Penang via ETS

First time using ETS KTM to Penang from Kuala Lumpur.  Hubby's niece who has resided in UK came back with her husband, daughter and daughter's boyfriend for 2 weeks, mainly is to attend wedding of her god brother.

She invited me and hubby, her aunt and uncle to join them to Penang via ETS.  She bought the train ticket online (RM88+RM101), booked hotel 2 nights stay RM957 and arranged van with driver RM1500.

We went on 28 August 2024 for 2 nights stay.  Our accommodation at Hotel Penaga which is a 3 bedrooms unit with living hall and 3 bathrooms for 8 persons. Poor girl and boyfriend need to sleep at living hall with no air condition.

We board at KL Sentral Platform B, boarding is 30 minutes prior to departure time.  Just show your scan your e-ticket. It depends on your preference whether you like sitting forward or backward.  We had Coach/Seat E/9A and E/9B which is sitting forward. And is getting cold inside train, suggest you have a light jacket with you.

Our train is from KL to Butterworth ETS9104 1140 hrs/1515 hrs but it was slightly delayed, we reached Butterworth at 1550 hrs.  Butterworth station only has one lift and walk up stairs, no escalator, so is better travel light.  We walked to ferry terminal, just use your touch n go card (RM2 per person) if you have one so you do not need to queue for ticket.  Ferry departs every 30 minutes.  We managed to board 4.30 pm ferry, u need to be at waiting hall 15 minutes before.  After we reached Penang, the van driver picked us and we went  Deen Maju Nasi Kandar, our meal since 9am breakfast at Peter's Noodle Brickfields.

After that, we proceed to Penang Hill. Tram ticket cost RM18 for adult, RM8 for senior citizen 60 years and above, RM30 for foreigner. It was my first time going up Penang Hill for night view.  Usually we went in the morning but it was years ago.

After Penang Hill, we went to Hub Me & You food court at Ayer Itam but most of the stalls already closed except for 3 stalls.

Day 2

After hotel breakfast, we went to Cecil Street Market for kueh, then tour Sleeping Budha temple at Burmah Road, Kek Lok Si, Chew Jetty, Armenian Street Art, Penang Street Cendol, bought some foodstuff as souvenir, nyonya lunch for the angmo  before we returned to hotel for a rest.  For us locals, we already had Assam Laksa while the angmo went to Kek Lok Si.  Driver came to fetch us about 7pm to New World Food Court, passed through Esplanade and back to hotel.

Day 3

10 am After breakfast, we were fetched by the driver to ferry terminal where we board ferry to Butterworth and then ETS 1305 hrs. We reached KL Sentral at about 1640 hrs.

We parted ways home using Grab service.