Take the Chiang Mai Train

The Chiang Mai train is very safe but the travel is very slow. Travel times from Bangkok to Chiang Mai range from just under 12 hours for the rapid express train to almost 15 hours on an overnight train. In addition, the train is notorious for being late. Taking the Chiang Mai train is a good way to see the countryside. The overnight train is the most popular train for a trip to Chiang Mai. The cost of the ticket includes a night of lodging which means one less night in a hotel.

The Chiang Mai train is a little more expensive than if you take a bus to Chiang Mai, but it is money well spent. The train has bigger seats and more room in general for your children to move around during the long ride to Chiang Mai.

The Chiang Mai Train from Bangkok

There are three different train classes in Thailand.

First Class contains one small private air conditioned compartment for two persons. Each cabin includes a sink and a stow away table. This class is available only on selected trains. The compartment consists of two beds, one upper and one lower.

Second Class fan or air-conditioned coaches are available in either seat or sleeper form with around 40 seats per coach. Fan cooled sections tend to get a little hot at night and air-conditioning coaches are the more comfortable.

Third Class has hard wooden bench seats suitable for only the more seasoned traveller. Third class tickets are sold a few hours prior to departure. No pre-booking is possible in this class.

Overnight Sleeper Trains

First class sleepers consist of two full size bunk beds. Second class sleepers are assembled from two facing seats to form the bottom or lower bunk. The upper bunk is pulled down from above the window and locked into place. All beds use fresh sheets, pillows with cases and a laundered, sealed, terry cloth blanket. Beds are set up by the train staff some time after 7:00 pm, depending on the preference of the passenger, and stored away again after the passenger wakes up in the morning. In both classes the beds are around 6 ft in length.

Luggage allowance on Thai trains

Bags are stored in first class passengers rooms. Second class coaches have racks beside the berths, in the older style coach, or room under the lower bunk in the newer coaches, where luggage is stowed. The luggage allowance on the Chiang Mai train is one large suitcase and a carry on bag per passenger. Extra bags are generally not charged and the system is flexible. Bicycles and other large items can be taken on the luggage car, but there is an additional fee for this service.

Safety on trains

Travel police actively patrol every train and the incidents of robbery is extremely rare. The State Railway of Thailand has a good safety record throughout Thailand and the train staff are generally very professional about their given tasks. As with every form of public transportion you should never leave valuables unattended. Bags are stored beside the seat in second class which is illuminated throughout the night.

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