The Hat Yai Airport Minibus is Hat Yai’s answer to an airport express link between the airport and city. The Hat Yai Airport Minibus service was launched pretty recently on 13 July 2018, linking passengers between Hat Yai International Airport and key destinations around Hat Yai city, terminating at Hat Yai Bus Terminal 1. Before the inception of this dedicated minibus service, passengers have to rely on taxis or walk out of the airport to catch a blue Songthaew into the city.
Heading into Hat Yai city with time to spare, I opted to try out the Hat Yai Airport Minibus service.
The counter for the Hat Yai Airport Minibus service is located on the right, outside of the terminal building’s exit.
A dedicated bus stop is also built near the counter.
Purchase your ticket at the Hat Yai Airport Minibus counter. Tickets go for 60 Baht per person. The first bus to the city and Hat Yai Bus Terminal 1 departs at 7.00am.
The Hat Yai Airport Minibus service departs every hour on the hour from 7.00am to 9.00pm from Hat Yai International Airport.
My ticket for the Hat Yai Airport Minibus service.
The route map of the Hat Yai Airport Minibus service as printed on the ticket.
The Hat Yai Airport Minibus service stops at:
- Hat Yai International Airport
- Hat Yai Van Terminal
- Hat Yai District Office
- Kim Yong Market
- Hat Yai Clock Tower
- Nipat Uthit 2 Road
- Hat Yai Wittayalai School
- Ko Hong Junction
- Prince of Songkla University
- CentralFestival Hatyai
- Hat Yai Bus Terminal 1
The bus stop is specially for the Hat Yai Airport Minibus service.
The route map of the Hat Yai Airport Minibus service at the bus stop, along with operating hours.
Slightly before 7.00am, a Hat Yai Airport Minibus arrived at the bus stop.
The Hat Yai Airport Minibus seen from across the road.
From the bus stop, there are steps down to the bus bay, and a ramp for luggage.
The interior of the Hat Yai Airport Minibus. However, this was not for service yet.
Another minibus showed up, and a staff told me to board this bus instead.
Boarding the Hat Yai Airport Minibus.
The interior of the Hat Yai Airport Minibus.
Departing from Hat Yai International Airport.
There is free WiFi provided on board the Hat Yai Airport Minibus. The internet speed on board is just enough to send text messages on WhatsApp though.
The legroom on board the Hat Yai Airport Minibus.
The Hat Yai Airport Minibus is laid out in a 2+2 configuration.
Taking the main road out of Hat Yai International Airport.
As I was the only passenger on board the Hat Yai Airport Minibus and my destination was Hat Yai Bus Terminal 1, the driver took a shorter, direct route to Hat Yai Bus Terminal 1 instead.
Turning right at Sanam Bin Nai.
Heading on Thailand Route 4.
Passing by CentralFestival Hatyai.
Turning into Hat Yai Bus Terminal 1.
The journey from Hat Yai International Airport to Hat Yai Bus Terminal 1 took about 35 minutes. Do note that this may not be the actual travelling time taken on your journey as this was a shortcut route skipping Hat Yai city altogether.
If you are heading in the reverse direction from Hat Yai Bus Terminal 1 to Hat Yai International Airport, the Hat Yai Airport Bus picks up in front of Counter 7 after Platform 1, at a special Hat Yai Airport Bus platform.
Similar to Hat Yai International Airport, purchase your ticket at the Hat Yai Airport Minibus counter. Tickets go for 60 Baht per person. The first bus to Hat Yai International Airport departs at 8.00am.
The Hat Yai Airport Minibus service departs every hour on the hour from 8.00am to 8.00pm from Hat Yai Bus Terminal 1.
The Hat Yai Airport Minibus parked at Hat Yai Bus Terminal 1.
Overall, a pleasant ride on board the Hat Yai Airport Minibus which turned out to be a private transfer with no other passengers on board. Too bad the Hat Yai Airport Minibus isn’t popular yet, if not there would be more reason to increase the bus frequency to more than just one bus an hour.
Hat Yai Airport Minibus Details Summary
Hat Yai Airport Minibus Route: Hat Yai International Airport to Hat Yai City to Hat Yai Bus Terminal 1 (and vice-versa)
Frequency: 60 minutes, every hour on the hour
Operating hours departing from Hat Yai International Airport: 7.00am – 9.00pm
Operating hours departing from Hat Yai Bus Terminal 1: 8.00am – 8.00pm
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