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The new KL–Johor Bahru Electric Train Service (ETS) launching on 12 December 2025 is a big win for international buyers who see Malaysia as a multi‑city lifestyle and investment base, not just a single‑city play. Faster, more comfortable rail connectivity between Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and the Singapore border strengthens tourism, rental demand and long‑term property values along this corridor.
What is the new KL–JB ETS route?
Malaysia’s ETS (Electric Train Service) has long linked Kuala Lumpur with the central and northern regions, previously ending as far south as Gemas in Negri Sembilan. From December 12, 2025, the KL–JB ETS extension will finally connect Kuala Lumpur directly to Johor Bahru, cutting end‑to‑end travel time to under five hours and providing up to 12 ETS trips daily once fully operational.
According to the Transport Ministry, the line extends existing ETS services from Kluang all the way down to JB Sentral, allowing seamless rail journeys between JB, KL, Ipoh, Penang (Butterworth) and all the way up to the Thai border via interchange. For international travellers, this means they can fly into Kuala Lumpur or Johor Bahru, then move effortlessly between the two major city regions by high‑speed train instead of relying on flights or long highway drives.
Why this matters to international buyers
For international buyers, infrastructure is often the difference between a good location and a great one. The KL–JB ETS upgrade delivers several clear benefits:
- Multi‑city lifestyle flexibility: Owners can stay in a Kuala Lumpur apartment for business or city life, then take the train down to a Johor Bahru or coastal home for weekends, golf or family time, without needing to drive.
- Better access to Singapore: Johor Bahru already has the Shuttle Tebrau train and will soon be connected to Singapore via the RTS Link, making KL–JB by ETS plus JB–Singapore by shuttle/RTS a very practical cross‑border route.
- Stronger tourism and rental demand: Easier inter‑city travel supports weekend tourism and “dual‑city” itineraries, which is positive for Airbnb‑style and serviced‑apartment rentals in both KL and JB.
For buyers who view Malaysia as a base to access both Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, the new ETS effectively tightens the economic and lifestyle integration of this corridor, supporting long‑term demand in multiple markets you may invest in.
Impact on property markets along the corridor
Johor Bahru’s property market is already poised for uplift from the upcoming Johor Bahru–Singapore RTS Link, which experts say will improve cross‑border commuting and drive residential and commercial demand near RTS stations. The ETS southward extension adds another layer by pulling Kuala Lumpur and northern cities into the same rail network, allowing more people to treat JB as a weekend and second‑home destination.
Property analysts expect:
- Rising interest in homes near JB Sentral and future RTS stations for commuters working in Singapore but living in Malaysia.
- A stronger case for KL owners to also hold a second asset in Johor, or vice versa, as the time and effort to move between the two cities is reduced.
- More balanced tourism flows, with visitors combining KL, JB and Singapore in one trip, supporting hotel and short‑stay occupancy.
In simple terms, the rail upgrades turn isolated city markets into a linked southern growth corridor, which is exactly the kind of macro story long‑term international investors look for.
How international buyers can take advantage
International buyers can leverage the KL–JB ETS and related rail projects in several ways:
- Dual‑city ownership: Consider one property in Kuala Lumpur (for business, shopping, medical and city life) and another in Johor Bahru close to the RTS or coastal leisure zones, using ETS for easy movement.
- Target rail‑linked locations: Prioritise projects near key ETS and future RTS nodes, as these are likely to see stronger rental demand from commuters, tourists and cross‑border workers.
- Design for flexible stays: For investment units, choose layouts and furnishing that work for both short‑stay guests and medium‑term tenants who may move between KL and JB regularly.
For buyers coming from Singapore, China, Hong Kong or other regions, this new north–south train spine reinforces Malaysia’s positioning as an accessible, multi‑city property market where one can own more than one home, enjoy different lifestyles and still move comfortably between them without domestic flights.