Penang to Padang Besar
and the Thailand Border Crossing

If you are looking for an alternative way and a much more interesting way to travel from Penang to Thailand (rather than the rather boring trip by minibus to Hat Yai), then this page will give you a few ideas of how to do it and where to visit along the way.

This route will take you from Penang through the state of Kedah and into the small state of Perlis, where there is a border crossing from Malaysia to Thailand at Padang Besar.

This page was written before the new KTM Komuter Train services started operating from Penang's Butterworth Station to Padang Besar.

These trains make travel to the border with Thailand a lot quicker and easier than before.

To see the latest timetables and fares for the Butterworth to Padang Besar Komuter Train click here >

Penang to Alor Setar

Alor Setar Malaysia

The first place that is worth a visit north of Penang is Alor Setar the capital of the state of Kedah.

Many people who visit Alor Setar are just passing by on their way to Langkawi Island, as the port of Kuala Kedah and its ferry service to Langkawi is just a short bus or taxi ride away (12 Kilometres).

However, it is worth spending a few hours or a day visiting the sights of the city, then you can continue on to Langkawi.

The city of Alor Setar is dominated by the towering Telecom tower and has some interesting places to visit around the "Padang", which is the large square in the centre of the city, surrounded by grand buildings.

Here you will find the Muzuim Di Raja Royal Palace, Zahir Mosque, Balai Besar (Big Hall), Balai Nobat, Balai Seni Negeri art gallery and the Clock Tower.

For information on how to get to Alor Setar from Penang by bus or train click here >

For places to stay in Alor Setar click here >

Alor Setar

Alor Setar to Kangar

Kangar Malaysia

After visiting Alor Setar, if your not heading to Langkawi, you can continue north another 45 kilometres by bus to Kangar in Perlis State.

To catch a bus from Alor Setar to Kangar you will have to go to the Shahab Perdana bus station a few kilometres north of the city.

There are two bus companies that operate buses to Kangar.

Cityliner have a fleet of small buses that travel to Kangar every hour or so for RM5.30 and arrive at the intercity bus station in Kangar. The trip takes just over an hour and takes you through mainly small roads with nice scenery along the way.

Maraliner buses leave every hour at 30 minutes past the hour throughout the day.

This bus is more comfortable but takes longer at around one and a half hours, as it goes via Jitra and Kodiang. The Marilner bus now arrives at the main bus station in Kangar (they used to have their own separate terminal).

Kangar doesn't really have many sights to see but is quite a pleasant Malaysian town to stop for lunch or stay the night. There are plenty of hotels to stay around the centre of the town.

For places to stay in Kangar click here >

CityLiner Bus

From Kangar to Padang Besar and the Thailand Border Crossing

photo of the Maraliner bus station in Kangar

Maraliner bus station in Kangar (now closed)

From Kangar bus terminal, you can then connect to a Maraliner / MyBas bus from Kangar to Padang Besar.

Maraliner buses from Kangar to Pedang Besar operate a number of times a day.

To see the latest timetables and fare:

you can visit the MyBas page on the Maraliner Website here >

The trip takes around one hour to cover the 35 kilometres distance and travels through some beautiful countryside scenery along the way, stopping at the small town of Kaki Bukit and passing by the large Timah Tasoh Lake.

This is a really enjoyable bus ride and makes the whole trip worth the effort.

Timah Tasoh Lake

When you arrive in Padang Besar the bus stops just a few hundred metres form the border of Malaysia and Thailand pictured below.

More about crossing the border at Padang Besar >

Pedang Besar Entrance to Border Crossing

After crossing the border you can continue your journey by minivan or bus in to Hat Yai.

When you come out from the passport control area, the bus stop is just to your right on the other side of the road (bus now seem to be operating very infrequently).

To take a minivan, you will have a 10 - 15 minute walk in to town.

For more information on the bus from Padang Besar to Hat Yai click here >