Langkawi – General Information about the Destination
Langkawi is an archipelago made up of 99 islands located off the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The main island, Pulau Langkawi, features tropical beaches, lush rainforests, and jagged hillsides. Often referred to as the “Jewel of Kedah,” Langkawi is renowned for its natural beauty and laidback vibe. Key attractions include the Langkawi Cable Car, offering panoramic views from Mt. Mat Cincang, and Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, a protected mangrove habitat home to exotic wildlife. Offshore islands like Pulau Payar Marine Park provide world-class scuba diving and snorkeling. In addition to its beaches and nature reserves, Langkawi delights visitors with duty-free shopping, an international marina, and a vibrant nightlife scene. With its jungle-clad landscapes, clear waters, and tranquil pace, Langkawi epitomizes the tropical island dream.
Information about the Route (Woodlands – Johor Bahru – Gemas – Alor Setar – Langkawi)
The travel route from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi includes several stages:
Woodlands to Johor Bahru (JB Sentral) by Shuttle Tebrau.
Johor Bahru (JB Sentral) to Gemas by KTM Intercity.
Gemas to Alor Setar by ETS.
Allor Setar to Langkawi by ferry.
You can also travel by plane. Be sure to check out the alternative options for trains at the end of this article.
Singapore to Woodlands Train Checkpoint by Public Transport
Woodlands Train Checkpoint serves as a combined railway station and immigration checkpoint in Singapore. The first floor houses ticket counters, immigration, customs, and a waiting area, while the second floor is allocated for passengers to queue up for train departures. Amenities include vending machines for drinks.
To reach the checkpoint from other parts of Singapore, public transport options such as bus and MRT are available, as well as taxis. Marsiling MRT Station (NS8) on the North-South Line is the closest MRT station, approximately 1.7 kilometers away. Bus service number 950 is accessible from the bus stop opposite Marsiling Station (46529), a quick two-minute walk, and goes directly to the Woodlands Train Checkpoint.
See also: Trains to Langkawi.
Woodlands – Johor Bahru by Shuttle Tebrau
Traveling from Woodlands in Singapore to JB Sentral in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, is swift and economical via the KTM Shuttle Tebrau operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB). The train ride lasts only about five minutes, providing a rapid transit option between the two locations.
Tickets are priced at 5 SGD, with children aged 3 and below traveling for free. Passengers are required to present their passports when purchasing tickets, which are available at station counters and on the KTMB website.
Due to the high demand for this cross-border service, especially during busy times, booking tickets in advance is advised to ensure a seamless journey.
Departure: Woodlands CIQ Station Address:
Woodlands Train Checkpoint,
11 Woodlands Crossing, 738103, Singapore
Arrival: JB Sentral Station Address:
Stesen Keretapi JB Sentral, Jalan Tun Abdul
Razak, Bukit Chagar, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor
JB Sentral Station Contact number: 07-2234727
Schedule: Woodlands to Johor Bahru
(Jadual Shuttle Tebrau Woodlands ke Johor Bahru)
Thirteen daily trains run from the Woodlands Train Checkpoint, starting with the first departure at 08:30 and the final one at 23:45.
Download the current Woodlands to Johor Bahru schedule.
DownloadHow to Cross the Border between Singapore and Malaysia
Crossing the border between Singapore and Malaysia by the shuttle train from Woodlands to Johor Bahru is a straightforward process. It is recommended that passengers get to Woodlands Station at least 30 to 40 minutes before their train departs to have enough time for the immigration and boarding steps.
At the station, passengers should go directly to the second level to get ready for immigration and boarding. Staff from KTM will need to check your train ticket, which you can show them on your phone or as a paper copy.
The immigration procedures start with Singapore customs, where travelers go through an automated gate that scans their passports and captures a thumbprint for identity verification. Once Singapore immigration clearance is completed, the next step is Malaysian immigration a short distance away. Malaysian officials will review and stamp passports there.
After immigration, there’s a security checkpoint where passengers’ bags are scanned. Following this security check, passengers can wait in the designated area for their train to Johor Bahru. The train ride itself is quick, lasting about five minutes.
See also: Trains from Ipoh to Langkawi.
Johor Bahru (JB Sentral) to Gemas by KTM Intercity
The intercity trains running from Johor Bahru to Gemas cover a distance of approximately 205 kilometers. For those heading north, the ES Ekspres Selatan train line operates on this route, and for eastbound travel, the ERT Ekspres Rakyat Timuran is the service to choose. The journey on these trains starts from around 4 hours and 25 minutes, depending on the specific service and any variations on the day of travel.
Tickets for this trip start from 21 MYR, offering an affordable option for passengers. You can purchase tickets either online or directly at the ticket counter at the station, providing convenience and flexibility for your travel planning.
Schedule: KTM Intercity Johor Bahru to Gemas
(Jadual KTM Intercity Johor Bahru ke Gemas)
The intercity train service from Johor Bahru to Gemas operates 4 times each day. The earliest train departs at 08:30, while the last train of the day leaves at 20:25.
Download the current KTM schedule.
DownloadGemas to Alor Setar by ETS
For travelers looking to journey from Gemas to Alor Setar, the Northbound Train offers Gold class service. The shortest travel time on this route for the Gold class is approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes. The starting price (harga tiket) for a Gold class ticket starts from RM80.00. Passengers have the convenience of purchasing their tickets either online or at the ticket counter available at the station.
Alor Setar Station Address:
Stesen Keretapi Alor Setar, Jalan Kolam Air,
Alor Malai, 05200 Alor Setar, Kedah
Alor Setar Station Contact number: 04-7314045
Schedule: ETS Gemas to Alor Setar
(Jadual ETS Gemas ke Alor Setar)
The train from Gemas to Alor Setar operates once daily. The departure time for this service is at 08:05 in the morning. There are no other departures throughout the day for this particular route.
Download the current ETS schedule.
DownloadAlor Setar Railway Station to Kuala Kedah Ferry
Travelers arriving at Alor Setar Railway Station who wish to proceed to Kuala Kedah Jetty have two main transport options. For a direct route, taxis are available at the station, with a typical fare to the jetty costing around 20 MYR.
Alternatively, a public bus service offers a cost-effective way to reach the jetty. To catch the bus, exit the railway station, turn right, and follow the road past the old station. Turn left when you reach the main road and head towards the city center for about 10 to 15 minutes to find the bus stop on a road parallel to the north of the main road.
The buses to Kuala Kedah, usually white and marked by the HBR Group, display the destination in the front window. The fare to Kuala Kedah is 1.70 MYR, and the trip duration ranges from 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
These buses will stop at the main road near the Kuala Kedah Ferry Terminal. Inside the terminal, ticket counters are available for ferry services to Langkawi. The same buses also provide access to Terminal Bas Shahab Perdana, the main bus station in Alor Setar.
Kuala Kedah Ferry to Langkawi
When you reach Kuala Kedah Jetty, the gateway to Langkawi is just a ferry ride away. Tickets to Langkawi can be acquired for 34.50 MYR per adult directly at the jetty. The ferry, managed by Langkawi Ferry Line, departs five times daily, allowing travelers to choose a departure time that suits their schedule.
The voyage across to Langkawi spans roughly one hour and 45 minutes. The ferries commence operations at 7:00 in the morning, with the last one leaving at 19:00, providing ample opportunity for passengers to pick a time that aligns with their travel itinerary.
Ticket counter:
Kuala Kedah : 604-762 6295 / 604-762 6296
Langkawi: 604-966 1125 / 604-966 1126
Alternative – Flights from Singapore to Langkawi
Travelers wishing to journey from Singapore to Langkawi can conveniently do so by air, with flights operated by Air Asia, Scoot, and others. This airline offers both direct flights and options with interchanges. A direct flight on this route typically lasts around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Check the current flight schedule.
Check on 12go.comSources
https://www.ktmb.com.my/Intercity.html
https://www.ktmb.com.my/intercity-from-woodlands-to-jb.html