Hi there!
You will go to Padang Besar when you do a Thailand to Malaysia border crossing by train.
So what’s the Thailand to Malaysia border crossing like if you’re arriving to Padang Besar by train?!
In short, when going from Thailand to Malaysia by train…
Once you get off the train in Padang Besar, immigration on both sides is pretty straightforward.
Many travelers make this journey by train, and there are workers at the train station that guide the way.
It was a stress-free experience!
First, the quick list of the top things to know about crossing the border in Padang Besar.
Then, how I booked my train to Padang Besar.
And then, a bit more of what you can expect (in pictures!) when doing this overland border crossing!
Now…
This is what the border crossing was like for me when I went from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur
…in April 2019! Of course, things can change and your experience may vary!
Top things to know about arriving to Padang Besar by train
1. There is a stop at a “Padang Besar” train station in Thailand AND Malaysia
So there is:
- Padang Besar Thailand
- Padang Besar Malaysia
2. You want to get off at the Padang Besar train station in MALAYSIA
So stay on the train when you reach Padang Besar in Thailand!
3. Once you arrive at Padang Besar Malaysia, you’ll immediately be directed to Thailand immigration
Line up…
Wait for your turn…
And you will get your exit stamp to officially leave Thailand!
4. You’ll immediately be directed to Malaysia immigration
Once again…
Line up…
Wait for your turn…
And you will get your entry stamp to officially enter Malaysia!
5. And then you are free to roam Malaysia!
…Or to catch your next train!
6. Malaysia is 1 hour ahead of Thailand
There are clocks all over the train station, so make sure you know the actual time!
My phone usually automatically updates when I arrive in a new time zone, but it didn’t for the whole time I was in Padang Besar.
I’m guessing that it was still connecting to a Thailand network across the border.
The time difference is important since Thailand is 1 hour behind, and you don’t want to miss your train!
Basically…
When arriving to Padang Besar by train from Bangkok, immigration control for both Thailand and Malaysia is at the train station in Malaysia.
Booking Padang Besar train tickets online
Here’s where I booked my tickets online (partner website):
- Bangkok to Padang Besar tickets (+ price)
- Padang Besar to Kuala Lumpur tickets (+ price)
You get a “voucher” when you book your train tickets online in this way.
For the Thailand train…
I went to the 12Go Asia office right across from the Bangkok train station (Hua Lamphong). Make sure you have your passport, or a picture of your passport for verification. It was super simple to get the train ticket. (See how to take the MRT subway in Bangkok.)
If you want to get on this train a little further south, you may also consider heading to Ko Tao for a few days and then catching this same train from Chumphon. Here are tickets for Chumphon to Padang Besar (with price).
For the Malaysia train…
At the Padang Besar train station ticket counter, I gave them a printout of the pdf (that I got at the 12Go Asia office) to exchange for a ticket. Again it was quick and easy to get the train ticket.
I had booked the 2:20pm train from Padang Besar to Kuala Lumpur and this turned out to be the best choice! (Train from Bangkok was late + accounting for time difference.)
You’ll want to book Bangkok to Padang Besar tickets in advance. (Possibility of sold out tickets. I wasn’t able to get my preferred date even though I was traveling at the end of April which isn’t peak tourist season.)
You’ll also want to book Padang Besar to Kuala Lumpur tickets in advance. (Again, possibility of sold out tickets.)
At the Padang Besar ticket office, there was a sign noting that all tickets to Kuala Lumpur were sold out for the day.
I didn’t take the train from Padang Besar to Butterworth.
But it seems safe to be able to show up to the train station and buy tickets to Butterworth as they are more frequent, and there was a sign saying there were tickets available.
But it’s also possible to buy tickets to Butterworth (see price) at the same time you book your ticket to Padang Besar.
Here are a few more details about taking the train(s) from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur.
Now…
Here’s a bit more of what to expect when you arrive at the Padang Besar train station!
So if you’re taking the overnight train from Bangkok or from Chumphon, hopefully you will arrive in Malaysia feeling fully refreshed after a good night’s sleep on the train. π
See more of what an overnight sleeper train in Thailand is like, including the food and the toilet.
Remember…
Don’t get off at Padang Besar in Thailand.
It will say Padang Besar Thailand, so you will know the difference.
Or you can keep an eye on your phone with the GPS locator – no data necessary.
Arrival at Padang Besar train station in Malaysia!
Getting to Thailand immigration
When arriving by train from Bangkok, chances are that you are not going to be the only one doing this journey.
So likely there will be a worker around to direct the tourists.
So follow the crowd (or follow the signs) to officially leave Thailand!
Then once you have your exit stamp for Thailand…
Getting to Malaysia immigration
Once again you can basically just follow the crowd, the direction of the officials, or the signs.
It’s a short walk, as Thailand immigration and Malaysia immigration are basically in the same area of the train station.
You are officially in Malaysia!
And then you’re DONE!
When I did this, it was really a simple process on both sides of the border.
Okay, so you’re in Malaysia… now what?!
Getting to the Padang Besar train ticket counter
The popular travel destinations to go to once at the Padang Besar train station on the Malaysia side are a train to Butterworth or a train to Kuala Lumpur.
Once again, you can follow the signs to get to the ticket counter.
And here, you can buy your train ticket if you don’t already have one, or exchange your voucher for an actual train ticket.
Then you can check the schedule for the platform your train will be departing from.
And then…
Off you go by train!
To Kuala Lumpur (to KL Sentral)
by KTM ETS train
Or…
To Butterworth
by KTM Komuter train
What if you have extra time before your train leaves from Padang Besar?!
Waiting area
Cafe near waiting area
Accepts Thai baht too, even though you are in Malaysia!
On the train to Kuala Lumpur however, there is a small little area you can buy food, and they only accept Malaysian ringgit.
At the train station cafe, they do give change in ringgit if you want to get rid of your big Thai bills so you can get ringgit.
I did not see an ATM at the train station, but that doesn’t meant there isn’t one…
Cafe on platform level
(where train departs)
Pay-to-use toilet
HAPPY THAILAND TO MALAYSIA BORDER CROSSING!