How to Get from Malacca to Hat Yai

Leaving behind the red-tiled roofs and colonial history of Malacca for the street food markets of Hat Yai takes you across the length of the Malay Peninsula. Malacca whispers stories of Portuguese and Dutch explorers; Hat Yai is a Thai border city famous for its dim sum breakfasts and busy night bazaars. It is a popular leg for anyone on a grand tour of Southeast Asia, from a UNESCO World Heritage city to the gateway of Southern Thailand.

The road passes palm oil plantations in the south and turns hillier as you near the Thai border. Because the trip crosses an international border, plan it carefully so that immigration and your arrival in Thailand run smoothly.

Malacca to Hat Yai by Bus

The bus is the usual overland choice. Coaches leave from Melaka Sentral, Malacca's long-distance terminal, and follow the North-South Expressway to the Bukit Kayu Hitam (Malaysia) and Sadao (Thailand) checkpoints. Services typically run overnight, so you sleep through most of the distance and save a night of accommodation. At the border you get off with your luggage and clear Malaysian and Thai immigration before the coach continues.

Coaches have air conditioning, reclining seats and room for suitcases in the hold beneath the bus. You can compare departures and book your seat on GoAsia.cc before you travel. Thailand is 1 hour behind Malaysia, so set your watch back when you cross.

Alternative: Bus to Kuala Lumpur, Then Fly

If you want to shorten the journey, take a coach from Melaka Sentral to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in Kuala Lumpur, where fares for the Melaka run are RM10 to RM15.^[1] From Kuala Lumpur, AirAsia and other airlines fly non-stop to Hat Yai in about 1 hour 10 minutes.^[2]

Tips for Traveling from Malacca to Hat Yai

• Keep your passport handy: You get off at the border with all your luggage, so keep your passport and any required documents in a small daypack.
• Dress in layers: Malaysian coaches run their air conditioning very cold. A light jacket or travel blanket is essential on an overnight ride.
• Currency: Malacca uses Malaysian ringgit (MYR), Hat Yai uses Thai baht (THB). Money changers operate near the border and in Hat Yai, but a small amount of baht in your pocket helps on arrival for tuk-tuks or a first meal.
• Snacks and water: Rest areas along the expressway sell food and drinks, but bring a bottle of water and dry snacks for the night.