Travel on the ETS Butterworth Arau train is the quickest way to travel from Penang to Arau, with daily departures on the route up to the Thai border (all stopping at Arau Railway Station).
These services are a good alternative way to travel between Penang and Langkawi Island, as Arau is the nearest train station to the port of Kuala Perlis, where regular high-speed ferry boats leave for Langkawi throughout the day.
Please note: from June 2018, ETS trains between Butterworth and Arau have been cancelled and you will have to use the slightly slower, but much cheaper KTM Komuter train services between Butterworth and Arau.
These trains have much more regular departures, leaving every one or two hours from early morning until late evening.
To view the Komuter schedule between Butterworth and Arau click here >
New ETS timetable:
With the new timetable, all ETS services will not be taking the branch line to Butterworth on their way to Arau, so you will again have to use the KTM Komuter trains.
If you are continuing your journey on to Langkawi island, this ETS service is not much use as it arrives too late.
Take the KTM Komuter trains!
You can see the ferry timetable and fares from Kuala Perlis Jetty here >>
New ETS timetable:
From this date ETS trains will no longer be travelling between Arau and Butterworth so you will have to use the KTM Komuter services.
For a list of departure times on the KTM Komuter Train services from Arau to Butterworth click here >
Arriving at Butterworth Train Station, the ferry terminal for boats over to Penang Island is located just a short walk away.
For information on the ferry times and fares click here >>
The new Electric Train Services have only one class - there are no 1st, 2nd or 3rd class carriages.
ETS Gold Trains cost : Adult 25 RM - Child 17 RM
If you want to make an advance booking for these services, ETS tickets are available for widely varying periods in advance (from two weeks to two / three months).
You can book tickets from any KTMB ticket counter or if you are staying on Penang Island, you can book tickets from the KTM Ticket office.
To save you the trouble of visiting the station, you can also book online and print out your own tickets.
For more information or to book online now click here >>
Butterworth ETS Trains main page >>