MileHacker Logo
How to Get to Hat Yai

How to Get to Hat Yai

Hat Yai Lower Southern Gulf, Thailand Travel Guide

Air Travel

Hat Yai International Airport HDY

HDY serves as the main air gateway to the city and the wider Southern Thailand region. This airport is moderately sized, managing both domestic and a limited number of international flights.

Airlines and Routes

  • Domestic: Thai Airways, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, AirAsia, Thai Vietjet Air from Bangkok (DMK/BKK).
  • International: Scoot and AirAsia offer direct flights to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Singapore.
  • Travelers from major global hubs typically connect through Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore.

Airport Services & Transfers

Hat Yai International Airport provides a range of facilities for travelers upon arrival and departure.

Facilities & Options

  • ATMs, currency exchange, duty-free shops, restaurants, and car rental desks are present.
  • Transfers: Official airport taxis (fixed prices ~250-300 THB), songthaews (economical), minivans, and Grab (ride-sharing app) are options.
  • Flight availability is consistent year-round, but prices fluctuate; book in advance for better rates during peak season/holidays.

Find Flight Deals

Discover affordable flight options for your trip with Dollar Flight Club.

Compare Flight Prices

Use Skyscanner to compare flights and find the best deals from various airlines.

Car Rental Comparison

Find competitive car rental rates through DiscoverCars.com for your journey.

Hat Yai International Airport Visual

Airport Terminal Overview

  • The image shows the exterior of Hat Yai International Airport's terminal building.
  • It captures the modern architecture of the airport, which serves as a air transport hub for Southern Thailand.
  • This airport is your main arrival and departure point for air travel to Hat Yai.

Strategic Importance

  • HDY manages both domestic flights from major Thai cities and international flights from regional hubs.
  • It connects Hat Yai to the wider world, facilitating commerce and tourism.
  • The airport's facilities support efficient travel experiences for all passengers.
  • Various ground transport options are available right outside the terminal for easy city access.

Land Travel Overview

Border Crossings

Sadao/Bukit Kayu Hitam is the main land border to Malaysia, about 50 km south of Hat Yai. A busy crossing for buses, minivans, cars, and pedestrians.

Train Connections

Hat Yai Railway Station is a hub on the Southern Line, with direct connections to Bangkok, Surat Thani, Chumphon, and cross-border services to Butterworth (Penang, Malaysia).

Long-Distance Buses

Hat Yai Bus Terminal links the city to a wide network across Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi) and Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Penang).

Land Transportation Details

Train Travel in Detail

Hat Yai Railway Station, situated conveniently in the city center, is a significant hub on the Southern Line of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).

Train Services

  • Direct overnight journeys to Bangkok (15-17 hours) with sleeper options.
  • Connections to Surat Thani (for Koh Samui/Phangan ferries) and Chumphon (for Koh Tao ferries).
  • Cross-border services to Butterworth (Penang, Malaysia) via KTM Komuter/ETS.

Bus Travel in Detail

Hat Yai Bus Terminal serves as a major intercity bus hub, linking the city to a wide network of destinations.

Bus Services & Routes

  • Numerous private and government bus companies operate services.
  • Extensive routes connect to Bangkok (12-14 hours, often overnight), Phuket, Krabi, and Surat Thani.
  • Buses also go to Pak Bara Pier, the departure point for ferries to Koh Lipe and Andaman Sea islands.

Self-Driving in Thailand

Car rentals are available at Hat Yai International Airport and within the city center. For greater independence, this option is present.

Requirements & Conditions

  • An International Driving Permit (IDP) with your national driver's license is legally necessary.
  • Driving in Thailand has challenges due to different driving habits. Drive defensively.
  • Parking is available at malls, but can be challenging in central zones.

Sea/River Connections

Hat Yai is an inland city, so it does not have direct sea or river arrivals. However, it serves as a common gateway for travelers heading to the beautiful islands of the Andaman Sea.

Island Gateway

  • The closest major pier is Pak Bara Pier (Satun Province), about 1.5-2 hours drive from Hat Yai.
  • Pak Bara is the main departure point for speedboats and ferries to Koh Lipe and Tarutao National Marine Park.
  • Minivans and taxis shuttle travelers from Hat Yai to Pak Bara Pier, often with combined tickets.

Important Departure Information

  • Air Travel: Arrive 2-3 hours before international flights, 1.5-2 hours for domestic flights. Departure taxes are usually in your ticket price.
  • Train Travel: Arrive 30-45 minutes before departure at Hat Yai Railway Station.
  • Bus Travel: Arrive 30 minutes before departure at Hat Yai Bus Terminal.
  • No separate exit fees for land departures to Malaysia or within Thailand.
  • Hat Yai International Airport offers check-in counters, security, duty-free, and food.
  • Have travel documents (passport, ticket) ready for checks.

Visual Aid: Transportation Hubs

Hat Yai Airport Exterior

This image captures the modern exterior of Hat Yai International Airport, a significant entry point for air travelers. Its clean lines and design reflect its role as a regional transport facility.

Airport Details

  • A central hub for domestic and some international flights.
  • Connects Hat Yai to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.
  • Provides various services including currency exchange and car rentals.

Thai Train Locomotive

This photograph displays a Thai train locomotive at a station platform, symbolizing the extensive rail network that connects Hat Yai to various parts of Thailand and Malaysia.

Rail Travel Significance

  • Hat Yai Railway Station is a junction on the Southern Line.
  • Overnight sleeper trains to Bangkok offer a comfortable travel option.
  • Cross-border services link to Malaysia, extending regional connectivity.

Hat Yai Airport

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Thai Train

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Visual Representation

These images offer visual context to the major transportation options available when traveling to and from Hat Yai.

Additional Travel Considerations

Land Border Crossings

Hat Yai is a major gateway to Malaysia. The main land border crossing is at Sadao/Bukit Kayu Hitam, located approximately 50 kilometers south of Hat Yai.

Border Crossing Details

  • This is a busy crossing, used by buses, minivans, cars, and pedestrians.
  • For visa-exempt stays, border runs to Malaysia and back are common for renewing visas.
  • Have all necessary documents ready: passport, onward tickets, and sufficient funds.

Preparing for Departure

Whether flying out or taking land transport, a little planning goes a long way to ensure a smooth departure from Hat Yai.

Departure Tips

  • Arrive at Hat Yai International Airport 2-3 hours before international flights, 1.5-2 hours for domestic.
  • For train or bus travel, arrive 30-45 minutes before departure.
  • Departure taxes for air travel are usually included in your ticket price.

Practical Departure Facilities

Hat Yai Airport

Offers check-in counters, security screening, duty-free shops, and food/beverage outlets for departing travelers.

Railway Station

Shops and food stalls are present where you can grab a meal or snacks before your train journey.

Bus Terminal

Features numerous food stalls, small shops, and waiting areas for long-distance bus travelers.

Travel Coordination Tip

When planning an island trip from Hat Yai, make certain your transfer from Hat Yai to Pak Bara Pier is well-coordinated with your ferry departure time. This is especially true during peak season or if you have tight connections.
← Previous
What to Pack for Hat Yai
← Back to Hat Yai
Next →
Getting Around Hat Yai

Next Up: Getting Around Hat Yai. Public Transport, Taxis, Car Rental

Continue to Getting Around Hat Yai