Padang Besar Malaysia Public Transport Guide (Bus & Van)

Padang Besar is a small Malaysian border town in Perlis in Malaysia, bordering with Songkhla province in Thailand, but has a reasonably connected public transport network for visitors, though locals would most definitely be driving around.

Padang Besar is popularly known albeit inaccurately as “duty free” with many shops and food options selling Thai and Malaysian products at wholesale prices, with huge crowds during weekends and holidays. The actual The ZON Duty Free shopping complex is in between the immigration and customs checkpoints of Malaysia and Thailand.

While Padang Besar is referred to by many as the northernmost town in Peninsular Malaysia, that title actually belongs to the very small town of Wang Kelian situated about 22km northwest of Padang Besar.

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Padang Besar Railway Station Train Services

• KTM ETS Business Class
• KTM ETS Platinum Standard
• KTM ETS Platinum
• KTM ETS Gold
• KTM Komuter Northern Sector
• SRT International Express
• SRT Hat Yai – Padang Besar Shuttle Train

Very detailed train service information has been posted on RailTravel Station individually. Click on the links above for each train service’s details.

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Public Transport Around Padang Besar

Padang Besar is quite a compact town with Padang Besar Railway Station and shopping areas situated adjacent to each other.

However, with the closure of the pedestrian bridge across the railway tracks leading directly to Padang Besar immigration and customs checkpoint, there is a big detour by foot now. Thankfully, there is a local travel agent, Ummul Travel And Tour Sdn Bhd, operating shuttle van services.

NOTE: This van service information was sourced before COVID-19 even appeared. I do not know if the van service is still available or if the Ummul Travel And Tour counter is even still there.

Ummul Travel And Tour Sdn Bhd Public Van Service

Ummul Travel And Tour Sdn Bhd operates a public van service from Padang Besar Railway Station. The counter is located in between Platforms 1 and 2 on the southern end from the main station building.

The Ummul Travel And Tour public van service is observed to no longer be running with a closed counter and no vans waiting at Padang Besar Railway Station. However, the below sign is still displayed on the platform.

The Ummul Travel And Tour public van service is observed to no longer be running with a closed counter and no vans waiting at Padang Besar Railway Station. However, the above sign is still displayed on the platform.

Ummul Travel And Tour Sdn Bhd operates 2 van routes to and from Padang Besar Railway Station:

Padang Besar Railway Station ⮀ Arked Niaga Padang Besar Shuttle Van Service

Van service between Padang Besar Railway Station and Arked Niaga Padang Besar. Arked Niaga Padang Besar is most commonly wrongly called as “duty free” but in reality it is a shopping complex with duty paid. However, if talking to locals, do use the term “duty free”.

Fares
Flat Fare: RM1.00

Frequency
On demand – no minimum passengers needed per trip

Operating Hours
Daily: Check with counter

Padang Besar Railway Station ⮀ Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) Sungai Chuchuh Shuttle Van Service

Van service between Padang Besar Railway Station and Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) Sungai Chuchuh. UniMAP is a distributed campus where faculties and facilities are located in more than 30 locations throughout the state of Perlis. UniMAP Sungai Chuchuh houses the Faculty of Engineering Technology, Residential College, and the Institute of Sustainable Agrotechnology (INSAT).

Fares
Flat Fare: RM1.00

Frequency
On demand – 5 minimum passengers needed per trip

Operating Hours
Daily: Check with counter

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Public Transport Out Of Padang Besar

While there are no express buses serving Padang Besar, there is a main myBAS Kangar (myBAS Perlis) trunk bus route plying between Kangar and Padang Besar. Kangar is the state capital of Perlis, and has a major bus station connecting to express buses plying throughout Peninsular Malaysia and another stage bus to Kuala Perlis for ferries to Langkawi Island.

Klook.com

myBAS Bus Service T11 picks up and drops off passengers at Padang Besar Bus Hub before the main roundabout before Padang Besar immigration and customs checkpoint.

myBAS Bus Service T11 (operated by MARA Liner)
Kangar ⮀ Beseri ⮀ Kaki Bukit ⮀ Padang Besar

myBAS Bus Service T11 Bus Fares
Stage Fare at maximum of RM5.30 to Kangar

myBAS Bus Service T11 Bus Frequency
Every 1 hour 30 minutes

myBAS Bus Service T11 Operating Hours
Daily: 6.00am – 7.30pm

myBAS Bus Service T11 Timetable (Saturdays – Thursdays)
Departure from Kangar: 0600, 0730, 0900, 1030, 1200, 1330, 1500, 1630, 1800, 1930
Departure from Padang Besar: 0600, 0730, 0900, 1030, 1200, 1330, 1500, 1630, 1800, 1930

myBAS Bus Service T11 Timetable (Fridays)
Departure from Kangar: 0600, 0730, 0900, 1030, 1200, 1500, 1630, 1800, 1930
Departure from Padang Besar: 0600, 0730, 0900, 1030, 1200, 1500, 1630, 1800, 1930

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Public Transport from Padang Besar to Hat Yai

The Padang Besar town in Malaysia is across the border from the Padang Besar town in Thailand. They are two different towns in two different countries. The local Hat Yai – Padang Besar Bus Service 1872 is a domestic service within Thailand only, and does NOT cross into Malaysia.

The local Hat Yai – Padang Besar Minivan Service 8301 and Hat Yai – Padang Besar Bus Service 1872 will wait across the road from the Padang Besar Customs House, Thailand.

Hat Yai – Padang Besar Minivan Service 8301

Hat Yai – Padang Besar Minivan Service 8301 Route Map

Hat Yai – Padang Besar Minivan Service 8301 Fares

50 Baht

Hat Yai – Padang Besar Minivan Service 8301 Operating Hours

First Minivan Service 8301 from Padang Besar: Unknown – please check times locally
Last Minivan Service 8301 from Padang Besar: Unknown – please check times locally

First Minivan Service 8301 from Hat Yai: 6.00am
Last Minivan Service 8301 from Hat Yai: 6.00pm

Fares are paid in Thai Baht only. Malaysia Ringgit is not accepted on Thai buses and minivans (obviously).

Luggage should be stored within your personal seat space. If your luggage is unable to fit within your personal seat space, you must purchase an additional seat for space to store your big luggage.

Hat Yai – Padang Besar Bus Minivan Service 8301 depart and arrive at Hat Yai Bus Terminal 1 Platform 24, however, some minivans may make a stop at Hat Yai city and/or Clock Tower. Check with the driver for these stops.

Hat Yai – Padang Besar Bus Service 1872

Hat Yai – Padang Besar Bus Service 1872 is reported to be no longer running. Further feedback appreciated.

Hat Yai – Padang Besar Bus Service 1872 Route Map

Hat Yai – Padang Besar Bus Service 1872 Fares

44 Baht

Hat Yai – Padang Besar Bus Service 1872 Operating Hours

First Bus Service 1872 from Padang Besar: Unknown – please check times locally
Last Bus Service 1872 from Padang Besar: Unknown – please check times locally

First Bus Service 1872 from Hat Yai: Unknown – please check times locally
Last Bus Service 1872 from Hat Yai: Unknown – please check times locally

Fares are paid in Thai Baht only. Malaysia Ringgit is not accepted on Thai buses and minivans (obviously).

Luggage should be stored within your personal seat space. If your luggage is unable to fit within your personal seat space, you must purchase an additional seat for space to store your big luggage.

Hat Yai – Padang Besar Bus Service 1872 departs and arrives at the Clock Tower in Hat Yai, however, some buses may make a stop at Hat Yai Bus Station and/or Hat Yai city. Check with the driver or conductor for these stops. (This information may be incorrect. Feedback is appreciated if you know of the exact boarding points in Hat Yai.)