Penang to Hat Yai
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What to expect when visiting Hat Yai
Hat Yai is a popular shopping destination in southern Thailand. It’s a tourist hub, not really for Westerners but for local Thais, Malaysians, and even Singaporeans. It is also a common gateway for tourists exploring Thailand from Malaysia.
2 ways to get from Penang to Hat Yai
There are two ways to travel the distance of 215 km (134 miles) from Penang to Hat Yai: by minivan* (3 hours) and train (3h 05m - 3h 15m). The journey takes between 3h - 3h 15m and the quickest way is by minivan*. The lowest priced tickets start from 14 MYR ($3) for the train.Penang to Hat Yai by Train
Travelling by train from Penang to Hat Yai is a nice way to cross the Malaysia-Thailand border like a local. It includes several transfers, but they’re all pretty much interconnected so you wouldn’t have a hard time finding your way.
For this option, you’ll have to take a ferry and 2 trains from Penang to Hat Yai.
Step 1: Penang Island to Butterworth by Ferry
To take the train, you will first have to get to Butterworth, a mainland town just across Penang Island. If you’re staying at George Town, you can take a 5-minute taxi or 20-minute bus (Line 101) to Weld Quay, where ferries bound for Butterworth depart from. Taxi and bus rates start from 15 MYR ($3.20) and 5 MYR ($1.10), respectively.
From Weld Quay, you can expect a ferry departure every 30 minutes from 06:30 to 20:30. Travel time to Butterworth is only 10-20 minutes and a ticket costs 2 MYR ($0.40) .
Your ferry will dock at Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal, which is conveniently connected to Butterworth Train Station by a walkway.
Step 2: Butterworth to Padang Besar by Train
Trains from Butterworth to Padang Besar depart almost every hour from 05:20 to 21:35. Travel time is about 2 hours and you can buy your ticket at Butterworth Station for 12 MYR ($2.50).
Customs & Immigration at Padang Besar Train Station
Before you can transfer to your connecting train to Hat Yai, you will first have to be cleared at customs & immigration at Padang Besar Station. This is quite easy as there is only one office for both Malaysia and Thailand, and you can find this between Platforms 1 & 2 of the train station.
Show your passport so you can be stamped out of Malaysia and stamped into Thailand. Be prepared to have your luggage checked as well. If you’re travelling on a weekend, try to be quick when getting off the train to skip the long queues.
Once you’re cleared to enter Thailand, you can head upstairs to buy your train ticket to Hat Yai.
Step 3: Padang Besar to Hat Yai by Train*
*IMPORTANT UPDATE: The last time we checked (June 2022), the cross-border train from Malaysia to Thailand is suspended. There is no update yet about the resumption of train services on this route.
There are only 2 trains operating from Padang Besar to Hat Yai daily. These depart at 09:55 and 16:40 daily. Note that Malaysia is 1 hour ahead of Thailand.
Also here, you can only buy your ticket at the train station. Fares start from 50 THB ($1.40) for a 3rd class seat. Travel time is only 55 minutes.
We highly recommend that you time your departure from Penang to be able to make it for either of these 2 trains.
If you miss both of them, there is a “special” train bound for Bangkok that departs at 17:00. This also makes a stop in Hat Yai, but a ticket costs 270 THB ($7.40), more than 5x more than the regular train.
Alternative Option: Padang Besar to Hat Yai by Minivan
Just in case there are no more trains available when you arrive in Padang Besar, you can also take a minivan to Hat Yai. However, this is in no way as simple as taking the train.
First, if you are taking the minivan, you have to skip the immigration process at the train station altogether. Head to Level 1 (where the food court is located), and then find Gate D. Take the roofed pedestrian walkway, which will lead you to Malaysian immigration. That’s only around 200 metres, so you can disregard anyone offering a ride.
After being cleared at the Malaysian border, you’ll have to walk another 600 metres to the Thai border. Here, you’ll have to fill out an entry card. Chances are they will not give you the card for free. Expect to pay around 2 MYR ($0.40) for the card.
After you are cleared to enter Thailand, you’ll need to take a motorbike taxi to the market. Fares for this ride start from 60 THB ($1.60).
At the market, minivans bound for Hat Yai are available from 07:00 to 19:00. A ticket costs 60 THB ($1.60) for the journey that takes around 1.5 hours.
Penang to Hat Yai by Minivan*
Nominatee Tour and KST Travel Nominatee Tour are the 2 companies offering direct minivan rides from Penang to Hat Yai. The ticket cost starts at 60 MYR ($12.70), which you can book through BookAway.
Departure and arrival stations
KST Travel departs from Oasis Hostel while Nominatee Tour departs from Komtar Bus Terminal. Both are about 5-10 minutes away from George Town city centre.
KST Travel offers free hotel drop-off. Nominatee Tour, on the other hand, parks at its office at 171 Thammanoonvithi Road, Hat Yai city centre.
Minivan schedules from Penang to Hat Yai*
Customs & Immigration at Danok Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam Border
Around 2.5 hours into your journey from Penang to Hat Yai, your minivan will make a short stop at the Malaysian border in Bukit Kayu Hitam for customs & immigration procedures. After that, you will cross the border to Danok Sadao in Thailand for another check.
The Danok Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam border is the busiest between Malaysia and Thailand. For easier passport processing, drive-through immigration booths are available on both sides of the border. However, you will still be asked to get off your minivan with your luggage for a customs check.
Frequently Asked Questions about Penang to Hat Yai
What is the distance from Penang to Hat Yai?
The distance from Penang to Hat Yai is 215 km (134 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Penang to Hat Yai?
The fastest way to get from Penang to Hat Yai is by minivan* and takes 3 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from Penang to Hat Yai?
The cheapest way to get from Penang to Hat Yai is by train with ticket costs starting from 14 MYR ($3).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Penang to Hat Yai. 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!
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Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.
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