Getting to Hat Yai
How to arrive and get around the city

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

The good thing about Hat Yai is that it's easy to reach and there are several ways in, because it's the biggest, liveliest town in the lower south. It isn't actually the provincial capital (that's Songkhla), but Hat Yai is the commercial and transport hub, so people arrive here first and then fan out to Songkhla, Koh Lipe, or across into Malaysia. There are three main ways to get here: fly into Hat Yai Airport, take the southern railway, or catch a bus from Bangkok. People who already live in the south usually drive or take a van in. Below we've split everything into sections so you can read only the option you'll actually use.

Flying into Hat Yai Airport and getting into town

Hat Yai Airport (code HDY) is an international airport about 9–12 km from town, roughly a 20–30 minute drive in. The busiest route by far is Don Mueang–Hat Yai, with several flights a day. On top of that there's Suvarnabhumi–Hat Yai, and direct Kuala Lumpur–Hat Yai flights for anyone connecting from Malaysia. Airlines flying into Hat Yai include Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, and Thai Vietjet, so you've got plenty of choices.

• Airport minibus — privately run 24-seat minibuses running airport–central Hat Yai–Hat Yai police station–Kim Yong Market–PSU (Prince of Songkla University)–bus terminal. Fares are around ฿60–100 per person, operating roughly 07:00–23:00. It's the cheap option and drops you right in the central area around Kim Yong.
• Airport taxi — the taxi counter at the airport charges around ฿280–300 per car into central Hat Yai. Worth it if there are a few of you or you've got a lot of luggage — split between you it works out well.
• Grab — you can call a Grab from the airport. Since mid-2024 drivers no longer have to queue and can accept rides straight away, so the wait is short. The price depends on the time and demand; at some hours it's about the same as a taxi.
• Car rental at the airport — the major rental companies have counters at the airport, handy if you plan to explore further out, like Ton Nga Chang Waterfall, Songkhla, or as far as Satun–Trang. Small sedans start around ฿900–1,200 per day.

Taking the southern railway to Hat Yai

Hat Yai has a big station called Hat Yai Junction, a major hub on the southern line. People like taking the train for the atmosphere, the savings, and arriving first thing in the morning. Long-distance Bangkok–Hat Yai trains leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bang Sue) and run overnight, taking roughly 14–16 hours depending on the service. The newer air-conditioned sleeper carriages are more comfortable than many people expect. The station is right in central Hat Yai, so it's a short walk or quick ride to the Kim Yong area.

• Main services — there are several special express and rapid trains running Bangkok–Hat Yai every day. Some carry on all the way to Padang Besar (the Malaysian border) and Sungai Kolok.
• Seat classes — these range from budget third-class seats up to first- and second-class air-conditioned sleepers you can actually sleep in. Prices vary by class and service.
• Booking tickets — book ahead online through the State Railway's D-Ticket system (dticket.railway.co.th) or via agent sites and apps. Sleepers sell out fast on long weekends, so book several days in advance.
• From the station into town — Hat Yai Junction is right in the centre. Outside the station you'll find tuk-tuks, motorbike taxis, and Grab to take you to a central hotel within a few minutes.

Coming by bus from Bangkok

The bus is another popular option, since there are several classes to choose from and it's easy to book. Buses leave from the Southern Bus Terminal (Taling Chan), with some operators departing from Mo Chit 2, and arrive at Hat Yai Bus Terminal. The Bangkok–Hat Yai distance is around 950 km, taking roughly 12–14 hours. Most run overnight, leaving in the evening and arriving in the morning, so you get a full day of sightseeing without losing a travel day.

• Operators — both the state Transport Co. (999) and several private joint-service operators run this route, with multiple departures a day to choose from.
• Ballpark prices — tickets start around ฿785 for a standard air-conditioned class, while wider, more comfortable VIP coaches run around ฿900–1,100 depending on the operator and class.
• Travel time — about 12–14 hours. Most buses leave in the evening, with rest stops along the way for the toilet and a meal.
• Booking tickets — book online through busticket.in.th, busonlineticket, 12go, or busx. During holidays, book ahead, as seats fill up fast.

Crossing into Malaysia — the Sadao and Padang Besar borders

This is what makes Hat Yai special compared to other towns: it's a base for crossing into Malaysia. There are two main crossings people use — Sadao (Bukit Kayu Hitam on the Malaysian side) and Padang Besar. Both are about 50–60 km from Hat Yai with vans running all day, handy whether you're shopping on the Thai side (the Dan Nok duty-free area), connecting on to KL/Penang, or catching a Malaysian train at Padang Besar.

• Hat Yai–Padang Besar van — board at Hat Yai Bus Terminal, fare around ฿50 per person, about an hour's ride. The first run is around 06:00 and the last around 18:00, and you can ask the driver to drop you at the Padang Besar crossing. This route is popular because you can connect to Malaysia's KTM train right at Padang Besar station.
• Hat Yai–Sadao/Dan Nok van — vans run Hat Yai–Sadao–Dan Nok daily, picked up at the van rank beside Central Festival Hat Yai. The Dan Nok side has a duty-free market and souvenirs, and Thais love going for a there-and-back day of shopping.
• Cross-border train at Padang Besar — Thai trains run Hat Yai Junction–Padang Besar, taking about 45 minutes to an hour. At Padang Besar you clear immigration inside the same station, then connect straight onto a Malaysian KTM train to Penang/Butterworth or KL.
• Documents to prepare — use a passport with at least 6 months' validity. Thai nationals can enter Malaysia visa-free for short tourist stays. Allow extra time for immigration queues on holidays, as it gets busy.

How to get to Songkhla (old town & Samila Beach)

Plenty of people stay in Hat Yai and want a there-and-back day trip to Songkhla's old town and Samila Beach. It's easy, since the two are only about 25–30 km apart, a 40 minute to one hour ride. The cheapest option is the red songthaew (the Pho Thong line) that runs Hat Yai–Songkhla all day. Otherwise there are vans, Grab, and taxis depending on your budget.

• Red Pho Thong-line songthaew — the red songthaews are the main service running Hat Yai–Songkhla, with fares around ฿20–40 per person depending on distance. You catch them along Kanchanavanit Road / near the bus terminal in Hat Yai and get off in the old town or near Samila Beach. It's the cheapest but slower, since it stops to pick up and drop off all along the way.
• Hat Yai–Songkhla van — vans run this route too, around ฿35–50 per person. Faster than the songthaew because it stops less, good if you're in a hurry.
• Grab / chartered taxi — call a Grab or charter a taxi to Songkhla for around ฿300–450 per trip depending on the time of day. Good if there are a few of you or you want to make several stops in Songkhla, and it takes you right to each sight.
• Self-drive rental — if you've already got a rental car, the Hat Yai–Songkhla drive along Kanchanavanit Road is easy, and parking in Songkhla's old town isn't hard to find on weekdays.

Getting around central Hat Yai without a car

The good news is that the sights and food in central Hat Yai are clustered close together — Kim Yong Market, the ASEAN Night Bazaar, Lee Gardens, the street-art district, and all the famous shops. You can walk between them or take a short ride, so you can get around comfortably without renting a car. For things outside town like Hat Yai Municipal Park (with a cable car up to the Buddha and Guanyin), Khlong Hae Floating Market, or Ton Nga Chang Waterfall, just use Grab or charter a car.

• Songthaews in town — several lines run around central Hat Yai with fares of just a few tens of baht. Flag one down on the main roads, and check the destination and price before you get on.
• Motorbike taxis / tuk-tuks — found at junctions and outside markets, good for short hops in town and quick when traffic is heavy.
• Grab — there's a reasonable number of Grab Cars around central Hat Yai, easy to call during the day and early evening. Late at night or out on the edge of town the wait can be a bit longer.
• Walking — Kim Yong–ASEAN Night Bazaar–Lee Gardens are all within walking range of each other. In the evening you can wander, eat, and shop for ages without needing a car.

Distances from Hat Yai to the sights around it

Here are the approximate distances from central Hat Yai to the places people ask about most, measured from the centre and rounded off to help you gauge travel time. You'll see Songkhla and the border crossings sit in different directions, so plan your trip well to avoid doubling back.

A sample 3-day itinerary

If you're still not sure how to string the trip together, here's a sample 3-day, 2-night itinerary for arriving by air at Hat Yai Airport — focused on the city, tacking on Songkhla, and finishing with some cross-border shopping. Adjust it to the time you have.

In short — which option to choose