The #171 at 13:00, the #31 or the #37? Does any of the Express Trains have modern wagons? The #171 has the old rolling stock. and those 3rd class passenger storm the aircon sleeper wagons with impunity.

 

A friend wants to visit me tomorrow, so time is short. Hope someone can post a quick answer.

 

Thank you in anticipation!

https://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm

Sent from my SM-J710F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

As a frequent traveller on this route I would recommend the overnight sleeper ,Train 45, departing Hualamphong,at 15.10pm ,normally from Platform 5 . My destination is always Padang Besar-Penang , but if on time , this sleeper reaches HatYai around 8am next morning ,though mechanical gremlins can often make this an hour or two later .The train makes a long stop in HatYai as several coaches are unhitched there before the onward journey to Padang Besar.

Try to book a lower berth ...

Fare is 960 baht .

Agree, the 15:10 train is perfect.

It's a beautiful journey, which allows you to spend a few daytime hours enjoying the views and get a good night sleep as well.

45 is the more modern Chinese built coaches, which ride much better than the older Japanese ones, would recommend it too'

 

I've never ridden it on that route , but rode on similar stock back from ubon last night. 

Does it still get freezing cold on the air con trains? I have done that route many times in years gone by and sometimes it was really chilly, so just in case, make very sure some warm clothing is taken on the train.

 

Simon

Edited November 10, 20187 yr by Simon1287

On 11/10/2018 at 2:28 PM, tebee said:

45 is the more modern Chinese built coaches, which ride much better than the older Japanese ones, would recommend it too'

 

I've never ridden it on that route , but rode on similar stock back from ubon last night. 

The No 31 to Hat Yai has certainly got the brand new carriages, I was on it last week. The train to Padang Besar does not have first class and as far as I am aware is still the older carriages, there are several versions of those and comfort does vary a bit.