HOW TO TRAVEL FROM Chiang Mai to Bangkok by Train
Having explored Chiang Mai’s temples and shrines and enjoyed the fortified city’s cafes and amazing food for several days, I suggested travelling on from Chiang Mai to Bangkok by Train.
But, my best friend and travelling companion with whom I was travelling in Thailand, wasn’t totally convinced.
She explained that taking the flight would be much faster, taking just over an hour, for us to land in Bangkok.
But having already flown from Koh Samui to Chiang Mai, I proposed taking the classic train journey – one of the longest in Thailand – would be a fabulous and authentic culturally immersive experience for us both.
Especially if we opted to take the day train as opposed to the night train.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET FROM CHIANG MAI TO BANGKOK?
I understand it suits some people to take the night train to Bangkok as it offers overnight services with sleeper berths.
But, if we took the day train we could then gaze out of the window and see Thailand’s heritage and lots of the scenic countryside, as we tracked slowly for the four-hundred and thirty-six miles (580km) to the capital city.
It’s true that the train journey from Chiang Mai to Bangkok travels through some of Thailand’s most beautiful landscapes, including lush forests, mountains, and rural countryside, offering views that are missed when flying.
Plus, trains provide more space to move around compared to airplanes or buses.
I explained to my friend that she could stretch her legs and enjoy a more relaxed travel experience without the hassle of airport security and delays.
Then there is of course also the important issue of our traveller’s carbon footprint.
Train travel is more environmentally friendly compared to air travel as it produced less carbon dioxide per passenger kilometre.
It’s also worth considering the travel budget. Because taking the train is more cost effective and budget-friendly option as train tickets are generally cheaper than flight tickets. I worked out that the money we saved on taking the train rather than the plane might pay for our one night’s accommodation in Bangkok.
And, in arriving in the city centre station rather than at the airport location, we’d have easier and quicker access to our centrally located hotel.
Well, if I hadn’t yet convinced my dear friend, I’d certainly convinced myself that taking the train would be a much better and culturally romantic idea.
I imagined it would be a journey we could talk about together in years to come with nostalgia and great affection.
I also imagined that the train would have a dining car where we could enjoy a variety of Thai dishes at our leisure to add to the charm of the journey.
There are five trains from Chiang Mai to Bangkok per day and the daytime train Number 8 departing at 08.50am is said to be the most popular as it is scheduled to be the fastest service.
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And so, it was agreed, that we’d travel from Chiang Mai to Bangkok by Train!
We arrived at historic Chiang Mai Train Station – known as Sathani Rot Fai Chiang Mai in Thai – early in the morning in a taxi.
Located about 3 kilometres from the centre of Chiang Mai, the station is easily accessible by taxi, tuk-tuk, or public transportation. The original train station dating back to 1922 was destroyed by air strikes in 1943 and so the station which stands today was rebuilt in 1945 but still holds an old charm.
In anticipation of the long journey ahead – as I was now starting to doubt the existence of a dining car – we first popped across the road into the 7-11 Store opposite the station to stock up on snacks and drinks.
Then, with a carrier bag each full of sustenance, we headed into the station.
I admired the old steam locomotive on display and marvelled at the somewhat nostalgic Thai and Colonial style.
HOW LONG IS THE TRAIN RIDE FROM CHIANG MAI TO BANGKOK?
As we had already bought our 2nd Class tickets in advance and online from (affiliate link) 12GO we bypassed the information desks and ticket counters and headed past Buddha deities and elephant statues to the platform where the Number 8 ‘Special Express’ train was scheduled to leave at 08.50am to arrive in Bangkok at 18.55pm.
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Making the train ride from Chiang Mai around ten hours long (as a guide) as it can sometimes take longer.
You can buy your train ticket on the day but be prepared to wait in a long line at the station.
Also be warned that the trains are busy – especially the most popular train Number 8 – and so tickets are often sold out on the day of travel. You can find out more about ticket prices and schedules at the Thailand Trains Website.
Our tickets were checked as we boarded the carriage, and as we were the first to arrive, we had our choice of seats.
We opted for mid-carriage to benefit from some distance from the toilet and as many ceiling fans as possible.
The second class carriage promised air-conditioning once we were underway but it was stiflingly hot inside.
I immediately noted the classic décor and old two-tone brown and black vinyl covered seats and sincerely hoped that my friend hadn’t seen the sudden doubts etched on my face at the thought of the perhaps gruelling journey ahead of us.
The carriage soon filled up with men, women, children and everyone had a 7-11 store carrier bag full of snacks and drinks.
Then we were off and my sense of optimism returned as we smoothly rode through the Thai countryside and small towns and villages and then out into the plains where there was actually nothing but rice field after rice field after rice field.
Lunch was included in the ticket price and it came to us on a trolly pushed along by a very grumpy Thai lady, who actually flung the plastic cartons of food either onto your plastic tray or straight into your lap, while she hissed something indecipherable in Thai. We were more entertained than offended.
Some people opened and sniffed at their lunches and some didn’t bother.
But nobody I saw actually ate any of it.
We were curious so peeled back the plastic lid to smell curry and see something that resembled a fish’s head in a gooey broth.
Oh well, thankfully we had our 7-11 supplies and happily tucked into sandwiches and hard boiled eggs and crisps, instead.
Despite the gruelling length of the journey and the basic conditions on board, we had a lot of laughs on that train journey, as we sat in our sticky and sweaty seats and entertained ourselves by playing silly games with our empty crisp packets.
After ten hours the carriage windows had steamed up and it was hard to see any rice fields or our much anticipated arrival into Hua Lamphong Station in Bangkok.
And the floor was littered with snacking debris and spilled fish heads.
The air was filled with the sounds of incessant snoring and the awful smell of putrid wafts from the toilet.
Weary with travel fatigue and hoping for an imminent arrival, we wrapped our scarfs over our noses and through misted up windows, we hoped for a blurry silhouette of Bangkok to appear like a miracle on a blazing red and orange horizon.
Perhaps it was a mirage rather than a miracle and one that kept us hoping and guessing from a distance.
It actually took twelve hours of travel for us to arrive in Bangkok.
Which was two hours longer than expected.
But my dear friend and I still talk about taking that legendary journey from Chiang Mai to Bangkok by train.
It felt like an adventure. We’re sure we’ll be retelling the story of those twelve hours well into our old age.
It was certainly all we’d hoped for regarding an authentic and culturally immersive experience.
And one we wouldn’t have had if we’d simply taken the plane.
We laughed about it then and we laugh about it now, and happily reminisce about that special time we had together, travelling across Thailand from Chiang Mai to Bangkok by train.
Have you ever taken an adventurous or epic train journey?
Have you travelled in Thailand or in South East Asia by train?
Have you been to Chiang Mai?
Let me know – leave a comment below – I’d love to hear from you!
Travel the World on a Budget – I use 12GO to Book Trains, Buses, Ferries, Transfers & Flights
