Minivans & Minibuses, Hat Yai

The prices have changed some what.

In Feb 2012 the mini vans from George Town, Penang to Hat Yai are 30 to 35 Malaysian Ringgits.

The cheapest being from near the bus station in George Town, the more expensive Chulia Street.

But still a great way to make the journey.

If you are approaching from the Eastern side of Malaysia, then you will pass through the rather depressing border town of Sungai Kolok. Remember that the clocks change - so you gain an hour coming into Thailand

It is a fair walk from the border post to the train station (about 2kms) but you can negotiate the journey by motorcycle taxi or rickshaw. The train would be the best bet to get to Hai Yat - but they are somewhat infrequent.

You may well be met by minibuses offering transport to Hai Yat - but be warned they are trying to round up trade, and may well not depart for some time to come.

It is better to try a few agencies in town and try to get a minibus that is leaving sooner rather than later - and don't pay up until it is actually about to leave.

malaysian u also can used minivan at zon bebas cukai bukit kayu hitam or danok,,,,if u want goind back to danok / border from hatyai,,,,the minivan station laocated at Montri rd market near the clock tower,,,,

There are small jeepneys to take you around Hat Yai. From the terminal, you share the jeepney with other passengers at no fixed price. The more the passengers, the lesser you pay. But if you take the jeepney all to yourself, you pay the whole cost of the transportation. Ordinarily, locals pay 8 to 15 baht for the trip from the Terminal to the City proper.

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If you are travelling from Malaysia pass Sadao border, take a short walk to Danok (only about 5 metres walk) and look for 7-11 convenient shop. Right in front of 7-11, there is a small table set up. Walk to the person at the table and say you want to get to Haytai. For only 50 BHT, they will take you to your hotel in Haytai. They will take you in their air-conditioned mini-van. Taking a taxi will cost you about 400 BHT. This is the cheapest method i know to travel from Danok to Haytai.

If you plan to get yourself out of Hatyai either to Hatyai or some other locations, take the local bus. Its really convenient and also cheap. Flag down a tuk tuk and ask him to take you the bus station near the market. The building is white in color and divided into 2. One side is mini vans and another is coach bus. Basically the main bus terminal to get you out of Hatyai to the destination of your choice.

I took a pickup truck in Songkhla to a sleeping buddha, which was out of the Songkhla city center. An information center receptionist advised me to take the pickup truck as the normal tuk-tuk won't fetch me out of city. So i think this apply to Hat Yai too...
I also noticed that there were no (or very few) tuk-tuk once you got out of any city center. The locals will normally take these pickup trucks to get out of city, not by tuk-tuk. It cost me about 25 Baht from the Songkhla city to the sleeping buddha (approx 10KM) for 2 person. But you need to pack with other people as the driver keep taking more and more passengers. They operate like a minibus, except it was a modified pick-up truck.
If you really wanted to take this pickup truck, make sure you know where they are going since their signboard is in Thai. Remember you ask the people around and the driver himself before boarding the pickup truck, or else you will end up in nowhere...

From Penang island, you can get a minivan to Hat Yai. The minivan ticket can be purchased in most of the guesthouses or travel agency in the town.

The price for the minivan is RM20 if you gather at their shop and RM23 if they pick you up from your hotel/ guesthouse.

The departure time is 8am, but by the time they finished fetch all the passanger and prepared to leave Penang island, it shall be around 8:30 to 8:45am.

The journey from Penang island to Hat Yai takes around 4.5 hours. In between the journey, the van will stop at ChangLun, a town in north Malaysia for filling in entrance form and toilet break, you can exchange your money here. The rate is quite reasonable, usually is better than the exchange rate in Penang island.

In between, the van driver will ask for RM2 for filling in the entrance form. If you are together in the van, I think the only thing is obey, cause I am afraid if I opposed the van will leave without me.. haha.. but if you are travelling using public transport, there is no charge to cross the border.