Last time went via van (3.5hrs)Hat Yai to Penang, this time looking at train.

Where does the train stop for immigration Malaysia?

My thoughts are seeing 300 people all getting off a train and running to an immigration booth and queuing up for hours and a train waiting

for all it's passengers. Please let me know what I can expect.

I am looking @internet & seeing timetables differ for Dep HatYai 1 says DEP: 5.50am another says 6.57am

BKK-STH Thailand

International Express

Thai Railways

Thanks in advance

Oh just found another web says DEP 7.24am

HatYai to Butterworth

It only takes about 20-30 minutes to get through immigration and there is also a small duty free shop....the journey after that is tedious with the train stopping everywhere, arrives at Butterworth 1pmish....make sure you have a few ringets as you need for the ferry crossing to Penang and there isnt a burea de change there

The train stops at Padang Besar and you enter Thai side of immigration on the platform - move to Malay side and exit back outside to re-board train. There is a change office (at least there was 10 years ago) which is open on non holidays so as said good to get some change for ferry if going to Penang. But if in Hat Yai you should be able to get from money changers there to be sure.

A third option, which to me was more comfortable than van, is share taxi. Often took it alone (paid for it) but even full it is better than most van trips.

According to the Thai Railways Timetable there is a train that stops at Hat Yai at 0627 and arrives Butterworth at 1155 and another in the afternoon that leaves Hat Yai at 1450 and arrives Butterworth at 2130.

The 0627 comes all the way from BKK, so will probably be late arriving/departing Hat Yai.

According to the Thai Railways Timetable there is a train that stops at Hat Yai at 0627 and arrives Butterworth at 1155 and another in the afternoon that leaves Hat Yai at 1450 and arrives Butterworth at 2130.

The 0627 comes all the way from BKK, so will probably be late arriving/departing Hat Yai.

The train from bkk is mostly on time and depart on schedule mostly as well....

Besides, most Butterworth trains are better kept and serviced as well....

for obvious reasons, as well....

L O L as well....

Anybody know the price of a taxi to Penang from hat Yai ? Cheers

Believe it used to be about 1.5k per car but with fuel costs expect may be more now.

Well I guess at almost 6hrs I can see why it is not a favored route.

I think I will get a van like before, thanks for the posts.

International Express Timetable