Does anyone have any experience of the train that arrives early morning in Chiang Mai from Bangkok? I need to know whether it is habitually late (if so, by how much), arrives on time, arrives early or whatever. Is it pot luck? Thanks

If it leaves BKK an hour late, it makes up time and it really shakes, rattles 'n rolls!

It's reasonably on time usually. No crazy hour long delays anymore since they updated the schedule, and especially not in the dry season.

It can easily be 20 minutes or so late though; you can call the station to check the current expected arrival time.

If you're picking people up then it's also good if you ask them to call you when they get to Lamphun, then it's another 25 mins to Chiang Mai.

Thanks for your help guys!

As a sample, this is somewhat typical. (This is the board that shows the updated actual ETAs on the day) Some arriving on time, the #1 Special Express was 25 minutes late.

As for the #13 Special Express.. it kind of depends which time table you go by. Many have it as arriving at 8:40, but others show 9:45 in which case it would be on time.

Note: It's not a bad thing when the #13 arrives a bit later: more time to watch the mountain views between Phrae (Den Chai)and Chiang Mai! In the #1 train it's dark until you get really close to Chiang Mai.