A faster option than travelling by train from Hat Yai to Penang is to take a bus from near to the train station which travels direct to George Town on Penang Island.
Bus Times from Hat Yai Railway Station to Penang
There are currently 2 services a day from Hat Yai to Penang departing from near to Hat Yai Railway Station available to book online.
| Hat Yai | Penang | Ticket | Company |
| 15:00 | 20:00 | 546 THB | BEH Travel |
| 15:00 | 20:00 | 455 THB | Persada Taiping |
- Departure times are in Thailand time, and arrival times are in Malaysia time, which is 1 hour ahead of Thailand time.
- By bus or minivan the journey from Hat Yai to Penang takes around 4 hours.
Buy Tickets from Hat Yai Railway Station to Penang
Use the Search Box below to buy your travel tickets from Hat Yai Railway Station to Penang.
Train Times from Bangkok to Hat Yai
There are 5 daily train services from Bangkok to Hat Yai.
- Please Note: The services shaded grey are not currently operating.
| Train No. | Bangkok | Hat Yai | Sleeper |
| 171 | 12:30 | 06:34 | Yes |
| 31 | 14:30 | 07:25 | Yes |
| 37/45 | 15:10 | 08:41 | Yes |
| 169 | 15:35 | 09:52 | Yes |
- Buy train tickets from Bangkok to Hat Yai .
Location of the Persada Taiping Hat Yai Bus Stop
Persada Taiping services to Penang depart from 29 Prachathipat Road, Tambon Hat Yai, Hat Yai District, Songkhla 90110, which is 550 metres walking distance to the east of Hat Yai Junction Railway Station.
Arrival in Penang
All services from Hat Yai to George Town in Penang terminate at car park under the Komtar Tower in the centre of George Town, in Penang, a short walk away from the popular Chulia Street.
About George Town in Penang
George Town is the main city on the island of Penang, and the location of the port for the car ferry which connects Penang Island with Butterworth on the mainland. Awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2008, the historic centre of George Town is a highly popular tourist destination famous for its cultural and historical sites, and arguably the culinary centre of Malaysia as well. George Town has a long and interesting history, most notably the period of English colonisation of the island which began in 1786. George Town’s importance as a commercial centre attracted a large immigrant population, first from India and later from China, making George Town one of the most multi-cultural cities in South East Asia. Chinese, Indian and Malay influences are evident all over the city and in many respects have fused together as is apparent in the local food with many of the dishes combining elements from several different cultural traditions.
Sri Mahamariamman Temple in PenangThere are many places to visit and things to do in George Town, the most popular of which are:
- Hire a trishaw: A popular way to tour the city is to hire a three wheeled taxi propelled by a driver who pedals a bike at the rear of the passenger carriage.
- Stroll along the Esplanade: The sea front area in George Town features a number of historical sites including a British fort and some grand colonial era government buildings.
- Cheah Kongsi: A 19th Century Chinese clan house. There are several clan houses in George Town which were the headquarters of organised groups of immigrants later made illegal by the British because of the many street battles which took place in George Town between different ethnic groups.
- Chew Jetty: 19th Century wooden jetty still inhabited by a community whose members are the direct ancestors of Chinese immigrants. Residents are excused from paying local taxes because they live over the water rather on Penang Island itself.
- Little India: A district full of Indian shops, restaurants and a Hindu temple. Probably the closest you can get to being in India without actually travelling there.
- Chulia Street Market: Evening market with cheap street food on one of the main streets in the historic part of George Town.
- Street Art: George Town has some brilliant wall murals, some of the best of which were created by well known street artist Ernest Zacharevic.