The Express 948 Hat Yai – Padang Besar Shuttle Train is a very popular mode of transport between the Malaysia border town of Padang Besar to Hat Yai, the largest city of Songkhla Province, Thailand, departing in the morning at 9.55am Malaysia Time (GMT+8), connecting from ETS and Komuter services with morning arrivals at Padang Besar.
This post is about the travel experience onboard the Hat Yai – Padang Besar Shuttle Train.
This is NOT the actual information page you are looking for.
Click here to visit the dedicated Hat Yai – Padang Besar Shuttle Train information page.
If you are travelling from Padang Besar, Malaysia…
Padang Besar Railway Station serves the Malaysian Town of Padang Besar on the border of Thailand and Malaysia, the neighbour of the Thai town of the same namesake. This new station is the gateway to Thailand with the Hat Yai – Padang Besar Shuttle Train connecting passengers from train services in Malaysia to Hat Yai, the biggest town in Songkhla province in Thailand.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) office opens at 9.00am for ticket sales on the Express 948 to Hat Yai. The office is located at Padang Besar station’s Platform 2, on the side which is closer to the north (ie. Thailand).
The counter to purchase tickets is located within the SRT office, on a dedicated side desk.
Tickets for the air-conditioned Hat Yai – Padang Besar Shuttle Train cost 70 Baht.
The counter will provide you with the Thai immigration form as well. Fill this up and then head for Malaysian and Thai immigration.
Once cleared on both sides, board the Hat Yai – Padang Besar Shuttle Train waiting at the platform.
If you are travelling from Padang Besar, Thailand…
Padang Besar (Thai) Railway Station serves the Thai Town of Padang Besar on the border of Thailand and Malaysia, the neighbour of the Malaysian town of the same namesake. Despite the railway running through the town ever since it was built, the Padang Besar (Thai) Railway Station was only built 2 years ago. This new station opens up a new travel option for those living here to get to Hat Yai via the Hat Yai – Padang Besar Shuttle Train, with the previous option being only buses and vans, or getting the train to the Malaysian Padang Besar town and then walking back into Thailand.
You can get your tickets for the Hat Yai – Padang Besar Shuttle Train at the ticket counter here. Tickets for the Hat Yai – Padang Besar Shuttle Train are only sold on the day of departure, and for journeys originating at Padang Besar (Thai) only.
The timetable for trains serving Padang Besar (Thai) Railway Station. Two pairs of Hat Yai – Padang Besar Shuttle Trains ply the line daily, with the long distance International Express running between Padang Besar in Malaysia and Bangkok once daily.
My ticket from Padang Besar (Thai) to Hat Yai Junction. Tickets for this air-conditioned Hat Yai – Padang Besar Shuttle Train cost 70 Baht.
The 4-car BREL Class 158/T Sprinter DMU serving the Express 948 entering back into Thailand from Malaysia.
The Sprinter at Padang Besar (Thai) Railway Station, bound for Hat Yai Junction.
The typical scenery on the way to Khlong Ngae and Hat Yai Junction.
Along the way, the in-train salesman, Jai (or Ah Chai), will come along with dtac Happy Tourist SIM Cards for purchase. While they typically cost 299 Baht when purchased directly from dtac or other resellers, Jai sells these dtac Happy Tourist SIM Cards at a special price of only 260 Baht. Jai will also happily configure your phone settings for you and makes sure you have your internet before moving on to the next customer. HINT: Further discounts may be given if you are purchasing these SIM cards in a group when you speak politely to Jai and flash him your biggest smile.
The dtac Happy Tourist SIM Card entitles you to 8 days of unlimited 3G/4G Internet (speed will be throttled after 2.5 GB of usage), free 100 Baht worth of call credit and a special international call rate via 00400. The 100 Baht credit can also be used to buy more 3G/4G Internet when you download the dtac app.
This is a hassle-free at-seat SIM card purchasing service which I think offers the most convenient way to buy a SIM card in Thailand. In my opinion, the dtac Happy Tourist SIM Card is especially useful and offers one of the best value when you are spending 3 to 8 days in Thailand. It is also, in my opinion, the most reliable telco along the railway lines in Thailand. RailTravel Station does not receive any form of commission from this recommendation.
Approaching Hat Yai Junction Railway Station.
Disembarking from the Express 948 at Hat Yai Junction.
The Express 948 offers a time-effective connection from ETS and Komuter services with morning arrivals at Padang Besar, getting you into Hat Yai just in time for lunch and thereafter check-in in your hotel.
As the sole train departure from Padang Besar in the morning, it is undoubtedly a very popular train service, and thus can get crowded as well. But fret not as the train will wait for all passengers to purchase tickets and clear immigration before departing from Padang Besar, even if it means being delayed.
Try out the Express 948 the next time you visit Hat Yai from Malaysia!
This post is about the travel experience onboard the Hat Yai – Padang Besar Shuttle Train.
This is NOT the actual information page you are looking for.
Click here to visit the dedicated Hat Yai – Padang Besar Shuttle Train information page.
For the train from padang besar to hatyai, how many time daily? thx