Everyone going north faces the same choice. Here it is without the romance or the dismissal.
The three ways#
| Time | Feel | Book | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | A bit over an hour, plus airports | Efficient | Days ahead, often cheap |
| Sleeper train | Overnight, ~12 to 14 hours | The one you'll remember | Weeks ahead in high season |
| Bus | ~10 hours, mostly overnight | Cheapest, least comfortable | Days ahead |
The sleeper train#
Leaves Bangkok's Krung Thep Aphiwat station (on the MRT; some services still use Hua Lamphong, so check the ticket) in the evening and arrives in Chiang Mai the next morning. Second-class air-conditioned sleeper is the right choice: a real berth, a curtain, the car where travellers talk. First class is a lockable two-berth cabin. Book on the State Railway's site or a reseller as soon as your dates are fixed; November to February berths go weeks out.
The flight#
Don Mueang for the budget carriers, Suvarnabhumi for the others. Airport to the city covers both ends in Bangkok. Flying one way and training the other is the common compromise.
The bus#
Overnight from Mo Chit, cheap, reclining seats, a 2am stop. Fine for a budget; take the train if you can.
Before you go#
Bangkok vs Chiang Mai if you're deciding how to split the time, Chiang Mai in 3 days for when you land, and Chiang Mai vs Chiang Rai for the next hop.
Arrive knowing someone#
Post your Chiang Mai dates on Roavi Community before the train leaves. Travellers arriving the same days appear together, and Local Friends in Chiang Mai can reply; by the time you step off the platform, there's a name. Rent a friend in Thailand explains how Local Friends work.
Heading north? Post your Chiang Mai dates and arrive knowing someone.
Post your tripJapan's equivalent: Tokyo to Kyoto by shinkansen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
The overnight sleepers take roughly twelve to fourteen hours, leaving Bangkok in the evening and arriving the next morning. Day trains exist and take about the same time with a view.Which train class should I book?
Second-class air-conditioned sleeper: a proper berth with a curtain, a fraction of the first-class price, and the social car. First class is a two-berth cabin if you want the door. Fan second class is cheaper and hot.Which Bangkok station does the Chiang Mai train leave from?
Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bang Sue), on the MRT, since long-distance services moved there. Check your ticket; the old Hua Lamphong station still handles some services.Is it better to fly or take the train to Chiang Mai?
Fly if you have under a week in Thailand or hate overnight travel. Take the train if the trip itself is part of the holiday and you can book early. Many people fly one way and train the other.
