Hat Yai Layover Guide (HDY)

What are you looking for in HDY?
Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money

Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) is an international airport located in Khlong La subdistrict, Khlong Hoi Khong district, Songkhla Province, Thailand. It’s located about 9 km (6 mi) east of downtown Hat Yai. The airport first opened officially in 1996. Hat Yai is the largest city of southern Thailand and a primary commercial hub for the region. It’s known for its vibrant markets, rich cultural heritage, and thriving street food scene.

Can you leave Hat Yai Airport (HDY) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa?
Passengers on layover at Hat Yai Airport can leave the terminal if they have a valid Thai visa, qualify for visa exemption or obtain a visa on arrival. Transit passengers under twelve-hour layovers who do not pass immigration stay landside and require no visa. Always confirm with Thai immigration beforehand. (more info).

Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing

Layover Guide Organized Tours

Layover Guide Things to do / Sightseeing

• Hat Yai Municipal Park & Big Buddha Lush hillside park offering panoramic city views, tranquil gardens, aviary, and a 19-meter golden Buddha statue at the summit. (Time required: 2 hours / Airport to here: Taxi 20 min or local songthaew 40 min)
• Khlong Hae Floating Market Vibrant weekend market on canals selling street food, handicrafts, fresh fruits and local snacks from wooden boats in authentic southern Thai setting. (Time required: 1.5 hours / Airport to here: Taxi 25 min)
• Kim Yong Market Bustling indoor market known for local produce, dried seafood, clothing, and delicious street eats such as grilled satay and boat noodles. (Time required: 1 hour / Airport to here: Taxi 20 min or songthaew 45 min)
• Hat Yai Cable Car to Phetchaburi Mountain Scenic cable car ride ascending forested slopes to panoramic viewpoints, temples and hiking trails atop Phetchaburi Hill. (Time required: 2 hours / Airport to here: Taxi 30 min)
• Magic Eye 3D Museum Interactive art museum featuring trompe-l’œil murals and illusions perfect for fun photos and immersive experiences with family or friends. (Time required: 1.5 hours / Airport to here: Taxi 15 min or songthaew 30 min)
• Central Festival Hat Yai Modern shopping complex housing global brands, Thai boutiques, cinemas and diverse dining venues under one roof. (Time required: 2 hours / Airport to here: Taxi 15 min or songthaew 30 min)
• Wat Hat Yai Nai (Reclining Buddha) Houses a 35-meter gold-painted reclining Buddha statue and peaceful Wat grounds ideal for cultural insight and photography. (Time required: 1 hour / Airport to here: Taxi 20 min)
• Tinsulanonda Bridge & Songkhla Lake Drive or stroll across this iconic causeway with sweeping views over Songkhla Lake, perfect at sunrise or sunset. (Time required: 1 hour / Airport to here: Taxi 25 min)

Things to Do in Hat Yai Airport (HDY)

Relaxing and Sleeping

Airport Lounges and Relaxing
The Coral Executive Lounge in the domestic departures area (2nd floor, next to Gates 5–6) operates daily from 09:00–18:00. Enjoy comfortable seating, complimentary snacks and beverages (beer included), high-speed Wi-Fi, flight monitors, newspapers, charging points and a free 15-minute shoulder massage. Maximum stay is three hours. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online

Hotel and Sleeping
Within 2 km of HDY are several convenient hotels: Tachang Airport Hotel, 2U Hotel Hatyai, Southern Airport Hotel Hatyai and The Signature Hotel Airport. All offer free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desks, airport shuttles, en-suite rooms with air-conditioning and rates from THB 800–1,500 per night, ideal for brief overnight stays. view all or book an airport hotel online

.

Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport
There are no dedicated sleep pods or cabins. Passengers can recline on padded bench seating near the gates or in quieter lounge corners. The terminal closes at 24:00, so bring a travel pillow, eye mask and earplugs for comfort. Left-luggage facilities are available by the information desk for baggage storage.

WIFI/Internet and SIM Card

WIFI/Internet: Connect to “AOT Airport Free Wi-Fi by NT” for complimentary internet. Select the SSID, enter your email and accept terms for a 60-minute session; you may re-register for additional sessions. USB and power outlets are located throughout the terminal near seating areas, supporting streaming and large downloads.

SIM/eSIM Card: Tourist SIM kiosks in the arrivals hall (near baggage claim) sell AIS, TrueMove H and Dtac prepaid and eSIM plans. Packages start at THB 300 for 5 GB to THB 700 for unlimited 5G, valid 5–30 days. A passport is required for registration; eSIMs can be pre-ordered via carrier apps for instant activation. » buy a global esim card for Layover Guide, that you can use for other countries as well!

Transportation to/from airport

Taxi: Official metered taxis queue outside the arrivals hall between Gates 7 and 8. Fares to downtown Hat Yai average THB 250 (≈US $7) for the 15-minute ride. Major operators like Hat Yai Airport Taxi accept cash and QR-code payments. Always use the airport taxi booth to avoid unlicensed drivers.

Train: There is no rail link at the airport. The nearest station, Hat Yai Junction, lies 14 km away and connects to the Southern Line (Bangkok, Malaysia border, Singapore). Taxis and airport minibuses make the 20-minute transfer. (more info)

Bus: A public airport-minibus service runs between HDY and Hat Yai Bus Terminal from 06:00–23:30, departing hourly. The one-way fare is THB 60, with stops including Central Festival, Clock Tower and Prince of Songkla University. (more info)

Shuttle: Many nearby hotels (e.g., Southern Airport Hotel, The Signature Hotel Airport) offer complimentary shuttle vans. Services align with flight arrivals between 06:00 and 22:00. Guests should reserve seats with the hotel concierge before arrival. Shared stops at major properties ensure seamless transfers.

Car rentals: Rental counters in the arrivals hall feature Alamo, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt and Thrifty. Requirements include a valid driver’s license, passport and credit card; drivers must be at least 21. Daily rates start around THB 800. Vehicles are picked up and dropped off curbside. view available cars or rent a car now online

Parking: Short-term and long-term parking is adjacent to the terminal. Fees are THB 10 for the first hour, THB 20 for the second, THB 35 for the third and THB 100 for up to 24 hours. A free drop-off zone permits quick luggage unloading. All areas are monitored by CCTV.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

The airport’s left-luggage counter near the information desk offers secure storage from THB 40 per bag per day. For larger items or extended storage, third-party services in the city (e.g., Nannybag) provide insured drop-off options with 24/7 access. » book a luggage storage or locker at online (subject to availability).

Money Exchange and Withdrawal

- Hat Yai Airport (HDY) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks