How to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train

Bangkok and Chiang Mai seem to feature on every traveller’s itinerary, competing for the title of best city in Thailand. Many people take the train between the two cities, whether it’s the scenic daytime service, or one of the convenient overnight sleepers.

However you decide to get there, this is one Thai railway journey that gets booked up in advance and needs some planning: read on for all the information on routes, fares and how to buy tickets.

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Route map and details

Bangkok and Chiang Mai are the start and end points of Thailand’s Northern Line, which is one of the busiest in the country. Largely single-tracked and non-electrified, capacity is severely limited on the route and plans are in place to extend and improve the line, but it’ll be a few years before passengers see any real benefit.

For the time being, there are fewer services than you might expect, and those that do run are often booked up in advance.

Timetables

Click here to check all Thailand train times

There are five trains per day from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, all departing from Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat station. Sleeper carriages are available on all trains apart from SP7, which only has second-class air-conditioned seats.

SP9, SP13 and EX51 are the most popular trains and should be booked as far in advance as possible, particularly in peak tourist season and around religious festivals.

The countryside views approximately three hours before Chiang Mai are especially beautiful. EX51 is the only sleeper service to pass through this section in the daylight, so it’s well worth booking tickets for that train if they’re available.

Average journey time: 12 hours 30 minutes

How to buy tickets

The easiest way to buy train tickets in Thailand is online rather than going to the station. You do pay a very small commission but the ease and convenience makes it worthwhile in our opinion.

Baolau is the best site to use for buying train tickets, they have access to the live Thai Railways booking engine, so you can easily see availability, timetables and prices.

Payment can be made using international credit cards and PDF confirmation tickets are sent to your email address within a few minutes. This is the actual ticket you need to board the train, so there’s no need to exchange it at the station before travel. You may prefer to print the pdf out, but it’s also fine to show it on your mobile phone to the conductors and station staff.

Bangkok to Chiang Mai train tickets

How much does it cost?

The Bangkok to Chiang Mai train usually has four different classes to choose from, ranging from a private first-class compartment for two people, to a hard, uncomfortable third class seat. Most tourists book a second-class berth (AC) and it’s our recommended way to travel on this route.

Here is a list of which class is available on which train:

¹ Air-conditioned carriages

Prices for each class are shown in the table below, note that some trains (e.g. SP9) have newer carriages so the prices differ slightly:

What to expect on board

The daytime train (SP7) from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is made up of second-class air-conditioned carriages. With tray tables, reclining seats and charging points, these trains are comfortable and practical, although can feel slightly functional. If you’d prefer to see some countryside views on your journey, this is the best option.

Choosing the sleeper option means you’ll be trading views for convenience, as the overnight trains save you a night’s accommodation bill, plus the journey seems to pass by much more quickly when you’ve slept for a large proportion of it.

First-class compartments are popular with those tourists who place a premium on privacy. An added advantage is you can control the lighting and air-conditioning, which are both usually set too high in the second-class carriages. The first-class carriages also have their own toilet and washing facilities, and are a step up from the second-class versions.

First-class can feel less sociable than second-class but is definitely worth considering if you prefer your own space. It’s also possible to book the entire compartment (also known as a ‘room’ on the Thai booking engine) if you’re prepared to pay double.

Second-class carriages are open-plan but each berth has a privacy curtain. The berths are setup as pairs of seats facing each other during the day, before being converted into beds around 7.00pm. If you’re on one of the later trains, the berths will usually already be in night time mode when you board.

Lower berths are the most popular, mainly because they have the window, are slightly wider, and are easier to get in and out of. Upper berths don’t have a window and are more impacted by the bright lighting that’s left on for the entire journey. You also have to be quite agile to climb up the tiny metal ladder to access them. If you have the choice, the extra money is well spent on the lower berth.

Thai trains use a Type A, B and C plug (two flat parallel pins), so don’t forget your travel adapter. We also recommend packing a compact power bank just in case power points aren’t available.

Most of the services also have non-AC carriages, either second or third-class. The second-class carriages have comfortable reclining seats similar to the AC carriages, but rely on open windows for ventilation. It can get very breezy inside the carriage when the train is at full speed, making the journey cooler but also a bit more of an endurance test.

Third-class carriages have a variety of harder seats, just about manageable for short journeys but not recommended for the long trip from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

What are the toilets and wash facilities like?

First-class toilets are kept in first-class condition and you’ll find them neat and tidy throughout the journey. Some of the newer carriages even have a hot shower available.

Although somewhat cramped, the second-class toilets are kept clean throughout the journey and there always seems to be enough toilet-paper, although it’s always best to carry your own. Each carriage has its own pair of toilets, one Western-style and one ‘squat-and-drop’.

Two sinks are also located at the end of carriage, providing space for washing hands and brushing teeth. It’s not five-star luxury but more than adequate for a quick clean-up before bedtime.

Catering options

A restaurant car is attached to the train for the journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, serving cheap and reliable Thai meals. They might not look very appealing in their plastic boxes but actually are tasty and good value. It’s convenient and sociable to eat in the restaurant car but train staff also walk up and down the carriage with a menu, offering to bring meals back to your berth. A small tip is appreciated if you use this service.

As this is Thailand, there’s never a shortage of food and drink vendors walking along the train offering meals, snacks and drinks. Expect to pay around THB40 – 120 for a meal and THB20 for soft drinks.

Alcohol is prohibited on all Thai trains and there are fines if you’re caught drinking.

Journey description

Krung Thep Aphiwat is a modern, functional and fairly uninspiring place to start your journey to Chiang Mai, but it’s very good at getting you away smoothly and with the minimum of fuss. It has been designed with a much larger capacity in mind, capable of serving the hundreds of additional services that are forecast to use the station in the upcoming decades. For now, the station feels cavernous but this at least means there’s plenty of space for departing passengers.

After breaking clear of the city centre, the train threads its way through Bangkok’s northern suburbs, fighting for space on this busy section of the railway. You’ll spot plenty of engineering works taking place in the first couple of hours of the journey, the beginnings of the huge project that will eventually double-track and electrify the entire route.

Ayutthaya is a popular stop for tourists, just a couple of hours from Bangkok. Passing through beautiful countryside, with rivers, mountains, farmland and wide bridges to cross, there’s plenty to see out of the window, unless you’re on one of the sleeper services, in which case you will probably be asleep by this point.

The final three hours of the journey are the most impressive, with dramatic mountainous views as you approach the iconic city of Chiang Mail. Special Express 51, which departs Bangkok at 10.30pm and passes through this area from 7.00am onwards, is the best train to book to take advantage of this section.

Chiang Mai is second only to Bangkok in visitor numbers and sights to keep tourists entertained. Hiking through the jungle, sampling the world-famous food scene, or visiting ancient Buddhist temples are just some of the activities to keep you busy. Whatever you decide to do in the city, the train journey from Bangkok will have given you the perfect start to your visit.