My Sawasdee Express: Kuala Lumpur to Hat Yai
During long weekends in Malaysia, KTM-Berhad sometimes arranges special train trips called “MySawasdee” that take tourists on the 440 kilometre journey from Kuala Lumpur to Hat Yai in Southern Thailand. The train leaves KL Sentral on the evening of the first day at 10:30 p.m. and arrives in Hat Yai 11 hours later at 8:50 a.m. local time.
Passengers then have two full days in Hat Yai before boarding the train on the morning of the fourth day at 10:20am. The train arrives back in Kuala Lumpur at 10:52pm. There are four carriages with seating and four carriages with sleeper berths.
Please note, although these trips are aimed at Malaysians who want to have a long weekend in Thailand, you do not have to buy a round-trip ticket as you can just go one way if you like. For example, KL to Hat Yai if you then want to continue onto Bangkok. Or maybe, Hat Yai to KL, and then continue down to Singapore.
DOWNLOAD: Free Guidebook For “Singapore To Bangkok By Train”
UPDATE: The 2024 dates for MySawasdee have now been released. Follow Thai Train Guide on Twitter and Facebook for more news.
- 11-14 April (book from 4 March)
- 31 May – 3 June (book from 4 April)
- 5-8 July (book from 4 June)
- 31 October – 3 November (book from 4 September)
- 29 November – 2 December (book from 4 October)
- 6-9 December (book from 4 November)
- 13-16 December (book from 4 November)
- 23-26 December (book from 4 November)
Tickets are MYR 95 (714 Baht) for regular seats in 2nd class, MYR 119 (894 Baht) for upper berth in the sleeper carriage and MYR 109 (819 Baht) for lower berth in the sleeper carriage. Tickets are one way and so passengers can choose not to return on the same train. You can also start your journey in reverse by getting on at Hat Yai Junction. Please note, although this is a through train, you have to get off at Padang Besar Station to pass through Malaysian and Thai immigration. You then get back on the same train to finish the journey.
You can buy tickets on the official KTMB website.
This is the Sleeper Carriage with Air-Conditioning. You can choose between the lower and upper berth. When you board, the beds are already made up with clean sheets. The lower berth is more popular and always sells out first. It is slightly larger, it has a big window and of course, it is easy to get in and out. The upper berth is narrower and is closer to the lights that are left on all night. But if you wear an eye mask then that shouldn’t bother you. There is a small window so it doesn’t feel like you are in a submarine. It can be more challenging to get in and out of the upper berth.
This is the Air-Conditioned Carriage with reclining seats. They are spacious and comfortable with some good leg room. There is storage spage on racks above as well as at each end of the carriage. The seat reclines as you can see in the above right photo. There is also a seat back table. There are no individual power sockets but there are some at the end of the carriage.
TIMETABLE
Please note, all times are subject to change. Always check with the ticket office about the time of the train.
| OUTBOUND TRAINS | STATION | INBOUND TRAINS |
|---|---|---|
| 22:30 (MT) | KL SENTRAL | 22:52 (MT) |
| KUALA LUMPUR | - | |
| 00:14 (MT) | TANGJUNG MALIM | 21:17 (MT) |
| 02:26 (MT) | IPOH | 19:22 (MT) |
| 03:41 (MT) | TAIPING | 17:39 (MT) |
| 07:06-09:10 (MT) | PADANG BESAR | 12:00-14:00 (MT) |
| 08:50 (TT) / 9:50 (MT) | HAT YAI | 10:20 (TT) |
MT = Malaysian time / TT = Thai time
The train uses a Malaysian locomotive up until Padang Besar Railway Station on the border with Thailand. It then switches to a Thai locomotive. The carriages stay the same, though passengers have to get off to pass through immigration. This taker about an hour and a half. The dining car on the train is open all the time with fresh cooked food and drinks. So, you won’t go hungry.
Follow Thai Train Guide on Twitter and Facebook for announcements about the next special train.
DOWNLOAD: Free Guidebook For “Singapore To Bangkok By Train”
Hi, Richard. Thanks for the sharing of information.
I have a question here. Is the train stopped at the Hat Yai Railway station when we arrived ?
And for the last day to leave Hatyai, we have to arrived Hat Yai Railway station by what time ?
Can we use grab or tuk tuk to go to/from the Hat Yai Railway station ?
Hat Yai is the terminal station for this service. It waits there for the return journey back to Malaysia. I would personally go there an hour in advance of departure. Yes, there is public transportation in front of the station.
from (local people)
if you didn’t get the train. you can buy the new ETS TRAIN.
it start anywhere that has ETS in malaysia.
and your destination will be Padang besar.
from padang besar you can grab
local train to go to hatyai or by bus or van.
the train schedule in padang besar is 8:55 am malaysia time and 15:00-17:00
padang besar to hatyai is 42km
the application for buying ticket for ETS train
google store: KTMB Mobile
Thank you for sharing and nice info! But I have a question here.
Let say I book the ticket on 31 Oct, the train will depart on 10.30pm, so I must arrived on KL Sentral on 30 oct or 31 oct? Its a bit confusing here.
If you are departing from KL Sentral at 10:30pm on 31st October then that is the date you go to the station. Best to be there an hour in advance rather than a day!
I & my wife booking ticket & hotel around dec 24, can advise
Hi..the 2 full days in Hat Yai. I presume we have to have our hotel booked in Hat Yai on our own & than get back on to the train when it’s time right?
I’m thinking of bringing my family with 2 kids for this ride. But I just want to make sure I’m prepared well as I have a toddler to deal with.
Yes, the tickets are only for the train. You need to organise your hotel and any activities. Don’t forget also the tickets are one way. So if you want to go both ways you need to buy tickets.
im planning the same as i have kids of 7&8 years old.now planning a few months ahead
1. Any discount for OKU and senior citizens?
2. Can the tickets be purchase from KITS portal, if not, which website
3. Go and Return tickets can they be bought separately ie not follow the scheduled trip dates?
If travel solo is there any risk of your bags been stolen when you need to go to the toilet or elsewhere in the train.
Beside the price what is pros and cons between the lower bert and aircon 2nd class seat.
Kind regards.
There is always a risk of course but it is usually minimal on sleepers. Everyone has a ticket with their names on it and so the number of suspects is narrow. But it is wise to keep valuables with you at all times.
For the difference between the lower berth and 2nd Class seat, in a berth you can lie down but in a seat you can only slightly recline. Up to you.
TQ for sharing this info, Mr Barrow. I am a keen cyclist. Can I bring my bicycle on board, and is there a storage coach for bikes and cargo? Pls reply. TQ
No bicycle(s) allowed on KTM trains.
May i know how to book the train ticket? Is it book thru KTMB website?
Yes, that is correct or their app.
I am interested in the train ride !!! Pls keep me update .. Thank you
Make sure you follow me on social media as I will post as soon as I hear any news for next year.
Is there any news for nextyear
In your opinion would you recommend upper or lower berth. Any advantage of one over the other?
Thanks
Usually the lower berth is the most popular. It is further away from the lights and the cold A/C. In Thailand there is also a window. However, in Malaysia, the upper berth does have a small window.
Hi dear, is that any plug for us to charge our phone for the lower berth?
Thank you.
Each sleeper carriage can fit how many person?
I don’t remember offhand. I reckon 40.
Do you have service for Mid October 2023
to Hatyai pls?
Me? I am a train blogger. I don’t run any services. But please follow my social media for latest announcements.
How do I buy SAWASDEE ticket KL – Hatyai for August-Sept 2023?
I’m pretty sure that sold out within a day or two. But the link is in the blog.
5/7/2023 open..only 15minutes finish already..it’s true?
Quite possible. But do check back again as sometimes people return tickets.
Can I have the sawadee express train schedules please forward to me, so that I can make advance booking. I am keen to travel and experience with this type of travel.
There is no regular schedule. Please follow me on social media as I will post as and when new trips become available.
Kid & adult price are the same?
After May 2023, when is the next trip to Hatyai?
They don’t announce very far in advance. But you can make an educated guess as they seem to be organising them during long weekends in Malaysia.
When is the next “My Sawasdee Express: KL to Hatyai”
The next one is already full. Please follow me on social media for new announcements.
is this service every weekend?
No, only some long weekends in Malaysia.