Rail Travel in Malaysia: A Heritage Route from Ipoh to Butterworth

There’s a quiet beauty to rail travel in northern Malaysia, a sense that every bend of the track reveals another layer of the country’s past. The journey from Ipoh to Butterworth is not just a ride between two cities; it’s a passage through landscapes shaped by tin, river life, and centuries of cultural exchange.

Here, the train weaves through valleys guarded by limestone hills, slips past old mining towns, and glides alongside tranquil rivers that once carried traders deep into Perak. The pace is gentle, the views nostalgic, and the stories embedded in the route make this one of Malaysia’s most atmospheric railway journeys.

(Source: https://www.agoda.com/travel-guides/malaysia/ipoh/discover-mirror-lake-ipoh-a-hidden-gem-in-malaysias-limestone-wonderland/)

 

The Departure

Your journey begins at the beautifully restored Ipoh Railway Station, often called the “Taj Mahal of Ipoh.” Built in 1917, its white colonial façade and domed architecture give the station a gentle grandeur, a reminder of the days when trains connected tin-rich Kinta Valley to the world.

(Source: Flickr @Zain Abdullah)

Once aboard the KTM ETS, the train glides northward, picking up speed as Ipoh’s old town, riverbanks, and iconic limestone cliffs drift past your window.

The route may only take about 1 hour 30 minutes, but the scenery is lush and uniquely Perak: thick forests, fishing ponds, old mining lakes, and sleepy kampung roads that wind beneath towering hills.

(Source: https://urbanistwanderer.com/2019/09/28/ktmb-ets-gold-review-kuala-lumpur-ipoh/)

 

Stops Along the Way

A quieter town often missed by road travellers, Sungai Siput played a significant role in Malaysia’s early labour and plantation history. Surrounded by greenery and small estates, it’s a peaceful snapshot of rural Perak life.

Look out the window and you’ll see stretches of rubber trees, tin mining pools now turned to lakes, and glimpses of kampung homes that have stood for decades.

(Source: https://visitperak.com.my/pos-kuala-mu/)

2. Kuala Kangsar

The first major highlight is Kuala Kangsar, the royal town of Perak. The station sits near the bend of the Perak River, with the majestic Ubudiah Mosque and the traditional Istana Kenangan just a short drive away.

(Source: https://sultan.perak.gov.my/index.php/informasi-kesultanan/istana/istana-kenangan)

 

Kuala Kangsar is known for its craftsmanship, especially handmade labu sayong and tekatembroidery, heritage crafts that have survived generations. A stop here invites you to walk through quiet streets, riverside paths, and royal gardens that echo with centuries of history.

(Source: https://www.orangperak.com/kuala-kangsar-bandar-diraja-di-perak.html)

 

3. Taiping (via ETS stop at Padang Rengas if you choose to break the trip)

Although the direct ETS doesn’t pass through Taiping town itself, some travellers choose to stop at Padang Rengas and continue by road into Taiping.

Taiping is one of Malaysia’s great heritage towns. Once the centre of the tin industry and now famous for its Lake Gardens, heritage architecture, and the country’s first railway line. Even from the train window, you can see the shift in scenery: more greenery, more rain, more mountain silhouettes.

(Source: https://www.traveloka.com/en-my/explore/activities/attractions-and-things-to-do-in-taiping/439651)

(Source: Photo by Nicholas Randall)

4. Parit Buntar

As the train approaches the Perak – Penang border, Parit Buntar appears, a riverside town shaped by agriculture, local markets, and small communities. It’s a pleasant last stop before the train crosses into Penang, offering views of wide paddy fields and canals that mirror the sky on clear days.

(Source: https://www.sharulnizam.com/2020/12/menikmati-pemandangan-pagi-sawah-padi-parit-buntar-perak.html)

(Source: https://www.libur.com.my/cuti-cuti-malaysia-jom-jenguk-4-kawasan-sawah-padi-serius-cantik-menyegarkan/)

The Arrival

Your journey concludes at Butterworth Railway Station, the mainland gateway to Penang. The moment you step off the train, the scent of the sea greets you as the strait is just a short walk away.

(Source: https://newswav.com/article/butterworth-ktm-station-set-for-major-upgrade-under-rm30mil-mot-plan-A2511_sMEnvN)

(Source: https://www.tripadvisor.com.my/Profile/Leonhkny)

 

Butterworth connects seamlessly to Penang Sentral, where ferries depart for George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within minutes, you’ll find yourself surrounded by colourful shophouses, clan jetties, street murals, and the timeless energy of Penang’s old port.

Whether you’re heading to heritage mansions, hawker favourites, or coastal views, the railway brings you directly to the doorstep of Penang’s cultural heart.

(Source: https://airial.travel/attractions/malaysia/george-town/george-town-penang-unesco-world-heritage-core-zone-859dC1MD)

 

What You Can’t Do

A single Ipoh → Butterworth ETS ticket is only valid for your booked train, date, and seat:

(Source: https://www.busonlineticket.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ETS-Train-from-Ipoh-to-Butterworth-Guide.jpg)

 

What You Can Do

Option 1: Segmented booking (Perfect for heritage and culture-focused travel)

Ipoh → Kuala Kangsar

Kuala Kangsar → Parit Buntar

Parit Buntar → Butterworth

Option 2: Day stop (If you want only a short exploration)

(Source: https://etsticketonline.com/ets-train-route-map/)

 

The Ipoh – Butterworth line may not be the longest route in Malaysia, but it carries some of the richest stories of tin mines, royal towns, rivers, hills, and a northern culture shaped by centuries of movement and migration.

For now, ETS trains serve the entire route with comfort and speed, making it easy to rediscover the heritage, textures, and scenery of Perak and Penang. And while each segment requires its own ticket, the journey feels seamless.

So the next time you travel north, consider the rails instead of the highway. Let the train guide you  allthe way to the shores of Butterworth and across to the island of Penang, one beautiful frame at a time.

Stay updated with the next article on train rides to discover more hidden gems and tips for travellers who love the locomotive experience! Follow us on social media or download the MyRehat mobile app today.