Hat Yai is the commercial engine of southern Thailand - a city of 200,000 that draws enormous numbers of Malaysian visitors for its markets, food, and proximity to the border. That cross-border energy shapes what the city is good at: excellent night markets, day trips to Songkhla and its old town, the Hat Yai Municipal Park (home to one of the largest Buddha statues in Thailand), and expeditions south to the Malaysian border town of Padang Besar. The surrounding province of Songkhla also contains some of the best freshwater lake scenery in the south - Thale Luang and the Khu Khut Waterfowl Park - rarely visited by foreign travellers but well worth the effort.
We have mapped 8 top-rated Hat Yai tours and day trips by traveller type. Prices are approximate in USD as of 2026; check at booking as rates vary with group size and season.
Top Hat Yai Tours at a Glance
| Tour | Duration | Approx. Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Songkhla Old Town and Lake Day Trip | Full day | From $35 | Culture, first-timers |
| Padang Besar Border Market Trip | Half day | From $15 | Budget, shoppers |
| Khu Khut Bird Sanctuary and Floating Market | Full day | From $40 | Nature lovers |
| Hat Yai Night Market Food Tour | 3 hrs | From $20 | Foodies |
| Ton Nga Chang Waterfall Excursion | 4 hrs | From $18 | Families, hikers |
| Hatyai Municipal Park and Big Buddha | Half day | From $15 | First-timers |
| Private Hat Yai City Tour | 5 hrs | From $50 | Couples, flexibility |
| Satun and Tarutao Marine Park Day Trip | Full day | From $60 | Adventure, nature |
For Culture Lovers and First-Timers
Golden Buddha and temple complex on a forested hill near Hat Yai.
Songkhla Old Town and Lake Day Trip
Songkhla sits 25 km east of Hat Yai on a narrow peninsula between the Gulf of Thailand and Thale Sap, Thailand’s largest inland lake. The old town is one of the best-preserved examples of Sino-Portuguese architecture in southern Thailand, with colonnaded shophouses built by Chinese merchants in the 19th century lining lanes that lead to the old fishing harbour. Wat Matchimawat, the main temple, contains murals depicting local life and is considered one of the most significant in the south.
This full-day Songkhla day trip combines the old town walk with a boat trip on Thale Sap to reach the stilted fishing village of Ko Yo - an island connected by bridge, known for its cotton weaving and the Songkhla National Museum. The museum occupies a 200-year-old Sino-Portuguese mansion and houses regional artefacts.
Duration: Full day | Price: from approximately $35 | Includes: guide, transport, boat trip | Tip: Morning departure catches better light on the old town facades and cooler conditions for walking
Hat Yai Municipal Park and Big Buddha
The Hat Yai Municipal Park 5 km from the city centre contains Phra Phuttha Mongkol Maharaj - one of the largest sitting Buddha images in Thailand at 35 metres tall - seated on a hilltop with views over the Hat Yai plain. The park covers 1,000 rai and includes cable car access to the hilltop (approximately THB 50 as of 2026), manicured gardens, and a small wildlife sanctuary. The base of the hill has a Chinese temple and local market stalls.
This half-day park tour is the standard introduction for first-time visitors to Hat Yai who want to understand the city’s layout from above before descending to the markets.
Duration: Half day | Price: from approximately $15 | Includes: guide, transport | Cable car note: Extra charge for the cable car; budget THB 100 round trip per person
For Nature Lovers
Khu Khut Waterfowl Park and Floating Market
The Khu Khut Waterfowl Park at the northern edge of Thale Luang lake protects over 180 species of resident and migratory birds. The park’s location on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway makes it significant for birding October through March, when open-billed storks, purple herons, whiskered terns, and lesser adjutants congregate at the wetland margins. Boat tours depart from a small pier and last 1–2 hours.
This full-day lake and park trip combines the Khu Khut boat tour with a visit to the Ko Yo floating market - a local fresh-produce market that operates by boat from the surrounding fishing communities. Binoculars are recommended.
Duration: Full day | Price: from approximately $40 | Includes: guide, transport, boat tour | Best months: October to March for peak bird numbers
Ton Nga Chang Waterfall
The Ton Nga Chang Waterfall (Elephant Tusk Falls) in Khlong Ngae district, 24 km west of Hat Yai, drops in seven tiers through dense forest. The name comes from the shape of the two main upper tiers, which resemble elephant tusks when viewed from below. The falls are most impressive in the wet season (August–October), when all seven tiers run at full volume. The path from the base to the first tier takes approximately 15 minutes; the full seven-tier ascent takes around 1.5 hours with some scrambling.
This waterfall excursion includes transport from Hat Yai and a guide for the trail. The surrounding forest holds gibbons and various hornbill species audible from the lower tiers.
Duration: 4 hours | Price: from approximately $18 | Includes: guide, transport | Fitness note: Upward scrambling to upper tiers on uneven rock - manageable for most adults in good footwear
For Foodies
Hat Yai Night Market Food Tour
Hat Yai’s food culture sits at the intersection of southern Thai and Malaysian Malay cuisines - you find roti canai and teh tarik alongside khao mok (Thai biryani), moo ping (pork skewers), and the giant crispy roti for which the city is locally famous. The night markets around Kim Yong Market and the Greenway Night Bazaar are the main eating strips.
This 3-hour night market food tour visits four to six street food stalls with a local guide who explains the dishes and handles ordering. Includes tastings of Hat Yai’s signature fried chicken (kai tod Hat Yai), roti mataba (stuffed flatbread), and fresh coconut ice cream from street carts.
Duration: 3 hours | Price: from approximately $20 | Includes: guide, food tastings at 4–6 stalls | Best time: 17:30 departure catches the early evening market before peak crowds
For Budget Travellers
Padang Besar Border Market Trip
The town of Padang Besar straddles the Thai-Malaysian border, 60 km south of Hat Yai, with a large market spanning both sides. The Thai side is the larger market - electronics, textiles, dried goods, household items, and cheap Malaysian-style food - and popular with both Thai and Malaysian day visitors. The train from Hat Yai station takes approximately 55 minutes (approximately THB 20 as of 2026 for the cheapest class).
This half-day border market trip includes transport from Hat Yai and a guide who explains the market layout and border crossing. No visa is required for the Thai side of the market.
Duration: Half day | Price: from approximately $15 | Includes: transport, guide | Note: Bring baht and ringgit - the market accepts both currencies
For Couples and Flexibility Seekers
Private Hat Yai City Tour
The 5-hour private city tour builds an itinerary around your interests: Songkhla old town, the Municipal Park and cable car, the local dim sum district around Niphat Uthit 2 Road, and a stop at Lee Gardens Plaza - the main shopping complex - for a/c break. Private format means a driver and guide to yourself, the ability to linger where you want, and no waiting for groups.
Duration: 5 hours | Price: from approximately $50 | Includes: private vehicle, guide | Flexibility: Itinerary customisable at booking
Day Trips Beyond Hat Yai
Satun Province and Tarutao Marine Park
Satun, 100 km southwest of Hat Yai on the Andaman coast, is the quieter alternative to Phuket and Krabi - a largely Muslim province with minimal tourist infrastructure and one of Thailand’s finest marine parks. Ko Tarutao Marine National Park encompasses 51 islands; the main island has basic bungalows and long sandy beaches with no resorts. Ko Lipe (administratively within the park) has more accommodation and has developed significantly since 2010, but the surrounding waters still hold strong coral and large reef fish.
This full-day Satun day trip involves a driver from Hat Yai to the Pak Bara pier (approximately 1.5 hours), a boat to the islands, and snorkelling stops. Best as a private tour given the travel time involved.
Duration: Full day | Price: from approximately $60 | Note: Full access to Ko Tarutao requires an overnight stay; day trips reach the outer islands and snorkel sites only
Practical Information
Getting to Hat Yai: Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) has direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Bangkok. Trains from Bangkok take approximately 14–17 hours. The journey from Krabi by road is approximately 3 hours.
Best time to visit: November to March is the coolest and driest period for Hat Yai. October and November see occasional heavy rain. The city is busiest during Malaysian school holidays (March, June, and December) when cross-border visitors surge.
Songkhla tip: The old town peninsula is small enough to walk in an hour but merits 2–3 hours for temple and museum stops. Songthaew (shared trucks) run between Hat Yai bus terminal and Songkhla for approximately THB 30 per person.
Safety note: The Hat Yai-Songkhla area has a long history of calm tourist activity. The border zone around Padang Besar is straightforward and well-organised for day visitors.