Where: Hua Lamphong Train Station, Rama IV Road, Bangkok, 10330 to Chiang Mai Train Station, Charoen Muang Road, Chiang Mai 50000 Thailand
When: Departed: 22:00 7th March 2018 Arriving: 12:30 8th March 2018
The train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai passes through beautiful scenery and snakes through the landscape, enabling a unique perspective while travelling from Bangkok to the north of Thailand.
We were able to buy tickets just two hours before departure, in 2nd class, which provides a comfortable bunk bed on the overnight train for between 700-800 bhat per person. The train left Hua Lamphong station in the centre of Bangkok travelling up through Petchabun, Phitsanulok, Lampang and reaching Chiang Mai at noon the following day. As you get settled in your bunk, the staff will take your breakfast order. Breakfast was easily veganised and between a 100-200 bhat; options included toast with jam, orange juice, fresh bananas and coffee.
The beds were comfortable and some decent sleep was got by me, only the bottom bunk has a window so for part of the way we squeezed ourselves into the bottom one together.
A beautiful golden-red sunrise at 7am lit up forests, rivers, temples and jungles as the train ran smoothly on to Chiang Mai. Our bunk beds were converted into seats and a table to enjoy our breakfast and watch the changing landscape through the window.
From the station we jumped in a songthaew to the old town which took less than half an hour and around 100 bhat each. As you leave the station there are lots of taxi drivers ready to persuade you to get into their vehicles, we left the station car park and just out on the main road and got a songthaew out there.
Although a much longer journey than by planes or buses – around 13 hours, apart from being more environmentally friendly which is a reason in itself to travel in this way, the train enables you to travel through Thai landscapes in a totally unique way.
The Greedy Herbivore 