Crossing the Malaysia -Thailand Border by Bus: Everything You Need to Know (2025)

If you're planning to travel from Malaysia to Thailand by bus, this guide will walk you through our entire experience, including what to expect at the border, essential tips, and potential challenges.

In March 2025, we took a bus from Ipoh, Malaysia, to Hat Yai, Thailand, and here’s how our journey went.

Booking the Bus from Ipoh to Hat Yai

We booked our tickets online via Redbus, a common platform for bus travel in Southeast Asia. However, unlike our previous bus experiences in Malaysia—where showing a confirmation email was enough—this time, we had to collect a physical boarding pass at the counter.

What caught us off guard? A 4 MYR fee for the pass, payable only in cash. Unfortunately, we had spent all our Malaysian ringgit the night before! With no card option, we had to find an ATM. The minimum withdrawal was 20 MYR, plus a 22 MYR fee—not ideal. Luckily, a kind French couple overheard us and offered the 4 MYR. Crisis averted!

The Bus Journey to the Malaysia-Thailand Border

The six-hour journey was smooth, with a comfortable and clean bus. We made a short stop in Penang to drop off passengers before heading toward the Bukit Kayu Hitam-Sadao border crossing.

About 20 minutes before the Malaysian border, the driver pulled into a rest stop where we could grab food (cash only), use the bathroom, and—unexpectedly—hand over our passports to the driver. To this day, we’re still unsure what he did with them!

Crossing the Malaysia-Thailand Border by Bus

Step 1: Malaysian Immigration (Bukit Kayu Hitam)

What to expect:

• All passengers must take their luggage off the bus and go through passport control and bag scans.

• A quick stamp in the passport, and we were officially out of Malaysia!

• We reboarded the bus and drove for about 10 minutes through no man’s land toward Thailand.

Step 2: Thai Immigration (Sadao)

What to expect:

• Foreigners had to carry all their bags through immigration (but they didn’t scan them).

• At passport control, the officers asked:

  • How long are you staying in Thailand?

  • Where are you going?

  • What is the address of your accommodation?

• We didn’t have a return ticket, which can sometimes be an issue, but they didn’t ask for one. We had read that usually, when traveling by land, you are less likely to be asked for a return ticket.

• We received a 60-day tourist visa stamp—and we were in Thailand!

Arrival in Hat Yai

After another 1.5 to 2 hours on the road, we arrived in Hat Yai, Thailand! From here, you can continue your journey to Krabi, Koh Lipe, or Bangkok. We spent 2 nights in Hat Yai, before catching a bus and ferry to Koh Lipe.

Tips for a Smooth Malaysia-Thailand Border Crossing

✔ Carry small amounts of Malaysian ringgit for unexpected fees or food.

✔ If booking online, check if a boarding pass is required and if there are extra charges.

✔ Have a copy or screenshot of your accommodation details, as immigration may ask.

✔ No return ticket? Be ready to explain your travel plans, though it’s not always checked.

✔ Expect some waiting time at the border—bus delays are common.

✔ There is a 1-hour time difference between Ipoh and Hat Yai.