🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Songkhla and Hat Yai are in different districts, about 30 km apart — roughly 30–40 minutes by car. Most visitors land at Hat Yai International Airport and then decide which side to base in. We'd suggest staying two nights in Songkhla's old-town area so you can explore at a relaxed pace, then moving to Hat Yai on the last night to be close to the airport. If switching hotels feels like a hassle, staying in Hat Yai the whole time and driving out each day works too — the distance really isn't far.
Day 1 — Songkhla Old Town & Samila Beach
Walk Nang Ngam Road, climb Khao Tang Kuan, then wind down at Samila Beach
Day 1 Tip
The old town and Samila Beach are only a few kilometres apart — 5–10 min by car. Plan old-town walking for the late morning, duck into a café to avoid the midday heat, then head to Khao Tang Kuan and the beach in the late afternoon. You get the best light and it's not nearly as hot.
Book the activities in your Songkhla trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Cafés and Stops in the Old Town
When the midday sun gets fierce, the old-town quarter has plenty of atmospheric cafés inside renovated Sino-Portuguese shophouses where you can rest your feet. The interiors carry the feel of an old trading port — a good spot to sit with a coffee before walking on.
Tai Tun Café
A newer toast café in a vintage shophouse on the Nang Ngam strip — thick-cut toast with generous toppings, cool interior, perfect for escaping the afternoon heat
Yap Ian Choi Library
A lovingly preserved old building in the heart of the old town converted into a reading space and hangout — step inside to admire the architecture and cool off for free
Songkhla Old Town Museum
Sits on Nakhon Nai Road and tells the story of Songkhla's trading-port history and local way of life — worth visiting first to give context before you walk the streets
Day 2 — Cross the Bridge to Koh Yo
Drive across Tinsulanonda Bridge, visit the folklore museum, then eat lakeside seafood
Koh Yo Tip
Koh Yo's waterfront seafood restaurants fill up fast on weekends and waterside tables with views go first. Call ahead or arrive before noon to secure a good spot. Seafood here is priced by weight — ask the price per kilogram before you order so the bill doesn't catch you off guard.
Day 3 — Eat and Shop Hat Yai Before You Fly
Check out, move to Hat Yai, eat dim sum, ride the cable car, then shop Kim Yong Market
Must-Eat Picks for the Whole Trip
Hat Yai Dim Sum — Chok Dee Tae Tiam
Generously stuffed dumplings that Hat Yai locals have been lining up for years — pair with a bowl of hot bak kut teh. Take a number, then pick pieces straight off the trolleys.
Koh Yo Lakeside Seafood
Songkhla Lake snapper, shrimp, crab, and shellfish pulled fresh from the water — eat it right on the shore with a breeze coming off the lake. Nam Khiang Din and The Lagoon both have great waterside tables.
Hat Yai Fried Chicken
Spice-marinated chicken fried until deeply golden, finished with crispy fried shallots on top — Hat Yai's most iconic snack. Eat it plain or with sticky rice.
Clay-Pot Ice Cream, Nang Ngam Road
An old-school coconut ice cream shop on Nang Ngam Road that scoops straight from chilled clay pots — the old-town signature that everyone stops for.
Pa Mol's Charcoal Egg Cakes
Traditional Songkhla egg cakes baked over charcoal with a buttery filling — the aroma alone pulls you in, and they taste best eaten warm right in front of the stall.
Songkhla-Style Stew Rice (Khao Stew, beef/pork)
Rice topped with a Songkhla-style braised stew — the rich broth is easy to sip and the meat is fall-apart tender. Locals have been eating this for breakfast and lunch for generations.
Tao Khua Songkhla
A local Songkhla salad bowl with rice noodles, fried tofu, boiled egg, and vegetables — all dressed in a tangy-sweet sauce with a distinctly southern kick.
Kim Yong Market Souvenirs, Hat Yai
Cashews, macadamias, imported snacks, dried goods, and southern Thai treats — all in one market. Buy a few things and you'll usually get extras thrown in.
Budget & Getting Around
- Entry fees — Khao Tang Kuan elevator THB 30, Koh Yo Folklore Museum THB 50, Hat Yai cable car charged separately. Total entry costs for the whole trip are well under THB 200/person.
- Transport — Renting a car at around THB 800–1,200/day is the most flexible option since sights are spread across three zones. If you'd rather not drive, hiring a daily taxi or minivan is a straightforward alternative.
- Accommodation — Guesthouses in Songkhla old town start from a few hundred baht and go up to around THB 1,000+/night. Hat Yai hotels near the market area cover all price levels. Choose based on which zone you want to wake up in.
- Souvenirs — Dried goods and snacks from Kim Yong Market, Koh Yo woven fabric, and old-town sweets. Buy on the last day so everything stays fresh and easy to pack.
Want to lock in a well-located hotel before finalising this itinerary?
See Top 10 Songkhla Hotels →