Train To Malaysia ...need For Proof Of Onwards Travel ?

[patient]

i hold an australian passport and my one yr o visa for thailand is ending and decided to do visa run (planning on double entry tourist visa in KL or Penang) and brief holiday/electronics shopping in malaysia. i m not sure how or when i will return eg 1 week or 10 days. how strict is immigration on the bkk to butterworth train (no. 35) or at the border?

wld proof of train ticket from johur (cheapest option) to woodlands in singapore be sufficient or shld i purchase refundable air ticket; if latter optioon is best can anyone recommend an airline with online refund function and/ or low creditcard charges?

many thanks

[durhamboy]

Actually i am doing the same thing in a few days time - train to Penang although I have made a return booking which, btw, you dont have to pay for until you pick up the ticket at Butterworth. So if you dont pick it up they would simply cancel it and sell to someone else and it wont cost you a penny. Suggest you do that.

Btw, I think it is extremely unlikely that they will ask for an onward ticket when you enter Malaysia - I've never been asked and I've entered M'sia many times.

[Eff1n2ret]

Wildly off-topic I know, but I also was thinking about doing the same trip on that service #35. However, the Thai Railways website didn't seem userfriendly when it comes to actually booking. I think I read somewhere that the 1st-Class sleeper berths get booked up a long time in advance. Any hints on the best way to book without actually having to go to Bangkok?

[harrry]

Wildly off-topic I know, but I also was thinking about doing the same trip on that service #35. However, the Thai Railways website didn't seem userfriendly when it comes to actually booking. I think I read somewhere that the 1st-Class sleeper berths get booked up a long time in advance. Any hints on the best way to book without actually having to go to Bangkok?

the online booking is now stopped. You coud try a travel agent or go to any station.

[durhamboy]

Wildly off-topic I know, but I also was thinking about doing the same trip on that service #35. However, the Thai Railways website didn't seem userfriendly when it comes to actually booking. I think I read somewhere that the 1st-Class sleeper berths get booked up a long time in advance. Any hints on the best way to book without actually having to go to Bangkok?

First class is only available Bkk-Haad Yai-Bkk. For BKK-Penang I think it's all 2nd class sleeper which happens to be quite good.

Best website is Seat61 - loads of info and photos.

You can book 60 days in advance from a Thai railway station. I did it at Hualomphong in Bangkok and it was easy.

Regarding demand for tickets it's hard to be sure but I believe you can even get a ticket on the day - my friend did that.

[patient]

thanks heaps eveyone, aappreciate yr advice.

can i reserve a train 35 berth at udon but pay for it when i arrive at Hualomphong station

were you able to book return from penang/butterworthds at a thai station or only fom malaysian railway website..

ok offtopic quet...do u do yr electronic shopping in /alay to save on duty

can anyone recommend where to buy android tablet and ipod in malaysia?

cheers

[patient]

thanks heaps eveyone, aappreciate yr advice.

can i reserve a train 35 berth at udon but pay for it when i arrive at Hualomphong station

were you able to book return from penang/butterworthds at a thai station or only fom malaysian railway website..

ok offtopic quet...do u do yr electronic shopping in /alay to save on duty

can anyone recommend where to buy android tablet and ipod in malaysia?

cheers

[harrry]

as there is only second class from Hatyai to the border I suggest that you should book to Hadjai then to the border and book on the Malasian train website for the border to Penang and return so that you can have what you want. Alternatly and possibly better train to hatyai and then use the mini bus to Penang (Butterworth) as it quicker than changing trains and doing immigration at the border.. You can then catch pretty fast trains from Penang to KL or slow mail trains as you wish.

Edited January 31, 2013 by harrry

[durhamboy]

thanks heaps eveyone, aappreciate yr advice.

can i reserve a train 35 berth at udon but pay for it when i arrive at Hualomphong station

were you able to book return from penang/butterworthds at a thai station or only fom malaysian railway website..

ok offtopic quet...do u do yr electronic shopping in /alay to save on duty

can anyone recommend where to buy android tablet and ipod in malaysia?

cheers

Not sure if you can book at one station and pay at another in Thailand.....I would imagine you can't.

I booked my return through the Malaysian Railways website (KTM) and sent them an email which they responded to within a couple of days. I dont think you can book the Penang-BKK from anywhere in Thailand.

Btw, book a LOWER berth sleeper seat - the lights are on all night and those in the upper berth get it in their eyes!

[patient]

rhanks DB.for the tips!

3 last questions...is it cold on the train...i wish to travel as light as possible.

and can you recommend place/s to stay in penang for a night.

have you ever caught the scenic train to Khota Bahru via Wakafub Bahru...seat61 has some positive reviews. i wld not cross the border but wld take train back doen to johor...due to safety concerns

cheers

[harrry]

I do not know if they still have it but investigate whether Malasian rail still has a railpass. Many years ago I used it extensively for about a week or 10 days of quite comfortable scenic travelling (plus a few cheap nights on slow trains rather than hotels.) there is some fantastic country there.

they do:

• Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM) or Malayan Railways has an impressive rail network that stretches from north to south and east to west in Peninsular Malaysia. KTM offers a number of special deals for tourists.
  
• The KTM Railpass offers all the benefits of first-class travel at economy rates. Railpass holders are allowed unlimited travel on any passenger train in Malaysia and Singapore for the duration of the railpass. The price for adults is US$55 for 10 days and US$120 for 30 days. For children between 4 and 12 years old, the Railpass is US$28 (10 days) and US$60 (30 days).
  
• For only US$32, youths (not Malaysians or Singaporeans) below the age of 30 holding the ISIC, YIEE Card, or Youth Hostel Card receive unlimited travel on KTM for 7 days. The Eurotrain Explorer Pass-Malaysia is valid for second or economy class travel on all KTM services in Peninsular Malaysia (including Singapore).
  

Edited January 31, 2013 by harrry

[patient]

thankx harry i will look into that...good idea

[patient]

thankx harry i will look into that...good idea

[ubonjoe]

You have to buy the ticket for advance booking at the train station. But it can be done at any train station.

Edit: You will not get a 2 entry tourist visa in Malaysia. They are only available in Vientiane or Savannakhet Laos. Or at embassies or consulates much farther away.

Also on what basis is your O visa.

Edited February 1, 2013 by ubonjoe

[durhamboy]

Penang has loads of hotels from dirt cheap to filthy rich. You can stay in town or at the beach (Batu Ferringhi). Presonally Hotel Malaysia (in town) at RM 100 a night (incl. taxes and buffet b'fast) seems to be quite good but it's a long time since I stayed there.

[patient]

oh ... that was a shock Ubonjoe.i didnt know that. i had mistakenly thought double enry vissa wld be no problem. cheers