GETTING TO SOUTHERN THAILAND VIA MALAYSIAN BORDERS
The New KTM ETS Train Linking Malaysia to South Thailand
The High Speed Train from Kuala Lumpur to the city of Padang Besar, on the Malaysian border to Thailand began operations in late 2015. The new train boasts travel speed of up to 160 kms/hour linking cities south of Kuala Lumpur all the way up to the Thai border.
This page is intended to provide visitors with the general idea of how to travel by train from Malaysia to Hat Yai city in southern Thailand via the border city of Badang Besar. Visitors may check out various stations where they would like to hop-off enroute. Click on the KTM ETS Service website for the latest travel schedules. Currently there are 2 departures from KL to Padang Besar per day.
Padang Besar to Hat Yai Train Timetable Times shown are in Thai standard time which is one hour behind Malaysian standard time. Station Departure Arrival Padang Besar 08.55 (09.55 Malaysian time) 14.40 (15.40 Malaysian time) Hat Yai 09.50 15.35
How do I cross into the Thai border once I am out of the train on the Malaysian side of the border?
Once out of the train, use the sky walkway to cross over the rail track to the Malaysian Immigration Checkpoints and obtain the departure/exit stamp.
From there either get a taxi (See Picture) or walk for 400 meters, approximately 8 minutes across the border into Thailand. You can take a break stopping at the Duty Free complex on the right side between the borders.
Once you arrive at the Thailand Immigration checkpoint, obtain the “Visa Upon Arrival Stamp”, a prerequisite to be able to cross over the border. Fees of RM1-2 will apply.
As you come out of the Thai immigrations, you will notice a bus stop just across the road to the right of the exit. The bus to Hat Yai leaves every 20-30 minutes and costs approximately 50 THB per person.
Another option if you do not want to take a big bus is the Minivan service which will also cost approximately 50 baht. It will drop you right in the city center.
If you plan to travel further inland, it is suggested that you request to be dropped of at the Main Bus Terminal of Hat Yai (Bor Kor Sor).