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Thai Railways

The Thai railways are fairly safe and reliable, though delays of sometimes even up to a couple hours are not unheard of.  The routes cover Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani, Bangkok up to Nong Kai, and Bangkok to Surat and then on to Butterworth station in Malaysia which is very close to Penang, Malaysia where many people do VISA runs.  There is no train to Phuket or Krabi - visitors often wish there were though. 

[NOTE: Given a choice between bus or train I will always choose train.  There are overnight sleeper trains that are a very comfortable way to travel. Cost from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani is around 650 baht for the air conditioned sleeper and less for fan.  Price is similar to go from Bangkok to Surat which is near Ko Samui and the other islands.  The train employees fold down your seats into beds and make your bed for you. There is a curtain to pull for privacy and it completely covers your sleeping area.  The Thai trains are loud, but I find I have no trouble sleeping the entire 9 hour journey.  No, you can't double up in a sleeper though many pull it off.  You still must pay for the top and bottom bunks.]

{TIPS: 1-Choose BOTTOM sleeper only - not top. The top is smaller and it rocks more than the bottom sleeper bunk. 2-Reserve a couple days in advance if at all possible because Thais also like this travel method and if there is a Thai holiday on the weekend you want to go in the sleeper train you might not find room. 3-Take all valuables into your sleeper compart ment with you and sleep on your backpack as a pillow or hug it like your beloved so you don't get ripped off as you sleep.  This goes for any trip - bus, ferry where you sleep (to Samui for example)...  a lot of theft goes on during your sleep time.}

Download PDF files of the Thai Railway Routes / Time Schedules:

Northern Line (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Chiang Mai)

Northeastern Line (Bangkok - Surin - Ubon - Nong Khai)

Southern Line (Bangkok - Hua Hin - Trang - Yala - Butterworth)

Eastern Line (Bangkok - Pattaya - Ban Plu Ta Luang)

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