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Songkhla & Hat Yai with Kids
Beach, Cable Car, Koh Yor & Waterfall

What makes Songkhla and Hat Yai great for families is that everything is close together. You fly into Hat Yai, and within an hour's drive you've got a sandy beach for the kids to run around, a cable car to get them excited, a waterfall to splash in, and a lake island for sunset seafood. No marathon drives, no cranky backseat. This is a 3-day, 2-night plan paced so children don't burn out — a mix of thrilling activities, water play, and easy meals, with real timings, prices, and venues we've checked are still open.

🏖️ Samila Beach🚠 Hat Yai Cable Car💦 Ton Nga Chang Falls

Songkhla & Hat Yai with Kids Beach, Cable Car, Koh Yor & Waterfall

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

This plan starts where most families do — landing at Hat Yai Airport. We base night one in Hat Yai because accommodation is plentiful and the airport is nearby, then shift to Songkhla for night two to enjoy Samila Beach and Koh Yor at a relaxed pace. Each day has one headline activity, a water stop, and easy meals. It works for toddlers and older kids alike.

Getting Around with Kids

We strongly recommend renting a car with a child seat rather than relying on public transport. The attractions are spread out — Ton Nga Chang Waterfall is about 26 km from Hat Yai, and Koh Yor is roughly 10 km from Songkhla city. If you'd rather not drive, ride-hailing apps work well in Hat Yai, or hire a car with driver for around THB 1,200–1,800/day, which is cost-effective if you're hitting multiple spots. The Hat Yai–Songkhla drive is only about 30 km — roughly 30–40 min.

Day 1

Arrive in Hat Yai — Cable Car & Temple Views

10:30

Arrive in Hat Yai, check in to city-center hotelA city-center hotel gives you easy access to restaurants and 24-hour convenience stores — handy when a child gets hungry at midnight. A room with a bathtub or kids' pool is a bonus. Let the kids unwind and rest after the flight before heading out.

11:30

Lunch: dim sum or Hat Yai fried chickenHat Yai-style dim sum — ha gao, siu mai, bao — is ideal for kids: bite-sized, not spicy, easy to share. Hat Yai fried chicken (kai thod Hat Yai) is crispy, fragrant with herbs, and pretty much universally loved by children. Popular spots open from morning into midday.

14:00

Ride the Hat Yai Municipal Park Cable CarThailand's first cable car runs up Khao Kho Hong at Hat Yai Municipal Park. The gondola holds up to 8 people and the 525-metre ride takes 2–3 min — just long enough for the city view to open up below and get the kids cheering. Return fare: Thai adults around THB 100, children under 150 cm about THB 50. Park entry fee is an extra ~THB 20 per person.

15:00

Three hilltop shrines and the city panoramaAt the top you'll find the large golden Phra Phuttha Mongkhon Maharaj Buddha, a Brahma shrine, and a jade Guanyin — plus a wide lookout terrace that's the best photo spot in Hat Yai. Allow time to walk the stairs with small children, and hold hands on the steps. Note: cable car hours and Monday closures have changed before — call the municipality to confirm before you plan your day around it.

17:00

Head back down, hotel rest, bath timeDay-one travel fatigue is real. Getting back to the hotel for a bath and some downtime before dinner means far fewer meltdowns in the evening.

18:30

Night market dinner in Hat YaiHat Yai has several evening markets where the whole family can graze. Kids can try multiple street foods in one spot. Watch out for spicy dishes for younger children — grilled skewers, fried items, and simple noodles are the safe picks.

Day 2

Ton Nga Chang Waterfall, then Drive to Songkhla

09:00

Check out and drive to Ton Nga Chang WaterfallThe waterfall sits off the Hat Yai–Rattaphum road, about 26 km from Hat Yai — roughly 40 min by car. It's inside a wildlife sanctuary, has multiple tiers, easy trail access, and is genuinely family-friendly. Pack swim gear and a change of clothes for each child.

10:00

Splash in the lower tiersEntry fees for Thais: adults ~THB 20, children ~THB 10; parking ~THB 30. The lower tiers are shallow with calm flow — fine for kids to wade in with close adult supervision. Rocks are slippery, so water shoes or rubber sandals are a must. Open approximately 09:00–16:00. During heavy rain season the current picks up significantly — check conditions before letting kids in.

12:00

Lunch at roadside restaurants near the entranceThere are casual eateries right at the entrance — fried rice, omelette, stir-fried vegetables. No need to drive into town just for lunch.

13:30

Drive into Songkhla city, check inAbout an hour from the waterfall to Songkhla. A hotel near Samila Beach or the old town means an easy evening stroll. Kids often nap in the car on the way, which is perfect.

16:00

Samila Beach — sand time for the kidsSamila Beach has the famous golden bronze mermaid statue — Songkhla's emblem — plus a cat-and-rat sculpture that children love posing with. The late afternoon sea breeze is pleasant, the beach is wide, and there are grilled meatball skewers and kite sellers along the shore.

18:00

Seafood dinner at Chalat Hat restaurantsThe strip between Samila and Chalat Hat has plenty of seafood restaurants and local southern spots. Order steamed sea bass, swimming crab, or crab omelette — all kid-friendly. Prices are by weight; grab a table with a sea view and let the kids enjoy the atmosphere.

Day 3

Koh Yor — Cross Tinsulanond Bridge for Lakeside Seafood

09:00

Drive to Koh Yor via Tinsulanond BridgeTinsulanond Bridge is the longest concrete bridge in Thailand, connecting the mainland to Koh Yor island in the middle of Songkhla Lake. The drive across is scenic and kids enjoy watching the water on both sides. It's only about 10 km from Songkhla city.

09:30

Stop at the Southern Folklore Museum (Thaksin Institute)This ethnology museum on Koh Yor displays traditional southern Thai folk life and crafts, with an open terrace overlooking the lake. Older kids get something to learn; younger ones get space to walk around. Entry is a small fee — check opening days before visiting.

11:30

Lunch: famous Koh Yor seafood restaurantsKoh Yor is well known for its waterside seafood restaurants — The Lagoon Koh Yor and Charm Koh Yor are two frequently visited spots, along with several others with lake views. The standout here is freshwater snapper from the lake, swimming crab, and prawns. Order fried rice and omelette on the side for the kids.

13:30

Viewpoint walk and Koh Yor woven fabric shoppingKoh Yor has several lake-view lookout points and is known for its local Koh Yor woven fabric — a traditional checked pattern that makes a great souvenir. A quiet, unhurried way to close out the trip.

15:00

Head back, pick up souvenirs, drive to Hat Yai AirportAllow about 40 min to Hat Yai Airport from Koh Yor. Along the way you can grab Songkhla souvenirs: charcoal egg cakes (khanom khai tao than), roti, or dried seafood. If you have a late flight, there's still time to stop for Nang Ngam Road clay-pot ice cream.

Kid-Friendly Food in Songkhla & Hat Yai

Southern Thai food has a reputation for being fiery — and it often is. But there's plenty that children eat happily, no complaints. Here's a guide to the dishes we'd order for kids, ranked from most universally popular to most situation-specific.

1

Hat Yai-Style Dim Sum

Breakfast or brunch

Ha gao, siu mai, steamed bao — small, not spicy, arrives hot, and kids can pick pieces themselves. The perfect family breakfast where everyone shares from the same steamer baskets.

kid-friendlynot spicy

From ฿15–30/basket

2

Hat Yai Fried Chicken

Snack or main meal

Crispy skin seasoned with herbs and topped with fried shallots. Not spicy at all. Kids eat it happily with sticky rice or steamed rice — it's the kind of thing they ask for again.

kid-friendlyfried

From ฿20–40/piece

3

Crab Omelette (Khai Jiao Poo)

Lunch or dinner

A fluffy, fragrant omelette available at every seafood restaurant. Kids love it mixed into rice. Your go-to dish when everything else on the table is spicy.

kid-friendlyseafood

From ฿80–150/plate

4

Fried or Steamed Snapper

Lunch or dinner

Firm freshwater snapper from Songkhla Lake — either fried with fish sauce or steamed with soy. Not spicy. Easy to flake and serve to kids with rice. Found at both Koh Yor and Samila Beach restaurants.

seafoodkid-friendly

By weight, from ฿200

5

Songkhla Tao Khua

Lunch · old town area

Fried tofu, rice vermicelli, blanched greens, bean sprouts, battered prawns, hard-boiled egg, and a sweet-tangy dipping sauce. Kids can eat the fried pieces and egg — it's a local institution adults get hooked on too.

local dishnot spicy

From ฿50–70/plate

6

Grilled Meatball Skewers at Samila Beach

Afternoon · beachside

A classic beachside snack, served hot off the grill with dipping sauce on the side. Hand one to a kid and let them eat while running on the sand — they'll remember it.

snackbeachside

From ฿10–20/skewer

7

Congee or Rice Soup

Breakfast

Gentle on a child's stomach, hot, easy to digest, and you can add a soft-boiled egg. Plenty of spots in both Songkhla and Hat Yai open early for breakfast.

kid-friendlybreakfast

From ฿40–60/bowl

8

Clay-Pot Ice Cream on Nang Ngam Road

Dessert · Nang Ngam Road

Coconut milk ice cream chilled in a clay pot, served with jackfruit, sticky rice, and beans. Kids love choosing their own toppings. A Songkhla institution worth finishing your trip with.

dessertkids' favorite

From ฿20–40/cup

🎟️

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.

🎟️ Top tours in SongkhlaHighlights, guided Klook 🎟️ Songkhla attractions & ticketsSkip-the-line entry tickets Klook 🚐 Day trips from SongkhlaOut and back in a day Klook 🌎 Songkhla activities (GetYourGuide)Global tour marketplace GetYourGuide

🎟️ See all Songkhla tours & activities (Klook)

Tips for Keeping Kids Happy on This Trip

Schedule the big stuff in the morning — the cable car and waterfall are best when kids are fresh. Leave afternoons free for naps in the car or hotel downtime.
Always have swim gear ready — there's both a waterfall and a beach on this itinerary. Pack swimwear, a change of clothes, towels, and water shoes for the waterfall.
Sun and bug protection — southern sun is strong. Hats, kids' sunscreen, and mosquito repellent are essential at the waterfall and on Koh Yor.
Order mild food separately — tell the restaurant "mai phet" (not spicy) or ask them to leave the chilli on the side. Always order an omelette or stir-fried vegetable as a shared "safe" dish for the kids.
Rent a car with a child seat — attractions are spread out and a private car is by far the most practical option with young children. Request the child seat when you book.

Best Time of Year to Visit with Kids

The ideal window for families — especially if you plan to visit the waterfall — is December to March: clear skies, pleasant sea breeze, and the waterfall is flowing but not dangerously fast. The heavy monsoon peaks around November, when the waterfall current can be strong and slippery. Samila Beach is most photogenic in the late afternoon as the sun lowers — the light is softer and it's not too hot for children on the sand.

Family Highlights You Don't Want to Miss

Beach & play

Samila Beach

Wide sandy beach with the famous bronze mermaid and the cat-and-rat statues kids love posing with. Breezy in the evening, with meatball skewers and kite vendors along the shore.

Thrills

Hat Yai Cable Car

Thailand's first cable car climbs Khao Kho Hong. Kids love watching the city open up below. Hilltop shrines and the best city panorama in Hat Yai await at the top.

Water play

Ton Nga Chang Waterfall

Multi-tier waterfall with easy trail access. The lower tiers are shallow enough for supervised wading, with cool forest air all around.

Seafood + views

Koh Yor

An island in the middle of Songkhla Lake, reached via Thailand's longest concrete bridge. Lakeside seafood restaurants, southern folk museum, and local woven fabric as a souvenir.

Rough Budget per Family (2 Adults + 1 Child)

Accommodation 2 nights — family-friendly hotels in Hat Yai / Songkhla around THB 800–1,500/night, total THB 1,600–3,000
Hat Yai Cable Car — adults THB 100, children under 150 cm THB 50 + park entry ~THB 20/person
Ton Nga Chang Waterfall — adults THB 20, children THB 10, parking ~THB 30
Transport — car hire with driver around THB 1,200–1,800/day; self-drive is cheaper if you're comfortable on Thai roads
Food for 3 days — local dishes and seafood around THB 1,500–2,500; budget a few hundred extra for souvenirs

Can You Do Songkhla and Hat Yai in One Family Trip?

Absolutely — they're only about 30 km apart, which is exactly why this plan combines both. Hat Yai handles accommodation, dining, and the cable car. Songkhla delivers the beach, the old town, and Koh Yor. If your children are very young and you'd rather not change hotels mid-trip, you can base yourself in Hat Yai the whole time and day-trip to Songkhla. But if you want to catch Samila Beach in the early evening without rushing back, spending one night in Songkhla — as this plan does — makes the whole trip feel less hurried.

Looking for family-friendly hotels in a good spot around Songkhla and Hat Yai? See the ones with real guest reviews.

See Top 10 Songkhla Hotels →

FAQ

How many days do you need for Songkhla and Hat Yai with kids?

3 days, 2 nights is the right amount. Day one in Hat Yai for the cable car and temple views; day two at Ton Nga Chang Waterfall then check into Songkhla for Samila Beach; day three on Koh Yor for lakeside seafood. The pace keeps children from getting exhausted while covering the beach, cable car, waterfall, and island.

Can kids swim at Ton Nga Chang Waterfall?

Yes — the lower tiers have shallow, calm water suitable for children with close adult supervision. Rocks are slippery, so rubber water shoes are strongly recommended. Entry: adults ~THB 20, children ~THB 10. Open approximately 09:00–16:00. During the rainy season the current can get quite strong — check conditions before letting kids in.

Is the Hat Yai cable car safe for children? How much does it cost?

Yes, kids ride easily — gondolas seat up to 8 people so the whole family travels together. Return fare for Thai nationals: adults ~THB 100, children under 150 cm ~THB 50, plus park entry ~THB 20. Hours and Monday closure schedules have changed in the past, so call the municipality to confirm before you plan your day around it.

What is there to do on Koh Yor with kids?

Cross Tinsulanond Bridge — the longest concrete bridge in Thailand — which is exciting in itself. Then have a lakeside seafood lunch at spots like The Lagoon Koh Yor or Charm Koh Yor. Visit the Southern Folklore Museum (Thaksin Institute) to learn about southern Thai folk traditions. And pick up Koh Yor woven fabric as a souvenir. It's an easy, pleasant day to close out the trip.

Southern food is spicy — what can kids actually eat?

More than you'd think. Reliable choices include Hat Yai dim sum, Hat Yai fried chicken, crab omelette, fried or steamed snapper, and congee for breakfast. When ordering seafood, just tell the restaurant "mai phet" (not spicy) or ask for chilli on the side. Always add an omelette or stir-fried vegetable as a shared neutral dish for the kids.

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