Penang to Hat Yai

How to Get From Penang to Hat Yai

4Options
3h 5mFastest
$4.90From
MaartenAbegailWritten by Maarten · Reviewed by Abegail · Updated 3 weeks ago

Train · Bus · Minivan · Private Transport

Hat Yai is the biggest city in southern Thailand, 180 kilometres (112 miles) north of Penang. Malaysians pour over the border for its street food, night markets and shopping malls. The train is the cheapest way to get from Penang to Hat Yai, at $4.90 (162 THB) for a journey of 3h 5m - 3h 15m. The bus and the minivan cost more, and a private transfer costs the most.

DISTANCE

Distance from Penang to Hat Yai

Penang and Hat Yai are about 180 km (112 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 198 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 3h 5m and 4h 30m.

~180 km
Straight-line distance
~198 km
Route distance
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4 ways to travel from Penang to Hat Yai

There are four ways to travel from Penang to Hat Yai. You can choose between the train, bus, minivan, and private transport. The journey takes 3h 5m–4h and the quickest way is by train. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by train with tickets starting at $4.90 (162 THB).

TrainVia Butterworth · 2 departuresDuration3h 5m+incl. transfersPricefrom$5162 THB

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

10-20m$0.50 (2 MYR)

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 $3.70 (15 MYR) and $1.20 (5 MYR), 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 $0.50 (2 MYR).

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

2h$2.90 (12 MYR)

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 $2.90 (12 MYR).

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*

55m$1.50 (50 THB)
*IMPORTANT UPDATE: The cross-border shuttle between Padang Besar and Hat Yai runs daily and takes about 45 minutes. Tickets cost around 50 THB and you buy them at the station on the day. Thai and Malaysian immigration are both inside Padang Besar station, so you clear the border before you board.

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 $1.50 (50 THB) 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 $8.20 (270 THB), more than 5x more than the regular train.

Alternative Option: Padang Besar to Hat Yai by Minivan

1h 30m$19 (640 THB)

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 $0.50 (2 MYR) 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 $1.80 (60 THB).

At the market, minivans bound for Hat Yai are available from 07:00 to 19:00. A ticket costs $1.80 (60 THB) for the journey that takes around 1h 30m.

1h30mAhlin TourStandardPadang Besar Railway StationHat Yai Transfer08:0012:00$19640 THBTickets

Stations

Map of stations
Click to explore

Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.

Hat Yai
Bus12 departuresDuration4h+Pricefrom$14475 THB

Penang to Hat Yai by Bus

The journey from Penang to Hat Yai by bus takes 4h - 4h 20m and costs start from $14 (475 THB).

Bus schedule from Penang to Hat Yai

3h58mKomtar Gunung Raya HatyaiStandardPrangin MallHat Yai Station05:0005:3005:4506:0008:0008:30+6$14475 THBTickets
Available atBookaway

Stations

Map of stations
Click to explore
From
To
Hat Yai
Minivan16 departuresDuration3h 10m+Pricefrom$21680 THB

Penang to Hat Yai by Minivan

There are three companies offering direct minivan ride from Penang to Hat Yai. The ticket cost starts at $21 (680 THB), which you can book through BookAway.

Departure and arrival station

Nominatee Tour departs from Komtar Bus Terminal. It is 5-10 minutes away from George Town city centre.

Nominatee Tour parks at its office at 171 Thammanoonvithi Road, Hat Yai city centre.

Minivan schedules from Penang to Hat Yai*

3h 10m - 4h 30m$21 (680 THB)
4h30mNominatee TourStandardNew Asian Travel & Transport Sdn BhdNominatee Tour05:0008:0012:00$21680 THBTickets
4hZee Zenith TravelStandardPenang Georgetown KomtarHat Yai Railway Station08:0008:0512:0012:0515:0015:05$26850 THBTickets
3h10mAhlin TourStandardChai Leng ParkHat Yai Bus Station05:0005:1005:1505:3508:0008:10+7$29960 THBTickets
Available atBookaway

Stations

Map of stations
Click to explore
From
To

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.

Hat Yai
Private TransportDuration4hPricefrom$1103,650 THB

Penang to Hat Yai by Private Transport

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

Rates start from $110 (3,650 THB) for a 4-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s about $28 (920 THB) per person. Travel time is around 4h.

Penang
Hat Yai

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ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION

Why Visit 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.

Rounding it up

That's the full picture for getting from Penang to Hat Yai, roughly 180 kilometres (112 miles) apart. In all, there are 4 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $4.90 (162 THB). The quickest trip takes 3h 5m.

Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distance from Penang to Hat Yai?

The distance from Penang to Hat Yai is 180 kilometres (112 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Penang to Hat Yai?

Journey times from Penang to Hat Yai overlap: train 3h 5m - 3h 15m, bus 4h - 4h 20m, minivan 3h 10m - 4h 30m, private transport 4h. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.

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 162 THB.

About the Authors

Maarten
Maarten

Founder & Trip Planning Expert

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.

Abegail
AbegailReviewer

Travel Writer

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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