Crossing the Border from Malaysia to Thailand: A Traveler's Tale

Reviews of Apps used in this travel adventure:

Southeast Asia: 12Go App
Getting Around: Rome2Rio App
Southeast Asia: Grab App

Planning the Journey

Our adventure begins in Butterworth, Penang. Before this leg, we had already traveled from Kuala Lumpur, passing through Ipoh (definitely a must-see), to Penang by train. Booking train tickets for that part was a breeze with the 12Go App, and for mapping out our route from Penang to Thailand, we relied on the Rome2Rio App. It provided clear directions from Butterworth, Penang, Malaysia, to our destination for the day, Trang, Thailand. The journey was estimated to take about 7 hours, mostly by train, with a bus ride for the final stretch.

Rome2Rio | The Route from Penang to Trang

Ticketing and Departure

Arriving at Butterworth Penang station, we purchased tickets on the spot to Padang Besar, the border station, for just a few dollars per person. The train ride was reasonably comfortable, and after about 2 hours, we reached the Malaysia-Thailand border. Here, things got a bit confusing as English was hardly spoken, and it wasn't entirely clear what needed to be done. Ultimately, we found ourselves waiting around at the station until the customs officer felt like starting work. Thankfully, this gave us time to buy onward tickets from Padang Besar to Hat Yai. We couldn't do it online, so we hoped there would be availability, and luckily, there was.

Crossing the Border

After about an hour and a half, the gates to a sort of no-man's-land opened, and everyone rushed to passport control and baggage inspection. With a neat stamp in our passports, we could finally continue our journey. The leg from Padang Besar to Hat Yai was brief but beautiful. The train's windows were open, and we watched the green landscape zip by.

Arrival in Hat Yai

In Hat Yai, we had a relatively short time to find the last bus to Trang. Unfortunately, it was unclear which bus station we needed (there were quite a few). Walking wasn't an option, so we quickly ordered a taxi through the Grab App. We had 15 minutes of leeway for a 10-minute drive, which should have been doable. Normally, at least. Suddenly, we found ourselves caught in some parade, causing gridlock traffic. The 15 minutes were up by the time we dashed into the bus station with our bulky backpacks and spotted our bus. One of us threw themselves in front of it, preventing it from leaving, while the other swiftly bought two tickets.

Thailand railway sign — You understand, right?

Final Stretch to Trang

Sweaty but determined, we embarked on the last 2.5-hour stretch to Trang by bus, which also made a stop along the way for refreshments. We finally arrived in Trang late in the evening after a challenging but captivating travel day!

Conclusion

Crossing the border from Malaysia to Thailand may have its moments of confusion and unexpected twists, but with a bit of patience, resourcefulness, and maybe a dash of luck, it's an adventure worth undertaking. From scenic train rides to navigating bustling bus stations, each step of the journey adds to the richness of the experience. So pack your bags, arm yourself with a sense of adventure, and get ready for an unforgettable journey across borders!