Bangkok Day Trips: Six Easy Escapes by Train

Go to Ayutthaya: it is the easiest day trip from Bangkok. The first train leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat at 05:15, the park opens at 08:00, and a foreign visitor pays THB 80 for the ordinary ticket. The other five trips below suit different moods.

If you only have one day, go to Ayutthaya: the first train leaves Bangkok at 05:15. The other five trips below suit different moods, so skim for the one that fits.

Ayutthaya, the easy one

The Historical Park is open every day from 08:00 to 18:00. A foreign visitor pays THB 80 for the ordinary ticket, and a combination ticket costs THB 300. Every site is covered in Ayutthaya Historical Park tickets.

Trains leave Krung Thep Aphiwat all day, and the last train back to Bangkok leaves Ayutthaya at 19:59. Chao Sam Phraya National Museum charges foreigners THB 150 on top of the park ticket.

Bang Pa-In Palace, if you want a short stop

The palace sits on the same northern line as Ayutthaya. The train that leaves Bangkok at 05:15 reaches Bang Pa-in at 06:16, well before the palace opens. The palace is open 08:00 to 16:00 every day.

Dress properly: sleeveless tops, short skirts, leggings and backless slippers are not allowed, though you can borrow a wrap-around skirt or shirt at the gate.

Kanchanaburi, for the history and the waterfalls

Take the 07:45 train from Thonburi station and you reach the Kwai Yai Bridge at 10:35. The way back is the 14:43 train from Kanchanaburi, which gets to Thonburi at 17:40. A bus is the alternative, running every 15 minutes from the Southern Terminal between 04:00 and 20:30.

The war cemetery is open 08:00 to 17:00 on weekdays. Erawan Falls costs a foreign adult THB 300. If you plan to ride beyond the bridge towards Nam Tok, call SRT on 1690 first, because floodwater closed the line past Tha Kilen in September.

Damnoen Saduak, for the boats

Damnoen Saduak is about 80 kilometres from Bangkok. Go early: vendors row out around 7:00 a.m., and the market closes at noon. No bus route is listed, so ask your hotel which bus to take.

Maeklong, for the train through the market

The market is open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and entry is free. Vendors pull their umbrellas back the moment a train comes, and trains arrive at Mae Klong at 08:30, 11:10, 14:30 and 17:40.

To get there from Bangkok:

1. Take the 05:30 train from Wongwian Yai to Maha Chai.
2. Cross by ferry from Mahachai to the Ban Laem side.
3. Catch the 07:30 train from Ban Laem, which reaches Mae Klong at 08:30.

On the way back, the last train from Maha Chai to Wongwian Yai leaves at 19:00.

Khao Yai, for a day in the forest

Khao Yai is about 200 km northeast of Bangkok. A foreign adult pays THB 400, and the ticket is good for one day only. The park is open 06:00 to 18:00.

Without a car, take the North-eastern line to Pak Chong, then a songthaew to the park. The first train leaves at 06:10, and the last train back from Pak Chong leaves at 19:48. A bus from Pak Chong costs THB 15. Details are in our Khao Yai National Park guide and the national park fees page.

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Not confirmed: Train and bus fares: check the fare at the station before you travel. Bang Pa-In foreign entry fee: only the Thai fee is published, so confirm the foreign price at the gate. Damnoen Saduak bus: ask your hotel for times and fare.

Prices, timetables and opening hours change; check with the operator before you travel. See how guides are checked.

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