The direct train from Penang to Bangkok has now ceased operating. You can still travel all the way from Penang to Bangkok by train but you need to do the journey in 2 parts, changing trains on the border with Thailand. The old direct service was very slow and even taking account of needing to change trains on route it is now quicker to travel from Penang to Bangkok than it was using the direct service.
- Train 1: Penang to Padang Besar
- Train 2: Padang Besar to Bangkok
Train Times from Penang to Bangkok
- Train 1: Train times from Penang Butterworth Railway Station to Padang Besar.
Dept | Arr | Dept | Arr | Dept | Arr |
05:25 | 07:16 | 06:25 | 08:16 | 07:25 | 09:16 |
Dept | Arr | Dept | Arr | Dept | Arr |
08:25 | 10:16 | 09:25 | 11:16 | 10:25 | 12:16 |
Dept | Arr | Dept | Arr | Dept | Arr |
12:25 | 14:16 | 14:25 | 16:16 | 15:25 | 17:16 |
Dept | Arr | Dept | Arr | Dept | Arr |
16:25 | 18:16 | 17:25 | 19:16 | 18:25 | 20:16 |
Dept | Arr | Dept | Arr | Dept | Arr |
19:25 | 21:16 | 21:25 | 23:16 |
- Part 2: Train times from Padang Besar to Bangkok.
Train | Padang Besar | Bangkok | Service |
46 | 17:00 | 12:05 | Special Express |
If there are no seats available on Train #46 an alternative option is take a shuttle train to Hat Yai, and then change trains for the onward journey to Bangkok.
Buy Tickets from Penang to Bangkok
Use the Search Box below to buy your train tickets from Padang Besar to Bangkok.
You can buy your ticket for the commuter service from Penang Butterworth Railway Station to Padang Besar on the day of travel. There is no need to book a seat in advance for this train service.
Travel to Butterworth Station
Penang’s main train station is on the Malaysian mainland at Butterworth.

If you are coming from Penang island then you have two options for getting to Butterworth railway station. The first option is to take the ferry from George Town. It departs from the pier on the Pengkalan Weld Road just South of Little India and the Chulia Street area. The other option is to take a taxi over the bridge at the north of Penang island and do the journey by road. Allow at least 1 hour for either journey.
Location of Butterworth Railway Station
Location of Bangkok Railway Station
- From the 19th January 2023 the main railway station in Bangkok is Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (also known as Bang Sue Grand Station).
Travel in Bangkok
Bangkok’s new main train station, Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, has its own MRT (subway) Station. The MRT runs south to Hua Lamphong Railway Station via popular destinations such as the Sukhumvit and Silom Roads, with connections to the BTS (skytrain) service and the Airport Link. There is also a suburban railway service from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Don Mueang Airport.

From near to Hua Lamphong Railway Station, which is the old main train station in Bangkok you can board a Chao Phraya Express Boat service at the Harbour Department Pier, which is a 1,200 metre walk from Hua Lamphong Railway Station.