Quick Answer

There are a few ways to ride from Kuala Lumpur to Thailand by rail. If Hat Yai is your target, the easiest is KTM’s limited My Sawasdee sleeper, which takes you all the way on the same train. If your dates don’t line up, go DIY: ETS to Padang Besar, clear immigration, then the Thai shuttle to Hat Yai. Yes, there’s a direct KL→Hat Yai train. My Sawasdee leaves KL Sentral 22:30 (Malaysia time) and arrives 08:50 (Thailand time). The return leaves Hat Yai 10:20 (Thailand) and reaches KL 22:52 (Malaysia). Tickets are one-way only. Fares: Seater 95 MYR, Upper berth 109 MYR, Lower berth 119 MYR. Can’t match the dates? Take ETS KL→Padang Besar, clear immigration, then the SRT shuttle to Hat Yai the same day.

Key Facts

• My Sawasdee is a direct KL Sentral→Hat Yai service with an immigration stop at Padang Besar.

• Overnight run is about 11 hours: depart 22:30 (MYT), arrive 08:50 (THA); return 10:20 (THA) → 22:52 (MYT).

• One-way fares only: Seater 95 MYR, Upper berth 109 MYR, Lower berth 119 MYR; adults and kids pay the same.

• Limited dates across selected weekends/holidays; not a daily service.

• Flexible plan: ETS from KL to Padang Besar, then Thai shuttle to Hat Yai (buy shuttle tickets on the day).

• Padang Besar→Hat Yai shuttles depart 10:15, 15:40, and 17:00 (Train 46) Thai time; arrivals ~11:00, 16:25, 17:45.

• Always check KTMB’s KITS/app and SRT for the latest schedules and sales windows.

What is the KTM to Hat Yai?

My Sawasdee starts at KL Sentral and stops at Tanjung Malim, Ipoh, and Taiping before reaching Padang Besar. Everyone gets off to clear Malaysian and Thai immigration, then boards the same train for the final stretch to Hat Yai. Most of the ride is overnight so you wake up ready to explore.

Prices (one-way)

• Seater: 95 MYR

• Upper berth: 109 MYR

• Lower berth: 119 MYR

Seats are upright; berths let you sleep. Returns are sold separately, so remember to book both directions.

2025/2026 availability (example dates)

Plan around KTMB’s released My Sawasdee runs. Example windows:

June: 27 (dep) / 30 (ret) — sales open 30 May
August: 15 / 18 — sales open 30 May
September: 12 / 15 — sales open 25 June
October: 17 / 20 and 24 / 27 — sales open 25 June
November: 14 / 17 — sales open 30 August
Nov/Dec: 28 / 1 — sales open 30 August
December: 12 / 15 — sales open 30 August
Dec/Jan: 29 / 1 — sales open 30 August

Note: KTMB releases batches and sale dates via official announcements; always check KITS/app or KTMB’s site for the latest.

Step-by-Step

1. Pick dates. If they match My Sawasdee’s limited runs, book the direct sleeper.

2. Direct: Board KL Sentral 22:30 (MYT). Clear immigration at Padang Besar, continue to Hat Yai 08:50 (THA).

3. DIY: Ride ETS KL→Padang Besar (≈6h). Clear both immigrations at the border complex.

4. Buy the SRT shuttle ticket on the day (from ~50 THB). Departures 10:15, 15:40, 17:00 (Train 46) Thai time.

5. Arrive Hat Yai in under an hour. Switch to Thai time and head into town.

6. Going farther? Connect to SRT sleepers for Hua Hin or Bangkok.

Other Malaysia→Thailand routes by train

KL → Hat Yai (via Padang Besar)

ETS options KL→Padang Besar (flexi fares ~79–102 MYR; multiple departures):

• EP 9272: 07:20 → 12:41

• EP 9274: 09:55 → 15:16

• EG 9420: 10:41 → 16:18

• EX 9206: 18:00 → 22:50

• EP 9278: 22:50 → 04:11

After immigration at Padang Besar, the shuttle to Hat Yai departs 10:15 and 15:40 Thai time, plus 17:00 on Train 46. Arrivals are ~11:00, 16:25, and 17:45 Thai time.

KL → Bangkok (via Padang Besar)

There’s a daily overnight sleeper from Padang Besar to Bangkok (2nd-class AC). It departs around 18:00 (Malaysia time) and arrives ~09:05 (Thailand time) next morning. Typical fares: 848 THB (upper), 918 THB (lower).

KL → Hua Hin (via Hat Yai)

From Hat Yai, four overnight trains reach Hua Hin early morning. Classes vary from fan seats to AC sleepers. Typical timings and price ranges:

• 172: 16:05 → 03:46 (226–749 THB)

• 170: 18:20 → 06:35 (226–749 THB)

• 38: 18:05 → 05:12 (306–1427 THB)

• 32: 17:45 → 04:22 (929–1627 THB; AC sleepers only)

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Direct sleeper, budget fares, overnight saves a hotel, ETS+shuttle offers flexible dates.

• Cons: Limited dates, one-way-only tickets, border queues, shuttle not sold online.

Comparison

FAQs

1. Is there a direct KL to Hat Yai train?

   Yes on selected dates. 22:30 (MYT) → 08:50 (THA).

2. How much is it?

   Seater 95 MYR, Upper berth 109 MYR, Lower berth 119 MYR.

3. Can I buy a return?

   No. Tickets are one-way; buy the return separately.

4. What if there’s no direct train on my dates?

   Take ETS to Padang Besar, then the SRT shuttle to Hat Yai.

5. Where is immigration?

   Padang Besar border complex for all routes.

6. Padang Besar→Hat Yai shuttle times?

   10:15, 15:40, and 17:00 (Train 46) Thai time.

References

• KTMB official site (KITS schedules and announcements)

• KTMB KITS online booking portal

• State Railway of Thailand (SRT) official site

• Seat61: Malaysia & Thailand by train

Plan your KL→Hat Yai rail trip like a pro

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