How to get from Hat Yai to Penang
Why visit Penang?
Penang is a cultural melting pot on the northwest coast of Malaysia. For such a small island, it has so much to offer — vibrant culture, colourful heritage, amazing food, urban wonders, and untouched rainforest.
At its heart is George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a city rich in history. Famous for its street art, you can easily spend hours exploring its alleys. Sure, the island can be touristy. Yet somehow, it is able to maintain a laidback vibe and a charm that you can only find in Penang.
What are the 3 ways to travel from Hat Yai to Penang?
There are 3 ways to travel the 215 kilometre (134 miles) distance from Hat Yai to Penang. You can choose between the minivan, private transport and train. The journey takes 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by train with tickets starting at 27 MYR ($6.90).
Hat Yai to Penang by Train
Travelling by train from Hat Yai to Penang involves several transfers, but we think it’s a comfortable alternative, especially if a minivan ride that is 4 hours 15 minutes long feels too cramped for you.
Also, the fares are cheap!
Step 1: Hat Yai to Padang Besar by Train
First, you’ll have to take the train from Hat Yai to Padang Besar, Malaysia’s northernmost town. There are only 2 trains operating this route daily, so take note of the following schedules.
Travel time is only 55 minutes, just keep in mind that Malaysia is 1 hour ahead of Thailand.
Tickets are available at the train station on the day of your trip. Fares start from 50 THB ($1.50) for a 3rd class seat.
Customs & Immigration at Padang Besar Train Station
At Padang Besar Train Station, you will find the customs and immigration office on the same platform you arrive. Show your passport so you can be stamped out of Thailand and stamped into Malaysia. Be prepared to have your luggage checked as well.
Expect some queues if you’re travelling on a weekend or during the holiday season. If you don’t want to get stuck in long queues, try to be quick when getting off the train.
Once you’re cleared to enter Malaysia, you can head upstairs to buy your train ticket.
Alternative Option: Hat Yai to Padang Besar by Minivan
To be clear, we only recommend taking the minivan if you absolutely cannot take the train. We don’t think this option is worth the hassle, especially when you can get a convenient transfer and immigration experience when taking the train.
But if you missed the last train from Hat Yai, read on for a step-by-step guide.
First, take a tuk-tuk to Hat Yai Bus Terminal. This normally costs around 10 THB ($0.30) before finding the minivans bound for Padang Besar. These are available from 07:00 to 19:00 and ticket prices start from 60 THB ($1.80). They depart as soon as they are full.
The minivan drops you off right at the Thai immigration office. Have your passport stamped and then cross the border to Malaysia (around 100 metres away). You will find the Malaysian border control office on your left. Have your passport stamped here, too.
From the immigration office, it is another 600-metre walk to Padang Besar Train Station.
Step 2: Padang Besar to Butterworth by Train
Online booking for train tickets is also not available for this route, so you’ll have to buy your ticket to Butterworth at the train station. That means you have to come prepared with some Malaysian Ringgit because there is nowhere to exchange your money inside the station.
This train ride takes almost 2 hours and fares start from 21 MYR ($5.30).
Trains depart almost every hour, by the hour, from 05:25 to 21:25. You shouldn’t have a problem getting an immediate train transfer as long as you don’t take too long at the immigration.
The train arrives at Butterworth Station, which is conveniently connected to Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal by a walkway.
Step 3: Butterworth to Penang by Ferry
Finally, you are to take a quick ferry from Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal in Butterworth to Weld Quay in Penang Island. The journey takes only 10 – 20 minutes and a ticket costs 3 MYR ($0.80).
Ferries depart twice every hour from 05:20 to 00:10.
Weld Quay is located some 2 km away from George Town, the heart of Penang. To cover this distance, you can take a taxi for 5 minutes or the bus (Line 101) for 20 minutes. Rates start from 13 MYR ($3.30) and 5 MYR ($1.30), respectively.
Hat Yai to Penang by Minivan
A minivan is a good option if you prefer a direct ride from Hat Yai to Penang.
New Asian Travel, KST Travel, Ahlin Tour, Nominatee Tour and Adang Sea Tour are the companies offering trips for this route. We recommend travelling with KST Travel because they offer free hotel drop-off if you’re staying in George Town. Fares start from 59 MYR ($15.10) and travel time is 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes.
Minivan schedules from Hat Yai to Penang
The minivans depart from their respective offices in Hat Yai town centre. They park at Komtar Bus Terminal, which is within walking distance from most hotels in George Town.
Customs & Immigration at Danok Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam Border
Around 1.5 hours into your journey, your minivan will stop at Danok Sadao in Songkhla Province for Thai immigration & customs. After this, they will cross the border and stop again at Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah for Malaysian immigration & customs.
Procedures are quite simple. Drive-through immigration booths are available on both sides of the border, although you will still have to get off the minivan for a customs check. Don’t worry, your driver will guide you through the process!
Hat Yai to Penang by Private Transport
A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Hat Yai to Penang.
Rates start from 490 MYR ($125) for a 4-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s about 120 MYR ($31) per person. Travel time is around 4 hours.
Private Transport options from Hat Yai to Penang
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Hat Yai to Penang. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions about Hat Yai to Penang
What is the distance from Hat Yai to Penang?
The distance from Hat Yai to Penang is 215 kilometre (134 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Hat Yai to Penang?
The fastest way to get from Hat Yai to Penang is by minivan and takes 3 hours 30 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Hat Yai to Penang?
The cheapest way to get from Hat Yai to Penang is by train with ticket costs starting from 27 MYR ($6.90).
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Kate is a travel content creator, writer and founder of Stay Wild Travel, a tour company running group trips for women beyond your typical destinations. Her full-time travels have taken her to almost 60 countries, and she doesn’t intend to stop anytime soon.
