Getting Around Hat Yai – Car, Train, Bus & Taxi

Hat Yai Transportation

Getting around Hat Yai in Southern Thailand isn’t difficult. With many options, there is something that will work for you and your budget.

Traveling By Bus

If you are looking to travel to Hat Yai (or to leave Yat Yai) one of the best options is by taking the bus. These buses are state of the art and provide ample leg room. Some even have a bathroom inside and Internet service. Busses come and go from Penang, Butterworth, and Alor Setar. If you wish to travel further north you’ll need to book a train ticket. For mid-distance trips though, traveling by bus is the way to go.

Train Services

The train service in Thailand is excellent. While the train is a bit more rickety than what you might be used to, it adds a romantic quality to it. The train passes through Hat Yai and goes to many places in the country like Bangkok or Chang Mai. You can also take it through Malaysia, but you will need to show your passport at the border. Train travel is affordable for longer distances and many of the cabins turn into sleeper cars. Vendors will walk onto the train at stops in order to sell goods, so food will be available.

Taxi

When taking a taxi anywhere in Thailand, including Hat Yai, you’ll want to locate a taxi with a meter system. Even if the taxi driver doesn’t understand much in way of English, they will understand “meter” and either shake their head yes or no. If you go with a taxi that doesn’t have a meter, you will often pay twice as much as you should have.

Inner City Busses

There are some pretty fun and interesting busses in Hat Yai like one that has its interior designed to look like a disco, with bright colors, speakers, and lights. Hat Yai sees a good number of tourists annually, so many of the buses are designed to please visitors. Study the bus schedule and you’ll find busses are an easy way to get around the city.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about Hat Yai transportation.