The night train from Bangkok to Chaing Mai (or from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai) is a popular mode of transportation for many Thailand travelers.There are a few things to keep in mind though: the trains fill up quickly so you need to make reservations well in advance, you need to know which class to book well otherwise you won’t have a bed, and a few other important things. In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about the night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai so you can be well prepared to make this trip.
Content of this blog:
Where can I buy tickets for the night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
Tickets for the night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (or vice versa) are easiest to buy through 12GO.Asia, using this link.
Please note that the overnight train is very popular and often fully booked a week in advance. So make sure to plan a bit and buy your tickets on time! Otherwise, you will have to travel by train during the day, which is also not a disaster, but a very long sit.
You can also catch the night train from Ayutthaya. You then take the same train but board one station later. Through this link you can book the train from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai. For this train, too, it is obviously advisable to book as early as possible because it is a popular route.
The night train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok (or Ayutthaya) is a lot less popular. You can often book tickets for this route 2-3 days in advance. In fact, many travelers go from Bangkok first to the north by night train and then fly from Chaing Mai to the islands in the south.
Which tickets should I choose?
It is important to pay close attention to this step. Train 9 is the newer and most comfortable train. If you have the chance, it is definitely recommended to book train 9. If these tickets are already sold out, that leaves train 13. This is the older train and a little less comfortable, but still fine for travel.
It is very important that you book second class sleeper tickets. You can also choose second class seated tickets or third class seated tickets but then you don’t get a bed and have to sit on a hardwood bench all night. We walked through this and can tell you that it is really not recommended. Therefore, really pay close attention when booking the tickets that you see the sleeper cabin.
How long is the night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
The overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes about 13 hours. You get on the train at night, on your ticket you can see which cabin you have. When you arrive here, your bed is already made and you can lie down right away.
In the morning, you will be woken up around 6:00 a.m. You have to get out of bed so the staff can turn the bed into normal seats. For the last 2 hours you sit on the chairs looking at the jungle and the beautiful green nature.
What to bring on the train
You can easily stow your backpack in the luggage compartments but it’s nice to have everything figured out in advance. After all, you’re not looking forward to having to unzip your backpack and search through your belongings in the cramped confines of the train. Therefore, pack your daypack in advance with the necessary gear:
- A comfortable outfit (you can already put these on when you go to the station)
- A sweater, long pants and socks. Sometimes the air conditioner is blowing really hard which can make you feel tremendously cold. Make sure you have plenty of warm clothing with you so you can put on layers if you get cold
- Toothpaste and toothbrush for the morning
- Lens tray, lens solution and glasses
- Possibly a small snack if you feel the need for this
Make sure you keep your valuables (passport and money) with you in bed. All the suitcases, backpacks and daypacks are together in the luggage racks, and it could just be that someone with bad intentions is on the train going off all the bags. Therefore, also make sure you lock your bag securely with a lock.
How much does the night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai cost?
For the second class sleeper (the class we would really recommend), tickets often cost between 900 and 1100 baht (€23 – 30). Of course, this is also your overnight stay, as you save the cost of a hotel and you arrive in Chiang Mai the next morning right away. We find the night train from Bangkok to Chaing Mai really quite manageable and can definitely recommend it to anyone, who is not expecting or used to too much luxury!
By the way, it is also possible to take a bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. This can also be very comfortable as there are good buses on this route. View all buses running from Bangkok to Chiang Mai here and book your tickets in time.
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