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bangkok to chiang mai train timetable and how to get the sleeper train

Train From Bangkok to Chiang Mai Tickets and Price

Bangkok To Chiang Mai train, plane, bus and taxi complete guide

Wondering how to get the Train From Bangkok to Chiang Mai?

The train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is one of the most popular tourist travel routes in Thailand. People usually get the overnight sleeper train or day train, but you can get a taxi, flight or minivan Chiang Mai. However, if you’re on a more luxury visit to Thailand, you can get the first-class train to Chiang Mai station. Once you arrive you can check out the best things to do Chiang Mai on your visit!

Bangkok is the most visited city in the world and this is where most backpackers tend to visit first before embarking on an adventure around Thailand.

So, if you’re arriving in Bangkok you will most likely be visiting Pai in the north or heading to Chiang Mai. In this post, we will be looking at how to get from Bangkok or Hua Lamphong train station to Chiang Mai by train, plane, coach and taxi. This includes the overnight and 2nd class sleeper train to Chiang Mai.

The journey can be quite a long one if you’re not used to travelling in Asia, but if you’re backpacking you will want the cheapest option as possible. So, in this post, you will know what’s the best option for you to take. When you arrive in Chiang Mai you can do the famous Mae Hong Son travel loop!

Below is the 5 different train the leave from to Chiang Mai every day!

7 08:30 19:30 Special Express
109 13:45 04:05 Rapid
9 18:10 07:15 Special Express
13 19:35 08:40 Special Express
51 22:00 12:10 Express

Getting The Bangkok To Chiang Mai Train

Okay, so the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is a really popular option for travellers. It’s the one you can just step on from Bangkok train station and not have to worry about anything till you get there. The only downside to this is the hours spent on the train.

If you’ve been backpacking for a while you will be used to long journeys. However, if you have just arrived in Asia, the thought of the 11-14 hour train from Hua Lamphong to Chiang Mai can be somewhat overwhelming.

It takes roughly between 11-14 hours.

Some of you may love train rides and lust for those awesome views along the way. You will have the chance to monkeys and epic rice fields along the journey.
If you’re not wanting to ride the train for 11 hours, you can book the sleeper train to Chiang Mai from Bangkok. You can also book the luxury train to Chiang Mai if you have more of a budget!

Side Note – A popular route from Chiang Mai is the Mae Hong Son loop!

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You can check out the Bangkok to Chaing Mai route on the Google map below;

 Bangkok to Chiang Mai First-class

This is a great way if you’re not a big fan of train rides. I actually did the sleeper train from Bangkok To Koh Koh Samui and it’s awesome to just go to sleep and wake up at your destination.

If you choose this option, you will ride in luxury all the way from Bangkok to the Chiang Mai train station. You will get your own cabin and you can just relax throughout the journey.

The best place to book the first-class train is with 12Go Asia, these are the best local transport company in Aisa.

How much is the 1st class train? 

The first-class ticket will cost you around 1,372 Baht ($42) for a top bunk-bed and 1600 Baht for a bottom-bunk bed.

2nd class sleeper train Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Have you been travelling to Thailand on a budget? I was, which is why I shopped for my clothes on the Bangkok market, so I had some spare budget for the cheapest overnight train from Bangkok city to Chiang Mai.

We had done some research and seen a sleeper train review which was pretty good. Perfect for anyone backpacking Thailand on a budget.

You can choose to get the #19 overnight sleeper train. However, this option is a little more expensive as it’s newer, but I guess it beats the 2nd class cabin if you’ve got the money to spare lol.

You can book a ticket here with 12GoAsia, these are cheap and probably the most reliable companies for travel in Thailand.

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Things to know about the sleeper train;

  • The evening meal is not included.
  • Snacks are not included.
  • Water and other drinks are not included.
  • Unfortunately, there is no power supply for charging your electrical stuff (nightmare).
  • There is no WiFi onboard, I’d recommend buying a data passport for the day.
  • There is nowhere to store your backpack or case on the overnight train. I had my backpack on the bed with me.

Bangkok To Chiang Mai flight

The quickest way will always be the plane, but if you’re on a backpacking timescale, you will have days to burn off so you would choose the train or coach. But, if you’re on a short holiday to Thailand you will need the fastest way possible to get there. Then you have more time to spend on the Thailand beaches and the amazing tours.

How long does it take to get there by plane?

The actual flight will take around 60 – 70 minutes. But expect an extra 1 hour each way roughly for baggage check-in and pick up. So, this is the quickest way and you will be able to book a cheap ticket as flights in Thailand are notoriously inexpensive.

How much is a flight to Chiang Mai from Bangkok?

 A plane journey from Bangkok airport to Chiang Mai will no-doubt cost anything from as low as 1000 Baht ($31) upwards. This will change dependant on the season in Thailand for when you’re visiting this awesome destination in Southeast Asia.
Top tip – If you know you’re going to book a flight, make sure to book it in advance. This is the best way to save money on your Thailand flights!
You can book a ticket here for cheaper

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How to get the bus?

This is probably the most uncomfortable way of travelling around Thailand, however, it’s usually the cheapest and the most common amongst backpackers.

The cheap buses depart from Khao San Road – you will have visited this famous street in Bangkok no-doubt if you have stayed in Bangkok overnight. Okay, so if you don’t fancy sitting up all-day on a bus journey, you do have the option of doing the overnight bus to Chiang Mai.

There is plenty of places to book your ticket and a lot of the tourist operators are a long Khoa San Road.
You should book your ticket in advance to avoid missing out on a seat! The buses do fill up pretty quick as this is a very populate route for tourists in Thailand.
How much is the Bangkok bus to Chiang Mai? The coach ride cost you around 636.02 Baht ($20). Which is not expensive considering how far the journey is. Remember to save $5 for snacks on the bus ride.

You can book a ticket here for cheaper

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How to get a taxi?

This is another option for you – a taxi to Chiang Mai from Bangkok. This is definitely your cheapest option and you may prefer a taxi to a bus ride. However, taxi rides in Thailand are not great if you struggle with car sickness. The taxi drivers can sometimes drive fast and even though there is air-con, it does sometimes get very warm in there!

The taxi ride is usually a 6-8 seater and you may be accompanied by other travellers making the journey. Your journey should take around 9-10 hours in a taxi for Chiang Mai.

You can book a ticket here for cheaper

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Where to stay in Chiang Mai?

Okay, so you have made the journey and now you’re going to need somewhere to stay. If you have taken any journey other than the plane, you will be tired, I know the feeling! These recommendations have the usual like free WiFi, tea/coffee, clean rooms and great customer service.

Let’s look at some of the best places to stay in Chiang Mai;

Final thoughts

So you now have the full guide on how to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by either place, bus, taxi or train. Whichever route you take will depend on your budget and how long in Thailand you have. Remember there’s also the option of travelling to Surat Thani and then to either Koh Samui, Koh Tao or Koh Phanghan.

Once you arrive there is plenty of things to do in Chiang Mai and this is what is known as the “digital nomad hub of the world“.

You should also visit the Jungle Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai.

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