Thailand train travel guide (2026)

Riding the rails in Thailand is one of travel’s great adventures. Falling asleep in a sleeper berth as the Thai countryside rolls by is an experience you’ll long remember and, thanks to the thousands of kilometres of track radiating out from Bangkok, there’s no shortage of journeys to choose from.

Investment is ongoing throughout the network, with exciting plans to build high-speed rail to further connect and integrate the country into Southeast Asia’s (and China’s) growing transport network. For now, take a read through our guide on Thailand train travel and start planning your next big trip.

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How to buy Thai train tickets

Although tickets can be bought at stations within Thailand, it’s much easier to buy tickets online where you can also check routes, timetables and availability.

Use the form below to book your Thai train tickets using 12Go:

Tickets can be booked up to 180 days in advance, but the booking period decreases if you’re only travelling along part of the entire route. For most leisure travellers this isn’t usually a problem as they’re likely to be either travelling to or from Bangkok from one of the main tourist centres (e.g. Chiang Mai, Surat Thani, or the borders with Malaysia or Laos).

Do keep this in mind though if you’re trying to book tickets for a short leg, as the booking window could shrink from 30 days all the way down to one day before travel.

Bangkok’s railway stations

Bangkok has two main railway stations: Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (known as KTW) and Hua Lamphong. KTW is the newer station and has largely replaced Hua Lamphong as the main departure and arrival point into Bangkok, although some services do still use Hua Lamphong.

Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal is the largest railway station Southeast Asia and although it has none of the charm or ambience of Hua Lamphong, it’s certainly efficient, well planned and easy to navigate.

Main train routes in Thailand

Thailand has one of the most extensive railway networks in Southeast Asia at over 4,000km long and reaching into all four corners of the country. The major tourist centres are linked directly to Bangkok, and there are trains heading to neighbouring Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia.

The four main train routes in Thailand are:

• Northern Line
• Northeastern Line
• Southern Line
• Eastern Line

Northern Line

Running from Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, the Northern Line is the second longest in the country. Its principal line is the one running from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, with a small branch line travelling to and from Sawankhalok.

As the line is predominantly single track and not yet electrified, capacity is severely stretched on the line, limiting the number of services that can travel along what is the busiest route in the country. As a result, services tend to be fully booked, especially around festivals, public holidays and weekends.

Northeastern Line

Connecting Bangkok with the country’s vast northeast region (known as Isan), the Northeastern Line is made up of three separate main lines:

• Ubon Ratchathani Main Line, heading to the large city of Ubon Ratchathani from Bangkok, it uses the same route as the Northern Line for the first 90km before splitting off at Ban Phachi Junction.
• Nong Khai Main Line, travels to the border town of Nong Khai and then over the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge into Laos and the capital city of Vientiane.
• Lam Narai Branch Line, a short branch line between Kaeng Khoi Junctio and Bua Yai Junction

Southern Line

At over 1000km in length, the Southern Line is the longest in Thailand and connects many of the most popular tourist destinations to Bangkok, either directly or with a short onward bus connection. The main line on the route is the Sungai Kolok Main Line that runs from Bangkok to Sungai Kolok, close to the Malaysian border.

There are several other branch lines:

• Padang Besar Line, running to the Malaysian border
• Nam Tok Line, also known as the Death Railway, running from Nong Pladuk Junction to Nam Tok in Kanchanaburi.
• Kantang Line runs to Trang Province, close to some of Thailand’s Andaman islands.
• Nakhon Si Thammarat Line

Eastern Line

Of most use and interest to travellers on the Eastern Line will be the main line towards the Cambodian border, known as the Aranyaprathet Main Line. A smaller line travels towards Pattaya but, with only train per day currently running, it’s limited to say the least.

What are the Thai trains like?

Thai trains generally offer a comfortable, safe and authentic way of travelling around the country, allowing you to meet local people and travel on a budget. Although some of the rolling stock is showing its age, there is a constant investment and improvement programme taking place on the network, with plans to introduce brand new carriages on high-speed lines in the near future.

On many services you’ll find air-conditioned sleeper carriages that offer second-class berths, and sometimes a first-class carriage is added. Second class berths are either upper or lower bunks on either side of the corridor, with curtains to offer privacy once you retire for the evening. During the daytime the berths are folded away, with the lower bunk forming a pair of facing seats with lovely views out of a wide window. It’s a very communal and memorable experience, ideal if you’re travelling in a group of two or four, but it works well for solo-travellers too.

First class compartments are situated to the side of the corridor with lockable doors and two berths (upper and lower). There’s also a bathroom that is shared with the neighbouring compartment. While they offer a good deal more privacy and comfort, many travellers prefer second-class for the sociable aspect; it can feel as if you’re locked away from everyone in first class.

There will typically also be a few carriages with normal seats, fine for a day journey but not recommended for overnight trips. The seats recline and have access to charging points, although the carriages can feel crowded. Luggage is stored either overhead or in the luggage racks at the end of the carriage.

Toilets are of the Western and squat-and-drop variety, usually quite clean (but less so towards the end of a long trip). Bring along some hand sanitiser and your own toilet paper just in case.

Are Thai trains safe?

Yes, it does feel safe onboard, and it’s not uncommon to see police or ticket inspectors walking up and down the train during the journey. Petty theft isn’t unheard of but unlikely to be an issue. Just take care to hide cash and valuables out of sight and consider investing in a simple padlock and tether to deter opportunistic thieves.

There are ongoing issues close to the borders with neighbouring countries, notably near Hat Yai and at the Cambodian border. Although tourists are rarely targeted, you should be aware of the risks and check with your own country’s advice regarding travel to these areas. The Thai authorities take the situation very seriously and security is a priority for them.