Chiang Mai Night Train from Bangkok: 2026 Guide and Review

Wondering if taking a sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is the same as taking a red-eye flight from LA to New York? Let me tell you. Not even close.

I meant that taking the red-eye flight could never come close to the Chiang Mai night train.

While you’re struggling with legroom, stiff neck, the smell of plane fuel, and whatnot on a night flight, you can sleep as soundly as you do in a good hostel dorm on the night train.

Yes, there are privacy curtains for y’all solo female travelers, and you can charge your phone, too!

You see, I took the Express Train #9 from Bangkok on my latest trip to Chiang Mai in (the previous time was in elementary school), and I’m happy to tell you that the experience has gotten a thousand times better.

But here’s the catch: You CAN’T get tickets on the day of. The night train always sells out months in advance. So I’m here to show you how to book online, how to select seats so you get to sit with your friends, and more!

Why Take the Train Instead of a Flight?

Nevermind an overnight train, but why take a train at all when you can fly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai in an hour? Good question. I have a handful of answers for that.

• You get to save on 1 night’s accommodation cost (plus a lower travel fare!)
• You get a deeper cultural connection to Thailand as you look out the window in the morning.
• The trains are super solo female traveler-friendly.

Why would you pay over US$60 for a flight, a bit more for the taxi to the airport, and then some more for one extra night of accommodation in Chiang Mai… when you can pay about US$50 and cover all the costs? Right?

How to Book Your Chiang Mai Night Train Ticket

Let me make this clear one more time: You CANNOT get the night train ticket on the day of. Even the locals have trouble trying to get tickets home on these night trains as they’re insanely popular.

Book at least a month out if you can, unless you don’t mind missing out!

That said, let’s look at tickets. You can book them in two main ways, online or in person.

Option 1: Booking Online with 12Go Asia

Although they charge a service fee (as all booking platforms do), I have to rave about how convenient it is to book tickets in advance with 12Go Asia.

I use it to book all my inter-city rides in Southeast Asia, from vans, buses, to private transfers. The site shows you all departure times, available classes, and lets you choose upper or lower bunks.

How to Book Upper vs. Lower Bunk Seats

The seat numbers can be confusing if you don’t know how they work. Here’s a quick rundown.

• The odd-numbered seats are upper bunks.
• The even-numbered seats are lower bunks.
• The upper and lower bunks are seats that face each other.

Basically, if you’re traveling with a friend, and you both want a lower bunk, both of you will have to sit opposite a stranger. If you want to sit together, one of you will have to choose the upper bunk and the other the lower bunk.

Book at least a month in advance if you want to sit across from your travel buddy.

The ticketing system will choose seats for you based on your bunk preference. It will try to seat your two tickets together, but if there are no open pairs left, you risk having to sit opposite strangers.

How to Pick up Your Train Tickets

Within 3 days before your trip, you’ll need to pick up your tickets from the 12Go Asia service counter, located in the Chatuchak MetroMall. You won’t even have to leave the metro station.

Show the staff your passport, and they’ll print your tickets for you.

Learn How to Get There: How to Use the Metro in Bangkok

Option 2: Booking in Person at Bang Sue Grand Station

To avoid the higher service fee charged on booking platforms, head straight to the Bang Sue Grand Station and buy your tickets there.

The station is officially called the Krung Thep Apiwat Central Terminal, so you’ll sometimes hear that name instead.

The ticket counters are located between gates 2 and 3 of the long-distance train terminal. Your international credit card is accepted.

As I mentioned before… the train is insanely popular. If you choose to book in person closer to your travel date, you risk not getting on, or not getting to sit with your travel buddies.

Tip: Don’t Book Direct with the State Railway Website

Technically, there’s an option to book directly through the State Railway website. But it doesn’t let you book round-trips, and the search engine often acts weird, so I don’t recommend it.

Which Seat Class Should You Choose?

We’re going to ignore the “Class 3” and “Seats Only” trains and only talk about the sleeper trains.

2nd Class A/C Sleeper (Recommended)

This is the most frequent train class between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, although there are newer trains and older trains. I was on the newer one, so that’s the experience you’re gonna read about here.

These trains have comfortable velvety seats that get turned into bunk beds with privacy curtains at night. If you want to avoid the older models, look for the #9 express train when you book on 12Go.

1st Class Sleeper

These are trains with private cabins with two seats each, so you get a private bedroom with your travel buddy.

The first-class trains are fewer in number and are almost always booked out, despite the slightly higher price point.

Book these if you value luxury. Note that I say “luxury” and not “privacy.” I think you get plenty of privacy with the 2nd class trains. Wanting to book first class is an indulgence, which is fine if that’s your goal.

Departure Point: Bang Sue Grand Station (Krungthep Apiwat)

If you’ve heard about Hua Lamphong Station, forget it. Trains to Chiang Mai now depart from Krungthep Apiwat Central Terminal, or the good old Bang Sue Grand Station.

How to Get There

Take the MRT (blue or red line) to Bang Sue and follow the signs to long-distance trains.

If you’re arriving via taxi at the terminal, feel free to enter any of the gates.

The building is overwhelmingly massive, but there’s not much going on inside. You’ll just walk along the hallway with clear signs.

Facilities at the Station

You’ll find a cafeteria by gate 4 of the main terminal, and bathrooms throughout. There are more stalls selling food and snacks inside the waiting hall, too.

Here’s some good news: Lockers are available, too! For those of you coming to Bangkok on a quick layover, you can rent one to hold your bags while you’re out exploring for the day.

Boarding the Train

Unless you’ve done this before, I recommend arriving at least 30-45 minutes early because the platforms and boarding system operate a bit differently here. Let me walk you through.

Boarding Zones vs. Platforms Numbers

This threw me off the first time I went. Instead of looking for a platform number, you’re looking for a “boarding zone,” which is usually an alphabet. Platform numbers are nowhere to be found.

While the signs are clear, I understand that it can be confusing compared to the boarding systems overseas. Just follow the arrows to your boarding zone.

Grab a quick bite at the cafeteria if you have a lot of time left.

Following the arrows to your boarding zone, you’ll see sliding doors with (finally) platform numbers above. As long as you know which region of Thailand you’re going to, you’ll do great.

Exact platforms are only announced 20 minutes before boarding. You’ll also see people starting to line up near the boarding gate close to your departure time, so just follow them.

You’ll need the QR code on your ticket to pass the turnstile at the gate, so have it ready.

The platforms are upstairs. Once you’ve passed the turnstile, go up the escalator and start looking for your train car. The carriage number is on your ticket and next to each car’s door.

What to Expect Onboard the Night Train

Don’t I just love the train number 9… Love it.

The seats are cozy, with just enough space underneath to store a carry-on-sized bag, one bottle of water for each seat, and a little foldable desk for those who want to work or read before dark.

The Sleeper Train Evening Setup (7:00–8:00 PM)

The magic happens at around 7 PM. A train attendant walks through, asking people if they’re ready to have their beds made, and then transforming seats into beds at lightning speed.

Within 5 minutes, your area becomes a bunk bed with a privacy curtain.

This setup is great for sleeping, but also for peeking out the window in your own space if you draw the curtain closed.

You won’t see much outside after dark, but looking out into the countryside in the quiet of the night was strangely relaxing.

Here’s a tip from me: Lie on your back first. Do not try to fall asleep on your side. The way the train shakes slightly will make you feel sick pretty quickly if you’re rocked from front to back. I don’t have motion sickness at all, and I could feel it.

Facilities Onboard

Right at your own bed, you get:

• Thick privacy curtain
• A small reading light
• Cellphone charger

Bathrooms are at the end of each train car.

They’re small but clean, with the level of smell one can expect from a train, but not as bad as some long-distance buses. There’s also a shared sink in the hallway for brushing teeth or freshening up.

What to Pack for Your Night Train Journey

• A comfortable hoodie (the A/C is freezing)
• Earplugs (for light sleepers)
• Toiletries
• A good book or a downloaded Netflix episode (Hello, night owl!)

Avoid bringing a large bag or luggage on board. It needs to fit under your seat and bed.

Waking Up in Chiang Mai

You’ll arrive at the Chiang Mai Railway Station between 6:30–7:00 AM. The station is a small, nostalgic, open-air station with a café and an army of tuk-tuk and taxi drivers waiting.

Hail your ride with the Grab app or hop in one of the iconic red songtaews (30-40 THB) to get into the city. Most hotels will let you leave your luggage there even though you can’t check in yet.

To get started in Chiang Mai, I recommend having breakfast with the locals at Tai Toon Ban. For a more modern-style coffee fix, try Maled Coffee Roasters. Both are open at the crack of dawn.

Looking for more ideas to do up there? Check out my favorite things to do in Chiang Mai!

Find more travel tips and guides to other provinces on my Thailand Cultural Travel page!

Helpful Travel Tips for Thailand

All visitors need to fill out a Digital Arrival Card no longer than 3 days before their trip to Thailand. And if applicable, a visa.

• Make sure you protect your trip with a travel insurance.
• Get this eSIM for local data without giving up your number.
• Must-have Apps: Grab, Papago AI Translator, Google Maps

Learn the dos and don’ts in Thai culture and some local phrases before arriving.

Don’t forget to always have cash on hand. The smaller the notes, the better!

Find a Place to Stay in Chiang Mai

Looking for somewhere to stay? Use the map below to browse for the best option for you! Keep in mind that as long as you stay inside the city walls or around the outside of it, most places will be walkable.

Grab My Thailand E-Checklist

To make sure you don’t leave anything important out of your preparations, I’ve made a digital checklist to help you get ready. I leave 2 pages blank for you to customize your own checklist, too!

FAQs About Taking the Night Train to Chiang Mai

📌 Pin this for later

Sharing is caring!