Bangkok to Chiang Mai Train: Berths From THB 688, Train 9 at 18:40

Train 9 leaves Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) at 18:40 and arrives in Chiang Mai at 07:15 the next morning. A 2nd class air-conditioned sleeper berth on it costs THB 938 upper or THB 1,038 lower. Cheaper overnight berths start at THB 688 on train 109.

By Vincent Nguyen and team

Trains from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Five northbound trains have a Chiang Mai arrival time: 7, 109, 9, 13 and 51. All leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat. Other northern line trains leave the same station but have no Chiang Mai arrival printed.

Train 7 reaches Chiang Mai the day it leaves, and its only coach type is a 2nd class air-conditioned seating coach. The four overnight trains all carry sleeper coaches.

Which train to pick

For a day trip take train 7, which leaves at 07:30 and arrives at 17:50. For a night in a berth with a morning arrival, train 9 arrives at 07:15 and train 13 at 08:45.

Train 109 leaves at 14:15 and arrives at 04:00, with a 2nd class berth from THB 688. Train 51 leaves at 22:30 and arrives at 11:40.

On a tight budget, a 3rd class fan seat on train 109 costs THB 230. Train 9 also carries a 2nd class sleeper coach for passengers with disabilities at the same berth fares.

Sleeper fares by train

The 2nd class air-conditioned sleeper is on all four overnight trains, and the lower berth costs more than the upper on each. Train 9 has the highest fare and train 109 the lowest.

For a 2nd class sleeper the booking system shows a base fare of THB 278 plus a train fee that differs by train. The train fee is THB 250 on train 9, THB 190 on train 13, THB 150 on train 51 and THB 110 on train 109.

First class, seats and the women’s coach

Only trains 9 and 13 have a 1st class sleeper. On train 9 a berth costs THB 1,446 upper or THB 1,646 lower, and a whole room THB 2,446. On train 13 a berth costs THB 1,246 upper or THB 1,446 lower, and a whole room THB 1,946.

If you want a seat, not a berth, use the table below.

Train 9 carries a 2nd class sleeper coach for women and children, at the same THB 938 upper and THB 1,038 lower.

Stops on the way

An overnight train passes Ayutthaya, Phitsanulok and Nakhon Lampang before Chiang Mai. Train 9 is listed at Ayutthaya at 19:45, at Phitsanulok at 00:17 and at Nakhon Lampang at 05:00. Lamphun, the last stop before Chiang Mai, is listed at 06:50.

Train 13 is listed at Nakhon Lampang at 06:38 and Lamphun at 08:21. Train 51 is listed there at 09:31 and 11:16. Train 109 is listed at Nakhon Lampang at 01:57 and Lamphun at 03:36.

Trains back from Chiang Mai

Five trains run south from Chiang Mai to Krung Thep Aphiwat. Trains 52, 14 and 10 arrive the next morning, and trains 102 and 8 arrive the same evening.

Train 10 costs THB 938 upper or THB 1,038 lower in 2nd class sleeper. Train 14 costs THB 768 or THB 838, and train 52 costs THB 728 or THB 798.

Train 8 has only 2nd class air-conditioned seats at THB 558. Train 102 has no sleeper: a 2nd class fan seat costs THB 388 and a 3rd class seat THB 230. Nakhon Lampang is listed at 20:24 on train 10, 19:19 on train 14 and 18:04 on train 52.

Discounts and tickets bought on board

Children taller than 100 cm and up to 150 cm pay 50 percent of the fare, not including fees. The senior discount is for Thai nationals aged 60 and over, from 1 June to 30 September, so a foreign passenger does not get it.

Buy before you board. A passenger found on a Special Express, Express or Rapid train without a ticket pays the fare plus THB 250.

Booking the Chiang Mai train

A ticket for 60 percent or more of the train’s distance can be bought up to 90 days ahead. SRT’s own example is Bangkok to Nakhon Sawan, 246 km on a 751 km train, which can be bought within 30 days. A trip of 25 to 59 percent is bought within 30 days.

The booking asks for the traveller’s ID card or passport number and phone number. SRT’s hotline is 1690. Fees and refunds are covered in the Thai train booking guide.

For Chiang Mai itself, read the Chiang Mai first-time guide.

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Not confirmed: Food, bedding and luggage rules for the overnight trains are not published on the SRT pages read for this guide, so ask when you book or call the hotline. The fares above are what the booking system showed for one November departure; check the date you plan to travel.

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

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