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Penang is Malaysia's food capital, 180 kilometres (112 miles) south of Hat Yai. George Town's hawker stalls draw people from across Asia. Beaches and hill temples fill out the rest. The cheapest way to get from Hat Yai to Penang is the train at $6.90 (28 MYR). A private transfer is also an option, and it costs a lot more. The minivan sits in between on price and does the run in 3h 30m - 4h 30m.
Distance from Hat Yai to Penang
Hat Yai and Penang are about 180 km (112 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 200 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 3h 30m and 4h 30m.
3 ways to travel from Hat Yai to Penang
There are three ways to travel from Hat Yai to Penang. You can choose between the train, minivan, and private transport. The journey takes 3h 30m–4h 15m and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by train with tickets starting at $6.90 (28 MYR).
3 legs — see itinerary
- Hat Yai→Padang Besar1h 55m
- Padang Besar→Butterworth2h
- Butterworth→Penang20m
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Hat Yai to Penang by Train
Travelling by train from Hat Yai to Penang involves several transfers, but we think it’s a comfortable alternative, especially if a minivan ride that is 4h 15m long feels too cramped for you.
Also, the fares are cheap!
Step 1: Hat Yai to Padang Besar by Train
All services arrive at Padang Besar
Travel time is only 55 minutes, just keep in mind that Malaysia is 1 hour ahead of Thailand.
Tickets are available at the train station on the day of your trip. Fares start from $1.50 (50 THB) for a 3rd class seat.
Customs & Immigration at Padang Besar Train Station
At Padang Besar Train Station, you will find the customs and immigration office on the same platform you arrive. Show your passport so you can be stamped out of Thailand and stamped into Malaysia. Be prepared to have your luggage checked as well.
Expect some queues if you’re travelling on a weekend or during the holiday season. If you don’t want to get stuck in long queues, try to be quick when getting off the train.
Once you’re cleared to enter Malaysia, you can head upstairs to buy your train ticket.
Alternative Option: Hat Yai to Padang Besar by Minivan
To be clear, we only recommend taking the minivan if you absolutely cannot take the train. We don’t think this option is worth the hassle, especially when you can get a convenient transfer and immigration experience when taking the train.
But if you missed the last train from Hat Yai, read on for a step-by-step guide.
First, take a tuk-tuk to Hat Yai Bus Terminal. This normally costs around $0.30 (10 THB) before finding the minivans bound for Padang Besar. These are available from 07:00 to 19:00 and ticket prices start from $1.80 (60 THB). They depart as soon as they are full.
The minivan drops you off right at the Thai immigration office. Have your passport stamped and then cross the border to Malaysia (around 100 metres away). You will find the Malaysian border control office on your left. Have your passport stamped here, too.
From the immigration office, it is another 600-metre walk to Padang Besar Train Station.
Step 2: Padang Besar to Butterworth by Train
Online booking for train tickets is also not available for this route, so you’ll have to buy your ticket to Butterworth at the train station. That means you have to come prepared with some Malaysian Ringgit because there is nowhere to exchange your money inside the station.
This train ride takes almost 2 hours and fares start from $5.10 (21 MYR).
Trains depart almost every hour, by the hour, from 05:25 to 21:25. You shouldn’t have a problem getting an immediate train transfer as long as you don’t take too long at the immigration.
The train arrives at Butterworth Station, which is conveniently connected to Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal by a walkway.
Step 3: Butterworth to Penang by Ferry
Finally, you are to take a quick ferry from Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal in Butterworth to Weld Quay in Penang Island. The journey takes only 10 – 20 minutes and a ticket costs $0.70 (3 MYR).
Ferries depart twice every hour from 05:20 to 00:10.
Weld Quay is located some 2 km away from George Town, the heart of Penang. To cover this distance, you can take a taxi for 5 minutes or the bus (Line 101) for 20 minutes. Rates start from $3.20 (13 MYR) and $1.20 (5 MYR), respectively.
Hat Yai to Penang by Minivan
A minivan is a good option if you prefer a direct ride from Hat Yai to Penang.
New Asian Travel, KST Travel, Ahlin Tour, Nominatee Tour and Adang Sea Tour are the companies offering trips for this route. We recommend travelling with KST Travel because they offer free hotel drop-off if you’re staying in George Town. Fares start from $15 (62 MYR) and travel time is 3h 30m - 4h 30m.
Minivan schedule from Hat Yai to Penang
Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
The minivans depart from their respective offices in Hat Yai town centre. They park at Komtar Bus Terminal, which is within walking distance from most hotels in George Town.
Customs & Immigration at Danok Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam Border
Around 1.5 hours into your journey, your minivan will stop at Danok Sadao in Songkhla Province for Thai immigration & customs. After this, they will cross the border and stop again at Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah for Malaysian immigration & customs.
Procedures are quite simple. Drive-through immigration booths are available on both sides of the border, although you will still have to get off the minivan for a customs check. Don’t worry, your driver will guide you through the process!
Hat Yai to Penang by Private Transport
A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Hat Yai to Penang.
Rates start from $125 (505 MYR) for a 4-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s about $31 (125 MYR) per person. Travel time is around 4h.
Private Transport tickets are available on Bookaway.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Penang?
Penang is a cultural melting pot on the northwest coast of Malaysia. For such a small island, it has so much to offer — vibrant culture, colourful heritage, amazing food, urban wonders, and untouched rainforest.
At its heart is George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a city rich in history. Famous for its street art, you can easily spend hours exploring its alleys. Sure, the island can be touristy. Yet somehow, it is able to maintain a laidback vibe and a charm that you can only find in Penang.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Hat Yai to Penang, roughly 180 kilometres (112 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $6.90 (28 MYR). The quickest trip takes 3h 30m.
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 Hat Yai to Penang?
The distance from Hat Yai to Penang is 180 kilometres (112 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Hat Yai to Penang?
Journey times from Hat Yai to Penang overlap: train 4h 15m, minivan 3h 30m - 4h 30m, private transport 4h. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.
What is the cheapest way to get from Hat Yai to Penang?
The cheapest way to get from Hat Yai to Penang is by train with ticket costs starting from 28 MYR.
About the Authors
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Travel Writer & Digital Nomad
Kate is a travel content creator, writer and founder of Stay Wild Travel, a tour company running group trips for women beyond your typical destinations. Her full-time travels have taken her to almost 60 countries, and she doesn't intend to stop anytime soon.
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