a train question... chiang mai to korat

[bina]

anybody done it? experiences? im looking for a cheap way to get to korat, and when i mean cheap, 300 $ is too much for me (cost of one way flight to buriram and then from there to take a bus).... so am definately looking for cheapo... sleeper or economic sleeper... dont need luxury, just a place to sleep and im short. in general, who uses the trains?

are teh vip busses better? (either way its a long long trip)/

[craigt3365]

I've never taken a train here in Thailand. So can't comment on that. But the reason I've never done so is the buses are so much faster. And you've got more options. Some of the VIP buses are really nice. I think you'd have more options with a bus than you'd have with the train. And the buses are fairly cheap. My 2 cents worth...

But yes, it's a long journey!

[hansnl]

If you like to really lay down on a good bed, take a first class sleeper.

If your wishes don't go that far, take a second class airco sleeper.

The route:

Chiang Mai to Bangkok.by nighttrain CM Dep 16:30 or 17:50; Arr 06:40 or 07:00 (first and second class)

Bangkok to Korat Dep dep : 10:05 Arr 14:27 (2nd class seaters only)

Or spend a day in Korat and take the nighttrain from Bangkok to Korat.

Not my choice, you will arrive in the middle of the night, 01:30 or something like that.

I lve in Khon Kaen, go to Bangkok from time to time, by train.

Buses are faster, indeed, but take 6-7 hours, and no bed.

Did the CM-BKK train a few times, liked it.

[CNXBKKMAN]

I have done the bus chiang mai to korat. It was air conditioned , took all day 0800 till 1800-1900. I can't remember the time exactly. Glad when you get off but cheap and the job done.

I have done the train CM BKK many times in all classes. If you have never done the train I would say try it. I prefer the day trains as you can actually see a bit of Thailand. CM to phitsanulok is hilly and more varied. I have done train BKK to korat but never the the two journeys back to back. This is another slow journey for the distance involved. I would say the bus BKK to korat is always better than the train. They depart every 15 minutes and take 3 hours or so.

Take the bus to korat, then the bus to BKK and the train back to CM or the other way round.

[Lieberdavid]

I have taken the train from Chiang Mai to Korat: 1st class sleeper from CM to BKK and then 2nd class day train from BKK to Korat. I enjoy train travel and travel by train whenever I reasonably can. The part of the trip from CM to BKK is long, but you spend most of it comfortably asleep in bed. When awake you are able to relax, stretch out your legs, go to the restaurant car or just move about. You have quiet, comfort, and privacy. The fares are very low by western standards.

In Thailand it is true that the buses do run more frequently and usually are quicker on the same routes. You pay a lot for that hour or two saved, however. Even in so-called "luxury" buses, if there is such a thing, you are squashed into an uncomfortable seat, jam packed against your seat mate, unable to lie down, unable to move about, subjected to the noises of all the other passengers, often at the mercy of a TV set blaring noise throughout the whole bus and throughout the trip. You are unable to sleep, and you are at the mercy of the bus driver, many of whom behave unprofessionally and drive recklessly. Serious accidents involving buses in Thailand are not unusual.

Travel by bus is at best a grim experience, and in Thailand it is worse still. Train travel is pleasant and relaxing, and is always the better choice for travel if circumstances permit.

[my friend I]

Change trains at Ban Pachi Junction or Ayudha. No need to go to Bangkok.

[asanee]

You pay a lot for that hour or two saved, however. Even in so-called "luxury" buses, if there is such a thing, you are squashed into an uncomfortable seat,

Travel by bus is at best a grim experience, and in Thailand it is worse still. Train travel is pleasant and relaxing, and is always the better choice for travel if circumstances permit.

Oh dear-the railway jehova's at work again. in THIS case the bus does NOT take the same route-its an awful lot quicker-: train 14+5 hrs, direct bus 10 hrs (Nakorn Chai air) and also offers deluxe buses. Thats half the time for also about half the money. At least be honest and clear and do not twist facts like RYAnair does with fares.

[bina]

ah. so when does the change of trains occur if its a night train? no way i want to go to bangkok just to get to korat... have done the korat bus to bangkok sevaral times... i dont care about the crowd or noise, but dont want an extra three/four hours...

the other possibility is someone has offerred me a place in khon kaen, ive never been, so would be also nice. hubby hates travel in any way shape or form so its me travelling before hanging in his village.... so if i were to go by 'bus'? or train? to khon kaen, then to korat by bus?....

i know that sounds wierd but in israel most israelis have been every single place in israel because its so small and they tend to travel a lot on day trips and overnites, even if its just to go to a a small town for a restaraunt or to see some small historic thing... therefore my interest in stopping along the way to see other facets of thailand. they dont have to be tourist sites as such...

plus money is a factor. i know flights go to khon kaen but not in price range if i want to do other things along the way... and not pressed for time....

[CNXBKKMAN]

If you want the lowest price take the train third class. Day trains only and break the journey up. So first chiang mai to phitsanulok and stay there for one night. Next take a day train to lopburi or ayutthaya? Again stay one night. Next day train to korat. The train fares will be super cheap. You will have to spend some money on accommodation but that can be cheap too and you get to see Thailand

. Book your train tickets in advance, 3 days and its cheaper from memory?. Third class travel in the day for upto 5 hours or so is fine however it could be really hot at this time of the year. Any other time of year except now the hot season would be better to do this kind of trip.

[bina]

back again: third class, no a/c in the heat... not for me anymore... i am hardy but not that hardy...

someone mentioned a switch? Change trains at Ban Pachi Junction or Ayudha

how do i organize this? does it shorten the ride? if this is the case, i would take the day train and watch through my window and enjoy the train ride.

if not, i would take the night train to bkk, then eithre train ? or bus to korat (been there doen that and every time its the same darn movie ... years apart)...then spend rest of the day recuperating at family's house...

third option, the expensvie route, is plane back to bkk, then taxi to mo chit then bus, or train from airport (is there one?)... and if so, do i ahve to book in advance? for some of this i would prefer to book when already in thailand cause not sure how long and where i am staying some of the days there. (couchsurfing more or less, no hotels, i hate them (i work in one) and prefer to visit with people that i know or am in contact with here)...

[my friend I]

There is a morning 8.45 Sprinter[ DRC 12] out of CM that will get you to Ayudya about 7pm. This train can be cold. You would need to book as it fills up. Many places to stay just opposite Ayudya train station. Turn left to a high rise building about 200 yards is an ok hotel. Saves at least 2 hours going to Bangkok then another 2 hours back.

A DRC comes thru Ayudya at 7am bound for Ubon via Korat. Also best to book in advance tho not usually full.

If you fly to Don Muang the train station is over the road via a walkway.