East Coast Rail Link Guide – Everything To Know About The ECRL Ahead Of Its Expected Launch On 12th Dec

East Coast Rail Link

Malaysians are no strangers to travelling by car to different states. But many argue that travelling to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia from Klang Valley can be difficult, especially during seasonal periods, given that there is only one existing highway – the East Coast Expressway.

But with an expected launch of the East Coast Rail Link as early as 12th December 2026, travelling by train from Gombak Integrated Terminal Station to Kota SAS Station in just over 1 hour 35 minutes will be another option for us really soon.

What is the East Coast Rail Link?

Image credit: ECRL

The East Coast Expressway, accessible only via Gombak, is the only highway linking the Klang Valley with Pahang, Terengganu, and Kelantan. To put this into perspective, Klang Valley is home to almost 9 million people.

However, this is about to change with the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), which allows thousands of people to commute via train to and from four main destinations in Malaysia’s East Coast: Selangor, Terengganu, Pahang, and Kelantan.

This will shorten the usual travel time by road from about three hours to 1 hour 35 minutes by the ECRL train via the express route. The ECRL will also be able to transport passengers from Gombak to Kuala Terengganu in 3 hours, and Gombak to Kota Bharu in just 4 hours.

Eleven train sets & modern facilities

Image credit: CRRC Corporation Ltd.

Phase one of the ECRL will open its doors for passengers, with a total of 11 six-car electric multiple unit (EMU) sets. According to The Star, each EMU train set can operate at speeds up to 160 km/h and accommodate up to 425 passengers in an all-economy-class configuration.

Image adapted from: China Communications Construction ECRL Sdn Bhd via Facebook

The train sets include separate cabins for business and economy class, as well as carriages equipped with wheelchair spaces, prayer rooms with ablution facilities, and even hot water dispensers.

When is the ECRL operating?

Image credit: CRRC Corporation Ltd.

The ECRL is currently projected to operate in two phases. The first phase, which connects Kota Bharu to Gombak, is expected to welcome passengers as early as December, a month earlier than its initial January 2027 start date. The second phase will be completed in December 2027, with commercial freight and cargo services connecting Port Klang to other stations set to launch the following month in January.

In October, a more concrete launch date was announced for the ECRL – 12th December – or even earlier, but only on the condition that the final testing phase is completed without a hitch. Trial operations are expected to begin in November.

The project is currently 95% complete and is undergoing extensive testing, including a Fault-Free Run to ensure safety. The transport ministry also announced that the second phase of the rail link connecting Gombak to Port Klang will begin operations in January 2028.

What are the stations connected on the rail link?

Nearly completed ECRL station at Gombak.
Image credit: Fawwaz Media via Facebook

The ECRL route runs more than 665km of electric rail line across four states in Malaysia – Selangor, Terengganu, Pahang, and Kelantan – with a total of 20 stations running through the states.

Here’s the full list in route order, from Kota Bharu to Port Klang:

Image credit: ECRL

The Gombak station will be a key travel point for Klang Valley folks, as it connects with the Kelana Jaya LRT Line and the 24-hour Gombak Integrated Terminal. It’ll also have convenience stores, a Business Class Lounge, and parking facilities for passengers.

What are the fares for ECRL?

The electric rail line will include transit and express options, where the former has the train stopping at every station, and the latter is a direct journey from one destination to the other.

Currently, there are three arrival destinations from Gombak for the transit and express options. The three are Gombak to Kota Bharu, Gombak to Kota SAS, and Gombak to Kuala Terengganu.

Image credit: @ecrlofficial via Instagram

The ECRL transit line fares will range between RM60 and RM125 for economy-class one-way rides, with final fares depending on your final destination. Meanwhile, the express line will be priced slightly higher than the transit line, with the most expensive journey being RM147 for those riding from Gombak to Kota Bharu.

Here’s the full price breakdown of each destination for the transit lines:

Image credit: @ecrlofficial via Instagram

The ECRL will also be rolling out fare initiatives that provide discounts for targeted demographics.

Children between two and 12, persons with disabilities, senior Malaysian citizens above 60, and former civil servants are eligible for a 50% discount on economy-class train fares. Meanwhile, students between the ages of 13 and 24 are eligible for a 40% discount.

Ticket sales for the ECRL will begin in mid-November. During the first month of operation, Malaysians can also take advantage of a 30% discount on all economy-class tickets.

Look forward to interstate travel by train via ECRL

Whether it’s for the holidays or festivals, more ways to travel between states than one is always welcome. With the ECRL connecting major states in Malaysia via train, Malaysians can look forward to easier travel to east coast states in the near future.

Cover image adapted from: ECRL, Fawwaz Media via Facebook

This article was first published on 26th August 2026, and was last updated on 20th October.