About the Penang Hat Yai Train
If you would like to travel from Penang to Hat Yai by train, you will first have to take a KTM Komuter service from Butterworth on the mainland, to the border station at Padang Besar.
From there, you can then take a Shuttle service to Hat Yai.
Please Note: train number 36 used to depart from Butterworth to Hat Yai then on to Bangkok - This train now originates from the border station at Padang Besar.
The old diesel Intercity express train that used to operate from KL to Hat Yai via Butterworth is also now cancelled.
The new KTM Komuter trains are a very cheap way to travel to Thailand from Malaysia.
Departures are frequent throughout the day, leaving Butterworth Railway Station every one to two hours apart.
The duration of the journey to the border is only one hour 51 minutes - much faster than the old diesel trains used to be.
To view the timetable and fares for these services, please see the following link:
KTM Komuter Train Service timetable to Padang Besar >
At the border check post at Padang Besar station, you will have to go through the Thai / Malaysian immigration process.
Currently, there are just a couple of Shuttle trains services from Padang Besar to Hat Yai every day.
To see the timetable and fares for these service click here >
Another alternative to the infrequent train to Hat Yai is to take a bus from the Thai side of the main border crossing next to Padang Besar station.
This bus takes you to Hat Yai bus station, then into the city centre.
There are also minibuses from the town centre to Hat Yai bus station.
For more information on the bus and minibus click here >
Travelling in the other direction can be done the same way as per above - Shuttle or bus to the border - KTM Komuter to Butterworth.
For the Shuttle train timetable to Padang Besar click here >
For the Komuter train timetable to Butterworth click here >
When arriving at Butterworth Railway Station, it just a short 5 minute walk to the Penang Ferry which takes you over to Penang Island where you will find many hotels 5 - 10 minutes walk from the jetty.
The train station in Hat Yai is located right in the centre of the city and is just a short walk to the many Hat Yai hotels and guest houses.
Another option than the Penang Hat Yai Train is to travel between Penang and Hat Yai by the frequent minibuses on this route.
You can also use these trains to travel from Thailand to Langkawi.
Get off in Arau, then travel by taxi (or bus via Kangar) to Kuala Perlis where you can catch regular ferries to Langkawi.
Alternatively, you could get off in Alor Setar and get a local bus or taxi to Kuala Kedah for the ferry to Langkawi.
The price to get to Hat Yai from Penang by train is quite cheap compared to other methods.
A ticket on the KTM Komuter to the border will cost 11.40 RM.
The shuttle train from the border to Hat Yai costs 50 Baht.
Cheaper than the minibus from Penang to Hat Yai.
No advance purchase is available for either the Komuter or Shuttle trains on this route.
You just turn up and buy a ticket for the next departure.
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Related pages:
How to travel from Georgetown Penang to Hat Yai main page >
How to get from Butterworth to Hat Yai >
How to get from Hat Yai to Penang main page >
Leave Penang Hat Yai Train for to Trains to Penang main page >