Train or plane: which to choose?
| Option | Duration | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Bangkok-Kuala Lumpur | about 2 h | Most travellers: the fastest, often cheap |
| Flight Bangkok-Singapore | about 2 h 30 | Same |
| Train Bangkok-Padang Besar-Kuala Lumpur | over 16 h to the border, then hours of Malaysian train | Train lovers, a two-day journey |
| Train all the way to Singapore | 2 to 3 days depending on connections | Experience trip, with slack |
Indicative durations from guides; compare flights on the day you book.
Stage 1: the Thai night train
The night train from Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) reaches Padang Besar the next morning. Book ahead in high season, online or at the station (see Krung Thep Aphiwat station: practical guide). A lower berth is quieter than an upper one for sleeping.
Stage 2: the Malaysian train
At Padang Besar, Thai and Malaysian immigration are handled at the station. KTM commuter trains link Padang Besar to Butterworth (Penang), and ETS trains go further to Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur; tickets are bought through the KTM app, ktmb.com.my or at the station. Some special services (such as those for Hari Raya) sell out very fast.
Tips
Allow slack for connections and a hotel night in Kuala Lumpur. Check your country's travel advice for southern Thailand before going through Hat Yai. To travel faster, see the other links: Bangkok to Phuket or Bangkok to Vientiane.
