No. 52: Chiang Mai to Bangkok

This is Express No. 52 sleeper train that goes from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. Unlike the other sleeper trains, this goes during the afternoon and so you don’t get a full day in Chiang Mai. It leaves at 3:30 p.m. and arrives in Bangkok at 5:10 a.m. which is also not a nice time as you have to wake up at around 4:30 a.m. as they will start collecting the bed sheets and changing the beds back to seats.

The train has 2nd and 3rd Class carriages with seats, open windows and fans. It also has 2nd Class sleeper carriages with beds and air-conditioning. It has a dining car but the meals are relatively expensive. I would suggest buying snacks and a takeaway meal at Chiang Mai Station before you leave. You can usually board the train at least an hour before departure which is nice if you are in the air-conditioned carriages. The northward journey is made by Express No. 51. This is my favourite train on the Northern line.

TRAIN TIMETABLE: CHIANG MAI TO BANGKOK