If you fancy a 12 hour train journey....Lonely Planet Vietnam Guidebooks
A popular way of using the railway is by overnight sleeper. Luggage space is adequate, but although usually this form of travel is pretty safe, it's best to keep your valuables close at hand, just in case. The main thing is to
enjoy your time in Thailand. If exploring by rail is for you, that's
great! Many folk love it, so don't let me put you off.
The beds are arranged in pairs of bunks and if you take a bottom bunk,
you can view the spectacular mountain scenery as the railway enters the
highlands and traverses Doi Kuntan National Park and mountains between
Lampang and Lamphun. The top bunk is better used by young people as it
can be difficult to climb into if you are a bit old and stiff, like me.
Beds are made up between 9 and 10pm and broken down about an hour
before reaching your destination.If after this you still fancy the rail journey, the your travel agent should be able to secure tickets for you, given a couple of days notice. If you forget to book the tickets you can very often get one at the station, as long as you get there early. There is a safe luggage storage facility at both stations, charging a minimal fee. Bangkok railway station is fairly comfortable as railway stations go, with adequate seating, a newsagent, supermarket, restaurants, bars, plenty of food vendors and even a KFC. At Chiang Mai, plenty of taxis will ply for your custom. Chiang Mai railway station is on Charoen Muang Road, east of the city, across the river. (053) 24-4795, (053) 242094, (053) 245364 For train timetable. See www.1stopchiangmai.com/getting_here/Actually, I quite like the railway, as long as it's comfortable, has a decent restaurant car and a well stocked bar, why not? My problem is that this journey is so lo--ng! When you think you can fly from Bangkok to London in less time than it takes the train to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, I think of all the stuff I'm missing while on that slo-ow trek. I must admit, it sounds romantic though, maybe a reminder of more stately times on the Orient Express? |
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For those hardy or
romantic souls who fancy a 12 hour train journey from Bangkok to Chiang
Mai I can tell you that this is a slow but budget means of linking the
cities. A little cheaper than the bus, nevertheless it can be rather
more comfortable, especially if you decide to travel first class. Meals
and drinks are available on the railway at bargain prices, but be
prepared for Thai-style timekeeping. 
