Searching for Bangkok to Chiang Mai night train information?
Trains in Thailand are a convenient and affordable transport option. Not only that, but you’ll also get to experience an authentic way of moving around the Kingdom.
Railway travel in Thailand is popular with locals and tourists for various reasons. And when it comes to the sleeper trains from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, these limited carriages are the most in-demand options. One reason is that it’s cheaper to reach Chiang Mai from Bangkok by train than by air. It’s also an unmissable experience, and if you’re on a budget you’ll save 1-night accommodation.
There is always the option to book a different carriage from Bangkok to Chiang Mai that isn’t a sleeper train. This option will also be a lot cheaper, but not as comfortable. After all, this is a 13-hour journey.
**If going from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, we did this trip by train as well and wrote a helpful guide.
From Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Train
If you’re ready to plan your railway trip from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and want the best, most comfortable and convenient options, then you need to book trains number 9 or number 13. That’s because both these trains have sleeper options and arrive in Chiang Mai in the morning after the sun comes up. This convenience, however, makes these trains extremely popular and are often sold out.
If you know your travel dates and want to find the best seats, it is best to book your tickets at least a week or 2 in advance. But if you plan to travel between October and January, make sure to reserve your seats even further ahead as these are the peak months for Chiang Mai. Both tourists and locals are going there and tickets are pretty much always sold out well in advance. →You can check schedules and reserve any available seats here.
Night Train-Bangkok Chiang Mai Schedule
The night train also referred to as sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is a comfortable way to travel between these 2 cities. 4 trains depart from Bangkok every day and travel to Chiang Mai overnight with train number 109 being the earliest departure at 2:15 pm.
The trains offer different seating and sleeping arrangements. Seating options are ordinary fan seats with open windows. Sleeping is either 1st or 2nd class both with A/C. If you choose the sleeper option, upon boarding the train there will be seats. Then crew members come to unfold the seats and make the beds complete with fresh sheets and a pillow. There are upper deck and lower deck sleeping options. Lower decks sell out fast.
The below table gives you a visualization of the night trains from Bangkok to Chiang Mai options. All the options listed have an on-board restaurant. “The food is expensive (฿190 for a meal) and isn’t great”. There is a stainless steel toilet which so far we always found clean.
| Train no. | Departure | Arrival | Duration | Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 109 | 14:15 | 04:05 | 13hrs 50mins | fan seat or A/C sleeper |
| 9 | 18:40 | 07:15 | 12hrs 35mins | 1st & 2nd class sleeper |
| 13 | 20:05 | 08:40 | 12hrs 35mins | fan seat – 1st & 2nd class sleeper |
| 51 | 22:30 | 12:10 | 11 hrs 40mins | fan seat or A/C sleeper |
The journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train takes between 11 hours 40 minutes and 13 hours 50 minutes to cover the almost 700 km distance. Currently, trains depart from the new Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (formerly known as Bang Sue Grand Station) in Bangkok.
Note: trains to Chiang Mai previously departed from Hua Lamphong train station near Chinatown. But since 2023 all trains to Chiang Mai depart from the new Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai Trains – Sleeper
Train No. 9 – Best Option
Train number 9 has the most modern carriages and consequentially is also the most popular option with tickets selling out well in advance. The departure time from Bangkok is 6:40 pm with a travel duration of 12 hrs and 35 minutes and scheduled to arrive in Chiang Mai at 7:15 am. This convenient arrival time is also one of the main draws as you’ll gain a full day in Chiang Mai.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai Trains – Sleeper
Train No. 13 – 2nd Option
We wanted to reserve our seat on train number 9. There were still about 2 weeks left until our travel date but all tickets on train number 9 were already sold out. We went for the second best option which is train 13. Just a few remaining seat options were available. While we did manage to find seat tickets, we didn’t get joining seats and the only options were the upper deck beds.
So, if you want to find the best seats available and also want a seat near your travel buddy or partner, make sure you book in advance. →Check available seats here.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai Trains – Sleeper
Trains No. 109 and 51
Both these trains have sleeper options. But if you’re on a budget these trains offer the option to book seats in a carriage with a fan. While you won’t have the comfort of the air conditioner, the windows will be wide open letting in a fresh breeze. Especially once the sun goes down and the train gets to a higher elevation.
The only downside is that these trains have a particularly inconvenient schedule. Train number 109 is scheduled to arrive in Chiang Mai at 4:05 am. And train 51 doesn’t depart until 10:30 pm and arrives at 12:10 Pm which ruins half a day.
The table below provides live and always up-to-date information on the train schedules from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
| Train Bangkok - Chiang Mai $ 8.32–34.06 10h 10m – 13h 50m | |
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How To Book Sleeper Train-Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Train tickets can either be booked in person from any train station in Thailand or online.
If you want to buy your tickets in person you can go to either Hua Lamphong Trains Station or Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, whichever is most convenient. Neither of these train stations is connected to the BTS or MRT.
You will be asked to show your passport to purchase the tickets. Also, have a cash backup because sometimes bank card payments are not accepted at the station.
However, unless you are already close to a train station, the most hassle-free option is to book your train tickets online. This way you can see all available carriages and seat options and book any available options up to 90 days ahead of your travel dates. You’ll also avoid the inconvenience of not finding any tickets should they already be sold out. →You can view schedules, prices and book tickets here.
Note: The overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is the busiest over the cooler months; between October and January. November is particularly busy due to festivities and locals visiting their families.
** The train in the photo is train number 13. Train number 9 has a different exterior and is more modern than train 13.
Sleeper Train Price
The price of a sleeper train ticket depends on its class (1st or 2nd class), position (upper or lower deck) and train number.
On average the ticket price of a 1st class sleeper is 1453 Baht / $40 and that of a 2nd class sleeper is 890 Baht / $25.
The lower deck sleeper seats are next to the window and cost a few dollars more than the upper deck sleepers. The upper deck sleepers have no windows.
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Where to stay in Chiang Mai
Choosing the best area to stay in Chiang Mai largely depends on your preferences and what you want to experience during your visit. Here are a few popular areas to consider:
Top 3 Accommodation in Old City
This is the historic center of Chiang Mai, surrounded by ancient walls and moats. It’s a great area to stay if you want easy access to temples, markets, and cultural attractions. You’ll find a range of accommodations here, from budget guesthouses to boutique hotels.
Budget: →BED STOP Hotel Chiangmai
Mid Range: →Lee Chiang Hotel
Luxury: →Jomkitti Boutique Hotel
Top 3 Accommodation in Nimmanhaemin Road (Nimman)
Nimman is known for its trendy vibe, with plenty of cafes, restaurants, and boutiques catering to a younger crowd. It’s also close to Chiang Mai University, so there’s a lively student atmosphere. Accommodation options here tend to be more upscale and modern.
Budget: →Nimman Mai Design Hotel
Mid Range: →NORN Nimman13 Boutique Hotel
Luxury: →Hotel Sensai Nimman – Adults Only
Top 3 Accommodation Riverside
Staying along the Ping River offers a more tranquil experience compared to the bustling city center. You’ll find some luxury resorts and boutique hotels along the riverbanks, with lovely views and a quieter ambiance.
Budget: →Mapping Hostel
Mid Range: →Ban Narai River Guesthouse
Luxury: →Sala Lanna Chiang Mai
Top 3 Accommodation Night Bazaar Area
If you’re into shopping and nightlife, the Night Bazaar area might be ideal for you. Here, you’ll find a variety of stalls selling everything from souvenirs to street food, as well as bars and entertainment venues. Accommodations range from budget guesthouses to mid-range hotels.
Budget: →Boonnark Bed Night Bazaar
Mid Range: →Iron32 Hotel
Luxury: →Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel
Ultimately, the best area for you to stay in Chiang Mai depends on your interests, budget, and preferred atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for history and culture, trendy urban vibes, or serene natural surroundings, you’ll find something to suit your tastes in Chiang Mai.
Other Transport from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Bangkok to Chiang Mai Trains – Day
There is another option, train number 7. This train travels from Bangkok to Chiang Mai during the day, leaves the train station in Bangkok at 09:05 in the morning and arrives in Chiang Mai at 19:30.
On train number 7, there aren’t any sleeper seat options. You’ll be travelling during the day and enjoying the beautiful views all along the way to Chiang Mai.
You can book your seat on train number 7 with 12goasia, we buy our online Thailand train tickets from this website as well.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai – Bus
Another option for traveling to Chiang Mai overnight is the bus. Buses leave Bangkok to Chiang Mai as late as 22:35 and arrive in Chiang Mai after 9 to 11 hours. Check buses schedule here.
We travelled in Thailand by both overnight train and bus. And while we had a good night’s sleep on the train, we didn’t have the same experience on a bus.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai Train Stops
The train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai stops at different stations with the most popular stations being Don Muang and Ayutthaya. So if you just landed at Don Muang airport or you’re visiting the ancient city of Ayutthaya, you can catch the train to Chiang Mai from your current location without the need to head to Bangkok’s central station.
Train number 109 makes the most stops along the way to Chiang Mai from Bangkok but all the different trains stop at the stations in this table:
| 1. Don Muang | 2. Rangsit | 3. Ayutthaya |
| 4. Lop Buri | 5. Nakhon Sawan | 6. Phitsanulok |
| 7. Den Chai | 8. Nakhon Lampang | 9. Chiang Mai |
BOOK DON MUENG-CHIANG MAI TICKETS HERE
Bangkok to Chiang Mai By Flight or Bus
Other options to go from Bangkok to Chiang Mai are by bus or flight. This table gives a comparison between these 2 other modes of transport.
Hotels near Chiang Mai Train Station
If you are arriving in Chiang Mai early morning you might want to consider having your accommodation close to the train station. These are the best accommodation options closest to Chiang Mai train station.
| Hotel | Distance from train station | Review score | Highlights |
| At The Train Hotel | 3mins walk / 190m | 4.4 / 251 | Option to do early check-in for a fee |
| Supanich Condo | 2mins walk / 110m | 3.8 / 29 | Several good eateries & coffee shops nearby |
| Rainforest Chiang Mai Hotel | 11mins walk / 850m | 4.2 / 577 | Good onsite food Quiet Retreat |
| Shewe Wana Boutique Hotel | 11mins walk / 800m | 4.6 / 238 | Vegan restaurant onsite City centre accessible by foot |
| Shewe Wana Suite Resort | 11mins walk / 800m | 4.6 / 238 | Close to the old city |
HEY, just so you know…
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The cultural immersion and experiences you describe are so enriching. Travel is indeed the best education one can get.