Overnight Train Bangkok to Chiang Mai: Which Train, Berth & Cost

Featured image: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overnight Train Bangkok to Chiang Mai: Quick Answer

Sleeper trains leave Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal and arrive at Chiang Mai Railway Station. Journeys last 12 to 14 hours. Second class costs about ฿700 to ฿1,050, and first class runs from about ฿1,250 to ฿2,450. Fares differ slightly between sources, so confirm them on the State Railway of Thailand website. Peak season is roughly November to February, and lower berths and first class sell out first.

• Departs from: Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, not Hua Lamphong
• Arrives at: Chiang Mai Railway Station
• Journey time: about 12 hours 15 minutes to 13 hours 50 minutes
• Classes: second class on every sleeper, first class on Trains 9 and 13
• Booking tip: search D-Ticket for "Krung Thep Aphiwat", not "Bangkok"

Sleeper Train Schedule: Which Train Leaves When

Four sleepers serve this route. Timetables change, and sources list Train 51 as arriving at either 11:40 or 12:10. Check the railway site or call the SRT hotline on 1690 before you buy.

Which Train Should You Book?

Pick by arrival time first and carriage age second. Train 109 lands at 04:05, which is too early for hotel check-in. Trains 9 and 13 arrive at 07:15 and 08:40, so you can start sightseeing the same morning. Train 51 arrives around midday and costs you half a day. It does pass through daylight scenery between Den Chai and Lamphun, which is the one real view on this route. Train 9 uses the newest CNR carriages and is our default. Train 13 uses older stock and costs less. Trains 109 and 51 are the older, cheapest options.

First Class vs Second Class, Lower vs Upper Berth

Second class is the sweet spot in our editorial assessment. Beds are curtained, bedding is provided and each berth has a power socket and reading light. Lower berths cost more because they are wider and have a window with a curtain. Upper berths sit nearer the lights and the air-con, so they run colder. First class gives you a two-berth cabin. Book one berth and you may share with a stranger. Booking the whole room costs roughly ฿1,000 on top of the cheapest berth. Couples will find a private cabin an easy decision, and solo travelers can treat it as an optional upgrade. One carriage is set aside for women and young children, and you select it when booking. Third class on some trains has no beds, so skip it for an overnight run.

How Much Does It Cost, and Is It Cheaper Than Flying?

Cheapest berths start around ฿688 on Train 109 in an upper berth. Train 9 second class is about ฿938 upper and ฿1,038 lower. Train 9 first class is about ฿1,446 upper and ฿1,646 lower, with a whole cabin at about ฿2,446. Some sources list a few baht more, such as ฿941 and ฿1,041 for second class. Treat every figure as approximate until D-Ticket confirms it. Older Train 13 is cheaper than Train 9, at about ฿768 upper and ฿838 lower in second class. Flights take about 1.5 hours in the air, but you add airport transfers and check-in time. Our comparison of all transport options covers buses too. Fares for buses vary, so check them before you decide.

How to Book the Sleeper Train

Use the official D-Ticket site at dticket.railway.co.th and search "Krung Thep Aphiwat" to "Chiang Mai". Entering "Bangkok" returns nothing. Booking windows conflict across sources, with figures of 90 and 180 days quoted. Take the current rule from the official site. Agents such as 12Go are an alternative if the official site gives you trouble. A station purchase gives you a paper ticket. Online bookings can be shown on your phone. Book early for November to February.

Boarding at Krung Thep Aphiwat

Trains leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, which replaced Hua Lamphong for this route. Arrive well before departure, since Train 9 leaves at 18:40 and Train 13 at 20:05. A taxi or Grab car saves dragging luggage through the metro. Avoid rush hour, because journey times can double. Boarding means steep metal steps, so pack light. Some travelers join at Ayutthaya instead. Confirm that stop with SRT before you book it.

What the Night Is Like

Seats convert to beds in the evening, and staff do it for you. Lights stay on in the corridor all night, so bring an eye mask. Air-con runs cold, so pack a hoodie and long trousers. Each passenger gets a small bottle of water. A dining car is attached, though options for vegetarians are limited, so pack snacks. Alcohol is not officially permitted and smoking is prohibited. Toilets are airplane-style, and first class has a shower. Luggage up to 50 x 50 x 50 cm is the official size limit. Upper berths need a ladder, and boarding is steep. Trains 9 and 10 have one accessible second-class carriage with a lift. Book it early and confirm with SRT. Views are minimal on the early-morning trains, because most of the route is dark.

Arriving in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Railway Station is about a 40-minute walk from Tha Phae Gate, so you will want a ride. Red shared songthaew trucks are the cheapest choice. Fares are about ฿30, and up to about ฿50 for farther destinations, so verify locally. With luggage at 07:15, we would book a Grab from the station instead. Ask your hotel about early check-in or a luggage hold before you travel. Do not assume either is offered. Arriving at 04:05 on Train 109 makes this step essential. If you fly instead, our guide to airport transfer options covers the other route in. Once settled, see our tips for moving around the city.

• Train 9 (07:15): grab breakfast, then go straight to a luggage hold
• Train 13 (08:40): hotel luggage drop, then start sightseeing
• Train 109 (04:05): confirm early check-in before you commit

Mistakes to Avoid

A few errors cost travelers the most on this route.

• Searching D-Ticket for "Bangkok" instead of "Krung Thep Aphiwat"
• Leaving pajamas, chargers and medication in a bag under the seat after beds are made up
• Booking Train 109 without a plan for a 04:05 arrival
• Skipping the light layer despite cold air-con
• Treating any quoted fare or booking window as final without checking the railway site

Who Should Take the Train and Who Should Fly

Take the sleeper if you want to save a hotel night and your morning is flexible. Fly if you have a fixed morning appointment, limited mobility with no accessible berth booked, or you want scenery. More than 12 hours, a cold cabin, noise and little to see are honest drawbacks. For most itineraries we'd choose Train 9 and skip the others unless budget or views drive the decision.