Has anyone done a border run by train... Tried searching but couldn't find anything. I don't fancy the roads due to all the accidents. Might consider flying to Penang, a round trip can be had for ~3000 baht with Firefly, though flight schedule means I'd need to spend 2 nights in Penang. Might be worth it for the durian I suppose... Still, train ought to be quite a bit cheaper.

NOT a visa run, just turn around at the border. Padang Besar I guess?

Here is an example & a site you can play with.

http://www.thairailticket.com/esrt/Default.aspx

Or you can have a look here:

http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm#How%20to%20buy%20train%20tickets%20when%20in%20Thailand

Thanks. The schedule doesn't look that appealing, I think I'll fly... Firefly are selling 0.00 promo tickets (you only pay taxes - 166 RM each way) and I can check out the Penang durian scene if I stay a couple of days.

Overnight train to Hatyai would be best followed by a shared taxi ot minibus to and from the border. THe taxi is much faster than the train on this leg.

It's definitely worth doing it via Firefly. You can get a cheap hotel room in Penang for 500 baht a night, and the food is excellent.

Thanks, harry and pokerspiv. I'll probably fly. Any particular part of Penang I should stay in (never been there)?

Thanks, harry and pokerspiv. I'll probably fly. Any particular part of Penang I should stay in (never been there)?

Central Georgetown.

Chulia street has cheap backpacker places and Jalan penang around the corner has better hotels.

I used to stay at hotel Malaysia.

5°25'15.18" N 100°20'02.16" E

If you want a decent hotel, the Hotel Continental on Penang Road is good value. 1200 baht a night including breakfast and has a rooftop pool. The Hotel Malaysia next door is the same price but has no pool.

If you are on a tight budget you can get an aircon room at the Star Lodge in Muntri Street for 450-500 baht.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g660694-d1153289-Reviews-Hotel_Continental-Penang_Island_Penang.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298303-d1552076-Reviews-Star_Lodge-Georgetown_Penang_Island_Penang.html

Both of these are located within 5 minutes walk of the centre of town (Georgetown).

Buy some beer at seven and hire a trishhaw taxi to take you for a guided tour of UNESCO world heritage site Georgetown.

There is a city bus from the airport to town. It is a very scenic trip up the hill and well worth taking. It is even wheelchair accessible.

Thanks, pokerspiv, PoorSucker and harry. I'm on a budget and generally prefer not to use AC (hurts my neck and fan is plenty to keep me cool). No need to book in advance, I presume.

Higher end places can have a problem in Malasian school holidays but low end should be no problem.

Plenty to do and see in Georgetown. Chulua has hostels starting at 20 Ringetts but pay a bit more for private shower. Shopping at Comptar. Take a bus or rent a bike and go to Batu Ferenghi beach. Penang hill is worth a trip but its a days outing when you have to queue. Great Indian food. Enjoy

Plenty to do and see in Georgetown. Chulua has hostels starting at 20 Ringetts but pay a bit more for private shower. Shopping at Comptar. Take a bus or rent a bike and go to Batu Ferenghi beach. Penang hill is worth a trip but its a days outing when you have to queue. Great Indian food. Enjoy

Just did the Penang Hill trip last month and I really enjoyed it. Very nice views of the island.

The biggest Chinese temple outside China is in Penang, Kek Lok Si.

For scale, look at the construction crane, it's for the building.

Thanks for all the ideas, looks like it'll be a nice trip Hope I won't get catch any jellyfish...

Thanks for all the ideas, looks like it'll be a nice trip Hope I won't get catch any jellyfish...

Come back with a travel report.

Personally I wouldn't bother with Batu Ferrenghi beach. Worst beach I have ever seen and too dangerous for swimming due to rips.

Georgetown is a great town to walk around though, the entire town is world heritage listed due to the amount of colonial architecture, there's lots of great little Chinese shops selling all sorts of crap and street food is amazingly good.

Here is an example & a site you can play with.

http://www.thairailticket.com/esrt/Default.aspx

Or you can have a look here:

http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm#How%20to%20buy%20train%20tickets%20when%20in%20Thailand

cannot find suratthani

Personally I wouldn't bother with Batu Ferrenghi beach. Worst beach I have ever seen and too dangerous for swimming due to rips.

Georgetown is a great town to walk around though, the entire town is world heritage listed due to the amount of colonial architecture, there's lots of great little Chinese shops selling all sorts of crap and street food is amazingly good.

curry in panang is good crap to buy

Here is an example & a site you can play with.

http://www.thairailticket.com/esrt/Default.aspx

Or you can have a look here:

http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm#How%20to%20buy%20train%20tickets%20when%20in%20Thailand

cannot find suratthani

It's not alphabetical, have a look it's there.