Read this before you travel through Thailand by train.

Generally, train travel in Thailand is straightforward, but infrequent, at least for foreign travelers. Now, let me elaborate.

Foreigners who can travel to Thailand without taking the train usually do so, especially as flights with budget airlines become increasingly frequent and affordable. Those who have no other choice—mostly backpackers, and usually for financial reasons—frequently use trains in Thailand.

Of course, this explanation is also an oversimplification for a relatively complex topic. So, shall we examine it in more detail?

Where in Thailand can you travel by train?

Compared to other Southeast and Northeast Asian countries, the use of trains in Thailand is relatively limited. This may seem counterintuitive, as the list of destinations reachable by train in Thailand is quite long:

Admittedly, there are a number of factors that hinder train services in Thailand, from long travel times and inconvenient timetables to the extremely outdated infrastructure for purchasing train tickets.

5 things you should know about Thai trains

You do not (necessarily) need to reserve in advance.

Until a few years ago, I never bothered to book train tickets in Thailand in advance. Whether I was taking an overnight trip to Chiang Mai or just a day trip to Ratchaburi, I always preferred to book at the ticket counter on the off chance. Those who want to book in advance can either go to Hua Lamphong station early in person or use an online service like 12Go.

Yes, Thailand's sleeper trains are comfortable.

Night trains in Thailand are an experience everyone should have at least once in their life. Despite some modernizations over the years, they are far from luxurious. Nevertheless, there are certainly worse things than sitting in a sleeper berth in an air-conditioned carriage or enjoying Thai food during the train journey.

Trains in Thailand are often not on time.

Train travel in Thailand, like all other modes of transport there, is not always reliable. I have experienced many train journeys that took hours longer than planned, even without any apparent delays. To paraphrase my previous point: In Thailand, train travel is more about the experience than (necessarily) practicality.

There are (still) no high-speed trains in Thailand.

In a few paragraphs, I will discuss the prospect (or the specter, depending on who you ask) of high-speed trains in Southeast Asia in more detail. Let me preface this by saying that Thailand's trains are not only frequently delayed, but also anything but fast. Even the Airport Rail Link "Express" service is no longer running!

It is safe to travel by train in Thailand.

The more general question, "Is Thailand safe?", isn't so easy to answer. Personally, in all the years I've traveled in Thailand, I've never heard of a derailment or any other major incident. That's probably the advantage of Thailand's slow trains! The right perspective is key to understanding this.

Thailand's (perhaps) high-speed future

Anyone who has spent time in Thailand in the last ten years may have noticed that the introduction of a high-speed train always seems to be "just a few years away." You may also be aware that Thailand's future high-speed train, whether it takes you to China and Singapore or just to Isaan, will have its hub at Bang Sue Grand Central, a new station that opened in December 2021.

Train travel in Thailand is like everything else in the kingdom: you should only believe developments when you see them with your own eyes – and even then, you're not always sure. Personally, I'd be surprised if there were any significant high-speed trains within Thailand before 2030 – but that's just my opinion. After all, construction has only just begun, with a target date of 2025.

Other travel options in Thailand

The good news? Domestic flights in Thailand largely compensate for the disadvantages of train travel, especially regarding flight frequency and airline selection. Furthermore, improved service and increased competition (at least before the pandemic) have meant that airfares have been falling every year. Some were quite expensive when I first started traveling to Thailand!

This is not to say that land transport in Thailand is useless. In smaller towns and villages, especially in the north and in Isaan, buses are often the only way to get around (unless you can take a songthaew). Within cities (with the exception of Bangkok, whose ever-expanding BTS SkyTrain and MRT network is becoming increasingly convenient), taxis and Grab are the best options.

More frequently asked questions about train travel in Thailand

Is it possible to travel by train in Thailand?

Traveling by train in Thailand is certainly possible, although it's not always feasible or advisable. For example, while you can easily travel directly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, getting to Phuket is more complicated. You have to take a night train to Surat Thani and then continue by bus or minibus to Phuket. Flying is easier and, these days, cheaper anyway!

How much does a train ticket cost in Thailand?

Train tickets in Thailand are generally cheap, but you get what you pay for. For example, a trip from Bangkok to Udon Thani or Chiang Mai in an air-conditioned sleeper car with a reclining function costs around 1,000 THB. While comfortable, it's not fast. There are currently no Shinkansen trains operating in Thailand.

How do I book a train ticket in Thailand?

Most travelers buy their Thai train tickets directly at the station on the day of departure. If you plan your trip in advance and prefer to book your tickets now, it is recommended to use a travel agency (such as 12goAsia) to reserve tickets up to 60 days before your trip.

Conclusion

Traveling by train in Thailand is relatively straightforward, mainly because you don't necessarily need trains in most cases. Even if a high-speed train were to be built (somewhere) someday, Thai trains are mostly functional and represent an authentic, if somewhat outdated, form of transport. Nevertheless, I would recommend taking a train trip through Thailand at least once, even if you don't "have to." It's not always comfortable and certainly not efficient, but it's definitely an experience. Need help planning your transportation for your Thailand trip? Book me to plan your itinerary!