Trains from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

By train it takes between 10 and 13 hours to travel between Bangkok and Chiang Mai depending upon which train service you use. Travel by train is slower than air travel but it is also more enjoyable. The scenery on the train journey is very good. You also have the option of travelling overnight in an inexpensive sleeper berth and saving on the cost of a hotel room for the night.

Train times from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

There are currently 5 direct trains per day from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

• The fastest train is Train #7 departing at 09:05, which is scheduled to complete the journey in 10 hours 25 minutes.
• The best overnight train is Train #9 departing at 18:40, which is scheduled to arrive 12 hours 35 minutes later at 07:15.

Buy Tickets from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Use the Search Box below to buy your train tickets from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

By purchasing your ticket online you guarantee your seat. You may be disappointed if you attempt to buy your ticket on the day of travel or even the day before if you plan to travel during busy periods.

Ticket Prices from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Train tickets purchased on online for the Bangkok to Chiang Mai route cost 250 THB more per ticket than purchasing the ticket at the train station. However, this is a popular route and sleeper seats in particular tend to sell out several days before the day of travel so booking in advance is a good idea.

About Train Travel to Chiang Mai

The first stage of the train journey goes through the outskirts of Bangkok with views of the city few tourists would otherwise see. From Bangkok the train then travels across the flat central plain of Thailand through a seemingly endless stretch of rice paddy fields interrupted only by towns and cities along the way.

At Lopburi be sure to looking out the left hand side of the train carriage for the famous monkey temple, where Macaque monkeys roam freely through the ruins of an ancient temple. From the central plains the train track rises into the mountains and train moves slowly as it negotiates the winding tracks. From the mountains the train then continues past a large area with several lakes before arriving at Chiang Mai. Sit back, enjoy the food and arrive relaxed in Chiang Mai city

Route to Chiang Mai

• Distance from Bangkok to Chiang Mai: 693 km
• Train travel time from Bangkok to Chiang Mai: 10 to 13 hours
• Travel by road driving time from Bangkok to Chiang Mai: 8 hours 23 minutes

Best Trains to Chiang Mai

Because the journey by train is fairly long (scheduled to take between 10 and 13 hours) it’s a good idea to decide whether you would prefer to travel during the day or overnight.

• Daytime: If you enjoy train travel and want to look out the window as you go then book Train #7 which departs at 09:05. This journey is the only one during which you cross the mountains in daylight.
• Sleeper: If you would like to sleep on the train and arrive early in Chiang Mai for a full day of activities then book Train #9 which departs at 18:40. Train #9 uses the new train carriages brought into service in November 2016.
• Travel Tip: Train #7 and Train #9 are the most popular departures so be sure to book in advance as they often sell out before the day of travel.

Transporting a bicycle

Bicycles can be transported on the following trains if there is space in the freight car:

• Train #109 – Departing at 14:15
• Train #13 – Departing at 20:05
• Train #51 – Departing at 22:30

Bicycles cannot be carried on the following trains because they have no freight car:

• Train #7 – Departing at 09:05
• Train #9 – Departing at 18:40

For information about transporting bicycles on the train to Chiang Mai see our Guide to Carrying bicycles on Thailand Trains.

Location of Bangkok Train Station

• From the 19th January 2023 the main railway station in Bangkok is Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (also known as Bang Sue Grand Station).

Taxis in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai Railway Station is about 2.2 km from the popular Chan Klang Road and Night Bazaar area and 3.3 km away from the Thae Pae Gate in the old town. Unless you have booked one our recommended hotels near the train station is probably going to be too far to walk to your hotel when you arrive. Instead, take one of the tuk-tuks which wait in the station car park to your hotel, it will cost about 100 THB. For a cheaper option go to the main road and flag down a shared taxi, the cost of a trip to the old town should be around 40 THB per person.

Location of Chiang Mai Station

Next read about How to get from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai

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