Guide to Sleeper Trains in Thailand
A convenient way to travel long distance by train in Thailand is by sleeper train. The longest journey is between Bangkok and Su-ngai Kolok on the Thai-Malaysian border. The journey time is around 18 hours. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) offer both 1st Class and 2nd Class sleeper carriages and also carriages built by different companies and imported to Thailand. All of the long distance sleeper trains out of Bangkok now depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central terminal Station. This page is your complete guide to the different kinds of sleeper carriages and the routes they take.
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1st CLASS SLEEPER CARRIAGE (AIR-CONDITIONED)
There are two types of 1st Class sleeper carriages operating on nine routes across Thailand. Both of them have 24 seats and 12 cabins. There are two seats/berths per cabin. You have the choice of sharing a cabin with someone else or booking the cabin for single occupancy. Cabins 1 and 2, 3 and 4, etc., have interconnecting doors which is useful for families or friends travelling together.
The newer CNR carriages are used on routes to Chiang Mai (No.9/10), Hat Yai Junction (No.31/32), Ubon Ratchathani (No.23/24), and Nong Khai (No. 25/26). Click here for a 360 photo of a 1st class Cabin. The other routes use the older Daewoo sleeper carriage and are slightly cheaper. Each train only has one 1st Class sleeper carriage and so cabins sell out quickly. Visit How to Book Train Tickets Online for more information.
There are pros and cons for using the 1st Class cabins. The biggest plus is that you get privacy and you can lock yourself inside the room. You can also turn off the lights at night which makes it easier to sleep. In 2nd class and in the corridors outside your cabin, the lights are left on all night. You can also adjust the A/C though this doesn’t always work well. You get a small table, washbasin, power outlets and storage space. The toilets are outside and are shared with other 1st Class passengers. In the CNR carriage, there is a dedicated shower room with hot water. On the other trains, the shower is in one of the toilets. Your carriage attendant will give you a towel. He will also help you order food.
ROUTES WITH 1st CLASS SLEEPER CARRIAGES
| TRAIN | ROUTE | TYPE | UPPER | LOWER | CABIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/10 | Bangkok-Chiang Mai | CNR | ฿1,453 | ฿1,653 | ฿2,453 |
| 13/14 | Bangkok-Chiang Mai | Daewoo | ฿1,253 | ฿1,453 | ฿1,953 |
| 31/32 | Bangkok-Hat Yai Junction | CNR | 1,594 baht | 1,794 baht | 2,594 baht |
| 37/38 | Bangkok-Su-ngai Kolok | Daewoo | 1,553 baht | 1,753 baht | 2,253 baht |
| 23/24 | Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani | CNR | 1,320 baht | 1,520 baht | 2,320 baht |
| 67/68 | Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani | Daewoo | - | - | - |
| 25/26 | Bangkok-Nong Khai | CNR | 1,357 baht | 1,557 baht | 2,357 baht |
| 83/84 | Bangkok-Trang | Daewoo | 1,280 baht | 1,480 baht | 1,980 baht |
| 85/86 | Bangkok-Nakhon Si Thammarat | Daewoo | 1,272 baht | 1,472 baht | 1,972 baht |
2nd CLASS SLEEPER CARRIAGE (AIR-CONDITIONED)
There are three main types of 2nd Class sleeper carriages operating on fourteen routes across Thailand. Most of them have 40 seats as standard (20 lower berths and 20 upper berths). However, the CNR sleeper trains have one special carriage with handicapped access that has only 36 seats (18 lower berths and 18 upper berths). The CNR sleeper trains also have one dedicated carriage for women and little children. Visit Guide to the CNR Sleeper Train for more information.
The newer CNR carriages are used on routes to Chiang Mai (No.9/10), Hat Yai Junction (No.31/32), Ubon Ratchathani (No.23/24), and Nong Khai (No. 25/26). The other routes use the older Daewoo and Tokyu sleeper carriage and are slightly cheaper. Click to see 360 photos of the CNR and Daewoo carriages.
I personally have no problem travelling in 2nd Class. The beds are made up with clean sheets and clean pillow cases. You are also given a blanket. The newer CNR trains are clean and comfortable and the toilets spotless. The older sleeper trains are starting to show their age but I do find them more comfortable as the mattress is often slightly softer and the berths slightly wider and longer. The lights are left on all night and there are CCTV cameras. Each berth has its own privacy curtain. Overall, it is relatively safe.
The lower berth is more popular as it has a window and it is further away from the very cold A/C and the lights. All of the sleeper trains have a dining car. The CNR train is air-conditioned and the other sleepers have fan and open windows. Which is nice in the morning but it can get a bit dusty and grubby! Someone will walk up and down the carriages with a menu for you to order food. He can bring it to your seat or you can eat in the dining car. Each berth on the CNR train has their own power outlet. With the older carriages, there is no guarantee. Sometimes each berth has one out in the corridor. Sometimes it’s only a couple of outlets per carriage!
ROUTES WITH 2nd CLASS SLEEPER CARRIAGES
| TRAIN | ROUTE | TYPE | UPPER BERTH | LOWER BERTH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/10 | Bangkok-Chiang Mai | CNR | 941 baht | 1,041 baht |
| 13/14 | Bangkok-Chiang Mai | Daewoo | 771 baht | 841 baht |
| 31/32 | Bangkok-Hat Yai Junction | CNR | 1,005 baht | 1,105 baht |
| 37/38 | Bangkok-Su-ngai Kolok | Daewoo | 907 baht | 977 baht |
| 51/52 | Bangkok-Chiang Mai | 40/36 | 731/751 baht | 801/821 baht |
| 23/24 | Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani | CNR | 881 baht | 981 baht |
| 67/68 | Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani | Daewoo | - | - |
| 25/26 | Bangkok-Nong Khai | CNR | 898 baht | 998 baht |
| 83/84 | Bangkok-Trang | Daewoo | 761 baht | 831 baht |
| 85/86 | Bangkok-Nakhon Si Thammarat | Daewoo | 778 baht | 868 baht |
| 107/108 | Bangkok-Denchai | 40/36 seats | 617/637 baht | 687/707 baht |
| 109 | Bangkok-Chiang Mai | 40 | 691 baht | 761 baht |
| 139/140 | Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani | 40 | 631 baht | 701 baht |
| 167/168 | Bangkok-Kantang | 40 | 730 baht | 800 baht |
| 169/170 | Bangkok-Yala | - | - | |
| 171/172 | Bangkok-Su-ngai Kolok | 827 baht | 897 baht | |
| 173/174 | Bangkok-Nakhon Si Thammarat | - | - |
2nd CLASS SLEEPER CARRIAGE (FAN)
There is only one type of 2nd class sleeper carriage that has a fan instead of being air-conditioned. These are used on two routes across Thailand. They have 32 seats (16 upper berths and 16 lower berths).
| TRAIN | ROUTE | TYPE | UPPER BERTH | LOWER BERTH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 167/168 | Bangkok-Kantang | 32 | 530 baht | 580 baht |
| 171/172 | Bangkok-Su-ngai Kolok | 32 | 627 baht | 677 baht |
NORTHERN LINE
There are four overnight trains on the Northern Line to Chiang Mai. They all leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Station:
- The first one to leave is Rapid No. 109 that leaves Bangkok at 2:15 p.m. and arrives in Chiang Mai at the inconvenient time of 4:05 a.m. This train has 2nd Class and 3rd Class seating in carriages with a fan, and 2nd Class sleepers with air-conditioning.
- The second train is Special Express No. 9 that leaves Bangkok at 6:40 p.m. and arrives in Chiang Mai at 7:15 p.m. There is one 1st Class sleeper carriages and nine 2nd Class sleeper carriages. All of them are air-conditioned and are the newer Chinese-built CNR carriages. The return journey is made by Special Express No. 10. This leaves Chiang Mai at 6:00 p.m. and arrives in Bangkok at 6:50 a.m.
- The third train is Special Express No. 13 that leaves Bangkok at 8:05 p.m. and arrives in Chiang Mai at 8:40 a.m. This train has 1st and 2nd Class sleeper carriages and 3rd Class carriages with seats and fans only. The return journey is made by Special Express No. 14. This leaves Chiang Mai at 5:00 p.m. and arrives in Bangkok at 6:10 p.m.
- The fourth train is Express No. 51 that leaves Bangkok at 10:30 p.m. and arrives in Chiang Mai at 12:10 p.m. Although you arrive late and miss half the day, this is a good train to enjoy the scenery as it passes through Northern Thailand as the sun is rising. This has 2nd and 3rd Class carriages with seating and fans, and 2nd Class sleeper carriages with air-conditioning. Sometimes this train also has 2nd Class sleeper carriages with fans. The return journey is made by Express No. 52 that leaves Chiang Mai at 3:30 p.m. and arrives in Bangkok at 5:10 a.m.
Other overnight trains on the Northern Line:
- Rapid No. 107 goes from Bangkok to Den Chai. It leaves at 8:45 p.m. and arrives at 5:15 a.m. This train has 2nd Class seating carriages with fan, 2nd Class sleeper carriage with fan, and 2nd Class sleeper carriage with air-conditioning. The return journey is made by Rapid No. 108 that leaves Den Chai at 7:05 p.m. and arrives in Bangkok at 4:30 a.m.
- Rapid No. 105 goes from Bangkok to Sila At. It leaves at 9:00 p.m. and arrives at 4:40 a.m. The return journey is made during the day by Rapid No. 106 that leaves Sila At at 7:30 a.m. and arrives in Bangkok at 2:40 p.m. Please note, this train is not running at the moment.
RELATED LINK: Timetables for long distance trains on the Northern Line
NORTHEASTERN LINE
There are four overnight trains on the Northeastern Line to Ubon Ratchathani. The trains also stop in Buriram, Surin and Sisaket.
- The first train is Rapid No. 139 that leaves Bangkok at 7:25 p.m. and arrives in Ubon Ratchathani at 6:15 a.m. This train has 2nd and 3rd Class carriages with seating and fans. There is also a 2nd Class sleeping carriage with air-conditioning. The return journey is made by Rapid No. 140 that leaves Ubon Ratchathani at 8:30 p.m. and arrives in Bangkok at 7:10 a.m.
- The second train is Special Express No. 23 which is the more comfortable CNR sleeper train. This leaves Bangkok at 9:05 p.m. and arrives in Ubon Ratchathani at 6:35 a.m. There is one 1st Class sleeper carriage and nine 2nd Class sleeper carriages. All of them are air-conditioned. The return journey is made by Special Express No. 24 that leaves Ubon Ratchathani at 7:00 p.m. and arrives in Bangkok at 4:50 a.m.
- The third train is Express No. 67 which is not in service at the moment. This leaves Bangkok at 9:30 p.m. and arrives in Ubon Ratchathani at 7:50 a.m. The return journey is made by Express No. 68 that leaves Ubon Ratchathani at 7:30 p.m. and arrives back in Bangkok at 6:40 a.m.
- The fourth overnight train is Rapid No. 141 that leaves Bangkok at 11:05 p.m. and arrives in Ubon Ratchathani at 10:20 a.m. This train only has 2nd and 3rd Class carriages with seating and fans. There are no sleeper carriages. The return journey is made by Rapid No. 142 that leaves Ubon Ratchathani at 5:35 p.m. and arrives in Bangkok at 4:10 a.m.
There are three overnight trains on the Northeastern Line to Nong Khai. The trains also stop in Khon Kaen and Udon Thani.
- The first train is Express No. 77 which is not in service at the moment. This leaves Bangkok at 6:35 p.m. and arrives in Nong Khai at the early hour of 3:45 a.m. The return journey is made by Express No. 78 that leaves Nong Khai at 6:30 p.m. and arrives back in Bangkok at 4:45 a.m.
- The second train is Special Express No. 25 which is the more comfortable CNR sleeper train. This leaves Bangkok at 8:25 p.m. and arrives in Nong Khai at 6:25 a.m. There is one 1st Class sleeper carriage and nine 2nd Class sleeper carriages. All of them are air-conditioned. The return journey is made by Special Express No. 26 that leaves Nong Khai at 7:40 p.m. and arrives back in Bangkok at 5:50 a.m.
- The third overnight train is Rapid No. 133 that leaves Bangkok at 9:25 p.m. and arrives in Nong Khai at 7:55 a.m. This train only has 2nd and 3rd Class carriages with seating and fans. There are no sleeper carriages. The return journey is made by Rapid No. 134 that leaves Nong Khai at 6:50 p.m. and arrives back in Bangkok at 5:30 a.m.
RELATED LINK: Timetables for long distance trains on the Northeastern Line
