Don't Take the Night Train From Chiang Mai to Bangkok 🇹🇭

*THAILAND: Today, I am traveling by sleeper train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok (SRT Special Express 14). Come along as I review the experience and explain why this is not a good option to travel between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

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[bjarneussing]

I took this Bangkok - Chiang Mai nighttrain several times, and even the trains rocks a bit, it seldomly disturbed my sleep. Recommend lover bunks, as it is more comfortable and avoid the sharp light. I really like this train, and will definitely take it again.
Tip: if you leave Bangkok towards Chiang Mai, take the late train (around 10 pm), the first half of the trip you can sleep, the other half of the trip awake and can look at the stunning beautiful railway that is on the northern part of this railway.

[majwilsonlion]

I have taken the night train several times. It was only a problem one time, and not because of the train. I was in a car with a bunch of young westerners who were talking loudly with each other all through the night, ignoring the point of taking a night train, which is to sleep so you can be fresh upon arrival. For the other rides where all the riders were sleeping, I was able to also. The lower berths are slightly longer and wider, so they are recommended for those who need the extra lengths.

[JamesKeller]

Excellent video! I took this exact train in 2018, but in first class. And you are 100% right. The rocking was really bothersome. Back then the first class ticket did include a delicious dinner and drinks, though.

[kong_faijourney]

thank you very much for review sleeper train no.14 at 05.00pm from chiang mai to bkk this train no.14 is my favourite train for me too. because comfortable sleeping good timetable and nice view hope you enjoy and travel with this train again thank you.

[patrickboland]

I've done it twice. Love it. I always have a lower berth. My gf and I will make this journey again in February. I miss the old station in Bangkok though.

[veritymurray]

First class sells out a long time in advance. Not only did we have to forgo that but we were travelling with a group tour from Bangkok to CM and the rest of our group were allocated seats in the back of the train. Ours were close to the front - presumably the company under estimated when they block booked tickets. Imagine enduring choking diesel fumes alongside the discomfort of the ride. Probably took years off our lives! They wouldn't allow us to sit in the buffet car all night so no alternative but to breathe it in. Only distraction was the ongoing argument between the two attendants in our carriage, which even came to blows at one point. Never a dull moment in Thailand.

[viv]

thank you so much for this information - we will definately look for another option

[dontaylor]

couple of weeks ago took the night train bkk to chiang mai.. loved the experience..great views in the morning..one thing i did not anticipate was motion sickness after the journey! after 11 hours plus of rocking and rolling i was dizzy and wobbling for a few hours after...i picked a car up at chiang mai and had to stop for a few hours till motion effects wore off!!

[alexf]

I always watch these railway journeys...before booking the flight.

[worldview]

This video came to me at one of the best possible time and i FEEL SO MUCH for the poster - it has always been "one look" at the conditions of how a train ride will be that all that shakiness is going to make it very much impossible to have any form of possible sleep. Much less be in that transportation beyond a few hours.

[monogo]

The night train never had free meals. The restaurant car used to cook fresh meals that are much better, but those days are gone. The day train no longer has any food and you have to buy before you board.

Lower bunks are much more comfortable and darker. But eye masks are always useful to have. But I'll even take the upper bunk over the bus (even the first class bus) any day. The biggest benefit of first class is that you can turn off the light and control the AC.

[boulinguezjustine]

I took the second class to Chiang Mai in the "old" train you had, and it was OK and confortable. I had ear plug and sleep mask because I'm a bad sleeper. I'm woke up a lot during the journey but, it's due to my bad sleep and to the AC, witch wad very very cold that night ! I was really cold after 2 A.M and during the rest of the night, despite I was confortably couched. The rocking didn't chock me that much.
To go back in Bangkok, i had a first class cabin in a "new" train. And the new train are not confortable, the bed is really hard... So I woke up a lot because of the bed that time...!during

[BangkokBubonaglia]

Having taken many trains in Thailand, there is a huge difference between the upper bunk and lower bunk. Especially when you are oriented parallel to the direction of travel. The rocking is much less intrusive in 1st class where you are perpendicular to the direction of travel. It's also substantially better in 2n class in the lower bunk, because A) the rocking is a function of how high you are above the wheels, and B) the light is a function of how close you are to the ceiling. The light can be defeated by a good mask, but you can't mitigate the rocking. I would never take a 2nd class sleeper in an upper bunk. Did it once. Never again. Consider it one of the significant drawbacks of narrow gauge. There is a reason this was all that was left 5 days before departure.

[kevpn]

apparently, in the day train you will have a free meal, but on the night train the meal is not included, so you have to bring foods or buy on the restaurant section of the train

[kevinrichard]

They're upgrading rails and coaches. Will improve a lot.

[NicholasChin-lo]

I agree very much with what you've said, I took the sleeper train from hatyai to bangkok recently on the upper deck and it was my worst ever travel on a train. The ailse is very narrow cos of the metal storage beside the seats for your luggage. Firstly, you have to be really qualified to climb up and down from the upper berth, 2ndly the train was rocking and perking the entire time which makes sleeping impossible and 3rdly they don't switch the lights off so even with the curtains drawn you'll still get the light. I spend the entire trip counting the seconds and minutes. Maybe the lower deck might be better but I don't intend to get on a sleeper train again in Thailand. I would rather take a bus/coach the next time.

[davidsmac]

Good honest review . Cemented my decision not to take train on this journey second or first class!

[rschortinghuis]

Man… that’s a cool ride. I did it in 2012. Fantastic

[MacAnChips]

4:33 from your footage, the leading loco is actually QYS with top speed of 120 kmph

[horstreichel]

Some facts...the bus is faster. The train has an ok first class sleeping option which will give you a decent travel experience, but not great. Don't forget Thailand is still a developing country...