancellation, flight check-in, baggage drop-off, immigration and security check, waiting to board, cramped seats, pressurised cabin, staying on your seat in case of turbulence, arrival, luggage wait, getting into the city.
Thanks for the video. It used to be a very long delay on the Thai southern route (sometimes even 3-4 hrs).. the new double track upgrade will make this better albeit right now it is still missing some portion near Nakhon Pathom.
Yes, you are right 👍🏻
I always enjoy your trips. Hope you can continue your train journey all the way to Europe (Bangkok - Vientiane, Vientiane - Kunming, Kunming - Urumqi... etc.)
One day, I hope so!
Great video with clear description and number of hours
Glad it was helpful!
Recently, Indonesian Railways Company (KAI) has been upgrading some of their passengers coach, try some intercity routes to Bandung, Jogjakarta or Surabaya to feel the new experience with KAI new generation coaches 👍🏻 (it’s comparable with the Indonesian new High Speed Rail / Whoosh) 😊
It really not comparable 👀
In 2015 when KTM launched their Electric Train Service, i took it from KL Sentral to Alor Setar. It departed on time and arrived only 20 minutes late, which was quite something. (KTM was notoriously unreliable).
From there i went to Penang, and then to Ipoh via the old diesel train, which was still running until all the ETS trains were launched. On board that old train was a kitchen where the cook made fresh fried rice and noodles and chicken to order.
The new electric trains don't have on board cooking, which is a shame. We lost something special.
Thank you for this vlog.
Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻
*Welcome to Malaysia truly Asia good food, people beautiful beach, skyscrapers & others, Msian likes to lepak Mamak drink Teh Tarik Jom joining Malaysian 🇲🇾💙🧡♥️💙🇲🇾*
Thanks for the tips! I love Malaysi 💕
malaysia is underated country.their currency, lifestyle,i can say most perfect country after Japan and Singapore for holidays..
Shhh let’s keep it underrated 😅
I definitely agree 💯
its all very easy modern and fast but aint half as much fun as the 1980's when we rattled our way round SEAsia You couldnt consult the internet we didnt even have LPlanet yet
Ahhhh the wonderful old KL station (which thankfully at least they havent knocked down yet )
Train number 51 bangkok to chiangmai is the best train to see the view on northern route
I agree!!! 💯
Cannot agree more on that. We have done 3 times in 1989-1992 that trip. And it was AMAZING the old honky bonky trains leaving from the center of BBK the first hour at a snail pace. But what a trips we had. We are quit big to say it nice 2 meters in hight and 150 kilo each. In the night the people were complaining that we were snoaring very loud. And the last 2 hours from 6 am untill 8 arriving at chang mai were the moments with the best vieuws ever. Amazing landscape on slow speed, the smell of the moisty morning jungle. I can still smell it. And we payed the 185 bath for the trip and 40 bath for the bunk.
The train is a nice idea, but not recommended if you are very tall. I've done the second class sleeper from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and got bad leg cramps from the short bed. I ended up with only a couple hours sleep. Also beware of the top bunks. The "ladders" are an invitation for a hurt ankle if having to use the toilet in the middle of the night.
Thanks for the tips!
I did Hà Nội to Sài Gòn earlier this year, a worthwhile trip!
Definitely I agree 💯
Remember to take along winter jackets and boots on the train from KL to Butterworth. The AC is on full blast and the temperature inside was 17! degrees Celcius. I asked if they could turn it down but was told that everybody liked it. That was my last train trip in Malaysia.
17°C is hardly winter. Maybe a jumper or a sweater would help but you won't need winter jackets.
Not necessary
fake news
I once took the same journey on the other direction.
I actually travelled all the way from Bangkok to Singapore.
Me too 😁
3:14 As to why you were told to go through the KTM Komuter gates and platform, it's because of the ongoing KVDT1 and KVDT2 railway track rehabilitation projects, so the original platforms for ETS train were probably closed off at that time and the ETS trains have to depart from platforms meant for Komuter trains.
Tq for the video.I had the experience travelling by train way back in the 80's...😂
I travelled Bangkok Singapore by train in 1965 aged 13 on sleeper train . No great problems as I remember.
Interesting the 1000 mm track gauge. I thought the NZ 1067 mm pretty small.
Thanks for sharing!
This is a very wonderful trip done… Enjoyed the whole video. Good to know about the information shared. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
what a lovely baby bullet and an excellent premium product; the leg room looks amazing and entertainment screen a great bonus! (that woman yapping away loudly would have annoyed the bejeezuz outta me TBH) the 2nd class sleeper looked decent as well and your access to outside views is awesome - this trip was indeed an excellent value. curious: did it at all get warm in the car for you on the final leg given no A/C(?)
Thanks! There was AC in the sleeper coach, but no in the seated ones
@@NonstopEurotrip oh phew!
Teringin sangat nak cube kereta laju indo. Taniah indo people🙏
Wow.. gone were the days of the old sleeper trains by KTM... I still remember the sleeper trains from Tanjong Pagar, Singapore to KL sentral. It took like 12-13hours.
An overnight train from JB to Ipoh, Penang & further north in Malaysia might be viable too
Interesting video. I remember taking it from Butterworth to padang besar in early 2000. It was the Thai train, and I remember the train has no air conditioner. The seat is still the same after more than 20 years :)
I will soon extend to Padang bear again!
Another awesome video and a 30 minute video we need more long videos
Working on it! 😁💪🏻
@@NonstopEurotrip great news
I know where I’m going on my next vacation!
Have fun!
Still dont understand why KAI doesnt copy malaysian train sleeper, it was cheaper and more comfortable than "compartement class"
Take it easy. Suite Class Compartment so far is pleasant enough. We Formosans also envy passengers on ETS' business class.
what is KAI?
@@ardentblue7493 Kereta Api Indonesia, state-run railways corporation of Indonesia.
Loved your video and hopefully will see you soon here in Canada
Maybe one day!
Indian railways provides some of the most scenic views. One example would be the dudhsagar falls
Nice video mate! I miss south east asia!
Yeah me too 😎
Everyone misses Thailand 🇹🇭 greatest country in the world - made 33 trips now from the UK and moving there to live in 2026 🙏😊🇹🇭🇬🇧
Thanks for the video. Great tips. I live in KL at the moment, but I may have to do a weekly commute to Bangkok for work soon. So, checking all the options - slow train but ability to work on laptop and sleep on it versus faster flight and then have to check into hotel each week.
Glad it was helpful! 😀
I did BKK to Pratchuap Kiri Kan in sleeper, bottom bunk (tried top bunk on a different journey, much narrower, not recommended at all) and had a good rest! The travel attendant forgot to wake me up as he was fast asleep himself, so nearly missed my stop! 😅
Next time Hua Hin, really loved my travels through Thailand and Malaysia by train i started Chiamg mai, PKK, Georgetown and KL, totalled 2300 plus km.
Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻😊
Thank you i really appreciate this video 😊
You’re welcome 😊
Excellent video. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
The SRT train conditions and nuance seems like in Indonesia 10-15 years ago, but KAI can learn to make proper sleep coach
They definitely need this 💯
starting june next year there will be a direct connection between johor (border of singapore) to padang besar (border of thailand)
As mentioned in the video
At least there are no free riders and overcrowd, though its old but clean
Thailand has invested heavily in roads at all levels over the past 50 yeas and just improved the rail tracks and trains recently. With the single tracks, it takes so much time to travel around. The second tracks have been completed in some parts of the country and dual high speed train tracks are being built. Overall, the train system in Thailand is still far behind that of Malaysia. Hopefully, in the next 3-5 years we will be able to catch up with Malaysia's advanced railway system.
They are really investing in rail now and I'm looking forward to checking out the new development
When Chinese train replace old train that is the best travel., Thank you, very informative.
Glad it was helpful!
Wow watching from Bangladesh 🇧🇩
There should be a video about the passenger trains of Australia and Myanmar Burma
One's boring and the other isn't possible rn
The Ghan and Indian Pacific trains in Australia are great
28:35 just to correct you, both Red line was operate by SRT-ET not the MRT, but the Krungthepapiwat station is connected to the blue line MRT. :)
There are 3 lines that connect to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, though the station on the Red line SRT, Light Red line SRT and blue line MRT are all called Bang Sue (sometimes known as Bang Sue Grand.) Also Bang Sue is the name commonly used for the whole complex.
Very informative, thank you very much
Glad it was helpful!
looking forward to doing this trip one day 👍
You should!
That old KTM station (Kuala Lumpur railway station), near the main mosque is the oddest station.
Blink, you will miss it from the main road!
Absolutely!
Magnificent English Raj architecture, I passed through as a o/land backpacker in 1974, go again next month
Oh that’s cool, I didn’t know about the sleeper train to Thailand. We were going to do that but we decided to go to South Korea instead
You should definitely try it 😉
Nice ride, did it several times, but it has been a time, obviously a lot has changed in Thailand and Malaysia - new Stations, new tracks, new trains - time from KL to Padang Besar used to take about 12 hours back then .. // Thai sleeper trains are great value, but be careful drinking when you have booked the "upper" class berth, it maybe a bit shaky up there due tue some bent tracks ;-) //
That's not true, sorry
Awesome video! 👍💚
Thank you 🤗
Great trip. It's great you can get sleeper train directly from Padang Besar to Bangkok, rather than taking shuttle Train to Hat Yai and take Hat Yai to Bangkok Sleeper Train.
I agree, hopefully one day soon, all the way from Singapore to Bangkok 😁
I ( we ) took an overnight train from Bangkok down to the pier to meet the ferry that would take us to Koh Samui. It was nothing special.... similar to riding the city bus, except on rails.
There is no train to the ferry pier
A little correction, Malaysia doesn't use province but state for its subdivision
My apologies, I even knew that! Silly me 😆
Thanks for this video.. good information for travellers like me.
There is a video of my fellow Malaysian travel to China by train.
Have you tried the three level bunkers in Vietnam?
I will check it out 😄
Nice trip. Was the food good?
Sleeper reminded me of Some Like It Hot.. 😂
It was good yes, Mark! 👍🏻
They should also electrify the rail network overall outside the Bangkok!
It's in progress....
Indian sleepers don't look this clean and comfortable but It seems like it is not possible to book a single private room on trains in Asia...or even on some European trains either.
It's possible, as long as the train has private compartments!
@@NonstopEurotrip You mean a one bed pod or compartment.
@@samtrak1204 either mate
Alternatively you can take the 1 hour shuttle train across the border and then a First Class sleeper in a private room, from Hat Yai to Bangkok, on a different service.
@@samtrak1204
No-one asked you to come to filthy arid Endia.....😑
So now you can travel from singapore to thailand and maybe till china , mongolia, russia , europe ( Depends) Nice👍
One can travel by train from Bkk to Laos border & train to China to Kunming now easily.
This is a very informative video! How long were the wait times at immigration and to board the sleeper train? Amazingly, people are still defecating on the tracks! Don't expect a good night's sleep on the train. You will arrive feeling like you drove over 24 hours from KLM to Bangkok.
Immigration took 10 minutes. I sleep excellently on trains. Always super refreshed.
The geography of Thailand and its SE Asian peninsula neighbors make it ideal for fast international railway system but the chronically underfunded under invested railway system meant that the system is stuck in the early postwar period with its narrow gauge single track that makes it impossible to run fast trains. Thailand has come such a very long way economically since the 60's and 70's but Thai railway has progressed hardly at all.
What a cracking vid.....................
Thank you 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Very nice Video , thanks ...
Welcome!
Very very useful video for tour guide
Glad it was helpful!
Did this trip. Great adventure.
This Maloasian track Electrified by IRCON International (Indian Railway construction company)
Great journey, fab video, thank you for making and sharing… 👍
Glad you enjoyed it 😁
Very comfortable n relax n I enjoy the ride❤❤❤❤❤
Glad to hear that 🙂
Very good Video
Thanks 😊
Really enjoyed this video. Very relaxing, thank you 🙏
You’re welcome 😊
Thank you. I have never use train before going to Thailand.
You should next time 😊
i have made like this trip 5/6/2024 :) from krung thep aphiwat to kl sentral
Did you have fun?!
@@NonstopEurotrip Yes. Eating, sleeping, and eat more hahah
Thank you for the Video. I really enjoyed watching it and I hope I can travel like you soon.
You can do it! 💪🏻
@@NonstopEurotrip media.tenor.com/0f2SaysmsUcAAAAM/air-hugs-mi-amor.gif