If you’re looking for a comfortable, scenic, and stress-free way to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, the ETS Business Class train is one of the best ways to do it. We recently took the journey from KL Sentral to Butterworth and were pleasantly surprised by how smooth and enjoyable the entire experience was — especially in Business Class. Check-In & Ruby Lounge Access at KL Sentral Our journey began at KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur’s main transport hub. After asking for assistance, someone downstairs kindly directed us to the Ruby Lounge, a dedicated waiting area for ETS Business Class passengers. The Ruby Lounge is a quiet, air-conditioned space with comfy seating, free Wi-Fi, and light refreshments — a great place to relax before boarding. When it was time to depart, lounge staff escorted us to a private elevator that took us directly down to the train platform, bypassing the usual hustle and bustle. This felt like a true VIP perk.
Onboard the ETS Business Class Carriage Once on board, we were impressed with the spacious and modern Business Class cabin. The seats are large, plush, and fully reclinable with generous legroom — more akin to airline premium seating than your usual train fare. Each seat comes equipped with: A personal entertainment screen Fold-out tables tucked into the armrests USB ports and power outlets Footrests and adjustable headrests A welcome pack including a blanket and headset It didn’t take long for us to settle in and start enjoying the ride.
Food & Refreshments Onboard About 45 minutes into the journey, a member of the train crew served a hot meal. For us, it was a flavorful chicken with rice and vegetables, accompanied by a bottle of water and a snack box. The snack box included: A pair of earphones (for use with the seat-back entertainment) A packet of nuts A boxed juice drink Later in the ride, we were also offered a choice of tea or coffee, served alongside a warm chocolate muffin — a sweet touch that made the experience feel even more premium.
Scenery & Overall Experience The ride from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth took approximately 3.5 hours, passing through a mix of countryside landscapes, small towns, and stretches of lush greenery. While the views weren’t jaw-dropping, they were certainly pleasant and gave us a sense of the natural beauty of Peninsular Malaysia. Overall, the journey was smooth, quiet, and very comfortable. It’s easy to see why this service is a favorite among travelers looking to avoid airport lines or the long drive up north. Cost & Value The total cost for two Business Class tickets was RM690 (about USD $163.23). While it’s certainly more than the standard fare, we felt it was worth every ringgit for the comfort, service, and overall ease of travel.
Would we take ETS Business Class again? Absolutely. It’s a great way to elevate a simple train ride into something a little more special — and makes arriving in Penang feel like part of the adventure itself.
