Seeking Advice concerning trip to penang

[oakdale160]

Ikd like to visit Penang, I know one of the alternatives is to take a train to B,worth from HH. What do I need to know-- Time of train
each way, what class, fare, how long does it take.

[Big Boy]

You'll find the answers to all of your questions here http://www.railway.co.th/home/Default.asp?lenguage=Eng

[Pagey]

This is an excellent website for world rail travel.

http://www.seat61.com/

[Homer]

Ikd like to visit Penang, I know one of the alternatives is to take a train to B,worth from HH. What do I need to know-- Time of train
each way, what class, fare, how long does it take.

Class: Second class lower sleeper
How long: too long.
Gotcha: If you have a round trip ticket, ask about departure time at butterworth station. Thai ticket shows time for Thai time zone, not Malaysia's zone.

[lomuamart]

The second class sleeper is fine - try and get a lower berth which costs fractionally more. If it floats your boat, get to the restaurant car as soon as you're settled. It stays open till about 10pm for food and booze then stagger back to your car and hopefully pass out to Hat Yai!! There are always folk to chat to in the restaurant car.
Alternately, if you're feeling flush, try 1st class. I did it once years ago because I had to travel for visa reasons and it was over Chinese NY. 1st class was the only option. In those days, it cost about double the 2nd class fare, air con, two berths in the compartment, a little door bell thingy to summon the steward for food and drink and fairly rudimentary washing facilities. Hopefully, 1st class is still available on that route?
When you get to Butterworth, just walk to the ferry following the signs (about 5 mins). Ferries to Penang are cheap and frequent. You pay to go over. Coming back is free. Return train journeys can be booked from Penang either directly at the pier or through an agent for a few pennies more.
Think journey time was about 17 hours, maybe slightly less.

[oakdale160]

Thanks that is the personal advice that you don't get from web sites. Is the restaurant food OK?

[johnnyk]

Yes, walk to the ferry. You will be hassled by taxi touts who must drive across the bridge to Georgetown and will want to hose you about $30 for the ride. Ferry is about 20 baht for the round trip.
Georgetown is very hot, big difference from HH so get yourself a few miles out of town (black buses) to the beach at Batu Ferringhi.

[johnnyk]

Thanks that is the personal advice that you don't get from web sites. Is the restaurant food OK?

Fantastic food in Georgetown, try Little India part of town.

[oakdale160]

Thanks Johnny, I meant food on the train,is thatOK?

[playboy]

You can fly with airasia to Hat Yai and mini bus to Penang. Save time and specially if you purchase airasia in avance or promotion from bkk to Hat Yai (I brought for $20) and minibus 4 hours for 300-350 baht from Hat Yai to Penang 3 times a day 9.30, 12.00 1530.

[lomuamart]

It's been a long time since I did the trip and things may have improved but don't expect haute cuisine on the train. However, Thai staples such as noodles, fried rice and tom yams were passable. Breakfast always seemed overpriced and plasticy but I normally had it just to counter the effects of too much beer the night before!!
If I remember rightly, the train gets to Hat Yai about 5-6am and stops for a little while there whilst carriages are changed around. It's an opportunity to stretch your legs for 30 mins or so and there are plenty of chicken etc stalls on the platform. Maybe get a bite to eat there and take back onto the train? The milky coffee stalls will wake you up. (Best to ask how long the stop is).
The journey south from the to Butterworth has some great scenery.

[Takiap]

Done the trip a few times and have always enjoyed it, both the journey and time in Panang. The train is meant to depart at around 8 in the evening, but whenever I've taken it, it's been late, only leaving HH at around 10. Also, don't count on there being a restaurant - sometimes there is and sometimes there isn't

Immigration queues at the border are a pleasure as well, and you'll be in and out in a few minutes. Everyone's different, but I have found the train to be the best travel option for trips to Penang. I really look forward to my yearly trip, which is one of the reasons why I continue doing them. Maybe it's all the great tasting Indian food you can get in Penang, with some of the restaurants staying open 24/7.

[johnnyk]

The train food is adequate as long as you stick to fried rice and the like. The falang brekkie option is pretty bad with rubbery microwaved eggs and a hot dog pretending to be a sausage. Maybe bring your own from one of the little places across from HH station. The beer on board will be cold. Sometimes there's a hidden bonus from serving staff, another reason to book a lower berth.

[dtaai-maai]

Sometimes there's a hidden bonus from serving staff, another reason to book a lower berth.

Please tell me you're kidding!

[Big Boy]

If there's anything more than free coffee involved, please continue this discussion on the correct forum.