Hat Yai is one of the most popular short-haul getaways from Singapore, and for good reason. A flight of under two hours puts you in the middle of some of the best street food in Southeast Asia, a lively night market scene, centuries-old temples, and easy access to some of the most beautiful islands in the Andaman Sea. This five-day itinerary takes you through the full Hat Yai experience, from its cultural highlights and floating markets to island beaches and a day well spent simply eating your way through the city.

Book your flights from Singapore (SIN) to Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) on Traveloka and compare direct routes to find the best timing for your schedule.

After landing at Hat Yai International Airport, check into your hotel and take the afternoon to get your bearings in the city. Hat Yai's compact centre is easy to explore on foot, and the area around the central market district makes for a pleasant first afternoon. Head to Wat Hat Yai Nai, one of the most significant temples in southern Thailand, home to a reclining Buddha statue measuring 35 metres in length, open daily from 8am to 5pm. In the evening, make your way to Hat Yai Grand Market, a lively open-air market selling everything from clothing and accessories to dried seafood and local produce, and cap the night with a bowl of Khao Moo Grob, crispy pork rice that is one of the signature street dishes of the city.

Begin day two with an early trip to Wat Phatthalung, which opens at 6am and is best experienced in the stillness of the morning before the day heats up. The temple is home to an impressive reclining Buddha as well as a hillside complex of shrines and meditation halls set within forested grounds that feel genuinely serene at that hour. After the temple, head to Hat Yai Crocodile Farm, open from 9am to 5pm, which is home to hundreds of crocodiles alongside reptile and wildlife shows held throughout the day. As evening approaches, find a table at one of the seafood restaurants in the city's main dining areas, where fresh catches from the Gulf of Thailand are grilled, steamed, and stir-fried at outdoor tables at very reasonable prices.

Hat Yai has strong options at every price point, from budget guesthouses near the night markets to comfortable mid-range properties in the city centre. Compare and book your hotels in Hat Yai on Traveloka before you travel to secure the best rates.

Day three is built around Thai food culture, starting with a morning cooking class where you will learn to make dishes including Pad Thai and Green Curry from scratch, with guidance on local ingredients and techniques from a Thai cook. The class typically wraps up in time for a light lunch made from what you have just prepared, which makes for a satisfying and informal mid-morning meal. In the afternoon, spend time at Pratu Hat Yai Market, one of the most concentrated shopping areas in the city for fresh produce, dried spices, and everyday Thai goods at local prices. After dark, walk the night markets for a full circuit of street food, from skewered meats and roti to freshly pressed sugarcane juice and coconut ice cream.

Day four takes you out of the city to the coast, beginning with a relaxed morning at Hat Yai Beach before continuing by boat to Koh Lipe, a small island in the Andaman Sea that consistently ranks among the most beautiful island escapes in southern Thailand. Koh Lipe has three main beaches, Sunrise Beach, Sunset Beach, and Pattaya Beach, each with a different character ranging from quiet and shaded to sociable and busy, all set against clear turquoise water. Snorkelling equipment is available for hire on the island, and the shallow reefs close to shore support a rich variety of reef fish, corals, and occasional sea turtles that are accessible without any diving experience. Plan to stay overnight on Koh Lipe to experience the island at its most peaceful, after the day-trip boats have returned to the mainland and the beach settles into a quieter evening rhythm.

Wake up for a last walk on Sunrise Beach before the boats begin filling up with day visitors, then take the return trip back to Hat Yai with time for a final round of shopping before your flight. Kim Yong Market is the best stop for dried goods, local snacks, and packaged Thai products to bring back to Singapore, with prices noticeably lower than at the airport. Hat Yai Municipal Park, a green public space near the city centre, is a pleasant stop for a short walk if you have time to spare before heading to the airport. Hat Yai International Airport is compact and efficient, with straightforward security and immigration that makes a last-minute arrival workable even if the market shopping runs long.

For guided city tours, airport lounge access, and transfers around the region, browse and book your activities in Hat Yai on Traveloka before departure.

A car rental gives you the flexibility to reach attractions outside the city centre, including Songkhla, a historic coastal town about 30 kilometres from Hat Yai that is well worth a half-day detour for its old town architecture, waterfront promenade, and outstanding fresh seafood. Traditional Thai massage is widely available across Hat Yai at very accessible prices, and an hourly session between sightseeing stops is one of the most popular ways to spend a Hat Yai afternoon. The Asean Night Bazaar is Hat Yai's largest covered night market and is best visited after 7pm when all stalls are fully open, mixing street fashion and local handicrafts with dozens of food vendors. For an efficient airport experience on either end of the trip, consider booking lounge access through Traveloka in advance for a more comfortable wait at Hat Yai International Airport.

Traveloka is Southeast Asia's leading travel platform, trusted by over 100 million users to plan every aspect of their trip. For a Hat Yai itinerary from Singapore, you can book direct flights, compare hotels from budget to mid-range, and arrange guided tours and island transfers before you board. The app brings together flights, hotels, activities, car rentals, eSIM, and travel insurance in one place, so your entire trip is confirmed before you leave home.

For arrivals at Hat Yai International Airport, Traveloka's airport transfer service lets you arrange a direct vehicle from the terminal to your hotel without the uncertainty of sorting transport on arrival after a long travel day. Watch Traveloka promotions for exclusive deals on flights and hotels across Thailand and Southeast Asia.

As a top-rated travel app on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store in Southeast Asia, Traveloka makes every step of your Hat Yai trip straightforward. Download the app and start building your itinerary today.