Overnight Sleeper Train From Bangkok to Chiang Mai: How To Survive

Find out everything you need to know about taking the overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

Be prepared for the overnight journey by finding out what to bring, how long it takes, ticket costs, what to expect, and more on this overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai!

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After checking out the capital of Thailand, Bangkok, it’s time to join the hoards of traveling looking to get amongst nature by heading North.

It’s an epic trip from the bustling cityscape of Bangkok, the vibrant capital of Thailand, to the serene, cultural heartland of Chiang Mai, a charming city nestled in the mountainous region of northern Thailand.

Chiang Mai is the main city in Northern Thailand and is the main starting point for discovering the smaller provinces and their hidden gems. As you bid farewell to the urban jungle, get ready to be enchanted by the tranquil beauty of Chiang Mai.

Surrounded by lush greenery and misty mountains, this cultural gem offers a glimpse into Thailand’s rich heritage and traditions.

Take a leisurely stroll through the old city walls and discover hidden temples, like Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, where you can soak in breathtaking panoramic views of the city below.

Now there are plenty of ways to get there, but the sleeper train Bangkok to Chiang Mai is a right of passage for travelers in Southeast Asia.

It’s a long journey for sure, especially compared to the other options to travel to Chiang Mai such as flying. Though it makes for an excellent experience on some modern trains co-living with the locals and enjoying some awesome early morning scenery.

The overnight sleeper train is a must for travelers in Thailand and you will find out all you need to know in this post.

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Overnight Sleeper Train From Bangkok To Chiang Mai: What You Need To Know

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🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Thailand: 12Go Asia

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What Station To Catch The Sleeper Train From In Bangkok

There are a couple of different options for stations when it comes to catching the sleeper train to Chiang Mai.

Depending on where exactly you are staying in Bangkok and how much of an adventure you’d like to have before going on your overnight journey will be the deciding factors.

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Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station, Bangkok

All trains from Bangkok to Chiang Mai now depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station. This station can be found in the Chatuchak area, also known for the popular Chatuchak Weekend Markets.

This is a change from the original Hua Lamphong station, also known as Bangkok Railway station which they have departed from for years before this.

Depending on where you are staying it is likely you will need to take some form of transport to access Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station as it is not located in a super touristy area.

If you are staying on Khao San Road there are a few different options you could take, and it is only a 10-minute drive away depending on traffic.

The first is using a Grab car. This may not be the cheapest, but it will for sure be the quickest and easiest method of transportation. The cost should only be around a few dollars and if you have someone else to split the fare with even better!

The second option will be via public bus and Skytrain.

You will need to head from Kong Salak stop to Rongrian Pin Mongkhon Kansueksa stop on bus 203. This will connect you to the Skytrain at Bang Yi Khan. From here you will need to take the metro to Bang Sue MRT Station on the blue line.

Which should only take around 10 minutes. From here is a 5-minute walk to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station. However, this might be a bit of a hassle if you have quite a bit of luggage.

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🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Thailand: 12Go Asia

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Ayutthaya Station

Now if you want to add in one more adventure before you start your overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai head to Ayutthaya.

I did a day trip to Ayutthaya prior to my sleeper train to Chiang Mai and it was a great way to spend a day.

It also left me super tired ensuring no matter what I got a good sleep on the train!

Bangkok Train Station may be the first stop, though the train also stops at Ayutthaya Station shortly in so you don’t miss out on too much of the journey!

If you have never heard of Ayutthaya before you’ll be in for a surprise. This was actually the former capital of Thailand until it was burned to the ground in 1767 by the Burmese. Nevertheless, what remains in a UNESCO World Heritage site covering 289 hectares.

Nowadays you can explore the impressive temples which cover this city. Hire a bike or go by boat, both are good options. Then after a busy day of exploring you can jump onboard your overnight train to Chiang Mai.

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Train Schedule From Bangkok To Chiang Mai

There are 5 different trains per day that will take you directly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Each one leaves at a slightly different time allowing for a bit more flexibility depending on your plan.

As you will see the earliest train departs at 8.30 am for Chiang Mai. Whereas the latest departs at 10 pm. The most popular train times for travelers to take are definitely those that enable them to do the sleeper or overnight train experience.

It is the cheaper way of travel as the train you were going to have to take anyway becomes your accommodation for the night. As a result, the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is often sold out a couple of weeks in advance at the best of times.

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 will need to book if you want a 1st Class A/C Cabin.

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

Train Number	Depart Bangkok	Arrive Chiang Mai	Service
7	09:05	19:30	Special Express
109	14:15	04:05	Rapid
9	18:40	07:15	Special Express
13	20:05	08:40	Special Express
51	22:30	12:10	Express

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

No matter what the overnight Train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is a long journey. It actually covers 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 No 7. Even though it may take less time, being only 11 hours.

It is still recommended you take either train 9 or 13 for the overnight experience. Both of these will take you 13 hours and allow you to wake up in a new city.

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Bangkok To Chiang Mai Sleeper Train Ticket Cost

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

This is because of a third-party agent adding 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 during the busy station.

There are a few different types of tickets which you can see below in the table.  The best options will either be the 1st Class A/C Sleeper or the 2nd Class A/C Sleeper.

I will 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?

Fare Type	Online Price	Station Price
1st Class A/C Sleeper	1,753 to 1,903 THB	1,446 to 2,446 THB
2nd Class A/C Sleeper	1,011 to 1,291 THB	768 to 1,038 THB
2nd Class A/C Seat	891 THB	638 THB
2nd Class Fan Seat	831 THB	428 THB

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🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Thailand: 12Go Asia

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How To Book An Overnight Train Bangkok To Chiang Mai

Due to the popularity of the overnight train to Chiang Mai, you definitely will not be able to turn up on the day and expect to buy a ticket. Actually, it will 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.

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Step 1. Where To Book Your Tickets

If you happen to be in Bangkok for a decent period of time before your journey you can always buy tickets at the Bangkok Train Station. However if you are traveling around prior it is 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 services when it comes to booking your overnight train to Chiang Mai 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.

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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 which 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 will 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!

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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 so 12.Go Asia can touch base with you either 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 will 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.

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Step 4. Be Patient

After purchasing the tickets to Chiang Mai you will need to be patient. It can take a few days to receive them as the 12Go Asia staff have to go pick up the physical tickets from the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) which operates the trains in Thailand.

Once they have, you will 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 select this option. Alternatively, they will post/deliver it to you.

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Step 5. Collect Your Tickets & Board The Train

Now that your ticket is booked with 12.Go Asia is that you will need to pick up your tickets from their offices at Chatuchak Park MRT Station.

You can do so anytime between 3 days and 3 hours prior to 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 journey as you are near the station anyway. This makes everything super convenient and stress-free for you.

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

From the offices its another 20-minute metro journey to Krung Thep Aphiwat station.

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Staying In 1st Class On The Bangkok To Chiang Mai Overnight Train

The first-class cabins are perfect if you prefer your privacy or perhaps aren’t comfortable sleeping, near other people. The First-class cabin is a room fit for 2 people. Though there are only 12 of these rooms on the train so they do sell out fast!

Inside the room, you can find wifi, a plug point, a sink, a bench seat that converts into beds (lower & upper berth), a mirror, and a personal LCD touch screen displaying the route and satellite information (in English).

What’s super cool is that this LCD display is also a multimedia system for entertainment, an alarm clock. Seriously you can even order food to be served in your room!

You will be sharing a bathroom with the other travelers in the 1st Class A/C Cabins. This bathroom also has a shower with hot water. I know I always feel gross after a long transport journey so being able to shower in the morning before arriving in Chiang Mai would be absolutely amazing!

The train personnel will pop around the cabins around 8 p.m. and show you how to convert the seats into your beds for the evening. They will also provide bedding in the form of a sheet, blanket, and pillow.

However, be aware the cabins can get cold overnight and you cannot control the A/C so best to bring some warm clothes on board 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.

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

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Staying In 2nd Class On The Sleeper Train Bangkok To Chiang Mai

When I traveled on the sleeper train from Bangkok To Chiang Mai I decided to book 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, up until about 8 p.m., the train looks rather normal. However, after this time, the train personnel will start converting all the seats into beds.

The upper berth is slightly smaller than the lower berth due to the curvature of the train carriages. 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 when you pulled over the curtain.

The curtain also does not block out much light as 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 berths themselves, each person will have a couple of plug sockets and a reading light. Once the beds are made you can store your suitcases or bags underneath the lower berth. However, I recommend keeping anything valuable in the bed with you just to be safe.

There are shared bathroom facilities on each carriage. I was amazingly surprised at the cleanliness on board as well and unfortunately, that wasn’t been 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:

Overnight Train From Bangkok To Chiang Mai... 13 Hour Journey!

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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

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🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Thailand: 12Go Asia

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What To Bring With You

Snacks: A necessity in any long journey, snacks! Even though there is a diner carriage on board I highly recommend bringing your own food and drink onboard just to be safe. There isn’t too much of a range available in the carriage.

So if you bring your own at least you know there is food for you to eat. 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 prior to boarding the sleeper train to Chiang Mai and buying a couple of sandwiches and some chips.

Lock: It is just safest no matter where you are traveling or what transport method you are using to get a lock for your bag. You can take this one step further by buying an anti-theft backpack to ensure your belongings are kept safe.

I have even seen people travel with a massive bike lock to keep their things safe, though I do think this one is going a bit over the top.

Eye Mask: If you are going to be staying in 2nd class I highly recommend bringing along an eye mask. It is still quite light even when you pull the curtain across. So having an eye mask with you will allow you to get a peaceful night’s sleep and be refreshed for your first day in Chiang Mai.

Entertainment: Now if you’re staying in 1st class you will have access to an LCD entertainment screen, though this just has Thai television shows playing. The best bet will be bringing along your phone with Netflix downloaded for some good binging time.

Download a few TV shows before you leave your accommodation. Oh and make sure you bring headphones! Don’t be THAT person.

Warm Clothes: This is especially so if you’re in 1st class so feel the cold quite a lot. As mentioned you do not have control of the air conditioner temperature.

So, best to bring along a jacket and pants which you in case you get chilly during the night. Even if you don’t wear them onboard best to have them in an easy-to-reach spot in your bag so you can easily pull them out if required.

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

Doing so will allow you to use your mobile data while on the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. It can sometimes be difficult to sleep on trains, especially while in movement, so being able to endlessly scroll on Facebook until you are tired can be a godsend.

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Chiang Mai Train Station To The Old Town

Once you have taken the sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai you will likely need to find your way to the old town where the majority of travelers choose to stay. This will ensure you are near all the popular attractions and restaurants.

The Chiang Mai Train Station can be found at Wat Ket, Mueang Chiang Mai District. This is approximately 2 – 3 kilometers from the old town. Though after traveling all night you likely won’t want to walk so let’s look at your options:

Songthaew: It is easy enough to grab a Songthaew from the train station. Just look for a bright red pickup truck and let them know exactly where you want to go.

These are the main public transportation in Chiang Mai and provide an affordable and easy way to travel around the city. You will be sharing this ride with other people so you may be driven for a while dropping people off so just be aware of that.

Grab Taxi: If you are looking for a direct ride from the train station to Old City you are best to take a Grab Taxi. Similar to Uber, you order a ride on the app and the driver will pick you up and drop you off at your Chiang Mai hostel. It’s easy to get around and prices are generally a few dollars per journey.

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🚗 How I Book Cheap Transport In Thailand: 12Go Asia

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FAQs About The Bangkok To Chiang Mai Sleeper Train

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Where To Stay In Chiang Mai?

When choosing where to stay in Chiang Mai you are spoilt for choice. So, no matter your budget or the type of traveler you are there is something to fit all your needs.

I choose to stay within the confines of the Old City when deciding where to stay in Chiang Mai. This is the best location if you are staying for a short period or this is your first time visiting.

On my most recent visit, I stayed at De Lanna Hotel. This is a mid-range hotel located in the heart of Old City. Though, if you are thinking about living in Chiang Mai you will want to stay further afield in such places as Nimman.

The Common Hostel A modern and upscale hostel. From $13.00 per night including a fab breakfast. BOOK NOW	Stay With Hug Poshtel A favorite with travelers. A hostel with all the amenities, from $6.00 per night. BOOK NOW
De Lanna Hotel Beautiful private rooms for $25.00 per night and in the heart of the city with a pool. BOOK NOW	Vieng Mantra Hotel A walk from the city attractions, starting from $18.00 per night with an amazing pool. BOOK NOW

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Ready To Take The Bangkok To Chiang Mai Sleeper Train

Now you should know all you could ever want about taking the sleeper train Bangkok to Chaing Mai. Whether that happens to be how to buy tickets, what are the bathrooms like, and how to get a good nights sleep.

This is certainly my favorite way to travel, I am a sucker for an overnight train journey. Just make sure to bring your eye mask and some earplugs for a good night’s sleep!

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