Hat Yai Train Schedules and Fares
This page contains information on Hat Yai train times with links to the most popular destinations to and from Hat Yai where you will find train fares and more information on types of trains and ticket classes available.
Hat Yai is mostly used by travellers as a transit point for entry into Malaysia, with the border of Thailand and Malaysia less than 50 kilometres from the city centre.
You can choose to travel on to Penang and Langkawi Islands by minibus or train, or head to the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, by the new ETS Trains from the border or more frequent buses from Hat Yai.
Hat Yai Train to Bangkok
There is a choice of overnight trains in either direction that travel this route with all departures except for the diesel railcar train (DRC), offering comfortable sleeper beds.
All trains from Hat Yai to Hua Lamphong Railway Station now terminate at the new Bang Sue Grand Railway Station. This is the major interchange station for the Southern, Northern and Northeastern Railway Lines and the best place to change trains to get to places like Chiang Mai and the borders with Laos and Cambodia.
Hat Yai to Chumphon for the ferry to Koh Tao
The premier scuba diving site of Koh Tao island can be reached by ferry from just outside of Chumphon and the train can get you there much cheaper than the bus if you don't mind a slower journey.
Hat Yai to Hua Hin
If you are travelling to the Royal beach resort of Hua Hin, you have a choice of night trains that will get you to the beach bright and early the next morning.
Hat Yai to Phatthalung
Less than 100 km away to the North, is the town of Phatthalung and is serviced by many local ordinary trains and long distance services.
Hat Yai to Surat Thani for the ferry to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan
Trains to Surat Thani run throughout the day.
The Surat Thani train station is a transport hub with buses to the ports for ferries to the islands, as well as buses over to the west coast to Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi etc...
Trains between Hat Yai and Malaysia
There is now just one departure every day that travels into and from Malaysia to Hat Yai Junction station.
The International Express operated by the State Railways of Thailand, leaves Hat Yai daily in the early morning (now terminates at the border - Padang Besar).
This service used to travel down to Butterworth in Penang (where you can then take a short walk to the ferry terminal for the ferry over to Penang Island).
Its route also used to take you to Arau or Alor Setar to connect with the ferry over to Langkawi Island which are located a short bus or taxi ride away from these stations.
Now you will have to take a KTM Komuter Train stopping at all stations to Butterworth.
In the other direction, you will also now have to travel by train to border first.
For more information please see :
The daily overnight sleeper train between Hat Yai and Kuala Lumpur operated by Malaysian railways KTMB is now cancelled.
- Click here for more information on how to travel from Hat Yai to Kuala Lumpur by train >
- Click here for KL to Hat Yai train information >
Train travel from Hat Yai to Malaysia now means you have to change trains at the border at Padang Besar station (where you will also have to go through passport control and customs checks).
New Shuttle Train Service from Hat Yai to Padang Besar:
From 22nd December 2015, there is a new twice a day shuttle train to the border station of Padang Besar in Malaysia.
Click here for times / fares >
Another option is to travel through Thailand's South-Eastern provinces to the border at Sungai Kolok where the Thai rail network ends. Once you cross the Malaysian border you can catch a bus to Kota Bahru or a bus to connect with the Malaysian railways network at either Pasir Mas or Wakaf Bharu (near Kota Bahru).