'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: Many people miss out on a wonderful experience by flying to Chiang Mai from Bangkok. The best choice is the overnight train, which is clean, safe, comfortable and fun. If you are a couple or a family with even numbered members I recommend the 1st class cabin. If you are traveling alone and/or don’t want to share a private cabin then 2nd class is fine.
The problem with 2nd class is many people share the same restroom. Also it can get noisy if people in the car want to drink and party, which makes it difficult to sleep.
In 1st class the restrooms are shared by only a few. The porter is always cleaning the restrooms and a small shower is also available. If there are 4 or 6 persons you can open the doors between the cabins.
The food on the train is OK but a little expensive. A waiter will come by your berth or cabin and take your order and deliver your food. After dinner a waiter will return to collect your dishes and give you a breakfast menu. You then order your breakfast and tell the waiter what time you want to eat in the morning. If you wish you can always eat in the dinning car before 10PM.
When you are ready to sleep the porter will remove and store your table and make up your beds. This takes much longer in 2nd class than 1st class as there are many more beds to make. After 10 PM the porter locks the carriage doors so you will not be able to go from car to car.
Trains with 1st class accommodations depart Bangkok at 6 PM and arrive in Chiang Mai around 7 AM. There is another at 8:25 arriving in Chiang Mai around 9AM. I like the later train, as you will be able to view the surrounding mountains and canyons near Chiang Mai at sunrise. The train is very popular so tickets sell out quickly. You can purchase tickets up to 60 days in advance. There are many second-class trains so you have a choice of several departure times.
Another good thing about the overnight train is it is cheaper than flying and you save money for a nights stay at a hotel.
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Website: http://www.railway.co.th/timetable/N_N.html
Chiang Mai
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on Jul 31, 2005
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