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takin the train
Posted: Fri, 05 Sep 2008 5:19 pm
by momeen
hi, everyone!
plannin a family trip to K.L and we thought we'd try the train.
found a webite that shows really nice first class seats/apartments. and it's abt $21. is this really true? anyone taken the train?
wud love some advice.
thanxs.
Posted: Fri, 05 Sep 2008 5:36 pm
by durain
i have taken the train to KL but cant remember how much. i had the 1st class (but it's not the type of 1st class as you think it is!!!) and the overnight sleeper (no way! not anymore!!!).
IMHO, the express luxury bus are much better. the one i took was
www.aeroline.com.my.
Posted: Fri, 05 Sep 2008 6:10 pm
by sundaymorningstaple
durain wrote:i have taken the train to KL but cant remember how much. i had the 1st class (but it's not the type of 1st class as you think it is!!!) and the overnight sleeper (no way! not anymore!!!).
Yeah, I did that once as well - all the way to BKK. Never again!
that bad!
Posted: Fri, 05 Sep 2008 6:20 pm
by momeen
was it really that bad?
the pics look so good.
Re: that bad!
Posted: Fri, 05 Sep 2008 6:31 pm
by durain
momeen wrote:
the pics look so good.
let's have a look. you got the URL?
momeen wrote:
was it really that bad?
1st class malaysian style and 1st class international standard are not the same!

Posted: Fri, 05 Sep 2008 7:06 pm
by ScoobyDoes
If you take the bus outside of ruch hour, i actually think it will reach KL faster than the train, in more comfort and with more space. Passed quite a few on my drive South this afternoon.
Grasslands is another with really super seats, personal TV's and the works. Snack included i think.
Posted: Fri, 05 Sep 2008 8:07 pm
by QRM
Its fun as an experience, Malaysian first class is like third class in the rest of the world.
The over night sleeper train pulls over and stops in some siding to let you sleep for a few hours, but for most of the night you are being rattled and flung about.
Unless you are talking about the orient express which is five star, but you still get flung about (ancient rolling stock and rails) but a cup of coffee will probably set you back 21 bucks
The Areobus is much better, though you all have to get off and back on with bags at the customs check point.
Posted: Fri, 05 Sep 2008 8:24 pm
by durain
aeroline goes via tuas. i find the bus more shoik. i will only take the train if they are maglev! but yeah, for an experience, the train can be fun. you get the usual stuff with train like the toilet goes straight down the track, bed bugs in the sleeper, food that you dont know what they are, etc. also on the train, dont expect to see any scenic view like padi field, some nice kampung, mountains in the background, etc.
found the site!
Posted: Fri, 05 Sep 2008 8:33 pm
by momeen
hi! found the site i had been taklin abt.
www.seat61.com/Malaysia.htm
u guys make it sound really scary
don't think we'll be going via the train!
will look ito aeroline.
thanxs 4 all the info.
my husband wud have killd me if i took him on the train and it's as bad as u guys say. he's very fussy!
thanxs again.
Posted: Sat, 06 Sep 2008 6:53 am
by sundaymorningstaple
Okay, let me rephrase my thoughts. ...... if you young enough and still in the backpacking mode, then maybe it's okay....... as an adventure.
I'll leave it at that.....
It's better than most Indian trains though
Marginally!
Posted: Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:51 pm
by frenzal
what exactly is bad about the trains, though? Everyone has stated that they're terrible, but not why?
Posted: Sat, 06 Sep 2008 5:37 pm
by sundaymorningstaple
Just for starters, they stink! (smell bad) and the food is a joke. Reminds me of domestic US airlines!
Posted: Sat, 06 Sep 2008 6:41 pm
by durain
when you think about train, you think about super slick trains like the bullet train, eurostar/TGV and maglev trains. KTM is not in that league.
Posted: Sat, 06 Sep 2008 7:10 pm
by QRM
frenzal wrote:what exactly is bad about the trains, though? Everyone has stated that they're terrible, but not why?
The web site gives some clues, check the photo out, the guy who took the picture has his damp socks on the chair, you walk in and it stinks of dried sweat on fabric seats, socks and curry. Throw in diesel fumes, and piss soaked toilets, (hard to pee straight when shaking from side to side,)
When it says tracks made by the British, I go so far as to say it was built by the British under the whips and boots of our sushi eating friends.
The “fading grandeur of the art deco station”
Posted: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 3:59 pm
by boffenl
Just got back from KL yesterday. I'd highly recommend Aeroline which we took both ways to Sunway. Book on-line and they leave right from Harbourfront-- no muss, no fuss. But now I'm saving up for the Orient Express. Maybe one day I can afford a $20 coffee.
