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.

There are 3 ways to travel the 215 kilometers (134 miles) 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 29.50 MYR ($6.90).

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!

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.

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.

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).

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.

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 ($0.70).

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 ($3.10) and 5 MYR ($1.20), respectively.

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 64 MYR ($15.10) and travel time is 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes.

A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Hat Yai to Penang.

Rates start from 525 MYR ($125) for a 4-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s about 130 MYR ($31) per person. Travel time is around 4 hours.

Private Transport options from Hat Yai to Penang