Bangkok to CM train

[George66]

I want to see the countryside in the 1st class sleeper. Anyone try this? I'm very tall so I not sure Ill be comfortable.

[sinkorswim]

Do not do it. Firstly the will be travelling at night so will see nothing. It takes 12 hours and is not very confortable, I have not done it myself but have only heard horror stories about it.

 

Take a flight and you are there in 1 hour. Much easier and only 1500 baht.

[Rex7777]

I saw a tv show once about the Orient Express. The train still runs, and part of the route is through Thailand. I'm not sure about Chiang Mai, though. Anyway, do a Google search and you'll find a website with a schedule. OIf course, it costs a small fortune, but it might be something to do for the fun of it.

 

Rex

[lostinpattaya]

I caught the Bangkok to Chang Mai train about 19 years ago with a friend of mine and we both loved it.My friend got the last first class air con bed while I had to settle for 2nd class sleeper with open window.As it turned out the first class air con was no good as the windows were perplex and badly scarred by sunshine so it was very hard to see out.My table and bed on the other hand was great.We sat around the table for several hours drinking eating etc and then the table folded away into single bunks.I awoke in the morning to beautiful scenery and cool moutain air.So I would highly recommend doing the trip in the best non aircon sleeper you can get.

[FatherMojo]

I did the Bkk>>CM overnight train ride about 10 years ago. I cannot remember I took 1st class or 2nd class. Overall it was a nice trip and I enjoyed it. The only glitch in the trip was that a pick-up truck tried to beat the train to a crossing and 2 people were killed. The train was delayed for about 30 minutes to adjust the cow catcher.

 

I recommend the train.

 

FatherMojo

[unforgiven]

It is great to travel by train but no need for 1ste class just take second class air con lower bunk great fun.

If you want to see the countryside take a morning rapid train.

[niebla]

Do not do it. Firstly the will be travelling at night so will see nothing. It takes 12 hours and is not very confortable, I have not done it myself but have only heard horror stories about it.

 

Take a flight and you are there in 1 hour. Much easier and only 1500 baht.

 

 

I agree. Long, loud and nothing to see. I took the train up, and flew back.

[LocalYokul]

I always get up with a horrible back-ache after that train ride, the bus is better

 

and of course flying is a lot better

 

and you will see nothing, except for maybe the outskirts of BKK, nothing much

[Bush Pig]

You would have to be bloody crazy to get a bus long distance in LOS.

The drivers are the worst in the world. Many times whilst driving up country have I seen buses & trucks gliding down hills in nuetral. They drive the buses like motorbikes. I can't remember how many dangerous buses & driving I have seen here. Drive, take a train or fly!

[BassGod]

I want to see the countryside in the 1st class sleeper. Anyone try this? I'm very tall so I not sure Ill be comfortable.

 

I did it last year and it's a waste of time, fly instead. If you are determined to do it anyway I recommend taking an over night train that doesn't arrive too early. Get the second class sleeper instead of first class. First class they shut you up in a cabin by yourself and the beds rock head to toe, the second class sleepers rock side to side. Arrange for a bottom sleeper because they are roomier and more light gets blocked by the curtains.

 

But seriously the best advice is to just fly instead.

[dtyolmn]

I'm looking for info on the day train. first class and second class. Want to swee the country side in daytime and alsomaybe meet Thai people on the train and learn from them. in other words be social. All the rest of the thread talks about night train.

[chuckrivera]

I'm looking for info on the day train. first class and second class. Want to swee the country side in daytime and alsomaybe meet Thai people on the train and learn from them. in other words be social. All the rest of the thread talks about night train.

 

http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm has all the info you need.

[Pheromone]

I was going to grab a girl from Chiang Mai and take the overnight train 1st class cabin dowm to Hua Hin/Cha Am just for the novelty of saying I had sex on a train. But I'm not sure if I'm still gonna do it though after these posts...

[timming]

http://chiangmaisightseeing.blogspot.com

more info about chiangmai

[PattayaJon]

I've taken the 2nd class day train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Took 11 hours but saw sone beautiful country. worth the experience.

[Cerberus]

A good trip report Here

[Nailgun]

I`m planning to take the overnight train up to Chiang Mai late sep/early october.

[eunos]

tried night train no 1st class available went 2nd class sleeper train is pretty grotty toilets a nightmare most of the people you encounter are backpackers and to finis the rail line is in terrible condition making journey very uncomfortable

advice FLY

[mynameisearl]

I would rent a car and drive up as there is plenty to see on the way. Spend a few nights here and there and do things in your own time.

[GeeMan]

OK, I'll go against the general flow and speak up in favour of the train trip.

 

I dig train travel in general, find it a relaxing and pleasant way to cover ground. I've done a few good trips, including the India-Pacific from Melbourne to Perth (4 days). I intensely dislike air travel, the shit you go thru at the airport, the tiny seats on the plane etc. I like trains 'cos I get a big seat, can get up any time and take a decent walk around, visit the bar-car etc. Also generally cheaper.

 

I've done the overnight sleeper BKK to CM twice in the last three years, both times in 1st class sleeper. Previous posters are correct in that you will see bugger all as it is....overnight! But saying this, you save the cost of a hotel room, get a good nights sleep, and arrive in CM around 06:30 feeling fresh and ready.

 

So, go for it. You effectively loose no 'down time' on the train as it is overnight, more room, cheaper and a different experience from vanilla air.

 

G

[packhike]

I've taken the train to C.M., Hua Hin, Nong Kai, Hat Yai, Trang, Krabi, Kampangphet, and a

few other cities I cant remember. It's the only way to travel if you have the time IMHO.(Koh Samui)

 

Took first class once and hated it you are basically locked away in your own section

of the train. I always take 2nd class air con sleeper. That way you can buy food and

drinks from the vendors who hop on at the train stations. Also a good chance to meet

other people. Guess I am just some kind of train freak. I think the airplane is the

most boring thing to travel by. I spend 22 hours getting from SFO to BKK the

last thing I want to do is spend more time on a plane when at BKK.

 

Here is the official website for the State Railway of Thailand.

Has all the info you need. One good thing about the railway

is you can buy your tickets way in advance if you need to at the

train station. Just about all the ticket sellers will speak some english.

 

http://www.railway.co.th/english/index.asp

Edited June 25, 2009 by packhike

[prak]

Never done the train, heard too many horror stories to try it. Done the bus a few times for shorter trips and can't stand it, I now avoid it at all costs. Flown extensively BKK<->CNX, and BKK<->PHS and the service is so fast (45m or 60m) and cheap (about 15-1800 per person per flight) I just can't see going any other way.

 

I know you're trying to see the countryside, but my advice would be just fly north - fast, cheap and safe. Arrive fresh and relaxed without a long travel ordeal to shake off. Then use your time to get out of the city and see the north via a rented car or motorbikes. If you do try the train, let us know how it is, best of luck.

[themosch]

I'm looking for info on the day train. first class and second class. Want to swee the country side in daytime and alsomaybe meet Thai people on the train and learn from them. in other words be social. All the rest of the thread talks about night train.

 

 

All the info you need is on the official webpage of the Thai railway at http://www.railway.co.th/english/index.asp here you can see timetables, prices, roadmaps.......

It will sure be a trip you won't forget and will be pleased with if you don't mind the wasted daytime but this is just how you see things. Sitting in the train seeing the scenery and talking with people is also part of the holiday-experience! the first 400 km will be all flat and the same sight but the last part will give you nice scenery!

[Cosmo Smallpiece]

I travelled on the daytime train from BKK to CM about 8 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it

 

The journey took about 10 or 11 hours and the train never seemed to go faster than 40mph. It was interesting to see the countryside change from the railway shanty towns in the Bangkok suburbs through the paddy fields towards the more mountainous areas of the north.

 

A really nice experience which I hope to repeat again soon.

[f66w42]

great fun did it 2 weeks ago took 15 hrs but was fun try it .its something differant always a good idea lol