To Chiang Mai By Train From Bkk!

[aridion]

I am flying into Bkk on a Saturday morning and hope to train it to CM. From the lonely planet book it says to book the tickets a week in advance. Is this really necessary? Is the sleeper train that busy in early April? Can we rock up at the train station and get a ticket to go to CM the same day?

Thanks for any help,

Aridion.

[theblether]

Remember it will be getting close to Songkran........I would book it to be on the safe side.

[aridion]

Remember it will be getting close to Songkran........I would book it to be on the safe side.

We travel on the 6th of April. It should be okay then, no?

[theblether]

I wouldn't bank on it.......there will be a mass exodus from BKK on the 10th and 11th of April......that will be fully booked for sure. There will also be a mass influx of people such as myself who will be flying in for Songkran.

You should be OK but why would you not want to be sure and book earlier?

[aridion]

I wouldn't bank on it.......there will be a mass exodus from BKK on the 10th and 11th of April......that will be fully booked for sure. There will also be a mass influx of people such as myself who will be flying in for Songkran.

You should be OK but why would you not want to be sure and book earlier?

Because I don't know how to book online from the UK. I have tried a google search but found nothing.

[Carib]

Give these ones one a try;

http://www.thairailticket.com/esrt/Default.aspx?language=1

http://www.thaifocus.com/travel/train/index.htm

[aridion]

Cheers ^

[bluebluewater]

I book early any more. It used to not be that way but not so much now.

If you are going to get the sleeper train I would strongly suggest a 2nd class AC sleeper and make sure you get the lower berth. If traveling with friends then all you should get a lower berth. Much more comfy.

Something else that had changed over the past couple of years if that the trains run late. A couple of hours late is now the norm.

[UbonOz]

I wouldn't bank on it.......there will be a mass exodus from BKK on the 10th and 11th of April......that will be fully booked for sure. There will also be a mass influx of people such as myself who will be flying in for Songkran.

You should be OK but why would you not want to be sure and book earlier?

Because I don't know how to book online from the UK. I have tried a google search but found nothing.

See www.seat61.com - very good info for any rail travel in the world

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God gave man a penis and a brain, unfortunately, did not give sufficient blood supply to run both at the same time.

[Dancealot]

I wouldn't bank on it.......there will be a mass exodus from BKK on the 10th and 11th of April......that will be fully booked for sure. There will also be a mass influx of people such as myself who will be flying in for Songkran.

You should be OK but why would you not want to be sure and book earlier?

The exodus starts earlier then that...

I traveled some 3 days before songkran to buriram before. It's a really slow and almost Buddhist meditative experience from which you never know when it's going to end.

But then my hobby is waiting, i acquired this in Thailand. It's become a great interest of mine.

[exeter]

Have a look on their site, I think its is www.railway.co.th if not just google state railways of Thailand and it should give you what to look for. Its a long trip but a good way to see the country, in the day or by sleeper and arrive refreshed I here good reports of the service.

[lomatopo]

We are already well within the 60 day advance purchase window for Songkhran travel. I went to Hua Lumphong earlier this month to buy tickets, arriving at 06:30 (ticket office opens at 8:30) and there were a couple hundred people waiting. Add to that there is no limit so there are brokers buying up hundreds of tickets. Needless to say I purchased air tickets; I'd recommend you do the same and make a booking NOW, maybe for Friday (6 April) morning, on Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways or Thai Air Asia.

I think it is safe to say the Friday, 6 April will be a peak travel day and you will not be able to purchase a ticket. There are cancellations and no-shows, 3rd class, etc. so there are always possibilities I guess.

[AZBill]

The train is no fun! Been there and done that and will never do it again.

[chris1970]

unless your a light sleeper the train is fine,

on some trains the lower bed is a bit wider and has a window.

the beds are 6 foot with walls at either end.

i have always slept well after a busy day in bkk.

if you wake up too early in the morning i guess that last 3-4 hours may not be very pleasent .

i recomend it over a bus purely because you can lie down properly.

the 22:00 train gets to chiang mai around mid day.

you may find the earlier train best.

i would book it too, what happens if they get fully booked and you have to wait in bkk or have to go on a bus or train with no bed.

[UbonOz]

Air Asia on Saturday to Chiang Mai - THB 2,190 plus bag and admin fee - Depart at 1550, 1835 and 2040.

There are earlier flights but dearer.

One hour and you are there. I know which one I would choose, AA.

[UbonOz]

Sorry, I misread your post as arriving this Saturday, missed the April bit.

Check Air Asia for the date you arrive, they have a sale, came out today. Never know your luck.

Can also check Nok Air and Thai Airways to compare.