Full train journey: KTM Komuter Utara from Padang Besar to Butterworth on a Class 92 Train

This is a video of me taking the KTM Komuter Utara from Padang Besar on the Malaysian border with Thailand to Butterworth on the west coast of Penang on a Class 92 Train. This Northern Sector service has a journey time of nearly 2 hours and stops at Bukit Ketri, Arau, Kodiang, Anak Bukit, Alor Setar, Kobah, Gurun, Sungai Petani, Tasek Gelugor, Bukit Mertajam and Bukit Tengah along the way. Having got off my overnight train from Bangkok, I cleared the immigration of both Thailand and Malaysia at the Padang Besar station and walked up to the concourse. Tickets for the train to Butterworth cannot be bought online and must be bought at the ticket counter at the station. Since there were 45 minutes before the next train to Butterworth and the ticket counter is currently closed, I chilled out a big class of iced teh tarik at the cafe in the concourse for RM2. The ticket office opened around 30 minutes before the next train departs. I got in line and bought an adult single ticket for RM11.40 before heading down to the platform to board the train. Toilets are provided on the way to the platform for a 30 Sen fee. Since there are no toilets on the train, this is your last chance to use it! The lift to the platform was not working, so I had to drag my suitcase down a flight of stairs. This service is served by a Class 92 Train in a very poor condition: Virtually all the windows are stained, smeared, scratched or even smashed to some degree. Judging by the line maps above the train doors, this train is obviously a hand me down from the KTM Komuter network in Kuala Lumpur. I was not able to find a decent window to record out of before the train departs, so I recorded the first few minutes standing at the door, before walking down the train and finally finding the cleanest, or I should say least dirty, window to stick my action camera on for the rest of the journey. It was a bright and sunny day so I enjoyed some nice views as I sped south through the countryside. Naturally, the surroundings became more built up as we got closer to Penang. I finally arrived at the port city of Butterworth after spending 1 hour and 51 minutes on the train. Fortunately, there was a working lift on the platform, hence I did not have to drag my suitcase up the stairs. It was time to get to my hotel in Georgetown on Penang Island. I was immediately touted by a pair of taxi drivers when I exited the station. One of the drivers, Ahmed, offered to take me to my hotel for RM50. I was initially reluctant because they behaved like unlicensed drivers. This concern was addressed when Ahmed showed me his fully licensed vehicle. Meanwhile, I checked the Grab app on my phone. Booking a ride with Grab will cost only RM28 plus a bridge toll of RM9. However, the app also asked me to take a selfie of myself for identification purposes under Malaysian law before I could make the booking. I decided that I did not have time for that, let alone wait for the Grab driver to arrive. As a result, I accepted Ahmed's offer. He swiftly loaded my suitcase into the boot of the taxi and we quickly set off. For your information, I could have taken the Rapid Ferry to Georgetown for only RM1.20. However, this meant I would have to walk more than 300m to the pier, dragging my heavy suitcase along. Afterwards, I would have to wait for the ferry for an average of 15 minutes. When I get to the other side, I would have to call a taxi or Grab ride anyway, because my hotel, the Hotel Jen, is not at a walking distance from the ferry pier in Georgetown. Since time is money when I go on holiday, I let Ahmed drive me to the hotel in 30 minutes. I quickly checked in and headed over to the 1st Avenue Mall next door for a very late lunch. I ate at the food court and ordered a roast chicken with rice set and a glass of iced milk tea RM7.90. I always love eating at food courts when I go to Malaysia or Singapore, because they make decent food at great prices.