kajito Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 Are there any night sleeper train running from Chiang Mai directly to Hua Hin or do I need to stop over at Bangkok and switch trains? Also, can I buy tickets online or do I need to go to the train station to purchase tickets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmd8800 Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 just about everything one needs to know about train travel worldwide is on https://seat61.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davehowden Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 Sombat Tour bus is your only direct service from Chiang Mai to Hua Hin. The train service is abysmal, last time I traveled Bangkok to Chiang Mai the train broke down and was 3 hours late arriving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristianBlessing Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 I have traveled on the over overnight sleeper numerous times, as recently as 9 months ago. It's never broken down and has arrived no more than 30 minutes late. The recently introduced cars from China are great. However, you'll have to change in Bangkok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainman34014 Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 12 minutes ago, davehowden said: Sombat Tour bus is your only direct service from Chiang Mai to Hua Hin. The train service is abysmal, last time I traveled Bangkok to Chiang Mai the train broke down and was 3 hours late arriving. You did well; our train was 5 and a half hours late ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritManToo Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 19 minutes ago, davehowden said: Sombat Tour bus is your only direct service from Chiang Mai to Hua Hin. I did the bus earlier this year, 12hrs with a stop for food in the middle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watcharacters Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 dup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enoon Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Change in Bangkok. http://www.railway.co.th/Home/Index Click "down" chevron in top right search box for English. Scroll down opening page for check(route timetable)/online booking (ignore the fact that it says "bus schedule") Type origin/destination before clicking check. Did overnight CM/BK last week. Don't buy the coffee.......60baht for half a cup of old sump oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kajito Posted February 13, 2019 Author Share Posted February 13, 2019 Thanks everyone for your input and the links. After posting I check online and couldn't find anything available for my specific date so I took a cab to the railway station in CM. The attendant confirmed that the first class night sleeper were all booked up but I was able to get a one-way ticket for early March from Chiang Mai to Bangkok first class on the new train and I also booked a ticket from Bangkok to Hua Hin. I've traveled many times on trains so I don't mind the inconveniences. Anyway, I'm all set thanks again! ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vacuum Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 20 hours ago, davehowden said: Sombat Tour bus is your only direct service from Chiang Mai to Hua Hin. The train service is abysmal, last time I traveled Bangkok to Chiang Mai the train broke down and was 3 hours late arriving. At least you didn't end upside down beside the road, when the bus driver thought it was ok to close his eyes for a second. Roadside trees are also popular objects to hit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawadee1947 Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Not yet, but in future if you can wait.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyJ Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 1 hour ago, kajito said: Thanks everyone for your input and the links. After posting I check online and couldn't find anything available for my specific date so I took a cab to the railway station in CM. The attendant confirmed that the first class night sleeper were all booked up but I was able to get a one-way ticket for early March from Chiang Mai to Bangkok first class on the new train and I also booked a ticket from Bangkok to Hua Hin. I've traveled many times on trains so I don't mind the inconveniences. Anyway, I'm all set thanks again! ???? What was the cost? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ajarnbrian Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Get the sleeper train from Chiangmai 5.00pm that arrives Hualampong 6.15am (or the 6.00pm train is very comfortable, arr 6.50am). Then 8.05am sprinter train to Hua Hin. You can book tickets for both. Trains sometimes delayed in the rainy season but if you miss the 8.05 Hua Hin train, the slower 9.20am train is not bad (very cheap). Trains are great if not in a hurry, overnight buses not known for safety or comfort and don`t always arrive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naboo Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 You can change at Bang Sue junction instead of going into Hualampong. About 20 minutes north of Hualampong this would be especially useful if you are late arriving in Bangkok as it gives you another 40 minutes (trains to Hua Hun head north to Bang Sue before heading West then south). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyf Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 18 hours ago, kajito said: Thanks everyone for your input and the links. After posting I check online and couldn't find anything available for my specific date so I took a cab to the railway station in CM. The attendant confirmed that the first class night sleeper were all booked up but I was able to get a one-way ticket for early March from Chiang Mai to Bangkok first class on the new train and I also booked a ticket from Bangkok to Hua Hin. I've traveled many times on trains so I don't mind the inconveniences. Anyway, I'm all set thanks again! ???? I have done a few train journeys over the years without too much problem and the new rolling stock is very good particularly the first class. You were right to go to the station, train bookings can only be made in the 60 days prior to travel and as there is only one first class carriage per train they book up early, difficult to do a return without going to the station twice. You can book online but as far as I am aware there is only one option 12go Asia and they charge a couple of hundred for doing it. The one advantage is you can book in advance and at the 60 day point they buy the tickets, their office is at the train station in Bangkok. I would have suggested going out to the airport and getting the Bell Transport bus to Hua Hin, a bit more comfortable journey. Travelling through Bangkok on the train is a bit like watching paint dry. Another poster has suggested changing at Bang Sue, which is well worth considering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poopyface Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 I toyed with the rather archaic official train website after getting frustrated with the 12goAsia site. What I discovered was if you are booking last minute, you need to go to the station, all availability is not posted online. And if you want the best first class, you need to book in advance. Seat61.com is Gospel for riding trains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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