While the sleeper train is a comfortable way to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, it may not be suitable for everyone.
That’s why, before we jump into the details about the Bangkok to Chiang Mai sleeper train, we’d like to share our honest opinion based on our experience doing this exact journey in Thailand.
We will explore all the pros and cons in more detail later in the article, so keep reading to see if this Thailand experience is worth it for your visit.
According to us, these are the main cons of riding the Bangkok to Chiang Mai sleeper train:
- The sleeper train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok is relatively inexpensive compared to a flight. But it’s not the most cost-effective way to travel, considering the duration.
- Taking more than 12 hours, it’s a long journey in a train with almost no views of the landscape you pass through. Thus, you also can’t consider it a scenic journey, as you don’t see anything (depending on departure time and train).
- Most sleeper trains from Bangkok arrive in Chiang Mai in the early morning. So, if you’d like to check into your hotel right after and refresh yourself or go exploring, it might be a challenge.
Sleeper train schedule (Bangkok to Chiang Mai)
Depending on which sleeper train you book and ride, the total travel time from Bangkok to Chiang Mai takes between 12 and 14 hours.
Sleeper train departures from Bangkok to Chiang Mai:
- Sleeper Train 109 (second-class only) departs Bangkok at 14:15 and arrives in Chiang Mai at 04:05, after 13 hours and 50 minutes.
- Sleeper Train 9 (first and second-class) departs Bangkok at 18:40 and arrives in Chiang Mai at 07:15, after 12 hours and 15 minutes.
- Sleeper Train 13 (first and second-class) departs Bangkok at 20:05 and arrives in Chiang Mai at 08:40, after 12 hours and 35 minutes.
- Sleeper Train 51 (second class only) departs Bangkok at 22:30 and arrives in Chiang Mai at 12:10, after 13 hours and 40 minutes.
- By the way… We published over 48 detailed guides covering all the destinations we visited in Thailand! Click here to browse the list.
How much does the journey cost?
The cheapest ticket for the overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai costs 688 THB (approximately 21.5 USD). The price changes depending on the type of train and the berth.
In comparison, you can book the cheapest domestic flight with a check-in bag (20kg) for about 45 USD, which gets you to Chiang Mai in just one and a half hours.
For the air-conditioned second-class sleeper train, such as number 9, the upper berth costs 938 THB, while the lower berth costs 1038 THB.
For the newest first-class sleeper train, the lower berth costs 1646 THB and the upper 1446 THB, and you can get a whole compartment for yourself for 2446 THB.
Lower berths are more expensive on both first and second-class trains because they are more spacious and have access to windows. Likewise, tickets for older trains are somewhat cheaper.
| TRAIN | TYPE | LOWER | UPPER | PRIVATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 109 | second-class sleeper | 758 THB (23.5 USD) | 688 THB (21.5 USD) | |
| 9 | first-class sleeper | 1646 THB (51 USD) | 1446 THB (45 USD) | 2446 THB (76 USD) |
| 9 | second-class sleeper | 1038 THB (32 USD) | 938 THB (29 USD) | |
| 13 | first-class sleeper | 1446 USD (45 USD) | 1246 THB (38.5 USD) | 1946 THB (60 USD) |
| 13 | second-class sleeper | 838 THB (26 USD) | 768 THB (24 USD) | |
| 51 | second-class sleeper | 798 THB (25 USD) | 728 THB (22.5 USD) |
Looking back, if we were to undertake this journey again, we would book the entire compartment for a slightly higher price, enjoy the comfort of a private room, and turn off the lights!
The private compartment makes so much sense for couples.
Which is the best sleeper train?
Before booking your sleeper train journey, consider the following factors: departure and travel times, your budget, and the type of amenities you prefer.
Trains number 9 and 13 offer first-class sleepers, while numbers 109 and 51 are old-fashioned trains with only a second-class sleeper option. Train number 9 is the newest and most comfortable electric train.
We traveled in the second-class sleeper number 9, the newest Chinese-built fully air-conditioned train with no third class (only first-class and second-class), which is modern, clean, and comfortable.
That is not to say that the other sleepers aren’t kept clean or cozy. However, there is a certain level of quality that comes with the newer trains, such as numbers 9 and 10 (number 10 is the one used for the Chiang Mai to Bangkok journey).
Hot tip: If you travel with a lot of luggage, consider taking the later train so you can arrive at check-in time at your hotel.
Don’t go to Thailand before reading these!
- Phi Phi Islands Things To Do + Travel Guide
- Koh Phangan Complete Guide
- Your Bangkok Guide
- Phuket Full Travel Guide
- Things To Do in Chiang Mai + Guide
- Chiang Rai Travel Guide
- Krabi Guide
How to book the sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
There are several ways to book the sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. You can purchase your tickets in advance at the train station, via the official Thai Railways website, or through various travel agencies.
You can buy Thailand train tickets 180 days in advance for longer routes and 30 days in advance for shorter routes. For the shortest routes, tickets can be purchased up to a day in advance. This means you can purchase your sleeper train tickets to Chiang Mai up to 6 months in advance.
After buying your Thailand train tickets online, you do not need to print them out and can simply show them on your phone or another device.
If you buy your ticket at the train station, you will still receive a physical ticket. Keep it on hand.
Please be aware: Train travel is extremely popular in Thailand, both with locals and tourists, which means tickets get booked out extremely fast, especially in the peak tourist season.
But, luckily, not as fast as the trains in Laos. Some of those tickets are gone within seconds of becoming available!
That’s why we recommend purchasing your tickets as soon as they become available!
How to buy your tickets online in advance
The official website for buying train tickets in Thailand is dticket.railway.co.th, also available in English. While it’s not the easiest site to use, the process is relatively straightforward.
For the Bangkok to Chiang Mai sleeper train, you must select the departure point “Krung Thep Aphiwat” and the arrival “Chiang Mai”. If you enter just “Bangkok” in the search, it will return an empty result.
Alternative platform (the easiest and fastest way)
In addition to buying tickets on the official website, you can also choose 12go, a popular alternative platform for booking tickets.
It’s an easy-to-use and trusted website with numerous extras that you may not always find at the provider, such as a more favorable cancellation policy and clearly presented important travel information.
We have used 12go continuously on our travels throughout Thailand, and have always had a great experience.
12go platform is the best platform for booking train tickets, especially if you prefer not to navigate the official website, which does have some broken English translations.
They have a dedicated team on the ground that can purchase tickets for you as soon as they become available and ensure you get the preferred seat/class.
In general, for the option where they help you find the best seats, you must pick up the tickets at their office, located near the departure station. However, you can also purchase e-tickets that are sent to you within one hour, eliminating the need to pick them up anywhere.
After numerous journeys throughout Southeast Asia, we encountered only one issue with a travel agency that provided some less-than-honest bus tickets in Laos through 12go. Although it wasn’t 12go’s fault, we did ultimately receive a partial refund from them, which we greatly appreciate. Otherwise, their track record, by our standards, is excellent.
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At which station do you board the sleeper train?
The train station for sleeper trains bound for Chiang Mai is Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station, also known as Bang Sue Grand Station, the main station for long-distance trains departing Bangkok.
To reach the station by public transportation, use the MRT Blue Line (Metro). The closest station to downtown is Sanam Chai, and further along the line towards Bangkok Chinatown, you can board at Sam Yot, Wat Mangkon, and Hua Lamphong.
This line also passes by the areas of Bang Rak, Sathon, and Sukhumvit, all popular places to stay in Bangkok.
Coming straight from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport? The easiest, fastest, and cheapest way is to take the ARL (Airport Rail Link) and connect at Makkasan to the MRT Blue Line (Phetchaburi).
The train station is also connected to Don Mueang International Airport and Taling Chan through the SRT red line (dark red for Don Mueang, and light red for Taling Chan).
Taking a taxi or Grab to the train station is also a great idea, as this means you don’t need to drag luggage around, and instead enjoy a private pick-up and drop-off right at the station. However, be cautious not to take a taxi during rush hour, as the estimated journey time can easily double. Plan to take it sooner in that case.
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The old station is no more
For our sleeper train journey to Chiang Mai, we boarded at the historic Hua Lamphong station, a charming building with a lot of character.
Until a few years ago, the Hua Lamphong station, located closer to Bangkok Chinatown, was used for this line. But it has been almost completely shut down and replaced by the new, modern station. Now, the old station is only used for short-distance and special route trains.
Facilities on the sleeper train
Sleeper trains from Bangkok to Chiang Mai are surprisingly well-equipped with more than basic comforts that help you enjoy your journey.
Toilets
Sleeper trains are equipped with clean toilets, complete with paper, soap, and running water. First-class sleeping cars in newer trains are even equipped with hot showers!
Restaurant
If you’re hungry, the sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai features a restaurant carriage with affordable and tasty meals. You can eat in the restaurant car or have food delivered to your berth.
For vegetarians and vegans, there are limited options, so it might be best to get a takeaway before boarding the train. We brought some snacks with us, which were enough, as we don’t need that much food overnight.
Before heading to the train station, we stopped by the local 7-Eleven and also purchased some extra water at the station just before boarding. They also provided us with some complimentary water after boarding.
Luggage storage
Luggage storage inside the sleeper train is pretty straightforward. You can put your luggage either on a rack next to your seat, in the space under your seat, or on overhead racks (depending on which train you end up riding).
For smaller and more personal items, you may want to keep them close and store them next to you on your bed or berth. We kept our gear bags, containing laptops and other electronics, next to us. Theft is extremely rare, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does taking the sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai save you money?
While you can potentially save a lot of money by taking the Bangkok to Chiang Mai sleeper train, as you avoid paying for one night in a hotel and save money on transport compared to a flight, it is worth considering the amount of hassle it adds to your day of departure and arrival.
Let us explain..
On the day of departure, you will have a lot of time after your hotel check-out to wait for the train’s afternoon departure, since the train departs from the Bangkok central train station in the afternoon.
Personally, we wanted to avoid that, so we actually extended our Bangkok hotel and stayed right until the last moment before we had to leave for the train station.
Then, on arrival in Chiang Mai, you get there sometime in the morning, which means you can’t really check into your hotel. You can likely drop off your bags and already explore around Chiang Mai. However, it’s questionable since you just spent at least 12 hours on the train, plus extra time before and after arrival.
When we arrived in Chiang Mai, we couldn’t check into our hotel, so we spent the next few hours waiting in a cafe with all our stuff. Since we didn’t stay right in the center, it didn’t make sense to drop off bags somewhere and then try to explore. Maybe this is a us problem, but hey, it’s something to consider.
Looking back, since we didn’t book the train that actually offers some views in the morning (number 51 – Jungle Express), it wasn’t worth it for us.
We could have flown to Chiang Mai a day before, right for hotel check-in, and had so much more time to enjoy the place, for not much more money, since the cheapest domestic flight with a check-in bag (20kg) is about 45 USD (1.5 hour journey).
Do you get cool views from the Bangkok to Chiang Mai sleeper train?
Most people expect nice views of the landscape you pass, but it really depends on the sleeper train you take. If you get the one that arrives in the early morning (109, 9, 13), you won’t see much at all.
However, if you take the latest train, number 51, also known as the Jungle Express, you will arrive in Chiang Mai at noon, which means you will pass through the jungle and mountainous areas during the daytime. So yes, you can get cool views, but only if you book the correct train!
Heads up! In the Jungle Express, head to the last carriage in the morning and watch as you pass through the jungle. We recommend watching this YouTube video by Simon, a train enthusiast who rode it and documented it really well.
What to bring on the sleeper train?
For the sleeper train journey to Chiang Mai from Bangkok, definitely pack some warmer pieces of clothing, like a hoodie and long pants (the AC is STRONG), eye shades (the lights are always ON), and some snacks to keep you fueled.
How do you turn the seats into a bed?
You do not convert your seat into a bed. Instead, workers on the train come to do it for you (and everyone else) at a specific part of the journey. They also bring fresh, clean sheets, pillows, and blankets for your use.
Arrival in Chiang Mai
The arrival train station is not located in the historical heart of Chiang Mai. Instead, it’s about a 40-minute walk away from Tha Phae Gate, the beginning of the old town. So once you arrive, we recommend booking a Grab taxi to your hotel.
You can also hop aboard one of the Songthaew red pick-up trucks, a shared taxi system that operates throughout Thailand, including in Chiang Mai. The official base fare of Songthaew in Chiang Mai is 30 THB (also printed on the vehicle).
From the train station to the city centre, the Songthaew fare should be 30 THB, or approximately 1 USD, although depending on your actual final destination, it can cost a bit more (maybe about 50 THB).
Conclusion – Do we recommend it, and would we do it again?
If you haven’t taken a sleeper train before, then this is definitely one worth experiencing if that’s what you want to do (it is a unique experience!). Otherwise, as a means of transportation, unless your budget is really tight, it’s not a really good choice.
Looking back, the sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai was not really worth it for us. We took the number 9 train, which had minimal views in the morning, just before arriving in Chiang Mai, so it was essentially just a means of transportation to Chiang Mai.
While some might consider it a great deal, as you get overnight accommodation and transport to Chiang Mai for a reasonable price, you still do actually lose almost a full day doing this.
That’s why, if your trip to Thailand is short, let’s say just a week or 10 days, then we wouldn’t really recommend taking the sleeper train unless it’s your first time!
We love seeing as much as possible on our travels, so instead of taking the sleeper train, we could fly to Chiang Mai, have a whole afternoon and evening there, and then also a full morning. That’s a lot of potential exploration time!
This journey reminded us of an incredibly long 26-hour 1st-class sleeper train journey we took in Vietnam (watch the YouTube video). Though the scenery is different, the experience really is quite similar.
Final words
We hope our down-to-earth, truthful insight into the sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai will help you plan how to do it, when to do it, and if to do it.
Happy travels! 🚆
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