Foreign Property News | Posted by Hnin Ei Khin
Taking the overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, or the train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, has always been a popular way of travelling between these two cities in Thailand.
Since November 2016, The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) had introduced new train carriages running on the express line between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. It is the Train No.9 and Train No.10 overnight sleeper train. These trains are powered by electricity so it is more quiet and calm compared to the old ones.
Note that the SRT hadn’t really completely replace all of their old carriages. The current Express Line and Rapid Line are still using the older trains, so travellers should choose carefully when buying the train tickets. This article will explain the features and facilities of the new trains.
(The train is ideal transportation for the trip between Chiang Mai and Bangkok. This line has a scenic view along the way.)
The Train Times and Timetables
If you are taking the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Train No.9 leaves Bangkok Train Station (Hua Lamphung Station) at 6.10pm and arrives in Chiang Mai at 7.15am. And for the train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, Train No.10 leaves Chiang Mai Train Station at 6.00pm and arrives in Bangkok at 6.50am. Both trains are available daily.
Please arrive at the train station 30 minutes before departure time to find the train platform. Aside from trains no.9 and no.10, there are other trains going between Bangkok and Chiang Mai but those were the older and slower (therefore cheaper) trains. So remember to quote the correct train number when buying your train tickets.
See below the Bangkok to Chiang Mai train schedule. When going from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, other than train no.9, there are also trains no.7, no.109, no13 and no.51 plying the same route:
... And for the Chiang Mai to Bangkok train schedule, other than no.10, there are also trains no.102, no.8, no.52, and no.14:
.. The FIRST CLASS Train Cabin
If you prefer a little more privacy and don’t mind paying extra, consider travel First Class, which is a private room good for 2 passengers. Each train has 12 private rooms, with shared shower rooms (equipped with hot water!) and toilet.
If you are travelling in a group of 4 people and want to stay together for the night (or maybe a family with 2 kids), there is an inter-connecting door which can be unlocked.
(Each train has 12 first class private rooms.)
Facilities inside the room include wifi, socket plug point, a washbasin, bench seat that converts into beds (lower & upper berth), mirror and a 14 inches personal LCD touch screen displaying the route and satellite information (in English).
The LCD display is also a multimedia system for entertainment, an alarm clock, and where you can order food to be served in your room.
(The control panel and USB plug for the LCD display.)
(The view inside the private room.)
(Hot shower inside the shared bathroom.)
The first class train ticket costs 1,453 baht for an upper bed and 1,653 baht for the lower bed. If you travel alone but wish to occupy the entire room, the entire compartment is yours at 2,453 baht.
The SECOND CLASS Train Cabin
Travelling Second Class is cheaper but offers less privacy. The seats in the second class sleeper are lower and upper berths facing each other on both sides of the train’s windows.
The lower berth, which is the window seat, is the primary seating for passengers and converts into sleeper berth at night (the staffs will start the conversion at 8.00pm)
(The look inside the second class train cabin)
A curtain is installed at every berth which can offer privacy and more importantly, block the light that interferes with sleep because the central lights are kept on through the night. Plug socket and reading light are available for every berth so passengers can charge their phone and laptop, or read throughout their train ride.
(The lower berth.)
(The upper berth.)
The train is equipped with CCTV cameras and LCD screens showing the route information eg. GPS location and the estimated time of arrival (in Thai & English). Each carriage has its own LCD display. There is two luggage compartment, at the top and bottom. Inside the shared washroom are the vacuum toilet and washing basin with mirror.
(LCD Display and CCTV Camera)
(Washing Basin)
The second class train ticket costs 941 baht for an upper bed and 1,041 baht for the lower bed.
Facilities In The Train
The train has a diner where passengers can buy snacks, food, and drinks. The food sold here is frozen, like those served in a 7-11 convenient store (even the price are almost the same as 7-11).
The diner is also a nice place to chill out and meet the other travellers. Here is where passengers travelling on a second class ticket can get free onboard Wifi. However, the wifi speed is rather weak even when the mobile phone signal (3G/4G) is strong. Passengers travelling on the first-class ticket can place their order through the LCD touch screen in their room for in-train delivery service. The diner closes at 10.00pm and re-open at 5.00am for breakfast service.
(Chillax at the diner and grab a cup of coffee.)
(Snacks, food and drinks at the diner.)
(Food menu at the diner.)
A bottle of water, a wide mattress, a blanket, and a pillowcase are provided during the train ride. During the night it might get a bit chilly from the A/C (not adjustable), so consider long sleeve, trousers and maybe socks.
Due to the curvature of the carriage, the lower sleeping berth is a bit wider than the upper. One drawback about the train ride is that the bed is rather short (even for the First Class cabin). People taller than 180cm might need to bend their knee slightly (or sleep diagonally) to get a comfortable position.
Where To Buy Train Ticket
The easiest way (and the cheapest way) to buy the train ticket is through SRT official website here or through the ticketing agent here. The ticket can be purchased in advanced up to 60 days before the date of departure (or until 2 hours before departure time). Payment is by credit card and you will be issued an e-ticket (in pdf format) upon payment accepted. You can read their online booking manual here.
If by cash is your preferred mode of payment, you may proceed to buy at the train station. In Bangkok, head to Hua Lamphong Railway Station which is just 10 minutes walking distance from Hua Lamphong MRT Station.
If you are in Chiang Mai, go to Chiang Mai Railway Station which is just 2km away from downtown by riding a songthaew or by the public bus. Or you may also take GRAB, Southeast Asia’s own version of UBER.
Remember to ask for train no.9 or train no.10 when buying your train tickets. Running out of train ticket on your travelling date? Don’t worry, try the overnight sleeper bus. It’s cheaper and faster than taking the train:
(Chiang Mai Railway Station)
Ref: The New Bangkok To Chiang Mai Overnight Sleeper Train (chiangmaitraveller)
