Padang Besar to Hat Yai Budget Travel Guide
This Padang Besar to Hat Yai budget travel guide is perfect for travelers looking to explore on foot, and it works just as well in reverse! Whether you’re starting from Padang Besar or Hat Yai, this Hat Yai budget travel guide is designed for the budget-conscious traveler, helping you navigate like a local and make the most of your trip without breaking the bank.
There are two Padang Besars
Many people don’t realize that there’s a Padang Besar in both Malaysia and Thailand, with the two towns bordering each other. In Malaysia, Padang Besar is located in Perlis and serves as the main hub for train tickets to Thailand and as the immigration point for both countries. Once you board the train to Hat Yai in Padang Besar, Malaysia, the very first stop is Padang Besar, Thailand, which is sometimes spelled “Padangbeza”. Both Padang Besars are popular shopping destinations, offering great prices on locally made goods.
Trains aren’t the only transportation from Padang Besar to Hat Yai
If you’re entering Thailand from Malaysia on foot, you’re likely taking the train—it’s affordable and convenient, with few drawbacks. However, the trains only run twice daily in both directions, and immigration clearance at the Padang Besar train station can take a while.
If you’re up for a bit of walking in the sun or you missed the train, crossing by foot from Padang Besar, Malaysia to Padang Besar, Thailand is an alternative. Immigration clearance for pedestrians is much faster since fewer people use this option. The only downside is that you’ll need to walk a fair bit along the roadside under the hot sun, as the immigration points between the two Padang Besars aren’t close, and the connecting road is primarily designed for cars. You can also pay RM10 for a ride with one of the local Thai motorbike riders to speed up your immigration process between both countries, but that wouldn’t exactly fit a budget travel plan anymore.
Once you’re through Thai immigration, you’ll encounter offers for private car rides to Hat Yai, typically costing around THB800 per car. A more budget-friendly option is the local van located across the road from Thai immigration, which costs THB70 or RM12. It runs hourly from 8 AM to 6 PM, and drops you off at any location in Hat Yai. This option is popular with locals and avoids the extra cost of a songthaew ride you’d need if you took the THB50 train. If you need to take the van from Hat Yai to Padang Besar, head to the Hat Yai Bus Station located behind the Central Festival Hat Yai mall and ASEAN Night Bazaar.
Thais Prefer Maxim
It’s true—while Malaysians are accustomed to using GrabCar, most Thais opt for Maxim due to its budget-friendly rates, starting at THB39 per ride. However, the Maxim app isn’t as user-friendly as Grab, so you’ll need to be confident reading maps, especially if your phone’s GPS isn’t perfectly calibrated.
You Don’t Need to Pre-book a Hotel
If you’re not set on staying at the newest boutique hotels in Hat Yai, the older ones usually have vacancies without needing to book in advance. Walk-in rates are often cheaper than booking online since you’re paying directly to the hotel without third-party fees. While these hotels may have seen better days, they’re perfect if all you need is a comfortable bed for the night.
Don’t Get Ripped Off by Tourist SIM Cards
Tourist SIM cards are convenient, but at THB399 they’re not the most cost effective if you’re only staying in Thailand briefly.
Head to 7-Eleven and grab the THB49 7-Eleven x True-H prepaid SIM card. It includes 7 GB of data at 15 Mbps for seven days. Keep it active by reloading weekly for THB50 or monthly for THB200.
7-Eleven isn’t The Only Konbini Around Though
What 7-Eleven sells, other convenience stores sell too, and they’re way less crowded since everyone flocks to 7-Eleven. Mini Big C and Orange Mart are pretty great alternatives. Plus, local Thai shops need support and tend to be cheaper. They’ll always beat the bigger chains on price!
There are tourist night markets, and then there are local night markets
If you’ve got the budget, tourist night markets like the one at Lee Garden are big, lively, and offer plenty of food choices, making them perfect for groups or picky eaters.
But if you’re on a budget, local night markets are the way to go. The food tends to be more authentic, but keep in mind, communicating with vendors might be tricky if you don’t speak Thai. Our pick is the Florida night market opposite the Florida Hotel.
