SRT Trains, Bangkok

If you are heading North from Bangkok towards Chiang Mai, chances are you will take the overnight sleeper from Hualamphong Station in BKK. I was actually only going as far as Lampang, which is a couple of hours South of Chiang Rai, but I have done the complete journey before. There are buses which are quicker plying the same route but I prefer the train as it is a lot more comfortable, sociable and for the sheer enjoyment that train travel brings me.

Getting a ticket at Hualamphong is made very simple and my upper level, second class air-con bunk cost 734 baht. The train was due to leave at 1735 (it was late and even later on arrival).

On the train, I knew the drill. Got my bunk sorted and headed straight for the buffet car which, oddly, is the only place on the train you are supposed to smoke, although people do so between the carriages as well. The buffet car on the Backpacker Express, as I call it, is something to behold. Most, as I say, are going to Chiang Mai, a journey of about 14 hours and there is nothing else to do but drink beer and have a party, so that is what we did. I ended up seated with two young physiotherapy students from Zurich and another Swiss guy about my age. We had a great old time as they crank up the sound system with (pretty rubbish) Western pop. I remember the last time there were people dancing and the place resembles a nightclub more than a train carriage. It was slightly more muted this time and they have also taken to closing the bar at 11 which didn't used to be the case.

As for the accomodation itself, I find it most comfortable and always manage a good night's sleep. The bunk accomodates my 6'5" frame with no difficulty and there are clean bedclothes provided for each journey by the helpful attendants. The photo shows the carriage made up for the night.

If you are only going to Lampang, and I recommend you do, do not worry about oversleeping and missing your stop. You will be billeted in the last carriage which is detached at Lampang and they will soon rouse you.

I have heard other travellers complain about the sleepers but an overnight riding the rails is always a highlight of my trips to Thailand.

There is a night train service to Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand overnight.
It is a convenient reliable service, which is not that easy to find in South East Asia.
To buy a ticket just go to one of the many travel agents who can buy it for you for a small fee, note book it earlier as it can easily get sold out.

A 2nd class sleeper, upper bed, cost me 550 B on a weekday. A lower bed is about 50 B more expensive - the upper bed might be a bit smaller, but it's more enclosed than the lower bed.

I bought the ticket at a travel agency; at the train station it would have been 480 B I think - but you should buy the ticket ahead, and a tuktuk to and from the trainstation is probably more expensive than the difference of 70 B. The train left at 8:45 pm and was scheduled to arrive in Nong Khai at 9:10 am, but we were about two hours late.

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You will be likely be here if you are connecting to points outside Bangkok. The sheer mass of swirling ghostly figures is mind-boggling astounding.

The place is air-conned, but you don't really feel it when you're inside. Yet when you stepped out, you know something is amissed.

The whispering smell of fried food hung in the air, invading everyone senses sub-consciously. People hung around the departure waiting hall, invading everyone's senses consciously as they watch each other's time ticked by.

The station to its credit is spacious and bright and you can locate the ticketing stations easily. There are eateries, a cafe (Black Canyon Coffee is here) and stalls selling snacks and food, as well as bookstores and newspaper vendors. The perfunctory tour agencies are present as well. There is even a small mart and a small bakery (outside) for folks wanting to load up on groceries.

Showers are available for a price...in grimey but large washrooms. Don't look down but the floor of the men's shower room/toilet appeared permanent soaked with grime but hey good news, the taps are working.

There is also luggage storing services tucked at the far end of the station where a groaning army of bags and backpacks await the return of their owners.

There are at least 12 (or 14?) platforms, with more snack stalls on each platform to help you spend your money while you wait for your train.

Find your way to the train station by every means you can employ.
Take a taxi. Take a tuk-tuk. Take the subway. Take the bus. Walk. But no Skytrain.

This is also the terminal stop for the superiorly more luxurious Far East Oriental Express Train, originating from Singapore, having wormed it's way through the stomach of peninsula West Malaysia.

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Bought train tickets from Chiangmai to Bangkok at the train station. From Chiangmai, there are several trains departing for Bangkok at several timings but only one train has a sleeper class. For a sleeper class overnight train journey on the lower bunk, it cost 881THB (US$30) but slightly cheaper for the upper bunk.

I recommend getting the lower bunk despite the higher price because of the slightly bigger bed space. Besides that, you won't get distracted by the lightings when you're trying to get some shuteye.

The train departs at 17:55hrs and arrives Bangkok at 0:700hrs the following day. So if possible, do wake-up early to catch the morning sunrise and also the dawning of the Thai people getting a headstart for their day.

Staffs are friendly and security officers are always available throughout the travel. Meals can be bought onboard and enjoyed at the dining cart.

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Train travel is pretty inexpensive for what you get.....we took a 12 hr overnight train to BKK from the south and again, took a 12 hr overnight train to Chaing Mai. the schedules are quite frequent but never ontime....expect to arrive anywhere from 1/2 hr to 3hrs after the expected arrival time. Both occassion we took the overnight they were different trains and sizes...with more room on one, less on the other......food was also variable between the two.....in any case, train travel was great! The cabins you see us using had upper and lower beds....when you board the train the beds are not made up but rather a seating area for the two people (in the upper and the lower)....when the two decide to go to bed a worker will break down the sitting srea into two beds.....if your traveling with someone be sure to get the upper and lower in the same section vs. two lower beds across the aisle from one another......Also, at the train station there are various travel agents ready to help you out with bookings and plans....they are friendly and helpful, but of course you know why........with this said, last time we had the agent book our train to Chaing Mai, transfer to the hotel, the hotel for four days, and a flight back to Bangkok at the end....commission was approx $250 Baht for the whole thing.....not bad for them to sort you out with everything.

Bangkok ► Nong Khai (for Vientiane)


Train number: 137 * 133 77 69 *
Depart Bangkok (Hualamphong)
05:50 18:30 20:00 20:45
Depart Bangkok Airport (Don Muang)
06:42 19:25 20:45 21:32
Depart Ayutthaya
07:26 20:11 21:21 22:11
Arrive Nong Khai:
17:30 07:20 06:00 08:55

I haven't been in a train to anywhere from Bangkok but there were several people asking about me this one so, I thought of putting a tip then...no worries, you don't need to rate..But of course, I know where this train station is!

Here's the link: http://www.traveller2000.com/train/