KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 11 -- For travellers heading to the East Coast, the options may soon extend beyond the familiar bus, plane or car, with the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) set to offer another way to get there.

But choosing how to travel may depend on more than just the ticket price, as the ECRL, buses, flights and driving each come with different trade-offs in journey time, convenience and overall door-to-door costs.

With ECRL passenger services set to begin on December 12, the question is which mode of transport offers the best value once ticket prices, fuel, tolls, parking and transfers are factored in.

What the numbers say

The ECRL's 523km Gombak-Kota Bharu route provides a basis for comparing the available travel options.

One-way...