Rules
01
No rental cars into Malaysia
Thai rental cars are generally not allowed across the border. Check your rental terms before planning a cross-border trip.
Car rental in Hat Yai
Gulf coast & the South · compare suppliers, pick-up points and local driving tips.
6 h 30 min from HKT
470 km
7 suppliers
2 local tips
Search car rental in Hat Yai
Total price upfrontInsurance, taxes and fees shown before you pay.
7 suppliers comparedInternational brands and trusted Thai firms.
Desk on your voucherClear meeting point for every booking.
Support by phone+66 2 026 1258
Renting a car in Hat Yai
Hat Yai is the largest city in southern Thailand and a busy shopping and food hub near the Malaysian border. Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) has a good choice of rental desks, and from here Songkhla's beaches are only about 40 minutes away.
Pick-up points in Hat Yai
Quick facts: Hat Yai
| From Phuket Airport | 470 km / 6 h 30 min |
|---|---|
| Region | Gulf coast & the South |
| Main pick-up | Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) |
| Pick-up points | 2 |
| Suppliers | 7 |
| Drive on | The left |
| Tourist Police | 1155 |
Getting there
Driving from Phuket Airport to Hat Yai
6 h 30 min
470 km · approx., in light traffic
Route 4 south via Krabi and Trang, then Route 4 / 43 to Hat Yai. Most visitors fly.
Add 20–30 minutes at rush hour or in heavy rain.
Places worth the drive
Kim Yong & Santisuk marketsFood, snacks and shopping in the city centre.
Hat Yai Municipal ParkCable car and viewpoints over the city.
SongkhlaSamila Beach and the old town, 40 minutes away.
Ton Nga Chang WaterfallA multi-tier waterfall in the hills west of town.
Local driving tips
Local tips for Hat Yai
What locals know and rental desks rarely tell you – read these before you drive in Hat Yai.
Safety
02
Check official travel advice
Some provinces further south carry government travel warnings. Check your country's current advice before you drive beyond Hat Yai and Songkhla.
Car rental deals
Today's best deals in Hat Yai
Indicative "from" prices from recent searches (checked 14 October 2026). Prices in Hat Yai can differ – search your dates for live prices.
Economy
Toyota Yaris or similarfromTHB 704/ day
- 5 seats, 2 bags
- Free cancellation
- Unlimited mileage
Compact
Toyota Vios or similarfromTHB 868/ day
- 4 seats, 1 bags
- Couples, small families, business travelers,
- Comfortable for city driving and longer island
Full size
Toyota Hilux or similarfromTHB 677/ day
- 5 seats, 5 doors
- Diesel
- Families, outdoor trips & extra cargo
SUV
Honda HR-V or similarfromTHB 955/ day
- 5 seats, 5 doors
- Families & comfortable road trips
- Comfortable ride and good fuel efficiency
Van/Minivan
Mitsubishi Xpander or similarfromTHB 1,248/ day
- 7 seat, 5 doors
- Crossover MPV
- Spacious three-row cabin designed for family use
Luxury
BMW 3 Series or similarfromTHB 1,352/ day
- 5 Seats, 3 luggage
- Business trips and premium travel
- Plug-in Hybrid
Suppliers
Compare rental companies in Hat Yai
International brands and Thai companies side by side – with the rental desk address and customer score for each.
| Supplier | Type | Rental desk address | Good for | Customer score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International brand | Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) – arrivals hallHat Yai International Airport (HDY), Khlong La, Khlong Hoi Khong District, Songkhla 90115 | Travellers who want a familiar international brand | Details | ||
| International brand | Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) – arrivals hallHat Yai International Airport (HDY), Khlong La, Khlong Hoi Khong District, Songkhla 90115 | Business travellers and loyalty-programme members | Details | ||
| International brand | Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) – arrivals hallHat Yai International Airport (HDY), Khlong La, Khlong Hoi Khong District, Songkhla 90115 | Good price with an international brand | Details | ||
| International brand | Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) – arrivals hallHat Yai International Airport (HDY), Khlong La, Khlong Hoi Khong District, Songkhla 90115 | Late-evening arrivals (desk open to midnight) | Details | ||
| International brand | Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) – arrivals hallHat Yai International Airport (HDY), Khlong La, Khlong Hoi Khong District, Songkhla 90115 | European travellers who know the brand | Details | ||
| Thai company | Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) – arrivals hallHat Yai International Airport (HDY), Khlong La, Khlong Hoi Khong District, Songkhla 90115 | Good value for money (high value score) | Details | ||
| International brand | Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) – arrivals hallHat Yai International Airport (HDY), Khlong La, Khlong Hoi Khong District, Songkhla 90115 | Daytime arrivals | Details |
Scores: VIP Cars customer ratings out of 10. Your booking voucher always shows the exact desk or meeting point. Suppliers shown usually appear in our search for this area – availability changes with your dates.
Car types
Choose the right car for your trip in Hat Yai
Prices are indicative daily rates from recent searches and change with season and demand. Models are examples – you get a car from the same group.
One Way Routes
One-Way Car Rental From Hat Yai
Pick up in Hat Yai and drop the car at an airport in southern Thailand – no need to drive back. The one-way fee (drop charge) is included in the price you see when you search.
- Drop-off at the destination airport
- One-way fee shown upfront
- Offered mainly by larger suppliers
Hat Yai Phuket Airport
End your stay in Hat Yai and leave the car at Phuket Airport on the way to your flight – no taxi to the airport needed.
Route 4 south via Krabi and Trang, then Route 4 / 43 to Hat Yai. Most visitors fly. Best for: Flying home from Phuket
fromTHB 748/ day + one-way fee
Hat Yai Trang
Pick up in Hat Yai, drive to Trang and drop the car at Trang Airport (TST) – then fly home from there.
Best for: Koh Mook, Koh Kradan & Pak Meng
fromTHB 886/ day + one-way fee
Hat Yai Nakhon Si Thammarat
Pick up in Hat Yai, drive to Nakhon Si Thammarat and drop the car at Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (NST) – then fly home from there.
Best for: Temples, culture & Khao Luang
fromTHB 911/ day + one-way fee
Hat Yai Krabi
Pick up in Hat Yai, drive to Krabi and drop the car at Krabi Airport (KBV) – then fly home from there.
Best for: Ao Nang, Railay & island hopping
fromTHB 794/ day + one-way fee
Hat Yai Surat Thani
Pick up in Hat Yai, drive to Surat Thani and drop the car at Surat Thani Airport (URT) – then fly home from there.
Best for: Khao Sok & the Samui ferries
fromTHB 842/ day + one-way fee
Approximate distances and drive times in light traffic. "From" price = lowest Economy daily rate seen for each route (checked 14 October 2026); the one-way fee is added in your search. Availability depends on the supplier and your dates.
Help
Questions about renting in Hat Yai
About 470 km, or 6 h 30 min by car in light traffic. Route 4 south via Krabi and Trang, then Route 4 / 43 to Hat Yai. Most visitors fly.
Common pick-up points are: Hat Yai International Airport (HDY), Hat Yai city. Your voucher shows the exact desk or meeting point.
Suppliers that usually appear in our search here include Hertz, Avis, Budget, Sixt, Europcar, Thai Rent a Car, National. Availability changes with your dates.
No rental cars into Malaysia: Thai rental cars are generally not allowed across the border. Check your rental terms before planning a cross-border trip. See all local driving tips.
Recent searches start from about THB 748 a day for an economy car. Prices change with the season – they are highest from mid-December to February and lowest in September and October.
Yes, one-way rentals are possible – for example to Phuket Airport (HKT), Trang Airport (TST), Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport (NST). The one-way fee is included in the total price you see when you search.
Popular drives include Kim Yong & Santisuk markets, Hat Yai Municipal Park, Songkhla. See the highlights above for details.
With most licences from outside ASEAN, yes. Carry an International Driving Permit (1949 Geneva type) with your national licence – rental desks and police can ask for both.
Nearby
Car rental near Hat Yai
Travel guides
Related guides for Hat Yai
Researched guides for driving in and around Hat Yai.
Ready to compare prices for Hat Yai?
Free cancellation on most bookings and the full price shown upfront.
