A guide on how to travel from Malaysia to Thailand by train 

If you don’t mind slow travel, you might want to consider travelling from Malaysia to Thailand by train. Whether you’re departing from Kuala Lumpur or Penang, there are several convenient routes and train combinations you can book to reach your destination in Thailand. 

Is there a direct train from Malaysia to Thailand?

 

Currently, there are no permanent direct rail services between the two countries. However, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) operates a seasonal sleeper service called MySawasdee, which takes passengers directly to Hat Yai on specific dates.  

For all other trips, you will need to transfer at Padang Besar located in the northern part of Perlis. It shares a border with Songkhla province, where you will clear both Malaysian and Thai immigration. Once your passport checks are complete, you can board a secondary train to continue toward Hat Yai or Bangkok. 

How do I buy tickets for KTMB trains?

 

Purchasing tickets is straightforward through KTMB’s self-service kiosks, which accept Visa, Mastercard, and various e-wallets like TNG eWallet, Boost, and DuitNow. If you are taking the train to Thailand from Kuala Lumpur (KL), you can visit the ticketing counters on the second floor of KL Sentral for same-day or advanced bookings. For convenience, you can also book your journey online via the official KTM website or the KITS mobile app. 

What is the schedule for trains departing from Kuala Lumpur to Padang Besar?

 

 

To reach Padang Besar from KL Sentral, hop on the Electric Train Service(ETS)—KTMB’s intercity high-speed train that travels as fast as up to 160 km/h.   

You can choose between Platinum, Gold, or Express services, with tickets priced between RM95 and RM120. The journey takes about 5.5 hours, with departures starting as early as 7:20am and running until 10:50pm. Here’s a quick look at the train’s timetable: 

Train No.	Depart KL Sentral	Arrive Padang Besar	Service Type
9224	07:20	12:41	ETS Platinum
9226	09:55	15:16	ETS Platinum
9442	12:16	17:53	ETS Gold
9214	18:00	22:50	ETS Express
9238	22:50	04:11	ETS Platinum

 

What is the schedule for trains departing from Padang Besar?

 

Upon arrival at the border, you must purchase a separate ticket for the second half of your trip via the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) app. Keep in mind that the onward journey to Bangkok takes about 16 hours, so it is wise to have entertainment ready for the long ride.  

Service Type	Train No.	Departure (Padang Besar)	Arrival (Hat Yai)	Arrival (Bangkok)
Shuttle Train	948	11:15 (MY) / 10:15 (TH)	11:00 (TH)	—
Shuttle Train	950	16:40 (MY) / 15:40 (TH)	16:25 (TH)	—
Special Express	46	18:00 (MY) / 17:00 (TH)	17:46 (TH)	09:05 (TH)

 

What are the options for departing from Penang to Thailand?

 

 

Travellers from Penang don’t need to go all the way to Kuala Lumpur to start their journey. You can head to the Butterworth Railway Station on the mainland and board a KTM Komuter service to Padang Besar. These trains run frequently throughout the day, starting as early as 5:20am.  

Like the KL route, this requires a transfer at the border, so you will still make at least two separate train journeys: one from Penang to Padang Besar, and another from Padang Besar to Bangkok or Hat Yai.  

Train No.	Depart Butterworth	Arrive Padang Besar	Service Type
2940	05:20	07:11	KTM Komuter
2944	06:25	08:16	KTM Komuter
2946	06:55	08:46	KTM Komuter
2948	07:35	09:26	KTM Komuter
2952	08:35	10:26	KTM Komuter
2958	10:35	12:26	KTM Komuter
2964	12:35	14:26	KTM Komuter
2968	14:35	16:26	KTM Komuter
2970	15:05	16:56	KTM Komuter
2972	15:35	17:26	KTM Komuter
2976	16:35	18:26	KTM Komuter
2978	17:05	18:56	KTM Komuter
2980	17:35	19:26	KTM Komuter
2982	18:05	19:56	KTM Komuter
2984	18:40	20:31	KTM Komuter
2986	19:05	20:56	KTM Komuter
2988	19:35	21:26	KTM Komuter
2994	21:35	23:26	KTM Komuter

Train from Malaysia to Hat Yai with MySawasdee

 

This special charter train service has returned in 2026, with ticket prices starting from RM95 for a one-way trip from KL Sentral to Hat Yai. Keep in mind that this fare doesn’t include meals or drinks, so bring snacks for the journey. Here are the travel dates to help you plan your trip:  

Month	Going (KL → Hat Yai)	Returning (Hat Yai → KL)	Ticket Sales Open
Jan / Feb	30 Jan	2 Feb	2 Jan 2026
Mar	27 Mar	30 Mar	2 Jan 2026
Apr	10 Apr	13 Apr	27 Feb 2026
May	15 May	18 May	27 Feb 2026
Aug	21 Aug	24 Aug	29 Jun 2026
Sep	25 Sep	28 Sep	29 Jun 2026
Oct / Nov	23 Oct	26 Oct	29 Aug 2026
	30 Oct	2 Nov	29 Aug 2026
Nov	13 Nov	16 Nov	29 Sep 2026
	20 Nov	23 Nov	29 Sep 2026
	26 Nov	29 Nov	29 Sep 2026
Dec / Jan	11 Dec	14 Dec	29 Oct 2026
	17 Dec	20 Dec	29 Oct 2026
	31 Dec	3 Jan 2027	29 Oct 2026

 

The train is scheduled to depart KL Sentral at 10:30pm Malaysian time and  arrive in Hat Yai at 8:40pm Thailand time. Trains travelling from Hat Yai to KL will leave at 10:20am Thailand time and arrive in KL at 11:15pm Malaysia time.  

 

Tickets can be booked through the KTMB website, the KITS Style mobile app, or at any KTMB ticket kiosk. Alternatively, you can also contact KTMB via phone at 03-2279-8712 or by email at chartertrain@ktmb.com.my for further enquiries.  

What documents do I need to prepare before my trip to Thailand?

 

Travellers should bring: 

• A valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity 

• Train tickets 

• Hotel booking confirmations (for immigration checks) 

 

Malaysians do not require a visa for trips up to 30 days. However, you will need to fill up the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) at least 3 days before your arrival date. You can complete the TDAC through TNG eWallet: 

 

• Switch the region from Malaysia to Thailand. 

• Scroll down till you see the Arrival Card icon. 

• Click on the icon to access the official Thai immigration portal. 

• Fill up your details accurately. 

• Submit the form and download or screenshot the generated QR code for entry. 

Can I buy train tickets with TNG eWallet in Thailand? 

 

Some Thai self-service kiosks allow for overseas QR payments via PromptPay or Alipay+, which can be paid with your eWallet. That said, it is highly recommended to carry a Touch ‘n Go eWallet Visa Travel Card as a backup. This card is accepted globally and allows for one free ATM withdrawal monthly, ensuring you can still pay for tickets or transport if QR services are unavailable. You also get up to 3% cashback until 31 December 2026.   

Also read our Travel to Thailand from Malaysia guide for more information.  

Safely travel from Malaysia to Thailand by train 

 

Life can be hectic, so why not take a breather and opt for slower travel by train from Malaysia to Thailand? We hope this guide helps you understand the train schedule and plan your journey effectively. Don’t forget to also buy your travel eSIM online to stay connected throughout your trip.   

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Cover image credit: @mohamadzulhanafi via Instagram