Kota Bharu is the state capital of Kelantan and an ambient base for sightseeing odysseys. From Bangkok and southern Thailand, Kota Bharu is a fairly easy journey, albeit a lengthy one. The simplest method of making the journey is by rail. Two trains a day run in each direction between Bangkok’s central Hualamphong Station and Sungai Kolok Station.
The train trip takes up to 20 hours, but opting for a first or second class sleeping berth in an air-conditioned carriage goes a long way towards alleviating any discomfort. Alternate travel options are to fly to Hat Yai and then take a bus or train from there, or take the bus all the way. The flight option saves time for people in a hurry. Direct buses cut around four hours off the journey times by rail.
Sungai Kolok’s train and bus stations are just one kilometre from the Thai-Malay border crossing at Rantau Panjang. Motorcycle taxi drivers tend to loiter at both stations and there is never an issue with transport to the actual border checkpoint. After crossing the border, travel options to Kota Bharu are bus or taxi.
Travel to the Malaysian border and Kelantan
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Kelantan is a Malaysian state which shares a common border with Thailand’s far southern province of Narathiwat. In English, Kelantan is nicknamed the Blissful Abode and when visiting it is easy to see why. The state is noted for its verdant landscapes and pristine beaches lined with shade-giving casuarinas trees.