Nachtzüge · den Liegeplatz wählen
Bangkok–Chiang Mai im Nachtzug: welcher Zug, welcher Liegeplatz
The overnight train to Chiang Mai is the classic Thai journey: leave Bangkok in the evening, sleep through the rice plains, and wake up as the line starts climbing into the hills. Five trains a day cover the route; four of them carry sleepers, and choosing between them is mostly about what time you want to wake up.
The trains
| Train | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 07:30 | 17:50 | 10h 20m | Special Express |
| 109 | 14:15 | 04:00 +1 day | 13h 45m | Rapid |
| 9 | 18:40 | 07:15 +1 day | 12h 35m | Special Express |
| 13 | 20:05 | 08:45 +1 day | 12h 40m | Special Express |
| 51 | 22:30 | 11:40 +1 day | 13h 10m | Express |
The daytime service is seats only, air-conditioned, and the fastest of the group. The overnight trains differ mainly in departure hour and in how new the carriages are — one of them runs the newer Chinese-built stock, which is why it costs more and sells out first.
Upper or lower
This is the decision that matters. Lower berths cost more — usually a few hundred baht on a second-class ticket — and in exchange you get a wider bed and a window. Upper berths have no window, sit closer to the ceiling light and the air-conditioning vent, and are narrower.
When seats open
- SRT releases seats up to 60 days ahead through its own system. First class and lower berths on the newest train go first.
- Sale windows are by segment: if your journey is a short part of a long route, the seats may open only a day or two before departure.
- Peak season is November to February. If you want a specific berth in that window, book as soon as it opens.
On board
- A steward converts the seats into berths after dinner and back again before arrival. Linen is included.
- There is usually a dining car; simpler food is sold at the platform stops.
- Power sockets exist in the newer carriages, not reliably in the older ones — bring a battery.
- Some second-class carriages have a women-only section.
Every departure for your date, with durations and classes side by side. Seats on these services are arranged by us and confirmed with the railway before you pay.
Questions people ask
How long is the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
Roughly 12 to 14 hours depending on the service. The daytime train takes about 10 hours 20 minutes.
Is a lower berth worth the extra?
For most people, yes — wider bed, a window, and less light and air-conditioning in your face. The difference is usually a few hundred baht.
How far ahead can I book?
Up to about 60 days through SRT. First class and lower berths on the newest train sell out fastest.
Do I need to print the ticket?
You need the booking reference and the passport the ticket was issued against. Keep the confirmation on your phone as a record.