Sleeper Train Bangkok to Chiang Mai: BEST Tips 2026

Find out everything you need to know about taking the overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Prepare yourself by finding out what to bring, how long it takes, ticket costs, what to expect, and more!

For a change of pace in Thailand, there’s no better option than swapping city for nature by heading north.

Now you’ll find plenty of ways to get there, but the sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is a rite of passage for backpackers in Southeast Asia, so you can’t miss it.

However, it’s a long journey! So mentally prepare yourself, and don’t feel too disappointed when you compare it to flying, as thats A LOT quicker.

The train’s all about the adventure, a bit of a local experience, and getting out of your comfort zone.

The most popular train is #9, which takes 12 hours, leaving at 18:40 and arriving at 07:15 the following morning.

Even though first class tickets are well worth it, they’re INCREDIBLY difficult to get your hands on, so set your exceptions for 2nd class.

Now, let’s get into all this, navigating the stations, the schedule, booking your tickets, and way more as I let you know all about the sleeper train to Chiang Mai!

What Station Do You Catch The Overnight Train From?

So theres a couple different stations you’ll be able to catch the sleeper train to Chiang Mai from.

However, depending on exactly where you’re staying in Bangkok and how much of an adventure you’d be keen on will affect where you leave from.

Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station In Bangkok

All trains from Bangkok to Chiang Mai now leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station. This is in the Chatuchak area, where you can also find the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Depending on where you’re staying, it’s likely you’ll need some sort of transport to get here, as it isn’t in a super touristy area.

If you are on Khao San Road, theres a few different options, and it’s only a 10-minute drive, of course, depending on traffic.

Grab Car To Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station In Bangkok

This may not be the cheapest, but it’ll for sure be the quickest and easiest!

The cost should only be around a few dollars, and if you have someone else to split the fare with, even better.

Bus & Skytrain To Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station In Bangkok

This is a bit of a combo option, but it’s the cheapest, allowing you to use public transport. However, this might be a bit of a hassle if you have quite a bit of luggage.

• Head from the Kong Salak stop near Khao San Road to Rongrian Pin Mongkhon Kansueksa stop on bus #203.
• Walk to the Skytrain at Bang Yi Khan Station.
• Catch the Skytrain to Bang Sue Station on the blue line, which takes around 10 minutes.
• Walk 5 minutes to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station.

Ayutthaya Station

Now, if you want to add one more adventure to your itinerary, you can explore Ayutthaya before traveling up to Chiang Mai.

I went to Ayutthaya for a day trip before my sleeper train! It also left me super tired, so no matter what, I got a good sleep on board!

Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal may be the main departure point, though the train also stops at Ayutthaya Station early on, so you don’t miss out on too much of the journey!

If you have never heard of Ayutthaya, it’s definitely worth checking it. It’s the former capital of Thailand until it was burned to the ground in 1767 by the Burmese.

Nevertheless, what remains is a UNESCO World Heritage site covering 289 hectares.

Nowadays, you can explore the impressive temples that cover this city. Hire a bike or go by boat, both are good options (though prepare to sweat via bike). Then, after a busy day of exploring, you can jump on board your overnight train to Chiang Mai.

Train Schedule Departing Bangkok And Arriving In Chiang Mai

5 different trains per day will take you to Chiang Mai. Each one leaves a slightly different time so you’ll have a bit more flexibility.

The earliest train departs at 8.30 am for Chiang Mai. Whereas the latest departs at 10 pm.

The most popular train time for travelers are definitely those that enable them to do the sleeper or overnight train experience.

It’s the cheaper way of travel as the train you would have to take anyway becomes your accommodation for the night. As a result, the overnight train time is often sold out a couple of weeks in advance.

The number #9 train is also one of the newest in the fleet and is for sure the most popular. This is the one you’ll need to book if you want that famous 1st Class A/C Cabin.

Also, #9 is a lot quieter than the others due to being electric, helping you get a good night’s sleep.

How Long Does The Overnight Train Bangkok To Chiang Mai Take?

No matter what, the overnight Train is a long journey covering over 750 kilometers.

There are a couple of different train options as above, and one of the other differences, apart from departure time, is the length of time it takes them to travel.

The quickest train is actually the morning train #7 at 11 hours. Even though it may take less time, I still recommend either train #9 or #13 for that proper overnight experience.

Both of these are 13 hours and allow you to wake up in a new city, refreshed and ready to explore.

Cost Of The Sleeper Train Ticket

Now you should know the prices you’ll pay direct at the Bangkok Train Station are cheaper than online.

This is because third-party agents add their commission on top. I know this can be a bit annoying, but it’s an evil necessity.

Especially when the overnight train is booked out weeks in advance!

There are a few different types of tickets which you can see below in the table.

The best options will be the 1st Class A/C Sleeper or the 2nd Class A/C Sleeper. I’ll cover the exact differences between these two further down in this post.

The question to ask yourself is, what value do you put on your privacy, and how much more are you willing to pay for this?

How To Book Your Overnight Train To Chiang Mai

Due to the popularity of the overnight train, you definitely will not be able to turn up on the day and expect to buy a ticket. Actually, it’ll be best to buy it weeks in advance!

This is especially so if you want to book the 1st Class A/C Sleeper or the 2nd Class A/C Sleeper.

Step 1. Where To Book Your Tickets

If you happen to be in Bangkok for a decent time before your journey, you can always buy tickets at the Train Station. However, if you’re traveling around before, it’s best to book online.

I, and a lot of other travelers, use 12.Go Asia to book transport in Thailand. They are one of the most popular platforms for booking your sleeper train journey.

What is awesome is that if you have a set itinerary and are 100% sure on the day you wish to depart, they allow booking 60+ days in advance. On their booking system, you can also check out reviews of past travelers taking that exact same journey, so you know what to expect.

You can book your tickets here by selecting the dates you wish to travel and the number of passengers.

Step 2. Find Your Train

Next up, you will be shown the booking page.

You’ll be shown a screen with the best options and other options.

Here, scroll down and click on “Trains” to see all the available train routes from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on your chosen date.

The two newer and nicer trains that run this route are Train #9 and Train #13.

For the nicest experience book one of these, they are also very well-timed for an overnight journey where you will arrive in Chiang Mai ready to start a new day.

In the shown journeys, you’ll be able to see each train number and its travel time, as well as the type of seats or berth available. Make sure to choose one that has air conditioning!

Step 3. Complete Your Booking

Now it’s time to confirm your train selection and enter your personal details.

Make sure your contact details are correct. This way 12.Go Asia can easily reach you by email or phone (you can enter an international number).

Fill in each passenger’s details, including first name, last name, passport number, gender, and seat preference. I recommend a lower berth for more room. However, the upper berth is best for privacy.

Below this, you’ll also enter where you wish to collect your tickets from. The options are either Chatuchak Park MRT Station or getting them delivered to a mainland Thailand address (including your Bangkok accommodation) for 100 THB.

Step 4. Be Patient

After purchasing the tickets to Chiang Mai, you’ll need to be patient.

It can take a few days to receive them as the 12Go Asia staff actually have to go pick up the physical tickets from the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), who operate the trains in Thailand.

Once they have, you’ll receive an email with your assigned seats, berth, and carriage.

It will also include information on how and where to collect the physical tickets if you selected this option. Otherwise they’ll post/deliver it to you.

Step 5. Collect Your Tickets & Board The Train

Now that your ticket is booked with 12.Go Asia, you’ll need to pick it up from their offices at Chatuchak Park MRT Station if you aren’t getting them delivered.

You can do so anytime from 3 days to 3 hours before your train departure time. Remember, this is a popular journey, so you likely won’t be the only one collecting your ticket!

However, this can be done right before your trip as you’re near the station anyway. This makes everything super convenient and stress-free for you.

To get there, I highly recommend using Grab since it’s super easy, basically being the Uber of Thailand. Otherwise, you can use the Skytrain to Chatuchak Park MRT Station, where the ticket office is for 12.Go Asia.

From the offices, it’s another 20-minute metro journey to Krung Thep Aphiwat station where the train leaves from.

What To Expect Staying In The 1st Class Cabins

The first-class cabins are perfect if you’re keen for a bit of privacy where you won’t be sleeping around a bunch of strangers.

This cabin is essentially a small room fit for 2 people. Though there are only 12 of these on the train so they do sell out fast!

Inside the room, you can find:

• Wifi
• Power socket
• Sink
• A bench seat that converts into beds (lower & upper berth)
• Mirror
• LCD touch screen with the route and stops (in English).

What’s super cool is that this screen is also an entertainment system and an alarm clock. Seriously you can even order food to be served in your room!

It’s worth noting you will still be sharing a bathroom with the others in the same carriage, but on the plus side, you’ll have a shower with hot water!

I know I always feel gross after a long journey, so being able to shower before arriving in Chiang Mai would be absolutely amazing!

The staff will pop around the cabins around 8 p.m. to show how to convert the seats to beds, and give out sheets, blankets, and pillows.

However, be aware that the cabins can get cold overnight, and you can’t control the A/C, so best bring some warm clothes as well.

One thing to note is that 1st class sleeper tickets from Bangkok to Chiang Mai are crazy hard to get your hands on. Currently, train #9 is the only option, and it has just one sleeper carriage with 12 cabins.

These tickets come on sale 30 days before departure at 08:30 a.m. Thai time, and will completely sell out within minutes.

My Experience In 2nd Class On The Sleeper Train

When on the sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, I booked a 2nd Class A/C Ticket.

The option is a lot cheaper than a 1st class ticket, though it also has air conditioning which makes a big difference. Plus, personally, for me, the pull across curtains creates all the privacy I need.

During the day until about 8 p.m., the train looks rather normal. However, after this, the staff convert all the seats into beds.

The upper berth is slightly smaller than the lower berth due to the shape of the carriage. So if you’re like me and enjoy the most space best to book the bottom.

It can also be difficult to get up and down without disturbing the person underneath you. Though Thai people are amazing and generally aren’t overly bothered by the disturbance.

A pillow, sheet, and blanket are provided for the journey. Though I found that even with the air con it actually got quite hot once you pulled over the curtain.

This curtain also does not block out much light and the lights are kept on all night. So if you’re like me, who likes it pitch black to sleep, I highly recommend bringing an eye mask.

Inside the lil compartments you’ll have a couple of plug sockets and a reading light. Once the beds are made, you can store your bags underneath the lower berth. However, definately keep anything valuable in the bed with you just to be safe.

There are shared bathrooms on each carriage. I was amazingly surprised at the cleanliness on board, and unfortunately, that wasn’t the case on all the train rides I have taken (especially in Vietnam).

The toilets were always sparkling clean and there was also even toilet paper. Something which is often a rarity.

You can check out my experience below:

Facilities Onboard On The Sleeper Train

• Bedding – YES, including a sheet, pillow, and blanket, and the staff will make the bed for you
• Toilets – YES, these are “Western-style” toilets, just remember to bring toilet paper
• Showers – NO
• Wifi – NO
• Electrical Socket – YES, you will find one per bunk
• Food – NO, unfortunately there is not a food cart onboard, so make sure to pack snacks
• Water – YES, usually you will be provided with one, however, pack extra just in case you don’t receive it
• Smoking – NO
• Alcohol – NO

What To Bring With You

Snacks: A necessity in any long journey, snacks! Even though there is a dining carriage on board, I highly recommend bringing your food and drink onboard just to be safe.

You’ll probably want something for the evening and, if you get super hungry in the mornings like me, something for breakfast.

This may be as simple as heading to 7/11 before boarding the train and buying a couple of sandwiches and some chips.

Lock: It’s just safest, no matter where you are traveling to get a lock for your bag. You can take this one step further by buying an anti-theft backpack.

Eye Mask: If you’re in 2nd class, I highly recommend wearing an eye mask since it’s still quite light even when you pull the curtain across.

Entertainment: Now, you’re in 1st class, you will have a LCD screen, though this just has Thai TV playing. The best bet is to bring your phone with Netflix downloaded for some good binging time.

Warm Clothes: This is especially so if you’re in 1st class and feel the cold, since you can’t control the AC. So, best to bring along a jacket and pants.

SIM Card: Make sure you take advantage of the super cheap internet access in Thailand by buying a SIM card. You can do this when you arrive at the airport or just visit one of the many phone stores or 7/11s.

Also these days esims are an absolute godsend, and save you the hassle of waiting round at the airport.

Chiang Mai Train Station To The Old Town

You’ll arrive at the Chiang Mai train station, however good chance you’ll actually be staying in The Old Town, about 2 km away.

This is the main touristy area where you can find plenty delicious restaurants, the famous Sunday Night Market, and beautiful temples.

Having traveled all night, good chance you won’t want to walk, so thankfully, there’s other options:

Songthaew: It’s super easy to grab a Songthaew, which is the local way to get around. Just look for a bright red pickup truck and tell them where you want to go.

You’ll be sharing with others, so chances are you’ll be driving around, dropping people off before you. It can take a lil time.

Grab Taxi: For a direct ride book a taxi through the Grab App. Like Uber, the driver will pick up and drop off right where you specify. It’s easy to get around, and prices are pretty affordable.

FAQs About Taking An Overnight Train To Chiang Mai

Wrap Up: Taking The Sleeper Train From Bangkok To Chiang Mai

Now you should know all you could ever want about taking the sleeper train from Bangkok to Chaing Mai.

Whether that happens to be how to buy tickets, what the bathrooms are like, and how to get a good night’s sleep.

This is certainly my favorite way to travel! I’m a sucker for an overnight train. Just make sure to bring your eye mask, some earplugs, and get ready to be rocked to sleep!

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• How To Travel From Bangkok To Chiang Mai
• Taking The Overnight Sleeper Train From Bangkok to Chiang Mai
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• 2 Days In Bangkok Itinerary
• Day Trip To Ayutthaya From Bangkok
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