Whether you are traveling from Malaysia or Singapore, it is always better that you choose the best and most affordable way of traveling, and of course, it'll be the train.
With that being said, you need to take two trains to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Hat Yai. The first train is a Malaysian railway service to Padang Besar Railway Station, where you pass through both Malaysian and Thai immigration control.
1st Train: KL Sentral to Padang Besar
All you need to do is book an ETS train from KL Sentral to Padang Besar HERE.
ETS train tickets from KL to Padang Besar cost RM 81 - RM 110 for adults and RM42 for children. The Gold class costs RM81 while Paltinum class costs RM 110 for adults and RM 55 for children.
2nd Train: Padang Besar to Hat Yai
Right after you reach Padang Besar, you can take a connecting train straight to Hatyai station which will take just under an hour. And the tickets from Padang Besar to Hat Yai will just only cost at RM 13. Fares can vary significantly depending on the day, so it pays to plan ahead and check the ticket fares HERE to avoid any dissapoitments.
Here are some of the best things to do in Hat Yai:
- Explore the Hat Yai Floating Market: The floating market is a vibrant and colorful place to experience the local culture and try delicious Thai food. You can also find various handicrafts, souvenirs, and other local products.
- Visit the Wat Hat Yai Nai temple: This temple is a popular attraction in Hat Yai, and it features a giant Buddha statue that is 35 meters tall. Visitors can climb the stairs to the top of the statue for a panoramic view of the city.
- Visit the Songkhla Lake: This is the largest natural lake in Thailand and it's a popular spot for water activities such as kayaking, fishing, and boating. There are also several small islands within the lake that you can explore.
- Taste the finger-licking local street food: Hat Yai is famous for its street food, and you can find a variety of delicious dishes such as fried chicken, grilled seafood, and noodles. Don't miss out on the famous Hat Yai fried chicken.
- Visit the Hat Yai Cable Car: This is a great way to see the city from a different perspective. The cable car ride takes you up to the top of a hill where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city.
- Check out the Kim Yong Market: This is a traditional Thai market that offers a variety of goods such as fresh produce, seafood, clothing, and souvenirs. It's a great place to experience the local way of life.
To those who are planning to buy Tickets from KL to Hat Yai, kindly check out the KTMB Mobile app or their official website.
NOTE: Don't take the late afternoon train from KL as you will be stuck at the border till immigration opens in the morning.
Enjoy the lush and peaceful views as you journey from one place to the another!
Image Credit / Source: BusOnlineTicket , Wego