Should I travel by bus or train to experience the scenic Bangkok to Chiang Mai route?

Posted by paul on March 7th, 2009 filed in Day trips, tourist tips

Today, it is rare to hear of a visitor who wishes to enjoy the drive, rather than hurrying to the destination. But if you stay on the ground and travel like most locals, there are huge savings to be made as well! You can pay only 518 baht for a first-class air-conditioned VIP bus versus 2,000 baht for a one-way flight ticket.

Bus or coach remains the most favoured way of transportation as they’re fairly regular, reliable and safe, taking approximately nine hours to reach Chiang Mai. There are a number of coach companies that operate routes between the Mor Chit 2 terminal in Bangkok and the Arcade bus terminal in Chiang Mai.

If you wish to travel during daytime, there are VIP services (spacious legroom but also pricier) and first-class coaches to choose from. Most of the coaches offer hostess services with a wet towel, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. In addition, the majority of the coaches feature DVD movies. However, the lavatory may start to smell after being on the road for several hours and therefore you should try to get a seat that isn’t placed near the toilet.

You should also bear in mind that the coach’s air-conditioning is normally set to “arctic”, so bring a sweater or light jacket along. Online you can conveniently make a ticket reservation in advance or via the call centre, 30 to 60 minutes before departure you should then pay at the counter.

From the main Hua Lampong Railway Station in Bangkok there are six daily trains leaving between 08:30 and 22:00 to the rail station in Chiang Mai on Charoen Muang Road. There are four different trains operating this route: the Sprinter, the Nakornping Special Express, the Express and the Rapid. You can choose between air-conditioning or fan, sleepers and seats. Also available is first-class, with two travellers to a sleeper cabin.

Depending on the type of coach, the voyage takes between 12 to 15 hours. At www.Railway.co.th you can find up-to-date timetables and ticket fees. Overnight sleepers are more popular but passengers on day services make a ride through some stunning scenery, much more spectacular than the roadside panoramas you get from the bus. Though the journey is longer, the train does give you the option stretching your legs with a stroll to the restaurant coach. You should a 30-minute stop at Kamphaeng Phet for lunch.