Thailand's trains are an economical and comfortable means to get around, and a great way to see the countryside and rub elbows with your charming hosts. They are safer than the bus, cheaper than flying, and the most stylish way to get to where you want to be.The train doesn't go quite everywhere, but it can get you from Bangkok to, or close to, most major destinations in Thailand. This includes Chiang Mai in the north; Nong Khai in the northeast (for Vientiane, Laos); Ubon Ratchathani in the east; and Surat Thani (for Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Samui), Trang and elsewhere in the south, continuing to Malaysia and Singapore. The train does not go to Phuket, Krabi, Trat (for Ko Chang) nor Chiang Rai.

For longer routes, try the overnight sleeper train. This saves time by traveling as you sleep, and money by skipping a night's hotel fee. There are a few people who prefer the day trips, not wanting to miss a single km of countryside. But, a little scenery goes a long way, and those few hours gazing outside before and after the beds are made up are enough for all but the most hard-core window jockeys.

Shorter, 3rd-class-only routes include the special tourist train to Kanchanaburi along a section of the WWII Death Railway, Aranyaprathet (and onward to Cambodia), and the popular day trip to Ayutthaya, the latter accomplished as a round trip from Bangkok or as a fantastic stopover on the way to Chiang Mai

Railway Routes

The Northern Line , shown red on the map, runs through the heartland of Thailand taking in the ancient capital Ayutthaya, and Chiang Mai, once capital of the northern kingdom of Lan Na, and other historic centers such as Lopburi, and Lamphun.

The North Eastern Line , shown yellow, crosses the Isan plateau via Khon Kaen and Udon Thani to Nong Khai on the border with Laos, about 20 km from the Laos capital of Vientiane; an easterly spur passes through Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Buri Ram, Surin and Sri Sakhet, on the way to Ubon Ratchathani and the border with southern Laos.

The Eastern Line , shown green on the map goes through Chachoengsao, Prachinburi and Kabinburi to Aranya Prathet on the border with Aranya Phrathet. A southeastern spur of this line goes to Pattaya and Sattahip, but trains are rare.

The Southern Line , shown dark blue on the map leads to the tropical beaches and islands of the south, and connects with the Malaysian railway system at Padang Besar and Sungai Kholok; from Padang Besar you can travel the entire length of the Malaysian Peninsula arriving at last at the island city of Singapore with its unique blend of east and west. Unfortunately, for the last two years, there have been regular terrorist incidents in the extreme southern provinces of Songkla, Yala, Pattani & Narrathiwat.

First Class Travel

Second Class Travel

The backpacker gold standard for train travel is the 2nd class Pullman car. These cars contain 40 seats facing each other in sets of two, which convert into reasonably comfy beds for the overnight trips. Each berth gets its own reading light, pillow, blanket, and a fresh set of sheets. Your luggage travels with you on the train, stored in convenient racks next to your berth. Security on board is generally good, but it is still smart to place valuables like money, passport, and electronics in the bunk with you. Use a simple cable lock to secure your pack while you sleep.  The best seats/beds are in the middle of the car, numbering from the mid-teens to the high 20's, where you'll be far from the constant foot traffic, the toilets and the noisy doors at either end of the car. The more expensive lower berths are larger and more comfortable. Both upper and lower have curtains for privacy, but the curtains on the lower berths do a much better job of screening out the lights, which stay on all night. An easy fix is earplugs and a sleep mask. Even so, don't plan on your best night's sleep ever.

Third Class Travel

To Air-con or not to Air-con

For most people, unless you are traveling during the heart of the hot season (mid-March to early-May), paying extra for the air-con cars is unnecessary, as the air-con cars quickly turn into chilly meat lockers. The fans in the non-air-con cars are normally enough to keep you cool while you sleep. As an added bonus, the windows in the lower berths on the fan cars open, which makes it easier to interact with vendors and the countryside as it stretches by. The air-con cars, on the other hand, tend to be a bit newer and therefore a bit nicer. If you travel 2nd class air-con, be sure to cover up with your warmest clothes and ask for an extra blanket.

Onboard Dining