I have been several times to these countries, but this was my first time crossing the land border from Thailand to Malaysia. It was easy and smooth and I did my journey south in more than 1 day. My trip was from Surat Thani to Malaysia, Padang Besar, the border town.
Surat Thani to Hat Yai
First I went from Surat Thani to Hat Yai by train. There is more than 1 train daily to go from Surat Thani to Hat Yai and there is actually a train that departs from Surat Thani very early in the morning. In case you take that train, the whole journey from Thailand to Malaysia is possible in one day. I decided to split it in two and have a look at Hat Yai instead. Also, the mentioned train would be in Surat Thani at around 6 am which is too early, and this way I couldn’t use the public bus to go from Surat Thani city center to Surat Thani train station.
There is a public bus departing from the station Kaset 1 Market in Surat Thani town to the train station. It costs 30bh and takes a while longer than a car would. Still, it was a very cheap option and therefore I saved some pennies.
I took the slowest train from Surat Thani to Hat Yai, 3rd class, the cheapest. It was fine! I like Thai train rides anyway. The scenery is nice and I like to feel the wind on my face.
Hat Yai
Once in Hat Yai, I checked into my hostel which was very near the train station. I don’t have any pictures from Hat Yai. There isn’t anything very interesting really. The most beautiful thing I saw in the city was some beautiful colonial buildings with stunning colors. I remember they were very pretty and caught my attention. That was all. I had just a bit of money with me as I didn’t want to exchange more Thai bhat as I was leaving the country and makes no sense. I ended up having to count money to see what I could afford to eat haha
Hat Yai to Padang Besar
The next day I took the train that goes from Hat Yai to Pedang Besar. There is only one daily train and departs from Hat Yai at about 2 pm as far as I remember. The journey isn’t long. Something like 2 hours and you complete your journey from Thailand to Malaysia.
I wasn’t sure how this border crossing works on board a train. I have never crossed a border by train so I wasn’t sure what do we have to do to get our passport stamps. You have to leave at the last station where everyone leaves the train, already in Malaysia. I thought I would have to leave in Thailand to get a stamp and then cross to Malaysia but that is not how it works. When you see everybody leaving, you leave too. Then, just follow the crowd. Everybody is going to the same spot. First is Thai immigration where you get your stamp out and just ahead is Malaysian where you get your entry stamp into the country. Was easy and fast and you will see the signs indicating the immigration booths anyway. Don’t worry. It is a very easy border to cross.
Padang Besar to Butterworth
Once in Malaysia, my idea was to book another train to Kuala Lumpur that would depart in about 30 munites from my time of arrival. The train is at 4.30 pm if I’m not mistaken. But, it was sold out!! OH MY! I didn’t expect this at all. My plan was to go immediately to Kuala Lumpur and that train was full and no other train to get to Kuala Lumpur was available that day.
Well, I had to make another plan in a few minutes. I saw where else were trains going because I didn’t want to spend a night in Padang Besar. I could have done that, but I decided to keep moving.
There was another available destination for that day and I wouldn’t have to wait that long for it: Butterworth, a name I have never heard in my life. I had no idea what place this was, what was there to see, I just knew that it was further south, so it would do.
Once you cross the border from Thailand to Malaysia it is clear that you are in another country. The trains here are not like Thai ones haha. They have AC, comfy seats, and no open windows haaaaa not the train I enjoy basically. But way more comfortable and faster, a train that you could see in any Western country. Boring! Even the landscape outside isn’t that attractive haaaa
Butterworth
Butterworth must be a popular destination for people heading to Penang. It is just next to the island and there are boat connections to Penang.
But, I had a flight ticket to Bali in Kuala Lumpur within a few days, so I didn’t visit anything else in Malaysia this time.
There were no budget stays in Butterworth and I had to pay 18€ for a room, something I’m not very used to.
I walked around a bit in Butterworth to Surau Terapung Penang Port mosque and Butterworth art walk. The view from the mosque was nice but walking there wasn’t that appealing. No one is walking around and the streets are too big. The Art Walk is also not impressive. Some little streets with graffiti and street art and that’s all. Anyway, this was not my destination so I only stayed 1 morning.
Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur
I went back to the train station in Butterworth to buy a train ticket to Kuala Lumpur. I went to the train station about 1 hour before the train and guess what. It was sold out haha
WHAT? Again? But is this train always sold out or what? It was sold out not only the next one but the following ones too. No more train tickets are available for that day! What a bummer. I was certainly not expecting this. I started to panic a bit I confess. I would have to search for another option and I didn’t have a Malaysian SIM card to do some research and see my options. It was very stressful because I really didn’t want to stay in Butterworth 1 more night!
But stressing was very useless as Butterworth bus station was right next to the train station and there are many buses departing to Kuala Lumpur. So, bus it was. The bus takes longer than the train, but it is also cheaper. Finally, at dusk, I was in Kuala Lumpur, a city I have visited many times. Even though, I was able to find something new to do while in the city.
