Bangkok - Chiang mai overnight train,have u used it?

train is better

It depends on when you plan to travel by train. I was there two years ago about 2 to 3 weeks before Loi Krathong days. My sister in Thailand right away took me from the airport in Bangkok to the train station to book the overnight first class train to Chiang Mai. Even then (2 1/2 weeks ahead of the holiday), they only had a few tickets left. Forget about the 2nd class tickets, they were gone already. Plan your trip away from thai special days like Thai new year days which land on April 13, 14 and 15. If you really want to celebrate Thai New year in Chiang Mai then purchase your ride tickets at least 3 weeks ahead of time. By the way, the train ride was wonderful. We have our own stall with lockable door, but no private bathroom. There's a sink inside the room though and around 7 to 8 p.m. there's a service guy came around to turn the seats into the beds for us. Also, he came again in the morning around 6.30 a.m. to put up the beds into seats. Book early and enjoy. First class train tickets are recommended.

The overnight train to/from Bangkok is a great and cheap way to get to Chiang Mai. This is the perfect class on the train, extremely comfortable and not as expensive as first class, and if you ask me its cleaner than first class. The train is extremely clean. The beds appear to not even exist at first but fold into comfortable beds. The mattresses on the trains are better than in most guesthouses! You get a blanket, pillow, sheets, and personal light. On the bottom bed you get the window, so I really recommend getting this bed, aircon or not. This is the best way to get/to Chiang Mai from Bangkok.

I don't know which is the cheapest thai airlines but I took Thai airways from BKK to Chiang Mai. Their services were warm and great. If you don't mind to pay a bit more, I really suggest you take Thai airways, it is also safer because it is a bigger plane and the internal furbish was great. If not, you can hire the local bus or coach driver to drive you up there but I think the price is as quite expensive and the time taken will be so much longer than taking a plane. It is as good as spending so much money but not taking a plane and with such a long travelling time.

I lived in Thailand for nearly two years.

Flying within Thailand is cheap and fast.

Would you really want to take a long train ride, meaning you'll have to use your laptop case as a pillow, and worry about your belongings while you sleep? They will steal an odd-sock out there you know.

I beg you not to take the bus. Thailand's road quality, and driving etiquette is not for the faint-hearted. But if your broke....no choice, I guess.

AND apply for a 3-month visa BEFORE you go, if you intend to stay any amount of time over 1 month. New rules came into effect in October, and even Phuket immigration were at a loss to explain them to the Phuket Gazette [a great source of info by the way].

Search for plane tickets asap.

Good luck, and keep it wrapped up.

Have done overnight train from Bangkok to Sarutani 2nd class twice and going again 2wks time, would not travel any other way fantastic! No need to book but we do it from an agent as soon as we arrive in Bangkok, just gives you peace of mind, as we go to Kanchanaburi for 5 days first. Bed linen is spotlessly clean and you have the privacy of curtains, they bring beers and food around all the time and you can order breakfast. We are going to Thailand for third time for three weeks, we absolutely love it and the trains are unbelievably cheap! Enjoy Chang Mai, that is our next venture and we are pensioners! (well, only just). Regards. Susie

I doubt you have to book a train in advance because when I was in thailand and I rode the trains there it was definitely not full and we had plenty of room. I wouldn't go on a night time train though because it's a little risky in Thailand. Put it this way if I got hit on in the day light time by the TRAIN POLICE! Then imagine how much worse it is at night time. When I was there I made sure I traveled in a group at night because there was creepy people. I got attacked at night too, but my aunt was there. So just go in the day time and be careful. No need to book in advance.

between getting to the train station, fighting the crowds and the VERY long trip, it is not worth it to me. R/T airfare is very cheap, and a huge time saver ...only 55 minutes ...versus 11 to 13 hours on the train. I would rather enjoy my time in Chiang Mai more than the time spent on the train ( looking at 22 - 26 hours R/T )

I was told by locals that for land transport, Bus is better.

I'm in BBK now, and am planing to go Chiang Mai in Feb. Took a visit to Morchit (May be wrong spelling) bus station, serving both regional (non-aircon), and long distance bus (air con).

Morchit is somewhere near the famous ChatuChak Week end market. (BTS and MRT service station is near by)

The bus ride for sleeping class is about 800 bt, and first class is about 600 bt. Never bother to check 2nd class.

I was told, drinks and one meal provided.

It is a good idea to book ahead of time. If you want a sleeper berth. I took the night train and didnt have any problems.

its a great way to meet people and see the land. You can book on the same day if you need to, its cheap but quite slow. Check to see if its running, there were floods in some parts.

Go for it and enjoy !!!!!