Planning to take the ETS train from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur with kids?
For our recent family trip, we decided to skip the usual flight and experience Malaysia’s ETS electric train service instead — and honestly, it turned out to be one of the most relaxing family travel experiences we’ve had.
Our journey actually started from Singapore, where we first crossed into Johor Bahru using the KTM Shuttle Tebrau train before boarding the onward ETS Business Class train to KL.
In this guide, we’ll share:
- our full Singapore to KL train journey experience
- what we did in JB before boarding
- ETS Business Class vs Economy differences
- food and entertainment onboard
- whether ETS Business Class is worth it with kid
If you’re wondering whether the ETS train is a good alternative to flying with kids, here’s our honest family review after trying it ourselves.
Why We Decided To Take The ETS Train To KL
We’ve flown to KL multiple times before, but after travelling with kids repeatedly, we realised something:
👉 sometimes the airport process feels more tiring than the actual flight itself 😂
Even though flights are technically faster, travelling by plane with kids still involves:
- arriving early at the airport
- immigration clearance
- baggage drop
- waiting time
- boarding queues
- baggage collection
- airport transfers into the city
This time, we wanted to try something slower but hopefully more relaxing.
And honestly?
The train journey ended up feeling MUCH less rushed overall.
One thing we also intentionally did differently:
👉 we chose NOT to book back-to-back train timings.
Instead of rushing straight from Singapore into the onward ETS train, we gave ourselves buffer time in JB first — and this ended up becoming one of the BEST decisions of the trip.
Our Singapore To JB Journey & Why We Spent Time In JB First
Before boarding the ETS train to KL, we first travelled from Singapore to JB using the KTM Shuttle Tebrau train.
One thing we really like about this route:
🚆 the Singapore to JB train ride itself is only around 5 minutes long.
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We first travelled from Singapore to Johor Bahru before boarding our onward train to KL.
Some people may think this sounds troublesome at first, but honestly, it wasn’t bad at all.
The Singapore to JB train ride is only around 5 minutes long, which makes crossing the border much faster compared to driving or bus queues. Instead of rushing straight to the onward train, we actually enjoyed stopping in JB first.
So rather than “wasting time”, it actually broke the journey up nicely for the kids. This made the entire travel day feel much more relaxed compared to airport rushing.
Since our ETS train was later in the day, we decided to spend some time around JB Sentral first instead of stressing over tight transit timing.
And honestly, this made the whole journey feel much more enjoyable.
The great thing is:
📍 Komtar JBCC and Johor Bahru City Square are both located very near the train station, so there’s actually plenty to do while waiting for your onward train.
Letting The Boys Burn Energy Before The Train Ride
Before sitting on a 4.5-hour train ride, we wanted the boys to burn off some energy first 😂
So we brought them to an indoor playground nearby.
👉 Use our promo code for up to 10% off activities: “hengxklook”
Klook Official Website
👉 Get ideas for what to do in JB:
Malaysia Guide
👉 Train Ticket Booking Link:
Booking Link
Booking online was cheaper than onsite pricing, and honestly this turned out to be a GREAT decision because the boys were much calmer onboard later on.
Parents Recharge Time Too 😂
While the boys played, the adults took turns for a quick recharge session at:
- Thai Odyssey
- Kskin
Everything was conveniently located under one roof, which made the transit time feel more like a mini family stopover rather than “waiting time”.
We also grabbed an early lunch before heading back to the train station.
Honestly, instead of feeling like wasted time, the JB stop actually helped break up the travel day nicely for the kids.
ETS Boarding Process At JB Sentral
After our JB break, we headed back to the station for boarding.
One important thing to note:
📍 the ETS train departs from the same general train station area as the Singapore to JB train, BUT the entrance is different. So do give yourself enough time to locate the correct boarding area.
We highly recommend arriving earlier especially if travelling with kids and luggage.
The good thing?
Our train departed very punctually.
Why We Appreciated The Business Class Waiting Area
One of the BEST parts about booking ETS Business Class:
👉 there was a separate waiting area at the side.
This was honestly VERY helpful with kids. Instead of squeezing with larger boarding crowds, the process felt calmer and more organised.
Another perk:
🚆 Business Class passengers also boarded first.
For families travelling with kids, this made a surprisingly huge difference because we could:
- settle luggage comfortably
- organise snacks
- prepare the kids
- avoid rushing
Our Honest ETS Business Class Experience
The boys were honestly SUPER excited when we boarded 😂
The Business Class cabin felt:
- spacious
- clean
- modern
- quieter than expected
And the legroom was surprisingly generous.
Compared to plane seats, it definitely felt much more comfortable for a longer journey.
ETS Business Class vs Economy Class
| Feature | Economy Class | Business Class |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | Standard seats | Wider reclining seats |
| Legroom | Good | Much more spacious |
| Boarding | Standard | Priority boarding |
| Waiting Area | No | Separate waiting area |
| Meals | Purchase separately | Meals/snacks included |
| Entertainment | Basic | Personal entertainment system |
| Best For | Budget travellers | Families & comfort |
For shorter trips, Economy is honestly already decent.
But for families with younger kids, we personally felt Business Class was worth the upgrade for the extra comfort and convenience.
Food, Snacks & Entertainment Onboard The ETS Train
Almost immediately after departure, dinner was served.
Honestly?
This was probably the weakest part of the experience 😅
The curry chicken was slightly spicy for our kids, so they mostly ate:
- the rice
- egg
- side items
Still, we appreciated having food included since it kept the boys occupied after departure.
We were also given:
- a snack box
- packet drinks
- snacks
- and earbuds for the entertainment system
The earbuds honestly looked like mini AirPods 😂
The Entertainment System Was The Boys’ Favourite Part
This ended up becoming the boys’ favourite part of the ride.
Each seat came with a personal entertainment system loaded with:
- games like car racing game and candy crush
- movies
- music
This kept them entertained for a surprisingly long time.
For parents travelling with kids:
👉 this honestly made a HUGE difference.
Another interesting feature:
Business Class passengers could order additional snacks and drinks directly through the onboard entertainment system.
Meanwhile, Economy passengers would need to head to the café coach instead.
Naturally, we had to try:
☕ 3-in-1 Nescafé
🍫 Milo 😂
Later during the second part of the journey, coffee or tea and muffins were also served onboard.
What The ETS Journey Was Like With Kids
One thing the boys absolutely loved:
👉 being able to walk around the train.
Unlike flights where kids are confined to their seats most of the time, the train allowed them to:
- stretch
- explore slightly
- walk to the café area
- look outside at the scenery
We also walked over to check out the café coach midway through the journey.
It was a nice change of environment and helped break up the trip for the kids.
The slower pace of train travel honestly felt much more relaxing compared to airport rushing.
Midway through the ride, I encouraged the boys to take a nap.
Surprisingly… they actually did 😂
They slept for around an hour, and after waking up, we were already approaching KL.
That’s when we realised:
👉 even though the journey was around 4.5 hours, it honestly passed much faster than expected.
Arriving Directly Into KL Sentral Was A Huge Advantage
Honestly, one of the BEST parts of the entire experience:
🚆 the train arrives directly into KL Sentral.
Compared to airports which are much further away, this felt incredibly convenient.
Once we arrived:
- we booked a Grab easily
- luggage transfer was straightforward
- and we reached our hotel in around 15 minutes
No airport stress.
No long transfer.
No baggage waiting.
This alone made the journey feel VERY worth it.
Is ETS Business Class Worth It With Kids?
For our family?
Honestly yes.
Especially because:
- kids had more space
- priority boarding helped tremendously
- entertainment system kept them occupied
- walking around was possible
- the entire experience felt less rushed
Would we take it again?
Definitely yes.
Especially for:
- families with younger kids
- parents who dislike airport rushing
- travellers who prefer slower-paced journeys
- families wanting a more relaxed start to their holiday
Helpful Tips Before Taking The ETS Train
- Don’t book tight transit timing between Singapore and the ETS train
- Let kids burn energy before boarding
- Bring snacks or meals for your kids
- Arrive early before boarding gates close
- Book early during weekends and school holidays as Business Class can sell out quickly
Helpful Resources For Your KL Family Trip
Planning your own KL family getaway?
You may also enjoy:
👉 Train vs Flight to KL With Kids
👉 Best Indoor Playgrounds in KL for Kids
👉 Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Kuala Lumpur
Recommended KL Activities
We usually book attractions through Klook because prices are often cheaper than onsite rates.
Klook.comApply Promo Code “Hengxklook” for up to 10% off activities, transfers and hotels
Hotel Booking Recommendations
For family stays, we usually prioritise:
- central location
- spacious rooms
- easy mall access
- kid-friendly amenities
You can compare hotel prices here:
💡 Apply Code “HENGXAGODA for discount off hotel bookings on Agoda
👉 Read our hotel review here:
Renassiance Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Join Our Telegram Channel For Travel Deals
We regularly share:
- travel promotions
- attraction discounts
- hotel deals
- family travel hacks
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Watch Our Full ETS Train Journey On YouTube
🎥 We filmed parts of the experience too!
Watch our journey here:
👉 Heng Trails YouTube Channel
Final Thoughts
Travelling with kids changes how you view transport completely.
For us, the ETS train journey felt slower — but also MUCH more relaxing.
Instead of starting our holiday stressed and exhausted, the train allowed us to:
- slow down
- enjoy the journey
- let the boys snack and play
- and ease gradually into holiday mode
