How to Travel from Chiang Mai to Bangkok by Train in 2024

Everything you need to know about getting from Chiang Mai to Bangkok by train. 

Including how to book your tickets, what the Day Train 8 is like, what you need to take with you and whether you should book the day train or instead opt for the overnight sleeper train!

Is it worth sacrificing a full day of travel to ride the day train?

So you need to get from Chiang Mai to Bangkok by train but are unsure whether to book the day train or the overnight sleeper train? 

You are wondering which is more comfortable. 

And whether it’s worth sacrificing a full day of your busy itinerary to sit on a train for almost 11 hours just so that you can enjoy the views along the way?  

We have travelled on both the overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai as well as having travelled day train number 8 from Chiang Mai to Bangkok.

So we can compare the two experiences and hopefully help you decide which you should choose. 

For us, we much preferred the long-distance overnight sleeper train.

It was comfortable, it was fast, there was food (albeit not amazing) and we had a night’s accommodation sorted as part of our ticket!

However, we had heard that the train journey between Chiang Mai and Bangkok is one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the whole of Thailand so we could not resist opting for the day train on the way back. 

So what was it like? Let’s jump in!

So you have finished exploring Northern Thailand, from the Floating Pagodas in Lampang to the Phu Chi Fa mountains and the Mae Salong mountain village. (If you have not managed to see these incredible locations, we suggest you start planning a return trip RIGHT NOW!)

But now it’s time to return back to the bustling city of Bangkok!

How long is the train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok?

The journey from Chiang Mai to Bangkok by train is a long one and spans over 400 miles taking between 10-13 hours depending on which train you book.

Train Schedule for Chiang Mai to Bangkok

Train	Chiang Mai	Bangkok	Service
102	6.30	20.25	Rapid
8	8.50	18.55	Special Express
52	15.30	05.10	Express
14	17.00	06.10	Special Express
10	18.00	6.50	Special Express

For our journey from Chiang Mai to Bangkok we chose to book the number 8 train which departs at 8.50 am and arrives at 6.55 pm. 

There is another day train – train number 102 but this train starts earlier at 6.40 am and gets into Bangkok even later so didn’t make sense for us to consider. 

On our initial journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai we opted to book the newer sleeper train 9, as we wanted to experience a night train! Something that had been on our bucket list for a while. You can read our full review of our experience here! 

Which is the fastest train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok? 

The fastest train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok is the number 8 train (this is the one we will be talking about in this post) and the journey takes just 10 hours and 5 minutes making this the fastest train on this route. 

Which is the Slowest Train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok? 

The slowest train is the other day train, the number 102 taking 13 hours and 55 minutes due to a larger number of stops along the way. 

Which is the best train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok?

If you want to experience the day train so you can soak in the gorgeous views along the way then the best train is the number 8. It’s faster, it starts at a more reasonable hour and the ticket cost is not much more than the number 102. 

Which railway station do you board the train to Bangkok?

The trains running from Chiang Mai to Bangkok leave from Chiang Mai Railway Station. 

Found just east of the Ping River the station has daily trains that run to Bangkok meaning you have flexibility on when you would like to make the journey. 

Address: Wat Ket, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand

Which station does the Chiang Mai to Bangkok train end at?

The Chiang Mai to Bangkok train journey will end at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station.  

This is extremely close to the popular Chatuchak Market and has good metro connections to the rest of the city to get you to your next pit stop. 

Address: 336 Soi Kamphaeng Phet 2, Thoet Damri Road, Chatuchak · Bangkok

If you need to be near Don Mueang Airport for a flight then you can book tickets for your train journey to end here instead of Krung Thep.  

This means your journey will be 15 minutes shorter and you are much closer to this airport.

How much do the tickets cost for the Chiang Mai to Bangkok by train journey? 

Train 8  from Chiang Mai to Bangkok only offers 2nd Class AC tickets which makes for a simple booking process. 

The prices can fluctuate depending on the dates you book but the below should give you an idea of how much it will cost.

Fare Type	Price THB	Price USD	Price GBP
2nd Class AC Seats	850	23.50	19

Whilst we always recommend booking train tickets on 12go.Asia, it’s important to note that the train ticket price is higher than if you were to buy them yourself from the train station in Bangkok or directly from Thai Railways. 

However, the journey between Chiang Mai and Bangkok is a very busy and popular route and the tickets often get booked weeks in advance ( especially for the sleeper train) 

So it is highly unlikely that you will be able to secure these yourself and we have never been able to successfully navigate the Thai train railways website! 

The other advantage to booking with 12go.Asia is that the train tickets are only released 30 days in advance at the main train stations.  

However,  with 12Go you can book your train tickets 60-90 days in advance and they book your tickets as soon as they are released so if you like to be ultra organised then you get your journeys booked well in advance. 

How to book your tickets to get from Chiang Mai to Bangkok by train?

Whilst you can try and book your tickets in advance from the train station in Chiang Mai, unless you are there 14+ days in advance we recommend booking your tickets online with 12Go.Asia. 

12Go.Asia is one of the most popular websites to book train tickets and transport in general when travelling in Asia and we highly recommend them.

I am always cautious about making payments online with an organisation I have not used before.

But we have now booked with them several times and they have always proved to be reliable and offer excellent customer service.

Due to our poor organisation and relaxed attitudes, we almost missed our Night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and could not get to their offices in time to collect our tickets. 

But the team in the 12GoAsia office jumped to our rescue – emailing us the ticket information and instructions on how to get them printed. 

You always know how reliable and trustworthy a company is when you are in a difficult situation and they resolved it for us!

The process for booking your tickets is extremely easy and the website will take you through the following steps:

Step One

• Enter your location of origin (Chiang Mai) and destination (Bangkok), the date you wish to travel and the number of travellers. 

• Next, you can view the various travel options to get you from Chiang Mai to Bangkok including buses, trains and planes!

• Scroll down the page and click trains and you will then be shown the different trains you can book tickets for your Chiang Mai to Bangkok trip. 

• You can then select the train you wish to book. In this case the number 8 train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. Click “Book Now”

• Check the details on the following page and click continue.

Step Two

• Once you have selected your train and clicked next you will be at the passenger information page. Here you will enter the details of all passengers including your full names and ID / Passport details.

Step Three 

• The final stage is to choose how you will receive your tickets, either by collection or postal system. 12Go Asia has two options:

1. Collect your tickets from Chiang Mai Bossotel reception for a small cost. The hotel is directly across the road from Chiang Mai train station and it is open 24/7. 

Address: 10/4 Rod Fai Road, Wat Ket subdistrict, Amphoe Muang, Chiang Mai

2. Have the tickets posted to an address in Thailand for a small cost.

• At the bottom of the page, you will be asked if you would like to add travel insurance through 12GoAsia or whether you have this already arranged.

Step Four

• Next, you will make your payment for the tickets and hit complete. 

• Be sure to note down your confirmation number in case you have issues receiving a confirmation email and after booking do check your junk folder if you have not received the confirmation email. (Ours went into junk!) 

• Depending on how far in advance you booked your Chiang Mai to Bangkok train journey your wait time on ticket confirmation can be anywhere from three days to a few months! 

• If you have booked a train journey that is set to leave in the next 30 days you should receive confirmation and a PDF of your tickets via email within 3-4 days once 12go Asia has secured your tickets.  

• If you have booked further in advance than 30 days, you will not receive the tickets until closer to the departure date. You will however receive a confirmation email confirming your ticket purchase and next steps.

We booked tickets two months in advance and had no issue getting the exact tickets we opted for!

Step Five

• The final step is to collect your train tickets from the Bossotel Hotel. These can usually be collected anytime from 3 days before departure but the hotel is so close to the train station that you could easily collect them the same day without any concerns. 

• Ensure you have your passports and confirmation email to hand. We also received a refund in cash for the delivery cost of the tickets which we were not expecting!

Facilities on train 8 from Chiang Mai to Bangkok (2nd class AC) 

• Toilets – YES there are “Western-style” toilets but remember to bring toilet paper

• Showers – NO

• WIFI – NO

• Electrical Socket – YES but they are not next to each seat. We could only locate some by each door to the carriage making it quite difficult to charge your devices without leaving them unattended. 

• Food – YES  But this is not free as stated in some other online resources and on the day we travelled, there was not anything substantial being served. Only pot noodles and a few other small snack-type meals. There also were not any vegetarian options. 

• Water – YES It is available to purchase for a small cost. 

• Luggage racks – YES there are luggage racks above the seats but these are not big enough for large suitcases or bags. There are areas at each end of the carriages to put your bags but it was limited. 

• Table for working – YES but it is so small that unless you have a teeny tiny laptop I would say No.  We had hoped to get some work done on the Chiang Mai to Bangkok Train journey but it was impossible because the table was just too small. 

• Smoking – NO

• Alcohol – NO

Our Personal Experience 

We have experienced both the overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and the Chiang Mai to Bangkok day train journey and overall we preferred the sleeper train. 

Yes, the views on the Chiang Mai to Bangkok train journey are beautiful, but if you have spent time exploring Northern Thailand already (as we had) then I am not sure that the 10-hour train journey is worth choosing for this reason alone. 

The number 8 train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok was also a lower cost than the overnight sleeper train.

But only marginally (350 THB / 7GBP / 9USD) and from a comfort perspective we found the sleeper train a much better choice and a much more exciting experience. 

We found the Chiang Mai to Bangkok train journey a little cramped, very long and seriously lacking in food offerings.

It also does use an entire day of your travel schedule which is something you must consider when booking such a long train journey.

What are the seats like on the number 8 train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok?

• The seat reclines a little way back which made a big difference in comfort on such a long journey

• Each seat has a small table that pops down but we didn’t find this spacious enough to get our laptop on to. But it was big enough for a small tablet or phone if you want to watch something to keep yourself entertained. 

• There is a little footstool for each passenger which made a big difference to us and was greatly appreciated! (It’s the little things that make a big difference on travel days!) 

• Each seat has a small hook to hang any small items of clothing or a hat. 

• There are fans dotted around the carriage as well as air conditioning so we didn’t feel too hot at any point

• There is a Small storage net to put your things into

• There is some luggage storage above the seats but if you are travelling with big bags like us they won’t fit. You will find some shelved storage at the end of the carriage and also space behind the seats by the doors as well.

• There are no plug sockets or power outlets near the seats which made charging things impossible but there were sockets at the end of each carriage you could use

What is the food like on the day train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok? 

Before riding the number 8 train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok we had read online that food was included in your ticket cost but we did not find this to be the case

There is food available to purchase but these are more snack-based items, such as pot noodles and sandwiches. 

And unlike the overnight sleeper train, there were no menus to look at or any vegetarian options. 

However, the food was much more affordable than the costs on the overnight sleeper train. 

• When we first boarded the train a member of staff was selling pot noodles and sandwiches (40 bhat each / 0.80GBP / 1.11USD) 

• Every hour or so a member of staff would walk the carriages offering food but as it was communicated in Thai we were not sure what was on offer and we had a big breakfast so were managing. 

• Around 3.30 pm another staff member walked the carriages and used Google translate (which was appreciated as our Thai is not very good!) and asked if we wanted food – there was just one option and it was not vegetarian.

• An hour later the food had not arrived so we asked for an update and it finally arrived at 5 pm – The meal was pork and rice in a banana leaf and cost 40 baht (0.80GBP / 1.11USD). As I do not eat meat I didn’t have a meal but Steffan ate some of it and said it was okay but was not very warm. 

• Water was available to buy for 10 bhat (0.22GBP / 0.28USD)for a 500ml bottle

We noticed that many travellers had bought their food but as we were poorly organised (again) we were pretty hungry the whole day. 

Especially me as I only had dried peas to snack on as there were no veggie options, completely our fault for being so ill-prepared!

What are the toilets like on train 8 from Chiang Mai to Bangkok? 

• The toilets are Western style, small and basic (even smaller than those on the overnight sleeper train) but they were clean for the entirety of the journey

• Like many toilets in Asia, there was no toilet paper so be sure to bring your own

What to bring with you on your Chiang Mai to Bangkok train journey? 

• Snacks – The food is extremely limited so be sure to bring some food. Being hungry for 10 hours was no fun! 

• A fully charged power bank – Given there are no power outlets near the seats a power bank came in handy to stay connected

• Padlocks for your suitcase or bags – We always recommend locking your bags when travelling. Although Thailand is very safe, if you are not able to sit with your bags and keep an eye on them having them padlocked or chained together gives some peace of mind. 

• Cash to buy food and drinks if you want any – Although we highly recommend bringing your food and water, we would suggest bringing some small change in case you get desperate. 10.5 hours is a long journey! 

• Your camera to take photos – The view is beautiful and the only reason we chose to ride the Chiang Mai to Bangkok train. Keep your camera with you!

• A warm jacket – We found it got a little chilly early and later in the day so having a later or a wrap for your shoulders will keep you warm

• An eye mask if you want to sleep – There are curtains next to each seat to keep the sunlight out but even then if you want to get some real shut-eye an eye mask will make all the difference. And maybe even some earplugs? 

• Toilet paper – We didn’t see any in the toilets so bringing your own is necessary 

• Water – Although you can purchase water, it was offered intermittently and we couldn’t find a restaurant or stand to request any. So bring your own for the journey.

• Anti-bac gel – We used to scoff at people using anti-bac gel all of the time but since travelling full time and getting sick so much more often we are less critical and use it much more than is probably necessary or sensible. 

• Entertainment and local sim (There is no Wi-Fi) – We found that the 4g / 5g on our local Thai AIS sim card was good throughout the journey so be sure to get your phone set up. It’s also worth downloading some movies or shows on your tablet if you want to keep yourself entertained.

Other options to travel from Chiang Mai to Bangkok 

So this entire post is about the Chiang Mai to Bangkok train journey, but there are other options to get you from A to B. 

The three main options that travellers use for this trip are train, bus and plane. 

Having weighed up all three options taking into account cost, speed, eco-friendliness and comfort we believe that a train is the best option! 

While a train journey between Chiang Mai and Bangkok does take much longer than a plane trip and sometimes only saves you a little money, it’s a much better choice in terms of the planet and reducing your carbon footprint (which we really try and consider as long term travellers) 

It also gives you the chance to travel with the locals.

We saw very few tourists on the number 8 train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok which certainly provided a more authentic travel experience.

Chiang Mai to Bangkok by Plane

Speed – A flight is unsurprisingly the fastest option taking under two hours but once you factor in time spent at the airport this could easily be more than 7-8 hours. 

Cost – Flights from Chiang Mai – to Bangkok can cost anywhere from $30 to over $100 and often you will need to pay extra for your luggage so costs can quickly add up

Comfort – If you are like us and booking good old economy, then we can confidently say that flights offer the least comfort of the three options. 

Eco-friendliness –  Flying is the least eco-friendly of all modes of transport with aviation making up a large percentage of the world’s carbon emissions. Whilst as travellers we can’t forget flying altogether, we do try to opt for more eco-friendly travel options when they are available.

Chiang Mai to Bangkok by Bus 

Speed – A bus to Bangkok from  Chiang Mai can take anywhere between 9-11 hours depending on traffic. 

Cost – Catching a bus from Chiang Mai to Bangkok is the most affordable option with tickets costing as little as 651 THB (18USD / 14GBP) but many do not have facilities on board.

Comfort – We have not travelled from Chiang Mai to Bangkok by bus but other bus journeys in Asia have not been nearly as comfortable or spacious as train trips. That combined with city traffic means we always opt for the train! 

Eco-friendliness – Buses are far more eco-friendly than both flying and hiring a car and some sources state that taking a bus will decrease your carbon footprint by over 70%!! So as far as eco-friendliness goes, Buses are a great option.

Chiang Mai to Bangkok by Car

Speed – Hiring a car is arguably the quickest mode of transport when getting from Chiang Mai to Bangkok as you can control how many stops you make (if any), how fast you drive and what time you start your journey. 

A car journey from Chiang Mai to Bangkok takes around 8- 9 hours. 

Cost – Hiring a car in Thailand is pretty affordable. We hired a car to explore Northern Thailand for 3 weeks and spent 920 THB (20GBP / 25USD) a day with full insurance included. 

The cost of fuel is also fairly inexpensive so this could be one of the most cost-friendly options.

Comfort – Driving from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and how comfortable you will find the journey will depend on whether you are a passenger or a driver! Whilst we found the Thai roads easy to navigate and the other road users to be pretty sensible on the whole, driving in another country and for this length of time is of course very tiring. 

Every time we spend a period hiring a car it does zap our energy levels so this is something to consider. 

Eco-friendliness – Hiring a car is up there as one of the least eco-friendly options for the Chiang Mai to Bangkok journey. So while sometimes having your own transport is a necessity and does make exploring so much easier, we do not recommend hiring a car for this journey alone.

Chiang Mai to Bangkok by Train

Speed – Chiang Mai- Bangkok trains take between 10-13 hours. This is roughly the same as the time taken by bus. However, if you do decide to opt for an overnight sleeper train, most of the journey is spent sleeping so it feels much shorter! 

Cost – The cost of tickets for the Chiang Mai to Bangkok day train journey is around 850 THB (23.50USD / 19GBP) depending on the dates you are travelling. This is not quite as cost-effective as the bus but very close. 

Comfort – We found the day train to be comfortable but not as comfortable as the overnight sleeper train.

However, the seats on the day train did feel more spacious and reclined more than they can on a plane.

It also seemed as though everyone was putting their seat back and everyone still had space, unlike on a plane when you have about an inch of head space as soon as the person in front reclines their seat!

Eco-friendliness – Train travel is the winner in the eco-friendliness category and compared to planes and cars/buses cuts carbon emissions by two-thirds which is incredible!

For us, we will always opt for train travel for this reason.

And 12Go.Asia will always be our preferred option when booking tickets!

Accommodation options for Bangkok

There are so many accommodation options in Bangkok that you will be spoilt for choice. 

Depending on your next destination after Bangkok will depend on where you choose to stay. 

We tend to look for accommodation that costs between £20-£40 (25-50USD) a night which is what you will find listed below. 

But if you are looking for a more luxurious option then booking.com has a range of excellent hotels that you can filter via location and price range or star rating.

Accommodation near to Khao San Road

New Siam Riverside Hotel

Address: 21 Phra-A-Thit Road,, Chanasongkram, Phranakorn,, Bangkok 10200, Thailand

A five-minute walk from Khao San road but in a quieter area, 2 minutes to the river boat taxis and has a beautiful view over Chaophaya River.

We stayed here for 10 nights and whilst the price per night was a little higher than we would usually spend, we really enjoyed our stay due to its convenient location, views and restaurant on site.

Approximate Cost: 35GBP / 50USD

Accommodation near to Chatuchak Market 

The LUX

Address: 212 38 Lat Phrao 10 Alley, Chom Phon, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand

This hotel is only 3km from Chatuchak Market which makes for an easy transition after your train journey. 

We have not stayed here personally but the hotel has many positive reviews and is a reasonable cost.

Approximate Cost: 32GBP / 40USD

Accommodation near to Don Mueang Airport

Mida Hotel Don Mueang 

Address: 99, 401-486 Chaeng Watthana 10 Alley, Lane 3, Thung Song Hong, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210, Thailand

Just 4km from the airport so the perfect base if you have a flight the next day.

We almost stayed here but due to a change of plans we didn’t get the chance but the hotel seems to have good reviews online and is in a great location for the airport.

Approximate Cost: 29GBP / 36USD

Accommodation near to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) 

Na Siri Lake View Hotel 

Address: PP4J+29H, Soi Mu Ban Chamchuri 14, Racha Thewa, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan 10540, Thailand

Just 15 minutes from the airport with clean and comfortable rooms and a restaurant on-site.

We stayed here for one night before our flight to Malaysia and we really liked it.

There was a restaurant on site, the room was clean and the air conditioning worked well. They also arranged taxi transfers for a minimal cost which was helpful.

Approximate Cost: 18 GBP / 23 USD.

Accommodation options for Chiang Mai

Accommodation in central Old Town

The Experience Walking Street Chiang Mai 

Address: 124 11-15 Phra Pok Klao Rd, Sri Phum, Meung District Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Located right in the centre of the old town and within easy walking distance of restaurants and the night markets.

We have not stayed here personally as we chose to stay out of the centre but we walked past and it looked like a nice hotel. It also has some great reviews online. 

Approximate Cost:40 GBP / 50USD 

Accommodation within 10 minutes walking distance from the Old Town

Hotel De Khuvieng 

Address: Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Located close to restaurants and the 7/11 but a short walk from the Old Town Centre.

We stayed here for two weeks and for the price, we felt it was a good base.

The breakfast was plentiful with a beautiful view over the city and the mountains.

But be aware that the hotel is located on a main road so you do need to cross some busy roads to reach the Old Town.

Approximate Cost: 20GBP Including breakfast / 25 USD

Accommodation near to Chiang Mai train station

Bossotel Chiang Mai 

Address: 10/4 Rotfai Alley, Tambon Wat Ket, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand

Located a one-minute walk from the train station and just ten minutes by car to the centre of the Old Town.

We stayed here for one night before boarding a train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and we enjoyed our stay. 

The room was modern, the staff were very friendly and the breakfast buffet was huge!

The location being so close to the train station also could not be any more perfect! You can see the station whilst you are eating breakfast! 

It’s also helpful being close to the station in case you plan any day trips heading further North to some of Thailand’s hidden gems!

Approximate Cost: 30GBP including breakfast / 38USD

Things to do when you are in Bangkok?

There is so much to see and do in Bangkok and the surrounding areas that you will not have any issues filling your time here. 

Our favourite things to do in the city as photographers and culture lovers include temples, markets and nature! 

Most of the below things you can do yourself, but If you want to keep things simple and take the planning out of your itinerary then booking a tour may be the best option to make the most of your time in Bangkok. 

So we’ve listed a few details for “do it yourself” and a recommended tour if there is one available.

Exploring Bangkok Temples

Do it yourself: There are so many temples in Bangkok that you will struggle to see them all in one trip. But it’s fun to try!

Our favourites include Wat Arun, Wat Pho and the Grand Palace for their uniqueness, beauty and accessibility if you are short on time. 

These three temples are all very close to one another and can easily be visited in one morning. 

Be sure to arrive early for the best chance of catching golden hour for photography! 

Either catch a Grab taxi which you can order online or jump on the river boat taxi to Wat Arun.

The Best Temple Tour: Bangkok City Highlights Temple and Market Walking Tour: Tickets and guided tour to visit Wat Arun, Wat Pho (The Temple of the Reclining Buddha) Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha Temple. (2-4 Hours)

Cost: 30 GBP / 38 USD PP

Terms: Free cancellation – Reserve now and pay later

Wat Sam Phran Dragon Temple

Do it yourself: Wat Sam Phran is slightly outside of Bangkok but it’s so unique and has so many fewer visitors that it is worth the trip. 

It’s also a great location to get some unique drone shots! 

You can check our full visitor’s guide here covering how to get there and what you can expect when visiting.

It is one of Bangkok’s hidden gems and one of our favourite temples we visited during our 3 months in Thailand. 

Tour: Given that Wat Sam Phran is a little off the main tourist track (which is why we love it), there are not any organised tours.

However, if you are not keen to travel there via bus or grab (See our full guide on exactly how to get there!) – then you can speak to your hotel who may be able to organize a dedicated driver for the day. We have spoken to a few travellers who have done this.

The Floating Markets

Do it yourself: The Floating Markets are frequently visited by tourists and for good reason. 

Watching the Thai fruit and vegetable sellers move up and down the rivers with their colourful foods in their boats is quite the scene.

And a perfect location for travel photographers! 

The most popular is Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

Sure it’s touristy but if you arrive early and beat the crowds you may capture some of the “everyday” before it gets too busy. 

Located around 2 hours from busy Bangkok you can jump on the BTS Skytrain to Bang Wa Station and get a short grab taxi from there. 

The Best Floating Markets Tour: From Bangkok: Damnoen Saduk Floating Market Guided Tour (Half Day)

Cost: 22 GBP / 28 USD PP

Terms: Free cancellation – Reserve now and pay later

The Historical City of Ayutthaya 

Do it yourself: The ancient city of Ayutthaya is a little off the Bangkok beaten path but has so much significance in Bangkok’s history as it used to be the capital city until it was invaded. 

Akin to temple sites you find only in Cambodia, Ayutthaya is worth the few-hour journey from Bangkok.

Ayutthaya can be reached within approximately two hours by train from Hua Lamphong Station. 

Its a great day trip although the site is so huge you would certainly need longer than a day to see it all. 

The Best Ayutthaya Tour from Bangkok: Ayutthaya Historical Park Guided Small Group Tour – Full Day (9.5-10 Hours) – Eco Certified 🌿

Cost: 38 GBP / 48 USD PP

Terms: Free cancellation – Reserve now and pay later

Lumpini Park

Do it yourself: Lumpini Park is just a park, right? Well, kind of. 

It’s home to huge monitor lizards which if you are a wildlife fanatic like us, then you may want to pop along and take a stroll and see who you bump into. 

It’s also a great green space if you want to just take a walk or sit on a bench enjoying a coffee. 

To get here via the MRT or get off at the Sala Daeng stop on the Silom Line. If you accidentally jump off at Lumpini station, it’s just a short walk so don’t panic!

Tour: Unsurprisingly there are not any organised tours to Lumpini Park as it’s “just a park”.

But it’s definitely our favourite green space in Bangkok and that certainly has something to do with nature!

Chiang Mai to Bangkok by Train Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts on the Chiang Mai to Bangkok train journey

Overall we found the day train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok a comfortable, easy, affordable and scenic travel option. 

If you are not keen on an overnight sleeper train or prefer to travel during the day, then this train is a great alternative.

However, if you are still debating whether to opt for the day train or the overnight sleeper train between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, then we would recommend the night train. 

It’s a more memorable and unique experience, is more comfortable and goes so quickly that you feel like a 13-hour journey is a much shorter 4-5 hours! 

Whichever you choose we are sure that you will enjoy your trip as both options were comfortable and easy compared to the dreaded plane which always seems to come with a copious amount of rushing and stress. 

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