Malaisie

How to get from Kuala Lumpur to Hat Yai

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and tips from a local expert.

⏱

FASTEST

6h 27min

💶

From

20€

📍

Distance

451 km

There are 1 way(s) to get from Kuala Lumpur to Hat Yai

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

🚌 Departure from Kuala Lumpur

📍TBS — Terminal Bersepadu Selatan, level 3 (international bus terminal)

🚇TBS is accessible by LRT from KL Sentral (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan station, about 5 min). Also accessible by taxi or Grab from KL city centre.

⏰Many daily departures, including several overnight buses (practical for sleeping and saving on a hotel night). Main operators: Konsortium, Aeroline, Transnasional. Malaysia-Thailand border crossing at Padang Besar (30–60 min).

Practical tips

💡

For this overnight journey, choose a VIP or express bus with reclining seats. Bring a light jacket as air conditioning is often very cold. Keep your passport easily accessible for the border crossing at Padang Besar. Bring some Thai baht for your first expenses in Hat Yai.

🛣️ The journey experience

A legendary overnight route among Asian backpackers: you leave KL in the evening, drive up the North highway via Ipoh and Butterworth/Penang, then cross the Malaysian-Thai border at Padang Besar (allow 30–60 min for formalities). You arrive in Hat Yai the next morning, rested and ready to explore Thailand. VIP buses are comfortable with reclining seats and blankets.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get from Kuala Lumpur to Hat Yai? +

Do I need a visa to enter Thailand from Malaysia? +

How much does a ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Hat Yai cost? +

How do I book tickets from Kuala Lumpur to Hat Yai? +

✨ Why visit Hat Yai?

✓ Kim Yong Market and Greenway Night Bazaar: lively night markets with authentic Thai street food
✓ Must-try local Thai cuisine: khao tom, roti mataba, mango sticky rice at low prices
✓ Cheap traditional Thai massages: many parlours throughout the city centre
✓ Border shopping: clothes, electronics and Thai products at reduced prices
✓ Gateway to Ko Lipe and Ko Samui: minivans and buses from Hat Yai to the southern islands

🌙

Recommended stay

1 to 2 nights (ideal stopover city for the southern islands)

☀️ When to visit Hat Yai?

Tropical monsoon climate

November to April (southern coastal Thailand, dry season). Avoid May to October (monsoon, frequent rains).

Jan 😐

Feb 😊

Mar 😊

Apr 😊

May 😐

Jun 😐

Jul 😐

Aug 😐

Sep 😞

Oct 😞

Nov 😞

Dec 😐

📍

In Hat Yai — Plan your stay

Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you

🏨 Accommodation

Hotels in Hat Yai

Compare the best rates available

See hotels →

via trip.com

🎭 Activities

What to do in Hat Yai?

Tours, excursions and local experiences

Explore activities →

via GetYourGuide

What to do in Hat Yai?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

INCONTOURNABLE

🌙

Kim Yong Night Market

Hat Yai's night market is the beating heart of the city, enlivened each evening by dozens of vendors. Clothing, Thai crafts, jewelry and above all an incredible variety of local dishes fill the alleys. An authentic sensory experience at the best price, ideal for immersing yourself in local life.

🛕

Wat Hat Yai Nai — Reclining Buddha

This Buddhist temple houses one of Thailand's largest reclining Buddhas, 35 meters long and 15 meters tall. Inside the base is a museum with precious relics. The serene site attracts devotees and travelers seeking spiritual peace and architectural beauty.

💆

Thai massages & spas

Hat Yai is renowned for its excellent traditional Thai massages at unbeatable prices. Whether you choose a foot massage, oil massage or the famous full Thai massage, qualified practitioners will perfectly relax you. Many spas also offer aromatic treatments with local herbs.

🍲

Local Thai street food

Hat Yai is a gastronomic capital for lovers of authentic Southern Thai cuisine. Taste khao yam (rice salad), Malaysian-influenced roti canai, grilled satay and Massaman curry. Street markets offer these delights for a few baht in a lively and friendly atmosphere.

🌿

Khao Nam Khang National Park

Just one hour from Hat Yai, this preserved national park offers fascinating caves with historical rock paintings, waterfalls and lush tropical forest. A network of caves linked to World War II guerrilla history makes the visit particularly original and educational.

🌊

Songkhla Lake — panorama & seafood

Thailand's largest lake, 30 km from Hat Yai, is a vast body of water connected to the sea where fishermen and colourful boats animate the shoreline. The city of Songkhla on its banks has a charming Sino-Portuguese old town and some of Southern Thailand's finest seafood restaurants.

🌳

Hat Yai Park — cable car & monkeys

This large urban park at the foot of a wooded hill has a cable car to reach the summit with panoramic views over Hat Yai. Hundreds of free-roaming macaque monkeys mingle with visitors along the shaded paths. Ideal for a family morning away from the city centre bustle.

💧

Ton Nga Chang Waterfall — elephant tusk falls

Nicknamed 'elephant tusk waterfall' due to its two streams resembling tusks, this majestic seven-tiered waterfall is one of the most beautiful in Southern Thailand. 28 km from Hat Yai, in tropical forest, it offers natural swimming and welcome coolness.

Other trips from Kuala Lumpur