Visaran from Krabi to Malaysia (Satun) - 15 minutes and no streak
One of the reasons for living in Krabi province is the rather close visaran to Malaysia. Indeed, Aonang is one of the closest resorts to the border. (By the way, if you need a home, we have personally assembled catalog of houses in Krabi, where more than 70 houses with a map and a photo. Housing for a short period, while you are looking for a house, you can buy it through RoomGuru, this is the most convenient service).
Of course, you can live in other cities / towns located even closer to the checkpoint and at the same time also by the sea, but they are not so famous and popular. And so they go to the border with Malaysia from Phuket and Samui. Please note that there are at least two main border crossings, do not get confused. Well, for those who do not know why visaras are needed, read our general article about thai visas.
We did not come to live in Aonang because of the visaran, but I agree that the visaran from here is relatively convenient. When we lived in Bangkok and went to Visaran to Cambodia, that distance was less, but you won't want the enemy to pass the border there.
The content of the article
Visaran from Krabi to Malaysia
Price
Since we had rented a car for a month, we only had to pay for gas. And so, let's calculate:
- The cost of renting a car for 1 day is about 1200 baht.
- Gasoline for 640 km somewhere around 1800-2200 baht (depending on the gluttony of the car and the type of fuel).
The total cost is about 3200 baht. If you go four, you get very little money. It is clear that if you ride a bike, it will be cheaper (200-300 baht rent + 500-800 gasoline), but such long trips are not for everybody..
Also, during the season, winterers and longsters in Aonang often get together, rent a minibus, and then the cost of the trip turns out to be about 500 baht per person. Alternatively, use a visa from a travel agency (1000 baht / person), but this should only be done if you are 1-2, or you do not know how to drive a car, and you also cannot go with the guys in a minibus.
Road
We traveled from Krabi to Satun (Satun - Wang Kelian crossing) two times, and went on a different road on purpose. One way trip took us 4.5-5.5 hours (320 km), depending on the speed, time of day and the number of stops. By the way, driving in the dark is very unpleasant, because most of the road is with very faded markings or without it at all. If you have poor headlights or poor vision, it will be difficult. I was saved only by the high beam, but I can't go with it all the time.
The route was built by Google, it suits me in this regard. So here's how to drive almost no difference. One path is shorter, but there are more pieces of road with one lane (it is difficult to overtake trucks), and the second path is longer, but there are almost always 2 lanes. In total, the time came out about the same. If they asked me now how I would go, I would take the shorter route (here it is). Below on the map is the point where you need to go.
Going to Satun
Going to Satun
Fast and uncrowded crossing with Malaysia. Read more about border crossing in Satun.
Fast and uncrowded crossing with Malaysia. Read more about border crossing in Satun.
And here is another point on the map with another Sadao checkpoint - Padang Besar, it is located in the Sadao province. Those who drive on their own sometimes come here. First, from Krabi town to the city of Hat Yai by bus, and then on the checkpoints to the border. It seems to me that it is more difficult to get to Satun on its own, first from Krabi by bus to Satun itself, and then on something to the checkpoint.
Passage Sadao - Padang Besar
Passage Sadao - Padang Besar
Go to near the city of Hat Yai, you can get here by public transport.
Go to near the city of Hat Yai, you can get here by public transport.
Thai border
In fact, there is even nothing to tell here. Approach the border checkpoint, go to the back of the first building (just behind the windows), give your passport, you are stamped to leave Thailand, and you stomp on. There are usually no queues.
Parking near the border
Thai border
Border opening hours
Passports must be given through the window at the back of the building, not in front.
Checkpoint Satun
Malaysia border
Walk literally 100 meters and find yourself near the Malaysian border. In one window (Entry) you give your passport, they put an entry stamp on you. Then you immediately give your passport to the next window (Exit) and you will be stamped to leave Malaysia. There are usually no queues either..
Border with Malaysia
First into the left window, then immediately into the right
There is a Malaysian cafe between the borders
Back to Thailand
Then go back to the Thai border. There will be a Bon Voyage booth on the right in it, take an immigration card, fill it in as standard. Moreover, it is possible not to indicate specific cities of entry / exit, but simply Port of Embarcation - Thailand, Port Disembarcation - Malaysia. Then you give it to the next window, where they put a stamp on you leaving Tay. To be honest, I take longer to explain this than it will take you time to figure it out on the spot. There, however, everything is very simple.
At the Bon Voyage booth we take the immigration card
The whole border crossing process takes about 15 minutes! And the second time there was a line of migrant workers, and then everything passed pretty quickly, if not 15 minutes, but 20 :)
P.S. If you suddenly go a long way, then along the way there will be a good European cafe with a lawn (for a child), and the prices are quite reasonable.
Excellent Euro cafe on the Hat Yai - Krabi road