State Railway of Thailand (SRT)
State Railway of Thailand (SRT)
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The area
Neighbourhood: Pathum Wan
How to get there
- Hua Lamphong • 3 min walk
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Best nearby
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5,552 within 3 miles
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617 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- Dan KThe Hague, The Netherlands8,864 contributionsLocal train to MahachaiTook the local train to Mahachai from Wongwian Yai in Bangkok for a fun adventurous day trips adventurous because you never know how things will go when travelling on a Thai train. With only minutes delay, our train left off. Travelling through back gardens of people. Leaving Bangkok and heading towards the small port town of Mahachai. Originating as a goods train to transport local produce from the fresh markets back to Bangkok, this train now has a commuter function which only. When travelling with young children: do not expect anything to be step free and prepare for some lifting of prams as trains have very high bogies. Airconditioning is provided by means of opening the windows and a fan. Nowadays you can also buy a ticket at the conductor and pay with card. You can travel further onwards to the (in)famous Talad Rom Hub (Maeklong Railway Market) if you take the ferry to Tha Chalom. All in all we had a wonderful day and our older one really loved it!Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 16 December 2023
- mikebern149 contributionsNot bad online booking but overnight sleeper trains are freezing cold!Generally quite clean. Online booking system is functional. Train people sell food; it's not good. Either bring your own, or private people will get on the train to sell food; it's better. Biggest problem: overnight AC sleeper trains are FREEZING. I had been warned about this and actually brought winter clothing! And it wasn't enough! Apparently the newer trains are not as cold, but be warned! (It was also 3 hours late).Visited December 2023Travelled soloWritten 27 December 2023
- Nicola Kelly150 contributionsSurprisingly goodIt was actually really good, comfortable leather recliner seats, plenty of leg room and storage overhead for your luggage... Toilets are very basic a floor indian one, not the best. But were clean at the beginning of the journey. Food is available, but not worth it. Take your own from 7/11 or something. It was 13 hours in total, but so reasonably priced at just over £10, so a big tick from us 2 female traveler's. Me, Nicola Kelly from UK, And Michele from Canada.Visited January 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 11 January 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
94 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
43
Average
15
Poor
4
Terrible
8
AnetaRa
Warsaw, Poland28 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
We bought via 12GO service tickets for 1st class night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. Route to Chiang Mai was on time with relatively new train, however full of extra expenses like cold mango juice on welcome, water drinks left to your seats, as well as dinner/breakfast. Route from Chiang Mai back to Bangkok at 1st class and same price was serviced by train produced in 1996 year by Hyundai Korea in dirty conditions, started with 30 delay due to technical problems and rwachex Bangkok with 2,5hour delay. Due to this delay we missed prepaid bys from Bangkok to Koh Chang and neither SRT or 12Go felt guilty and offered us any cost refund. To sum up, if everything goes OK, everyone offer you services with high proces, but once you pay and face some difficulties, you are left without any support from paid service providers and you have to pay next enourmous amounts to solve to issue youself!
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eric C
1 contribution
Jan 2024 • Solo
Managed to book online First Class cabin to Bangkok but when I approached the ticketing counter to show my email booking, the staffs said doesnt have my record, not even name checked show up anything. The train was about to leave in another 40 minutes instead I was asked to buy new ticket that meant 3800 baht spend for a seat, incredible expensive rubbish, even Japan bullet train doesnt cost that much. So no choice since they refuse to check once more my booking, I paid 1600 baht. Later I made customer service phone call and was able to retrieve from website my digital booking which I had paid weeks earlier, I asked for refund from counter but was told only 50% refund. That's Thailand government sanctioned robbery! I lost 800 baht in less than 30 minutes. So dont expect Thailand to operate first rate high speed train network, it the same terrible experience. The train travel at 80km/h max and the tracks shake the train alot, not your smooth ride from First World train system. Unless its absolutely necessary best is to avoid long distance train journey.
Written 13 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sias Heyns
6 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
Rude kitchen staff, Open toilets that dump onto the tracks are revolting, dirty train and painfully old. No water offered, and as soon as you wake up and open your curtain the couches gets shared which was payed for by you as customer. Left a fowl taste in my mouth. We booked second class and would much rather take a plane next time.
Written 17 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leolwll
Singapore, Singapore218 contributions
May 2022 • Solo
Flight was cancelled between Bangkok and Chumphon, so I gave the train option a go and I’m impressed by its standards. Took the first class sleeper train (booked the whole room to myself) and I slept my way through. Despite the train delay, I felt that the service and comfort level are better than my expectation. Did the same for a trip to Hua Hin from Chumphon via its second class AC and the ride was also comfortable!
Written 16 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NorthStar01808455103
2 contributions
Jul 2024 • Solo
I had my upcoming booking from Hua Hin to Nakhon Si Thammarat (August 18) that I wanted to cancel and get a refund with.
I went to the train station in Nakhon si Thammarat and to my surprise, they charged me 70% cancellation fee. And all I got is 207 baht from my original 697 baht fare.
It's a clear day time robbery.
Not even 50%. Really? I cancelled it way ahead of time but why did I only get 30% of my fare back?
I went to the train station in Nakhon si Thammarat and to my surprise, they charged me 70% cancellation fee. And all I got is 207 baht from my original 697 baht fare.
It's a clear day time robbery.
Not even 50%. Really? I cancelled it way ahead of time but why did I only get 30% of my fare back?
Written 27 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ctsim
Singapore, Singapore1,012 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
Took Train No. 7 on 2nd class Air-Con (there is no 1st class on Day train) from Bangkok to Chiang Mai that was supposed to be 10 hrs 30 min journey but took an additional 45 min to arrive at the destination. It was the most uncomfortable and unbearable train service I ever experienced. The train was very old, slow and noisy. There was no dining car for this long journey, however, the attendants do take order for rice meal box (at Baht 60) that took them 3 hours to deliver to my seat. Although it was an air-con carriage but after one hour into the journey, the fans were turned on. It was very hot and stuffy throughout the journey. I will not travel on train in Thailand after this bad experience.
Written 29 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim Cooks With Fire
Ko Chang, Thailand46 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
No water was given outside the "attendants" normal cart service trips. I asked for water, and she said no, rather angrily. I guess she'd rather sleep right next to cases of bottles of water, which is what she is doing now, while my heartburn is so very painful. She denied others as well.
Written 27 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan K
The Hague, The Netherlands8,864 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Took the local train to Mahachai from Wongwian Yai in Bangkok for a fun adventurous day trips adventurous because you never know how things will go when travelling on a Thai train.
With only minutes delay, our train left off. Travelling through back gardens of people. Leaving Bangkok and heading towards the small port town of Mahachai. Originating as a goods train to transport local produce from the fresh markets back to Bangkok, this train now has a commuter function which only.
When travelling with young children: do not expect anything to be step free and prepare for some lifting of prams as trains have very high bogies. Airconditioning is provided by means of opening the windows and a fan. Nowadays you can also buy a ticket at the conductor and pay with card.
You can travel further onwards to the (in)famous Talad Rom Hub (Maeklong Railway Market) if you take the ferry to Tha Chalom.
All in all we had a wonderful day and our older one really loved it!
With only minutes delay, our train left off. Travelling through back gardens of people. Leaving Bangkok and heading towards the small port town of Mahachai. Originating as a goods train to transport local produce from the fresh markets back to Bangkok, this train now has a commuter function which only.
When travelling with young children: do not expect anything to be step free and prepare for some lifting of prams as trains have very high bogies. Airconditioning is provided by means of opening the windows and a fan. Nowadays you can also buy a ticket at the conductor and pay with card.
You can travel further onwards to the (in)famous Talad Rom Hub (Maeklong Railway Market) if you take the ferry to Tha Chalom.
All in all we had a wonderful day and our older one really loved it!
Written 17 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mikebern
New York, NY149 contributions
Dec 2023 • Solo
Generally quite clean. Online booking system is functional. Train people sell food; it's not good. Either bring your own, or private people will get on the train to sell food; it's better. Biggest problem: overnight AC sleeper trains are FREEZING. I had been warned about this and actually brought winter clothing! And it wasn't enough! Apparently the newer trains are not as cold, but be warned! (It was also 3 hours late).
Written 27 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Victorianlad
Melbourne, Australia17,466 contributions
Feb 2018 • Solo
Thailand State Railways may lack true high speed trains but whether travelling on local trains or the numerous expresses that link Bangkok and down as far as Malaysia and Singapore or north/ northeast to points such as Chiang Mai or Nong Khai, it is the best way to see Thialand.
Reserved seat and sleeper trains were very popular in January and February 2018 but bookings only open 60 days in advance.
I bought an amazing value 20 day Thai all lines rail pass for only THB3000 at Bangkok's main Hua Lamphong railway sttaion (accessible by MRT underground railway, and also with one change from the international airport by train). This pass is not available online and can only be purchased with passport in hand, in person at this one location. It includes second class sleepers for no supplement so is terrific value. I gather one can upgrade to first class sleepers by payment of a typical THB500 for an overnight single trip, but I did not do this as typically there is only one first class sleeper on a few trains and none on many.
The all lines pass requires one to obtain a computer printed ticket (for no charge) on each trip so get these at any booking office, even at smaller stations. The ticket will show your seat and car number. \
Normally foreigners buy advance tickets at the 'foreigner booking office' at Hua Lamphong station but this has closed for renovation so I was directed to one of the three closest booking windows. The male clerk spoke reasonable English but made a couple of day/date mistakes so check your reservations before you leave.
The second class sleepers are Pullman style longitudinal berths. You can ask for lower or upper: lower has a window and does not require use of the ladder. Bring suitcases on board: on the 2016-introduced Chinese made newest trains, store under your berth; older sleepers have steel racks into which you place belongings. The berths are comfortable as they come with a cotton blanket, always very clean and a non rubber pillow. The train drivers generally drive very smoothly: most unusual to have the train jerk.
You can bring your own food and non alcoholic drinks on board but since 2014, the sale or consumption of alcohol has been banned (sadly).
The day trains are variable. The 'super expresses' shown in David Bernstein's online terrific Thailand Railway Guide have full aircon in all three railcars: other slower trains sometimes have only one, or no airconditioned cars.
The local trains can have locomotive hauled antique wooden carriages that with the windows open are a pleasure to travel in.
When purchasing my all lines ticket, sleepers were booked out a few days later from Chiang Mai south but by arriving at the latter at 12 noon on the day of travel, the helpful girl clerk (who laughed at my pronunciation) secured me a lower berth as some travel agencies had cancelled unsold sleeping berths.
Thai stations are great. The larger ones have cloak rooms with a day's luggage storage varying from THB20 to THB40. The toilets may or may not have toilet paper, so BYO. On trains, toilet paper is supplied: the more modern the train, the more likely that it will have a Western style toilet rather than the squatting variety.
Train punctuality is pretty good but there is road tollway construction near Bangkok proceeding north so this slows trains.
Don't discount wonderful day trips such as Surat Thani to Kantang (past Trang), a convenient, fun 11 hour return trip with the Kantang terminus having an aircon restaurant 80 metres from the station.
Vendors proliferate on all but the high end trains. They sell snacks and drinks and can be handy even if their continual trudging up and down becomes a bit annoying after three hours.
All in all Thai State Railways is the best way to see Thailand.
It is also easy to connect to buses and ferries if say visiting Ko Samui or Phuket. For the former I used Lomprayah catamaran (with connecting bus) on the forward journey and Raja Ferries (connecting van) on the return. I enjoyed the latter more, and it didn't take any longer for the trip to Surat Thani railway sttaion where the travel agents are 100 metres from the station.
Every sleeping car train on which I travelled was booked out in the sleepers so please, please (at least from December to April) try to book trips 60 days in advance. This can be done efficiently through the TSR website but not if one buys an all lines ticket as noted above. The day trains with express railcars were also typically booked out but on all trains not everyone travels the full distance: sometimes a reserved seat may turn over a second or even third time.
Reserved seat and sleeper trains were very popular in January and February 2018 but bookings only open 60 days in advance.
I bought an amazing value 20 day Thai all lines rail pass for only THB3000 at Bangkok's main Hua Lamphong railway sttaion (accessible by MRT underground railway, and also with one change from the international airport by train). This pass is not available online and can only be purchased with passport in hand, in person at this one location. It includes second class sleepers for no supplement so is terrific value. I gather one can upgrade to first class sleepers by payment of a typical THB500 for an overnight single trip, but I did not do this as typically there is only one first class sleeper on a few trains and none on many.
The all lines pass requires one to obtain a computer printed ticket (for no charge) on each trip so get these at any booking office, even at smaller stations. The ticket will show your seat and car number. \
Normally foreigners buy advance tickets at the 'foreigner booking office' at Hua Lamphong station but this has closed for renovation so I was directed to one of the three closest booking windows. The male clerk spoke reasonable English but made a couple of day/date mistakes so check your reservations before you leave.
The second class sleepers are Pullman style longitudinal berths. You can ask for lower or upper: lower has a window and does not require use of the ladder. Bring suitcases on board: on the 2016-introduced Chinese made newest trains, store under your berth; older sleepers have steel racks into which you place belongings. The berths are comfortable as they come with a cotton blanket, always very clean and a non rubber pillow. The train drivers generally drive very smoothly: most unusual to have the train jerk.
You can bring your own food and non alcoholic drinks on board but since 2014, the sale or consumption of alcohol has been banned (sadly).
The day trains are variable. The 'super expresses' shown in David Bernstein's online terrific Thailand Railway Guide have full aircon in all three railcars: other slower trains sometimes have only one, or no airconditioned cars.
The local trains can have locomotive hauled antique wooden carriages that with the windows open are a pleasure to travel in.
When purchasing my all lines ticket, sleepers were booked out a few days later from Chiang Mai south but by arriving at the latter at 12 noon on the day of travel, the helpful girl clerk (who laughed at my pronunciation) secured me a lower berth as some travel agencies had cancelled unsold sleeping berths.
Thai stations are great. The larger ones have cloak rooms with a day's luggage storage varying from THB20 to THB40. The toilets may or may not have toilet paper, so BYO. On trains, toilet paper is supplied: the more modern the train, the more likely that it will have a Western style toilet rather than the squatting variety.
Train punctuality is pretty good but there is road tollway construction near Bangkok proceeding north so this slows trains.
Don't discount wonderful day trips such as Surat Thani to Kantang (past Trang), a convenient, fun 11 hour return trip with the Kantang terminus having an aircon restaurant 80 metres from the station.
Vendors proliferate on all but the high end trains. They sell snacks and drinks and can be handy even if their continual trudging up and down becomes a bit annoying after three hours.
All in all Thai State Railways is the best way to see Thailand.
It is also easy to connect to buses and ferries if say visiting Ko Samui or Phuket. For the former I used Lomprayah catamaran (with connecting bus) on the forward journey and Raja Ferries (connecting van) on the return. I enjoyed the latter more, and it didn't take any longer for the trip to Surat Thani railway sttaion where the travel agents are 100 metres from the station.
Every sleeping car train on which I travelled was booked out in the sleepers so please, please (at least from December to April) try to book trips 60 days in advance. This can be done efficiently through the TSR website but not if one buys an all lines ticket as noted above. The day trains with express railcars were also typically booked out but on all trains not everyone travels the full distance: sometimes a reserved seat may turn over a second or even third time.
Written 8 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Train #75
Does this train got classes anyone can advise with the best class to travel
Written 17 March 2019
Well first class is the best class to travel but it is also the most expensive.
Written 19 March 2019
Hi we would like to travel from Hat Yai to Bangkok by train on January 8/19. Can we purchase tickets on the day of travel or the day before? Thank you.
Written 7 January 2019
You can check 12go.asia for advance ticket booking from Hat Yai to Bangkok. :)
Written 7 January 2019
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