Thailand’s Gulf Islands · City
Hat Yai
Hat Yai is southern Thailand's main commercial hub city and a regional gateway close to the Malaysian border, served by its own international airport, train station, and long-distance bus terminal.
Overview
Overview
Hat Yai is southern Thailand's main commercial hub city and a regional gateway close to the Malaysian border, served by its own international airport, train station, and long-distance bus terminal.
The SRT shuttle train to the Malaysian border at Padang Besar typically takes about 55 minutes; travelers continuing further by rail buy a separate onward KTM ticket at the border station — confirm current cross-border schedules before travel.
Experience
What it's like
Crossing into Malaysia by rail
The SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar shuttle train takes 55 minutes from Hat Yai Junction Railway Station to Padang Besar Railway Station on the Malaysian border. Travelers continuing further into Malaysia by rail buy a separate onward KTM ticket at a manned counter on the Padang Besar station concourse.
Plan your visit
Plan your visit
Getting there & around
Getting there
From Hat Yai International Airport, a taxi to the city costs around 250 baht from the airport entrance, or a blue songthaew runs into town for about 55 baht from the far end of the parking lot. The train station is centrally located for a scenic but longer arrival; long-distance buses and minivans also connect Hat Yai with Bangkok and most southern provinces.
Your trip
How Hat Yai fits your trip
May suit travelers using Hat Yai as a southern Thailand hub or a rail gateway into Malaysia, given its own airport, central train station, and long-distance bus terminal.
Dates, other stops, and what matters on this trip can make this fit clearer.
Add dates and other stopsInformation used
Information used
Wherely research — Wherely's own governed depth-production research for Hat Yai — drawn from independently-owned travel sources — covering gateway, access, and local-mobility choices, and practical context. Exact fares, schedules, and prices change too often to publish as fixed facts.
Photo credit
Hero photograph: Hat yai hero photograph by Supanut Arunoprayote, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What to do next
What to do next
Return to Thailand’s Gulf Islands when you want the wider geography, or save this Place when it still fits.