After 2 years, the Shuttle Train which connects Thailand and Malaysia will resume services on Friday. The Shuttle Train connects Padang Besar in Malaysia to Hat Yai in southern Thailand. The journey takes around 1 hour and tickets cost just 50 baht, or 7 Malaysian ringgits.
The service was temporarily suspended as a Covid-19 prevention measure by the Malaysian government in back in March 2020, but will open its doors once more on Friday, July 15.
The route is operated by Thailand’s State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and runs from Padang Besar station in Perlis, Malaysia, to Hat Yai station in Songkhla province, southern Thailand.
Two trains will run from Malaysia to Thailand every day, one at 8:55am (number 948) and another at 3.40pm (number 950).
From Thailand to Mayasia, two trains a day will run at 7:30am (number 947) and 2pm (number 949).
The service is expected to be busy, so be sure to buy tickets in advance here through the SRT website.
Malaysians travelling by train into Thailand must visit the Thai Immigration desk at Padang Besar station before boarding their train to Thailand.
The Shuttle Train is an old train with no air conditioning, only fans. But, the journey only lasts one hour.
The reopening of the Hat Yai – Padang Besar shuttle train is expected to boost post-pandemic travel between Thailand and Malaysia, now that most entry restrictions for both countries have been dropped. Always check entry requirements of your final destination before travelling.
SOURCE: TRP