You can travel by train from Penang to Chumphon in Thailand (the connection point for ferries to Koh Tao) by first taking a train from Butterworth Railway Station, which near to Penang Island, to Padang Besar and then changing trains for the second stage of the journey to Chumphon.
Train Times from Penang to Chumphon
Stage 1 of the journey by train to Chumphon is from Butterworth Railway Station (near Penang Island) to Padang Besar on the border with Thailand.
- Buy your tickets from Penang to Padang Besar at the train station on the day of travel.
| Penang (Butterworth) | Padang Besar | Train | Service |
| 05:20 | 07:11 | 2940 | KTM Komuter |
| 06:25 | 08:16 | 2944 | KTM Komuter |
| 06:55 | 08:46 | 2946 | KTM Komuter |
| 07:35 | 09:26 | 2948 | KTM Komuter |
| 08:35 | 10:26 | 2952 | KTM Komuter |
| 10:35 | 12:26 | 2958 | KTM Komuter |
| 12:35 | 14:26 | 2964 | KTM Komuter |
| 14:35 | 16:26 | 2968 | KTM Komuter |
| 15:05 | 16:56 | 2970 | KTM Komuter |
| 15:35 | 17:26 | 2972 | KTM Komuter |
| 16:35 | 18:26 | 2976 | KTM Komuter |
| 17:05 | 18:56 | 2978 | KTM Komuter |
| 17:35 | 19:26 | 2980 | KTM Komuter |
| 18:05 | 19:56 | 2982 | KTM Komuter |
| 18:40 | 20:31 | 2984 | KTM Komuter |
| 19:05 | 20:56 | 2986 | KTM Komuter |
| 19:35 | 21:26 | 2988 | KTM Komuter |
| 21:35 | 23:26 | 2994 | KTM Komuter |
For stage 2 of the journey there is only a single direct train per day from Padang Besar Train Station to Chumphon.
- Buy train tickets from Padang Besar to Chumphon.
| Train | Padang Besar | Chumphon | Service |
| 46 | 17:00 | 01:17 | Special Express |
Butterworth Railway Station
Read more about Butterworth Railway Station.
Padang Besar Railway Station
For the next stage of the journey you need to change trains at Padang Besar Railway Station.
Chumphon Railway Station
Chumphon Railway Station is located on the north west side of Chumphon Town centre.
Travel from Chumphon Railway Station to Koh Tao and Ranong
Chumphon is not a popular tourist destination in its own right and most foreign travellers who pass through Chumphon are either on their way to Koh Tao, or returning from Koh Tao on their way to Bangkok.
Travel to Koh Tao
There are currently joint 2 bus and ferry services a day with Lomprayah High Speed Ferry from Chumphon Railway Station to Koh Tao departing at 06:00 and 12:00.
Chumphon Railway StationTravel to Koh Phayam
You can also travel from Chumphon to Koh Phayam via Ranong. Minivan services from Chumphon to Ranong depart from both Chumphon Railway Station and the Fame Tour Office on the Saladang Road in Chumphon Town, a 400 metre walk from Chumphon Railway Station. There are regular departure from Chumphon to Ranong from 07:00 until 18:00 every day.
To reach Koh Phayam you then need to travel from Ranong Bus Station to the ferry pier off the Chaloem Phrakiat Road. A variety of speed boat services and a slow ferry service operate during the holiday season from the pier in Ranong to Koh Phayam.