KL to Singapore by train: ETS and Shuttle Tebrau (2026)

By TrainsNews' International Expert · Updated 30 October 2026

Kuala Lumpur to Singapore by train takes two trains and one border crossing. First, a KTMB ETS electric train runs from KL Sentral to JB Sentral in Johor Bahru in 4 h 10 to 4 h 40. Then the Shuttle Tebrau crosses to Woodlands in Singapore in 5 minutes. For Tuesday 10 November 2026, KTMB sold 7 direct ETS trains from MYR 79, and 18 shuttles at MYR 5 (checked on 30 October 2026). The new RTS Link between Johor Bahru and Singapore is not open yet: its operator now targets February 2027.

Kuala Lumpur to Singapore by train at a glance

How the journey works

There is no through train from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. You book two separate KTMB tickets.

Leg 1: ETS from KL Sentral to JB Sentral. ETS stands for Electric Train Service. KTMB calls it Malaysia's fastest metre-gauge intercity train, with speeds of up to 140 km/h. Direct ETS trains now run between KL Sentral and JB Sentral on the electrified double-track line through Gemas.

Leg 2: Shuttle Tebrau from JB Sentral to Woodlands. This short train crosses from Johor Bahru into Singapore in 5 minutes and stops at Woodlands, which KTMB lists as Woodlands CIQ. It is an international journey: your passport is your boarding pass.

ETS times and fares, KL Sentral to JB Sentral

Here are all the direct ETS trains KTMB sold for Tuesday 10 November 2026:

Times and minimum fares checked on KTMB's online ticketing site (KITS) on 30 October 2026 for Tuesday 10 November 2026, one adult. Fares are in Malaysian ringgit (MYR).

KTMB runs several types of ETS service, including ETS Platinum and ETS Gold. On our sample day, the six Platinum trains took 4 h 10 or 4 h 20 and started at MYR 103 to 107. The only Gold train, the 17:50, took 4 h 40 and started at MYR 79.

Shuttle Tebrau times and fares, JB Sentral to Woodlands

For Tuesday 10 November 2026, KTMB sold 18 shuttles from JB Sentral to Woodlands. The first left at 05:00 and the last at 22:45. Every trip took 5 minutes and cost MYR 5. Departures ran every 30 minutes from 05:00 to 07:30, then every 75 to 90 minutes: 08:45, 10:00, 11:30, 12:45, 14:00, 15:15, 16:30, 17:45, 19:00, 20:15, 21:30 and 22:45.

Times and fares checked on KTMB's shuttle booking site on 30 October 2026 for Tuesday 10 November 2026.

Book the shuttle early. When we checked, 11 of the 18 shuttles for that Tuesday already showed no seats left, including every departure from 05:00 to 08:45 and those at 16:30, 17:45, 19:00 and 21:30. KTMB says each shuttle has a maximum of 320 seats.

KTMB's fare table for the shuttle: JB Sentral to Woodlands costs MYR 5 for everyone. The other way, Woodlands to JB Sentral, costs MYR 5 for Malaysian citizens and SGD 5 for other passengers.

An example journey

On our sample day, the 07:55 ETS reached JB Sentral at 12:15. The 12:45 shuttle then reached Woodlands at 12:50, still with seats when we checked. That makes about five hours from KL Sentral to Singapore, plus the time for border formalities. Later in the day, connections were harder: after the 11:10 ETS, due at 15:20, the next shuttles with free seats were the 20:15 and the 22:45.

Border and boarding rules

KTMB sets these rules for the Shuttle Tebrau:

Passport. The passport serves as your boarding pass, and you cannot board without a valid one. It must be valid for at least 30 days from the day of travel. You give your passport number and expiry date when you buy the ticket.

Boarding times. You scan your passport at automatic gates to enter the boarding hall, which only ticket holders can use. At JB Sentral, boarding opens 30 minutes before departure and closes 10 minutes before. At Woodlands, it opens 40 minutes before and closes 20 minutes before.

Tickets. Counters at JB Sentral and Woodlands stop selling shuttle tickets 20 minutes before departure. Online, you can buy up to six tickets per booking. Shuttle tickets cannot be changed. Children under 4 travel free but must be registered at the counter before departure; older children need a ticket. There are no concession fares on the shuttle.

Stations

KL Sentral is described by KTMB as Malaysia's main transport hub, with access to shopping, business and the city's attractions. ETS trains to Johor Bahru leave from here.

JB Sentral is the ETS terminus in Johor Bahru and the departure point of the Shuttle Tebrau.

Woodlands is the shuttle's terminus on the Singapore side.

How to book

Buy both tickets online from KTMB: the ETS on online.ktmb.com.my, the shuttle on shuttleonline.ktmb.com.my. The ETS and the Shuttle Tebrau are booked separately, each with its own search. Leave a margin between the two trains: the shuttle gate at JB Sentral closes 10 minutes before departure, and an ETS can run late.

The expert's view: the RTS Link, now due in February 2027

The Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is a new cross-border line of about 4 km between Bukit Chagar in Johor Bahru and Woodlands North in Singapore. According to Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA), the trip will take about five minutes and the line can carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction at peak times. The RTS Link's Singapore terminus, Woodlands North, connects to the Thomson–East Coast Line station of the same name.

It will have co-located customs, immigration and quarantine facilities. Passengers will clear the checks of both countries at their departure station, with no further immigration check on arrival. The line is run by RTS Operations Pte Ltd, a joint venture between Prasarana Malaysia Bhd and SMRT Corporation Ltd.

The opening date has moved. In a joint news release on 2 October 2026, the LTA and Malaysia's Ministry of Transport said the operator now expects passenger service to start in February 2027. Infrastructure works are substantially complete. The operator expects to finish its final system tests and trial runs by 31 December 2026. It then needs certification from an independent safety assessor and final regulatory approval from both countries.

The capacity gap is large: a Shuttle Tebrau has up to 320 seats per trip, while the RTS Link is designed for 10,000 passengers per hour per direction. Until it opens, the shuttle remains the only train across the border.

Kuala Lumpur to Singapore by train: FAQ

Is there a direct train from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore?

No. You take an ETS from KL Sentral to JB Sentral, then the Shuttle Tebrau from JB Sentral to Woodlands, with two separate KTMB tickets.

How long does it take?

On 10 November 2026, the ETS took 4 h 10 to 4 h 40 and the shuttle 5 minutes. With the connection, our example journey took about five hours.

How much does it cost?

For 10 November 2026, ETS fares started at MYR 79 on the Gold train and MYR 103 on the Platinum trains, and the shuttle cost MYR 5 (checked on 30 October 2026).

Do I need my passport for the Shuttle Tebrau?

Yes. It serves as your boarding pass, and it must be valid for at least 30 days from the day of travel.

Is the RTS Link open?

No. On 2 October 2026, the LTA and Malaysia's Ministry of Transport said passenger service is now expected in February 2027, subject to safety certification and regulatory approvals.

Can I change a Shuttle Tebrau ticket?

No. KTMB does not allow changes to shuttle tickets.

Key takeaways

Allow about five hours with a good connection: ETS to JB Sentral, then the 5-minute Shuttle Tebrau to Woodlands. Book both tickets early, as many shuttles sell out. Carry a passport valid for at least 30 days. The RTS Link is not expected before February 2027.

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Sources: KTMB, online ticketing (KITS), ETS search KL Sentral → JB Sentral (times and fares checked on 30 October 2026 for Tuesday 10 November 2026); KTMB, Shuttle Tebrau search JB Sentral → Woodlands CIQ (times, fares and seats checked on 30 October 2026 for Tuesday 10 November 2026); KTMB, Shuttle Tebrau FAQ (passport, boarding times, fares, children, seats; read on 30 October 2026); KTMB, ETS page (service types, speed, KL Sentral); LTA, Johor Bahru–Singapore RTS Link project page; LTA and Ministry of Transport Malaysia, joint news release on the RTS Link timeline (2 October 2026). Information checked on 30 October 2026.