Traveling by train

[Danieldino]

Hello Everybody, my first post here, sorry for my English, it isn't perfect. But I try the best I can.

 

 

Have You ever tried to travel through Thailand by train?

 

As I found the ticket prices are quite cheap and I suppouse that from the train You can see some "real" Thailand.

 

Is it better to get the luxury 1 st class or the common 2nd class?

Is it safe at the stations?

 

I would be appreciate for any suggestions.

 

Best regards

[Rabattmarkenfaelscher]

@ danieldino

 

Welcome here!

 

I have traveled up and down every track in Southeastasia and I do my trips in a low budget style!

 

So there are a few rules You won't want to forget:

 

1. Always be informed about train schedules, they vary at times. Plans are free of charge in a small hut on the side of Hua Lamphong and sometimes also in other stations.

 

2. Never let anybody get the tickets for You, no travelagent od tout needed for any trip in all of Thailand, buy at the closest station, preferably in Hua Lamphong where waiting lines are short and staff multilingual

 

3. I have used all kinds of classes and services. First sleeper was a rolling fridge that made me sick for weeks (no fresh air, just unadjustable supercool AC) - 2nd is neat but 3rd does the job as well, because I will end up sitting in the rolling foodstall where I can smoke, read and eat/drink.

 

4. Trainrides to endpoints of routes can be long, be prepared and get reading material and snacks. BKK-Chiang Mai takes me a good book to read, going to SUngai Kolok I almost manage 2 books

 

5. Bring a blanket (stolen from airline or borrowed from mom) to cover You, should winds in waggon be nasty or temps too chilly.

 

6. Get an insect repellent and put it on Your ankles an exposed skin, lots of bugs during the ride throughout the trin, especially when they stop longer enroute in the djungles to let other trains pass

 

7. Have a bag that can be chained down to something, like an old armysack or a hockeybag - get a small chain or bicyclelock to secure it during the trip in the overhead rack or under the seats.

 

Happy trails!

 

Rabatti

[chuckrivera]

I am looking at taking the train from BKK to Khon Kaen in October. I am booking the First Class Sleeper as the ride is about 12 hours long. If it were a shorter ride, I wouldn't have a problem with Second or Third Class seats.

 

Here is a link w/ great info on Train travel in LOS:

 

http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm

 

 

To check seat availability, go here:

 

http://www.railway.co.th/seatcheck2/aseat.asp

 

It is in Thai only, but here are the instructions to use it:

 

 

The first drop-down box is for the route. The options are:

 

Top = Bangkok to Chiang Mai (Northern Line)

 

Middle = Bangkok to Hua Hin, Surat Thani, Hat Yai, Butterworth (Southern Line)

 

Bottom = Bangkok to Nong Khai (for Vientiane), Ubon Ratchathani (Northeastern Line)

 

 

The second drop-down box is for direction.

 

Top option = Trains leaving Bangkok

 

Lower option = Trains heading towards Bangkok

 

 

The next three fields are day, month, year (2008 = 2551 in the Thai calendar!). Use two digits for 'month', so January = 01.

 

 

Click the button and you'll get a summary of seat or berth availability in each class on each train, in English. Easy when you know how!

[Mavrick]

Some useful information guys thanks for posting.

[Rabattmarkenfaelscher]

I am looking at taking the train from BKK to Khon Kaen in October. I am booking the First Class Sleeper as the ride is about 12 hours long. If it were a shorter ride, I wouldn't have a problem with Second or Third Class seats.

 

 

Bring a Leathermantool or similar to be able to open the window if the AC chills You too wildly - it's of a non-adjustable variety, controls at the mercy of someone unreachable during the trip! It is illegal to open the window though (the top third flaps open an bit if you negotiate the bolt)

 

Happy trip

 

Rabatti

 

P.S. Korat and KK are a mere 3 / 4.5 hrs by VIP-sleeperbus, I wouldn't waste so much time and money on a 1st class trainbed where chances You can fall asleep are minimal.

[chuckrivera]

I've taken the bus to Korat before at three hours and it was manageable, but the bus schedule has Khon Kaen at eight hours not counting stops, and I'll gladly pay more for a sleeper car than ride in a bus for that long. I'm 188cm and there wasn't much legroom to speak of. I'm still open to flying if I can find a decent price for a ticket.

 

Plus you don't get to see much other than the highway if you take the bus, and if I don't sleep at least I get to look at the pretty scenery and take pics for you guys.

[Danieldino]

Thanks for quick answer guys.

 

I think I do it the same way as rabatti - not with luxury..just like a common citizens.

 

After that i had a few more questions:

 

1. How many people are generally in 1st 2 nd and 3rd class? ( more less )

2. Is it spacious? ( I am about 2 meter tall )

 

Probably I would be going from BKK to Udon Thani ( Isaan ). I ve heard that is quite poor but worth to see region. ( nice views and could see a normal Thai live there ).

 

Cheers

[Laawman]

There are a few video clips on youtube taken inside a Thai train; should give you an idea of the inside.

 

http://video.google.co.uk/videosearch?hl=e...a=N&tab=wv#

[BangkapiBoy]

I took the sleeper train Bangkok to Penang, Malaysia and I loved it. It cost around 1000B at that time.