From Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Train #13: All You Need to Know

In “From Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Train #13: All You Need to Know” post, I’ll share everything you need to know about taking train number 13 from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

If you’re looking to avoid airports and airplanes when traveling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, taking a train may be the perfect option. After a long 15-hour flight from London to Bangkok, I wanted a more comfortable and scenic mode of transportation. Even though the flight time from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is only one hour, I decided to take train number 13 instead.

Traveling by train provides stunning views of the countryside, and the comfortable sleeper cabins make for a relaxing trip. Plus, you can enjoy dinner and breakfast on board. When traveling by train, you won’t have to worry about the discomforts of bus travel.

Buying Tickets For Train #13 From Bangkok to Chiang Mai

When buying our tickets on April 1st, we found that there were long queues at Bangkok train station due to the upcoming Songkran holidays. Tickets for a two-person cabin cost 2700 Baht (about 66 GBP, 86 USD or 76 EUR). Although we had initially planned to take the newer and more comfortable train number 9, it was sold out. So, we booked train number 13 instead.

Keep in mind that it’s not possible to book train tickets online at the moment.

Train #13 From Bangkok to Chiang Mai Coupe Interior

Although the train looks a bit old from the outside, the cabins are clean and comfortable. The interior of the coupe is old-fashioned but cozy, with two complimentary small bottles of water and a place to wash your hands and brush your teeth. The electric socket is above the coupe door, so make sure you have a long cable if you need to charge your devices while sitting next to the window.

When it’s time to sleep, a staff member will come to make your bed and provide a blanket. Note that the air conditioner can be difficult to regulate, so it might be very cold at night.

Food in Train #13 From Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Dinner and breakfast are available for purchase on board, but they are quite expensive for the quality of food. I recommend having dinner in Bangkok before the trip and bringing some snacks for the evening and breakfast. You’ll find plenty of great places to eat when you arrive in Chiang Mai.

Menu

Toilets and Shower in Train #13

There are two toilets on the train, with the first one being an older style. The second one is modern and includes a shower.

Outside views and Chiang Mai train station

During my trip, I wasn’t able to take many photos or videos of the outside views due to the night-time schedule. However, the trip started and ended on time, with the train departing at 7:35 p.m. and arriving at 8:40 a.m. in Chiang Mai.

You can see some short montage of the trip on Love My Chiang Mai YouTube channel:

At the Chiang Mai train station, you’ll find plenty of red taxis waiting for you. Alternatively, you can use the Grab application to get around the city.

While taking the train may be more expensive than flying, it’s a great option if you want a comfortable and scenic journey. Train number 13 may not be the newest, but it’s still a great choice for traveling to Chiang Mai. Plus, Chiang Mai is a beautiful city to visit, and you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy it after your relaxing train journey.