DIY Explore In Hatyai

Travelling By Air To Hatyai

Domestic: Currently, travellers can fly to Hatyai via Bangkok only, and not from any other cities in Thailand. There are three domestic budget airlines flying to Hatyai and one full-service airline. The airlines are:

Nok Air (www.nokair.com)
One-Two-Go (www.fly12go.com)
Air Asia (www.airasia.com)
Thai Airway (www.thaiair.com)

International: The only international flight to Hatyai is by Tiger Airways from Singapore (http://www.tigerairways.com.sg). International travellers from other countries will have to either transit at Bangkok or Singapore to fly into Hatyai.

From Malaysia, there is no direct flight to Hatyai anymore. You can only take a flight from KL to Hatyai via Bangkok. Alternatively, you can fly from KL to Alor Star by Air Asia, and then take a taxi to Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint for about RM50. From there, take a taxi or minivan to Hatyi. For minivan, the price is about 50baht per person from Sulai Tour Agency, located at First Duty Free car park entrance. You can also book a car at Alor Star airport to send you direct to Hatyai city, which cost about RM150. It is more convenient, and many are using this service.

Travelling by coach to Hatyai

Within Thailand major cities, you can readily get a luxury coach to Hatyai, so check with any travel agents. Just to give an idea of the cost and time taken, a coach journey from Bangkok to Hatyai will take about 12 hours and price of the ticket is about 1000 baht for a 24-seater luxury coach.

From Malaysia, it takes about 9 hours journey from Kuala Lumpur to Hatyai, and it cost about 50 ringget for a 24-seater luxury coach. The main coach station in KL is at Pudu Raya where you can buy the ticket and board the coach at the same place. The coach will leave at 10pm and 11pm. Please note that Thailand is one hour behind Malaysia's time zone. Along the way, it will make two rest stops. From nearer location like Penang, you may only be able to take a minivan van from Komtar.

From Singapore, be prepared to spend about 14 hours travelling, and a 24-seater luxury coach ticket is price at between $40 and $44. The main coach station is at Golden Mile Tower, Beach Road, where you can buy the ticket and board the coach. The coach will leave at 7pm and is expected to arrive in Hatyai City about 8am (local time) the next day. Please note that Thailand is one hour behind Singapore's time zone. Along the way, it will make three rest stops.

Travelling by train to Hatyai

The State Railway of Thailand provides daily rapid and express train services from Bangkok to Hat Yai. The trains depart from Bangkok's Hualamphong Railway Station at 12.25 p.m., 2.20 p.m., 2.45 p.m., 3.50 p.m. and 10.50 p.m. Travel time is about 17 hours. For further information call 1690, 0 2223 7020, 0 2223 7030 or Hat Yai Railway Station at 0 7424 3705, 0 7423 8005.

Here is a website with great information on travelling by train in Thailand: http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm

Travelling by car to Hatyai city from Malaysia

Once you cross over from Bukit Kayu Hitam immigration checkpoint to the Thailand checkpoint, its only a straight road about 55 km all the way to Hatyai. There are road signs that will guide you. Take note that just after Danok, which is the border town, you will need to drive through a Custom House on the right. There, you have to show your vehicle documents and also a vehicle permit which can be obtained from the Thai check point.

Please note tha you need to purchase insurance for your car for the period that you are in Thailand. Check carefully what the insurance covers, as very often, motorists only purchase accident insurance which pays for people being injured during a car accident, and does not cover the car at all. One more thing to note is that you will need a copy of your log card/book for the Thai customs. If you are unable get your original car registration card, then a copy with the car loan company stamp on it will suffice.

Alternatively, for those who do not wish to drive into Hatyai, you can always park your car at the Bukit Kayu Hitam duty free complex car park, walk over to Thai immigration, and take a minivan to Hatyai which cost only 50baht per person.