From Hat Yai Airport To To Nearest Malay Border: How Far And How Much For Ride?

[Junglejumbo]

Does anyone know how long and how much it might cost to travel from Hat Yai airport to the nearest Malaysian border which I understand is Sabao? I haven't heard of anyone doing this for a long time, but at short notice the air flights seem significantly cheaper between Bangkok and Hat Yai and timings of the one-day return flight are more attractive than going to Penang or Singapore.

I need a border stamp for my double entry tourist visa and Hat Yai seems reasonably cheap to travel to air to. I also have no pages left for the one-page visas of Laos or Cambodia, and I see that the Cambodian e-visa is no longer working.

Thanks in advance.

[lopburi3]

It is about a one hour drive to Sadao or Pedang Besar but don't know the cost from Airport as most transport would be from the city of Hat Yai (in other direction). Not sure if any share taxi operate from airport or not. Am sure you could arrange a deal with airport taxi but cost would be higher. Most nationalities get free entry into Malaysia.

[lazygourmet]

Several "private" drivers are waiting on arrival.

Last year (November), after a bit of price discussion, I paid one thousand bahts from the airport to Padang Besar and return.

That took around three hours for the whole trip including borders run.

[nakachalet]

junglejumbo

lopburi31 and lazygourmet are correct. but if you have some time on hand,

stay in hatyai for an evening or two. it has everything bkk has to offer with

the exception that the cost of entertainment services are much less.

if you are still young at heart like most of us.... lol hatyai or formerly haadyai

definitely is the place to go and stay for a few evenings.

excellent cuisine both european, american, japanese and thai are available

at lee garden hotel (the one in the center of town) and novelta (?) at central.

a mini-suite costs around 1200 and 1600 baht respectively.

should you be in town on thurs fri and sat evenings, you should definitely

go to central gourmet dining--all you can eat fresh foods, japanese, chinese,

american etc including all jummy deserts... for 450 baht.

my family loves it but i detest it on the ground that my belly is already protruding enough!

[Lite Beer]

A few of years ago when I used to do border runs there was a mini bus service from Hat Yai to Pedang Besar.

Dropped you at the border for 40 Baht. I assume it is still there.

[lopburi3]

I agree Hat Yai is a good stopover town. The Lee Gardens Plaza (the newer skyscraper hotel) is also very good value for rooms and eats. The rooftop buffet is very low priced and, for the price, excellent (at least it used to be - have not been recently). Agree that share taxi or van ride to border should be well under 100 baht. I priced ride from airport one time and decided ride into town and taxi from there was more reasonable. And I paid full taxi rather than share.

[Lite Beer]

The Mini Bus to the border is opposite The Kings Hotel. Nothing special but ok to spend a night.

http://www.kingshatyai.com/

[Junglejumbo]

Thanks a lot for your comments. I will go tomorrow. Unfortunately, don't think i've time to stay over as have some urgent thing to do back in bangkok. I booked on Nok Airways at a bit more than 4,000 baht...let's hope I can do the whole run from airport to mini bus to border in about 4 hours before my flight departure. If time falls short I'll just have to take a taxi back to the airport.

[nakachalet]

Thanks a lot for your comments. I will go tomorrow. Unfortunately, don't think i've time to stay over as have some urgent thing to do back in bangkok. I booked on Nok Airways at a bit more than 4,000 baht...let's hope I can do the whole run from airport to mini bus to border in about 4 hours before my flight departure. If time falls short I'll just have to take a taxi back to the airport.

several changes have taken place since.... there may not be any minibus IN FRONT OF king's but

just walk inside and ask the desk girl, she will point you to the right direction.

better yet, whatever means of transport you are taking from the airport, just tell the driver that you want to go to padung besar or sadow--dunt-nork ด่านนอก (posterior immigration post) for visa run, the driver will be happy to take you to the proper minibus which you will have to wait for the mini to be filled up first before they will depart or you can buy up the remaining seats like what i had to do sometimes when your truly was in a hurry.... lol

or you can use a private car they called taxi--it costs about 700 baht for a roundtrip which will ensure that you get back on time for your return flight. yes, i spoke perfect thai.... lol and i paid

700 baht several months ago.

at any rate, you'll have plenty of time. when you arrive at the immigration out post, you also need to hire a motocycle on the malay territory to take you from the thai immigrantion post to the malay immigration post which if you walk will take about 15 min. the motorcycle ride will cost about 60 baht, the price i paid then. might be higher now though.

well, time is of the essence in your case, a few extra hundred bucks is worth it for your convenience. good luck and have fun.

[Lite Beer]

Don't forget the duty free shop on your way round the checkpoints.