Since we're on the Ipoh train wagon, I thought I'll just post up my latest 2025 trip to Ipoh as well and get it over with. So this is my 3rd trip to Ipoh since after Covid via train from Penang (I did went with my cousin and aunt via car once, but that's excluded). This trip was actually triggered by my husband who wanted to meet his friend in Ipoh, and since we're headed there, I've also invited one of my friend to join us. So on a cloudy morning, three of us slowly made our way to Butterworth via the Ferry to catch out ETS train to Ipoh. Above is almost a nostalgic photo of Penang island as since from Butterworth.
The ferry ride view. It was rather gloomy weather since it was kinda raining season up north. My friend had spend a few days in Penang prior to our trip, and it was with awesome luck that we weren't caught up in any heavy rain. Let's hope our luck held up in Ipoh too. Malaysia has been hit my flooding all over due to the rare tropical storm.
At Butterworth, I was surprised to find that I had to go through the old route again to reach the train station. They have closed up the newly built link again for upgrading..... Sometimes, I wonder how they plan infrastructures in Malaysia..... I knew that there were plans to upgrade the train station and Penang Senrtral as a whole, but must they also blocked the newly built facilities as well?
At the KTM Train Station, I saw these super cute poster of Bichi Mao (What a name! Haha), and was wondering what was it about. But I didn't have much time, so I only managed to take some photos and google it when I got back.
I found more cutout boards of BichiMao, and love the one especially on Butterworth. Super Cute. So apparently there is a Komuter Utara train campaign on where you can get a transport card and a stamp card. You have to visit around 6 north station and get a stamp at each station. After which you can redeem a plushie of BichiMao from KTM. I thought that was rather fun and cute! I would have love to take part of it if I knew about it earlier, or if I was permanently staying in Penang. What a nice way to travel around North Malaysia!
There was some confusion about the platform for our train, and above was what was causing the confusion. The E&O Express was parked at our platform. Luckily our train was just at the opposite side of it. I was trilled to see the E&O train up closed. Would be nicer if I was taking that train too! Sadly the price range is kinda at the ultimate high side, around almost 1k SGD a day on the train. It does include all meals and lodging, and some entertainment? But yeah, at that price, I'll skip it for now.
But that doesn't stop me from taking a selfie with the train!
Prior to us boarding the train, my travelling companion has opted to have KFC for lunch at Penang Sentral. I did have a small sandwich as well, but I really really wanted to eat inside the train. It's just something that brings me a lot of joy, eating inside a moving train while I watch the world goes by :)
Another cool photo of Perai River bridge as we pull out of the Butterworth Station. Our carriage was just next to the cafe carriage, but they don't start selling food till after the train reaches Bukit Mertajam Station. But seriously, I could already smell the hot spiced rice they were heating up in the microwave.
On the dot, my husband went to the cafe carriage and got us two packet of rice. It cost around 11rm each, not exactly cheap for Malaysian standard, but it's just something I like to do while I can still afford it! (I've already stopped drinking matcha yuzu at Norms!). The food did not disappoint! The spiced rice smells sooooo lovely!
Portion is really small, and sadly there is no vegetables. I recall it used to come with acar (picked vegetables), but this time all I got was rice and chicken meat in sauce. Still, it was so nice. I think I generally like spiced rice.
Enjoying my window seat as we made our way to Ipoh. I love seeing paddy fields! And since it has been raining heavily, everything was kinda flooded. Still, I love the green landscape.
The northern train also go pass a nice lake called Tasik Bukit Merah, and the captain will announced it before going through it so that you can get ready to enjoy the view. It's one of those Ghibli scene train ride, and it looks like the train is travelling on water itself. I guess it would look nicer outside than inside :P
You can also see a lot of Teh Tarik coloured river along the way. Luckily no bank looks like they are going to burst. So moral of the story, don't always believe everything you read in the news. The real situation might not be as bad, or the places that you are actually going to aren't really how they say it would be. Or, we could just be lucky.
After around 2hours, we reached Ipoh! What a colourful view as we made our way out of the station. So glad it wasn't raining. We parted ways with my friend as we were both staying in different hotels. We will be meeting up for tea at a coffee shop later after we checked in to our hotels.
Here is a wefie of me and my husband inside the train. My friend was seated just in front of us, and the cafe is just behind us! I always try to book the same window seat whenever I'm taking the ETS.
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