JB to KL ETS – Was paying RM163 for the train’s business class worth it?

When the all-new ETS (Electric Train System) linking JB and KL officially launched on 12 Dec 2025, it was everywhere — splashed across headlines and social media feeds alike. After talking about it for the past month, my colleague Dean and I FINALLY hopped on board.

“Go big or go home!” we thought. So, we booked business class seats on a Saturday afternoon to see if the 4-hours-20-minutes journey was worth it. Here’s how it went.

How to book tickets for JB to KL ETS?

For those who prefer to book on PCs and laptops, you can book your tickets via the KTMB website. Otherwise, just download the KITS Style app from your mobile phone.

How many ETS ticket categories are there?

There are 2 main ETS train types: Gold and Platinum.

Both trains consist of 6 carriages — A to F — with about 15 rows per car, all laid out in a classic 2×2 seating configuration. Cars C and D have slightly lesser rows due to facilities like the Bistro and Surau (Muslim prayer room).

The Platinum train features a dedicated Business Class carriage (Car A), with 12 rows arranged in a spacious 1×2 seating layout (pictured above).

What’s the ticket price & train times for ETS?

I’ve created a table for easy understanding. Here’s an example of the ticket pricing typically for an entire week, but do note that prices differ weekly.

There are 5 timings per day for both routes:

• JB to KL — 7.35am, 8.40am, 12.45pm, 4.20pm, and 8.30pm
• KL to JB — 7.55am, 3.15pm, 5.35pm, 5.50pm, and 9.10pm

Marked in yellow, the Gold train prices are cheaper, with a total journey time of 4 hours 40 minutes (just 20 minutes more than Platinum). For Business Class tickets, they cost an additional 70RM.

For a strange reason, the ticket prices for the KL to JB leg are slightly pricier.

Once you make your booking, you’ll receive a QR code attached to your e-ticket. We selected the 12.45pm Business Class train on a Saturday, which amounted to RM163.

Where to board the ETS?

For those who regularly take the KTM train from Singapore to JB, the boarding and disembarkation area in JB Sentral is the same. To enter, simply scan the QR code at the gantry and that’s it! If you face technical issues, there’ll be ground staff around to assist you.

After reaching platform 4, we boarded the train and marched straight to Car A — the Business Class haven.

What are the facilities like on board the ETS?

The Business Class seats were roomy, with plenty of legroom to stretch out. They reclined modestly at 60 degrees, but it may not be enough for those planning to lie completely flat.

Each seat comes with a spring-tension footrest, a 240V 3-pin socket, and 2 USB chargers. There’s a foldable table tucked neatly into the armrest, plus a handy hook in front for dangling your knick-knacks.

On the other side of the armrest, I discovered a tablet and that’s when things started to go downhill. Apart from 4 simple games like Sudoku and Subway Surf, there wasn’t much to do. No movies, no working Internet Browser, and the Food & Beverages button was dead on arrival. A bit of a letdown for Business Class, if you ask me.

We headed to Car C where the Bistro was located. The menu that was flashing on the screen above seemed promising. It ranged from snacks like Keropok Lekor (RM10) and Maggi Hot Cup Curry (RM4) to bento sets like Nasi Lemak Ayam Rendang (RM13). Our excitement took a small hit when we found out that the screen in front of us offered just 7 bento sets, and that the rest weren’t available.

I was pleasantly surprised by the lavatories — roomy, well-designed, and equipped with handy grab bars. There’s also a disability toilet in Car D.

A dedicated Surau is available for Muslim commuters to perform their prayers. For those who are unable to place their carry-on luggage on the overhead compartments, there are storage shelves up front, too.

Do you get food on ETS business class?

Yes, ETS Business Class passengers do get food on board. We were served a Nasi Tomato bento set that came with 4 pieces of ayam masak merah and pickled pineapples.

The nasi tomato was made with basmati rice, and each grain was fluffy and full of flavour. The chicken and pineapple were tasty, too. That said, I found myself wishing for a more generous portion of both.

The bento came with a Snack Box featuring salted peanuts, a mixed berries tetra pack… and wired earphones (yup, you read that right). Odd, but kind of charming.

At around 2.40pm, we were served a Red Velvet Muffin and a choice of hot Coffee/Tea.

Train journey between JB Sentral and Kl Sentral

True to Japan-level punctuality, the ETS rolled out of JB Sentral at exactly 12.45pm. The journey was a visual buffet of greenery — palm tree plantations, thick forests, and every now and then, sleepy towns and mountains lining the far horizon.

The journey was smooth and near-silent from start to finish with an average speed of 75km/h, but a word of warning: the air-conditioning doesn’t hold back, so bringing a jacket is highly recommended.

If you’re curious about the specific stops along the route, here is a complete timeline of the stations the ETS serves. We arrived just 5 mins behind schedule!

Final thoughts

If you’re a train enthusiast, you’ll likely enjoy the ETS journey between JB and KL. While there are a few teething issues — namely the tablet, lack of movies, and limited bistro options — I’d happily hop on board again. Clean, comfortable, and efficient — taking the train is the perfect alternative to driving or flying if you’re headed to KL.

A 4-hour-20-minute Business Class train ride for around S$53? That’s actually a really good deal in my opinion. Would you book it? Do let me know in the comments.

Expected damage: 70RM – 171RM per pax