We arrive in KUl on the 23rd July and will leave for Singapore the next day on the 24th at 10pm via train(havent booked it yet but intend to book first class tickets for the family). We need a hotel that will allow us to easily see a few sights and experience KUL before we leave for the train journey, we are returning to KUL later for a longer stay.
As we are a family including a 12 month old, I think we would also prefer a hotel that is close to the train station, yet also close to touristy places. I was considering the Hilton, but is that far from the %26#39;Golden Triangle%26#39;? Or doesn%26#39;t it matter which hotel we stay in and is it relatively easy to get to the train station at about 9pm?
Furthermore, can someone also advise of the best way to get to the hotel from the international airport, we are a family of 5.
(If anyone has recent experience of using the overnight train I would be interested to read your opinion)
Many thanks.
Which hotel for one night in KUL before taking train to SIN?
If it%26#39;s only for a night, then the Hilton at Sentral where you can take the ERL to KLIA. You%26#39;re returning to KL after Singapore, so why the hurry to visit Golden Triangle in KL?
Which hotel for one night in KUL before taking train to SIN?
Thanks again for your help Rio. You are right, no rush to see Golden Triangle, but if we do stay at the Hilton, is there much to do nearby?
There is nothing much to see nearby the Hilton. However, the hotel does have a nice pool where you can hangout and has some excellent resturants. And its a very nice and comfortable hotel. If you wish to hang out and have a latte, then Bangsar is about 5-10mins by cab away, or you may wish to do shopping at a huge (but mid market) mall called Mid Valley, also about 5-10mins by cab.
The station is NOT near touristy places, so having a hotel near to the train station means it will not be near touristy places, and having a hotel near touristy places will mean it is not near the station.
However, KL Sentral more than makes up for having direct connection to KLIA Airport, and also next to the train station.
Nevita,
We took the night express from KL/Butterworth returned, first class, it was not a smooth ride and the compartment is not overly spacious if u have big luggages.
Secondly, do recommend u carry an insect repellant, by the time the trip was completed I was bitten alive by mites or fleas nesting in their reddish blanket.
From Kul/Sin we took the morning train, bought some takeaway from the Railway station prior to boarding, found the buffet train selection limited and unappetising.
I will be travelling to KL and Pen soon, but am avoiding the trains and going by coach instead, quicker by a couple of hours.
hope that helps.
cheers,
Jessie
A family of 5 will take up 2 compartments. The bunks are not big so the kid and mother may be a squeeze.
KTM has not been making money for years so they don%26#39;t really have a lot of money to upgrade the trains, so the compartments may appear a little worn. After staying in the luxurious KL Hilton..well...may take some getting used to for the train compartment...:-)
M
It is not the train that is the problem but the tracks hence the rocking and rolling.
The bed linen was freshly iron and starched, it was the blankets that was infested
nevita,
It might surprise u to know the second class sleepers(bunks) are more comfortable then being in first class.
I am 5 %26#39; tall and weight 49kilo%26#39;s yet found the first class bunk narrow, would suggest u might consider laying down a clean sheet on the floor for the baby.
At least the babe will be able to wiggle to her/his heart %26#39;s content and u get a cat nap along the track.
cheers,
jessie
It seems that most of you are suggesting that perhaps taking the overnight train to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore might not be the best option with family. Is it that bad? I havent booked anything yet and can easily go for one of the luxury coaches instead, please advise!
We are now staying in Kuala Lumpur for 2 days before we fly to Bali, and then flying back to Singapore, taking train/coach back to Kuala Lumpur.
Where would you advise we stay for the first 2 nights before we fly to Bali?
Thank you for your time.
Hi Nevita,
My husband and I booked first class cabin night train from KUL/SIN and the prices included breakfast. The cabin size was ok, two berth bed, the bed sheet, linen and blanket was clean, it has bathroom with shower, toilet and a small sink. As for the breakfast, it was a normal breakfast and of course one could not expect to be given breakfast like in Orient Express train! Our cabin server was a nice man, who took our order from breakfast and wakes us up before reaching Singapore.
It is not advisable to bring a big baggage into the cabin due to the limited spaces. But believe me the cabin is way much better than the cabin in Europe. My husband got phobia when we travel to Zurich from Vienna with their first class cabin...it is toooo small!
We did sleep well that night except when the train stop for the immigration check up!
We came back with morning train first class seating from SIN/KUL and it was a good ride and the seat is very comfortable.
Well, it is up to individual, if you have big expectation, am sure you will not enjoy it but if you just want a clean and comfortable train then you will enjoy the trip.
You could take with you sandwiches, water or fruits just in case you didnt like the food on the train.
You could take luxury coach but you will not have the privacy of a cabin especially travellng with children.
Hope you choose the best for you and your family.
Hi Nevita,
I have used both the night train and luxury coach to Singapore from KL several times. It is true that the train journey tends to be quite rocky because of the prewar single track and you may not sleep well with all the train stops especially during prolonged station stops.
I have used only the second class bunker sleeper which I find very spacious and comfortable (upper berth has low ceiling, hence the lower price) compared the one in Europe which are seats turned into beds but Austrian OBB/German DB night trains are generally new and smooth riding.
I have only peeked into the first class cabin via the very narrow walkway and think the small cabin is not worth the price and privacy for. If you really want to experience the night train, go for the second class sleeper berth where you just put your luggage besides your bed but bring your own snack as buffet car has nothing to eat.
For some reason, many night train patrons are Indian tourists. Otherwise, the first and second class cabins are mostly used by backpackers who want to experience Malaysian trains.
If you want comfort and style, try to take Aeroline luxury coach which takes 5 - 5.5 hours between KL and Singapore. They operate as if you are flying with serving of water, coffee/tea and a meal. This eliminates the normal 30 mins stop for rest with most other express buses.
https://www.aeroline.com.sg/sin_kul.html
Better still, Transtar has even more space, seat with massaging function and indiviual LCD screen.
http://www.transtar.com.sg/firstclass.php
Otherwise, take the cheaper but also luxrious Grassland coach
http://www.grassland.com.sg/coach.html
With luxury coach so cheap and with so many extras, it is no wonder fewer and fewer people are taking the train. We just wait and see if the proposed double train track (half the journey time) and the 90 mins high speed train will be realised within 5 years time.
Thanks Alex for such an informative reply. Thanks to everyone for thier comments. I think I will give the train a miss and use the coach instead. Transtar looks fantastic!
