Hat Yai Transportation Tips by travelpug Top 5 Page for this destination

Is it safe? Motorcycling & Motorcycle Taxis Review

Another means of public transportation in Hatyai is motorcycle taxi. You can tell the motorcycle taxi by the yellow, orange or red vests with a number at the back that the drivers wear. It is slightly cheaper than tuk-tuk. But I think it is not so safe compared to tuk-tuk, is it? Anyway, I saw many locals use them. I guess it is okay.

I guess it is only suitable if you travel alone. Otherwise, you might as well take tuk-tuk.

sorry... forgot to take a picture of the motorcycle taxi...

Mode: AROUND

Type: Motorcycle

Cheap & convenient Tuk-Tuks Review

There is no public city bus in Hatyai. Tuk-tuk is the main public transportation in Hatyai. It functions like a taxi cab but without the comfort and cool air-conditioner. It can get a bit cramped at the back. Tuk-tuk in Hatyai is different from those in Bangkok. In Hatyai, it is bigger and almost like a mini truck. Passengers sitting in two rows of benches facing each other at the back of the driver. It is like a 'songtheaw' but smaller version. The space is small inside even for an asian male like me (170cm tall). I cannot imagine how is it like for a westerner to be in it...

Songtheaw is a bigger version of tuk-tuk. It is like a city bus running on designated routes. It can get a bit claustrophobic inside when it is crowded.

Important! As many VTers have advised, agree on the fare before getting on. usually 10baht per person within town area.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Other

Move on from Hatyai

Hatyai Bus Terminal is located south of the city. Since Hatyai is the transportation hub for the south, you can get buses from Hatyai Bus Terminal to go to Bangkok (13 hours journey), Phuket (6-7 hours), Krabi (4 hours), Trang, Phattalung, Pattani, etc. However, at all the travel agencies in Hatyai town, you can get minivan to the same destinations and various cities in Malaysia.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Bus

Bus - Kuala Lumpur to Hatyai

VIP (25 Seater) bus is the most common way to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Hatyai. Buses leave from Puduraya or just outside the bus terminal in K.L. Tickets can be bought at the ticket counters along 7-11 opposite Puduraya. Each ticket costs RM40. But expect to pay up to RM70 during high peak holiday season (i.e. Chinese New Year in February, etc). Morning buses that leave KL at around 9:30am arrive Hatyai at about 5pm Thai time (6pm Malaysian time). Night buses leave between 10 and 11pm arrive Hatyai at about 8am Thai time (9 am Malaysian time). There are more buses leaving at night than in the morning. All buses will collect all passengers' passports at the rest stop before the border to fill out Thai immigration forms for free of charge. Queue at the immigration is usually longer in the morning than it is in the afternoon.

Mode: TO

Type: Bus

Bus - Hatyai to Kuala Lumpur

There are plenty of buses that run between Hatyai and Kuala Lumpur. Many of them leave in the morning from 9:30am onwards. Travel time from Hatyai to KL takes at least 9 hours or more depending on if the drivers stop at other towns to pick up more passengers. If you board the morning bus, you will arrive KL earliest at about 7pm. Another option is to take the evening bus that leaves Hatyai at 6pm and arrive KL at 4am in the morning. Persoanlly, I don't recomend it because 4am at the Puduraya bus terminal is not the safest place to be. Bus tickets costs 400Baht.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Bus