Our family just had the most incredible holiday in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is this small picturesque town in the north of Thailand filled with ancient ruins and Lanna temples — surrounded by canals, terraced rice fields, and tucked away in the mountains. But what is the best way of how to go Chiang Mai from Bangkok? For our family, one of the most memorable parts of our trip was taking the Bangkok to Chiang Mai Overnight Sleeper Train. From a local living in Bangkok for the past 16 years, I’d love to share some insider tips with you to help make your trip to Chiang Mai even more smooth and memorable.
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Best Way of How to Go to Chiang Mai from Bangkok
Are you wanting to have a truly unforgettable trip to Thailand with your kids? Then I highly recommend you take the Bangkok to Chiang Mai overnight sleeper train.
Is it worth taking the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
After living in Thailand for the past 15+ years, I think taking the overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is the best way of how to go to Chiang mai from Bangkok with kids!
Why you should take the Thailand overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai?
- It’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences for the whole family
- Sip on your morning coffee from the food train car as the cool, crisp morning air is flowing in from the windows as you go over the mountain
- Chuckle at the little kids running barefoot alongside the train waving with big smiles as the ‘farang’ waves back
- Glimpse into village life as grandmas wash their clothes in the river or uncles whiz by on motorbikes with baskets of fruit stacked higher than their head
- Do a Nature Scavenger Hunt or play the i-Spy game as you watch the beautiful rural countryside glide on by
Do I need to book my Bangkok to Chiang Mai overnight sleeper train tickets in advance?
Yes! Yes! Yes! If you do decide to take the Thailand overnight sleeper train, it’s super important to book your train tickets in advance because the good bunks sell out fast!
Currently, the only place to book your train tickets online in advance and by yourself is from the reputable 12go.com site.
However, if you don’t want the random bunks in a random car that they will probably give you, I highly recommend booking your overnight sleeper train tickets:
- with a reputable agent (this is usually the only way to get the 1st class sleeper train berths)
- in person at one of the train stations (this is what we did since we live in Bangkok)
Does the Thailand overnight sleeper trains have seats?
- Yes, they do have seats actually! At first, the berths will be set up as 2 seats across from each other. After the train gets going for a couple hours, an attendant will come by and change your 2 seats into 2 beds.
- Do note that the seat for the bottom bunk is directly in front of the seat for the top bunk. These seats also share a small table together. This is why I don’t recommend buying only bottom bunks because when the seats are down, then you would be sitting with a stranger! This actually happened to my friend unfortunately.
- Around 6am, the train attendant will come back around to change your beds back into seats.
What tickets should I book for the overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai?
- If you are a family of 2 or 2 + a small child, then I would recommend booking the 1st Class Sleeper Cabins because they offer more privacy. However, they only have 2 bunks in one cabin.
- Do note that the 1st Class Sleeper Cabins do not have a private bathroom.
- Also, if you have a family of 4 then the 1st class sleeper berths would also be a good option because mom could stay with one child and dad with another.
- You could also let two children sleep together on one bunk like our family did. Our 6 year old and 8 year old slept together on one bunk.
- Since we were traveling with 7 people, the 1st class sleeper cabins didn’t really work for us (plus they were already sold out 4 months in advance!). So anyways, we booked 2nd Class Sleeper AC beds. This worked out great for our family.
- We felt like the second class berths offered enough privacy since we were able to book both the top and bottom bunks across from each other. So essentially, we felt like we had our own little ‘cove’ in the train car.
- Each seat on the train is 80cm wide, so we could easily sit with 2 people per seat while the seats were up.
- I don’t recommend booking the ‘2nd Class AC seats’ even though they are about 300 baht (~$10 USD) cheaper than the sleeper beds. However, we did have some single friends of ours who did book these seats and had a decent trip.
Important Tips about the Overnight Sleeper Train
TIP #1: The first class sleeper cabins sell out within minutes of going online. Usually they are bought up by local agents. Thus, I really believe it’s a good idea to book your overnight sleeper train tickets either in person at a local train station if possible or with an agent specializing in the overnight sleeper train.
TIP #2: If you book the 1st class sleeper cabins, then be sure to book both beds or you will end up with a random stranger as a bunk mate!
TIP #3: If you book the 2nd Class Sleeper AC, be sure to book both the bottom and corresponding top berth. This is because at the beginning of your Thailand overnight sleeper train journey, the beds will be ‘seats.’ The bottom bunk and the corresponding top bunk will have seats directly across from each other and share a small table together.
TIP #4: If you are booking the 2nd class sleeper AC berth, then be sure to book a berth that is at least 2 berths away from the door.
- For one, it is loud next to the door as it opens and closes all night long.
- It gets hotter next to the door because of it is opening so often.
- You also don’t want to get stuck next to the bathroom and its icky smell that lingers into the passenger train car.
How much is the Bangkok to Chiang Mai overnight sleeper train?
How much is the First Class overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai from Bangkok?
A Thailand overnight sleeper train first classticket costs between 1400-2500 THB (~$40-$70 USD).
Upper Bed: 1453 THB (~$40 USD)
Lower Bed: 1653 THB (~$47 USD)
Entire Cabin Compartment: 2453 THB (~$70 USD)
If you do want to book a 1st class sleeper cabin to Chiang Mai, then I highly recommend booking the entire compartment in advance because they sell out quickly!
How much is the Second Class overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai from Bangkok?
A second class train ticket costs between 428 – 1338 THB (~$13-$40 USD).
2nd Class A/C Sleeper Lower Bed: from 1038 THB (~$30 USD)
2nd Class A/C Sleeper Upper Bed: from 758 THB (~$20 USD)
2nd Class A/C Seat: from 558 THB (~$16 USD)
2nd Class Fan Seat: from 428 THB (~$12 USD)
If you do want to book a 2nd class sleeper bed to Chiang Mai“], then I highly recommend booking the those lower bunks well in advance!
*PLEASE NOTE : the price ranges are up-to-date as of the date of publishing this post. They may vary from season to season.
Other Important Info about the Bangkok to Chiang Mai Overnight Sleeper Train
Does it matter which Train we book for Chiang Mai?
- The newest train to Chiang Mai from Bangkok is Train #9. It currently leaves from Bangkok at 18:40.
- Train #13 and train #51 are older trains, but the neat thing about those trains is the open air windows in the dining car. Getting that crisp mountain breeze blowing in as you drink your morning coffee is a real treat.
- However, I still recommend booking Train #9 for the most comfortable experience on the overnight sleeper train.
- Train Times from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Train # Bangkok Service 109 14.15 Rapid 9 18.40 Special Express 13 20.05 Special Express 51 22.30 Express
How long is the train ride from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
- The overnight train to Chiang Mai from Bangkok takes 12.5 hours.
- The daytime train to Chiang Mai from Bangkok takes only 10.5 hours. This might be a good option for some people who want to see more of the Thailand countryside.
Can you walk between the train cars?
- Yes, it was relatively easy and safe to walk between the train cars even for my little 3 year old.
- We had friends riding in train car #4, and we were in train car #9. So we went to visit them once, but we ultimately ended up hanging out in the Dining Car #7.
Does the overnight sleeper train have food and drinks available?
- Yes, the train attendant will let you order food and drinks (even your breakfast) as soon as you board and get settled into your seats.
- There is also a dining car (usually in the middle of the train like train car 7).
- From about 8-9pm, we enjoyed playing some card games over hot chocolate, french fries, and watermelon in the Dining Car. Truthfully, it was a little expensive to order drinks and snacks on the train, but the experience of hanging out in the dining car was so worth it!
- For breakfast, we ordered the rice porridge set and the ham and cheese sandwich set. They were 150 baht each (about $4.50 USD) and came with fruit and juice or coffee. Truthfully, I don’t recommend getting the breakfast on board the train. It was sub-par IMHO.
- There is also a food court at the main train station, so we grabbed dinner before boarding the overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
- We even were able to buy some Dunkin Donuts before boarding for a special treat on the train!
Can I bring a large suitcase on board the train?
- Yes. We brought a large rolling suitcase and a rolling carry-on suitcase as well as 2 backpacks for the kids.
- The only place to keep your luggage is under your seat. Our large rolling luggage stuck out a little bit, but the rolling carry-on suitcase fit perfectly.
- There is also a place in the ceiling area to put small bags or backpacks. We put the girls backpacks up there.
What should I pack for the Thailand overnight sleeper train?
- A comfy outfit that is good for both being around the city and also for sleeping (because there was no where to change clothes).
- A sweater or sweatshirt because it got pretty chilly on board
- An eye mask especially if you are sleeping on the top bunk in the 2nd Class Train Car. The privacy curtain on the top bunk area did not block out the lights that stay on all night long. The bottom bunk curtain actually blocked out much of the light.
- Ear buds because the train brakes sounded like a baby squealing all night long.
- Shoes that can easily slip-on and off so you arent walking barefoot to the bathroom at 3am! haha
Is there a plug to charge my phone?
- Yes, each berth has a plug and a little night light as well as a little ‘net’ to put some some items like a phone or eye mask.
Is there a shower on board the overnight sleeper train?
- No, there is not a shower on the overnight sleeper train. There is not even a changing room sadly.
- Every train car does have a bathroom area with 3 tee tiny toilets and two small sinks.
- Truthfully, the tee tiny bathrooms were the worst part of the whole experience. They were stinky and got dirty very quickly with pee all over the floor also. Yuck! However, I would still do the overnight sleeper train again despite the iccky bathroom situation.
- Do note: the water on the train is not drinkable, so brush your teeth with bottled water.
Overall, I still think the best way to get to Chiang Mai from Bangkok with kids is the overnight sleeper train.
However, if you want the fastest way or the cheapest way for how to go to Chiang Mai from Bangkok, then keep reading.
2nd Best Way of How to Go to Chiang Mai from Bangkok
The fastest way to get to Chiang Mai from Bangkok is on a Domestic Flight :
- If you are short on time, then taking a domestic flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is the best option.
- Our family also chose this option for our return trip from Chiang Mai to Bangkok.
How long is the flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai :
- The flight duration for a direct flight between Chiang Mai Bangkok is about 1 hour 15 minutes.
- This is a much faster option than the 12 hour bus or train ride to Chiang Mai from Bangkok.
Which domestic airline in Thailand should I take to Chiang Mai?
I personally would recommend taking the domestic airline in Thailand with the best safety record:
- Air Asia has 7/7 safety rating and is considered the safest low-cost air carrier
- Bangkok Airways also has a 7 star safety record, but they are not considered a ‘budget airline.’
Other domestic airlines that our family has personally enjoyed flying on within Thailand:
- Thai Airways (5/7 stars for the safety record)
- Thai Lion (5/7 safety record)
Personally, I don’t recommend flying on these Thailand domestic airlines:
- Vietjet – although it has a 7/7 safety record, the leg room was the worst I’ve ever experienced! They also have a very strict carry-on baggage policy. This made for a horrible flying experience.
- Nok Air (sadly only has a 2/7 safety rating — ahh!!)
- However, we do still fly with Nok Air because they have never had any accidents that resulted in deaths. Ekkk! We actually just flew with them from Chiang Mai to Bangkok last week!
- Also, Nok Air usually has the cheapest flight options to Chiang Mai from Bangkok or vice versa.
How far in advance should I book my plane tickets from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
- The average cost to fly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is about 700-1200 baht (~$20-$35 USD) each way.
IMPORTANT TIP:
- If you already know you will have luggage that weighs more than 7 kilos (~15lbs), then I highly recommend you pre-purchase extra luggage weight for a better deal.
- Example: Nok Air charges 450 baht for extra check-in luggage weight if purchased at time of booking, but they charge 1200 at the airport!
- We sadly have had to pay this over-priced fee too many times!
- Don’t make our mistake — pre-book that extra luggage weight at your initial booking!
Cheapest flights Chiang Mai Bangkok :
Air Asia runs deals as low as 300 baht (~$10 USD), which makes it the cheapest flight to Chiang Mai that I’ve ever seen.
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*ACCOMODATION TIP: If you haven’t booked a place to stay yet, be sure to read these ‘Must Read Tips’ BEFORE booking any place to stay in Bangkok.
*MONEY TIP: Take Thai baht with you because most vendors do not take credit card. Also, beware of pick-pocketers in all the tourist areas. Simply keep your phone, wallet, backpack or purse on your front side.
*BAG TIP: This is my favorite sling bag for travel because it’s small and light, keeps my valuables up front, and can easily still hold a small travel umbrella, my sunglasses, my passport, chapstick, and mula. I have taken this sling bag with me to Thailand, USA, Japan, France, Italy — literally all around the world!
Hey there, we're Brittany and Witt!
The Cheapest Way to go to Chiang Mai from Bangkok
Overnight Bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
If you’re looking for an affordable travel option to Chiang Mai, then the overnight bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is a good option for families — especially if your kids are elementary aged or teenagers.
Is the Overnight Bus in Thailand safe?
Unlike in the USA, the overnight bus tours are safe and comfortable.
The overnight bus in Thailand feels kind of like an international flight with even more legroom!
The VIP or 1st Class overnight bus in Thailand is always air-conditioned, includes a snack and drink, and usually has one rest stop in the middle. The nice thing about the tour bus system in Thailand is that they have way more departure times than the trains.
How long is the Overnight Bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai in Thailand?
To go from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on the overnight bus, it would take about 13 hours.
- You would leave from the Mo Chit Bus Terminal.
- That bus terminal is near the Mo Chit BTS Sky Train Station or Chatuchak MRT Subway Station.
- Not every bus tour company is created equal. Some are good. Some are bad. My favorite bus company to travel with is Sombat Tour.
- You could read this blog post for why staying in a hotel in Bangkok near a BTS Sky Train Station is so helpful.
How much is the Overnight Bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
The bus fare is quite reasonable and is a great affordable way to travel Bangkok to Chiang Mai:
1st class bus ticket = about 600 THB (~$18 USD)
VIP bus ticket = about 800 THB (~$23 USD) per seat.
- It’s a good idea to pre-book the overnight bus tours in advance if you have a specific bus or itinerary you want to take.
- If your schedule is flexible, then it’s not necessary to pre-book. There are many Bangkok Chiang Mai bus routes at all hours of the day and night.
Other ways to get to Chiang Mai from Bangkok
Rent a Car from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
If you’re brave enough to drive in a foreign country and on the left side, then you can rent a car to get to Chiang Mai with kids.
Do note that driving to Chiang Mai from Bangkok will take about 12-15 hours depending on how often you stop for bathroom breaks and meals.
You can book a reputable Car Rental in Thailand with the cost being about $28-$65 USD depending on the make and model of the vehicle.
Note: Please do not take this blog as legal advice or even as fully accurate. These are just my own opinions trying to offer helpful explanations. You can read my full disclosure here.
Phone and Internet Service
You’ll need to stay connected while traveling in Thailand — whether it’s for using GPS to get around, researching the best island hopping tour packages, or letting the kids have some downtime watching Bluey on YouTube.
Don’t do the T-Mobile or AT&T International Roaming plans for about $10 per day — it’s a total rip off!
You can get the same exact service for much cheaper and just as easy with our tips below:
E-SIM: I highly recommend getting an eSIM from Airalo to have great internet service all over Thailand. They are actually using the same local providers that AT&T, T-mobile and Verizon will use.
I have personally used Airalo many times traveling all over the world, and it works great and is SUPER easy to install.
To use your Airalo eSIM, you simply buy a package then scan the QR code they send in an email to install and activate the eSIM.
The packages run from only $9.90 for 50 GB of data to $19.95 USD for Unlimited Data in Thailand.
TIPS FOR TRAVELING AROUND THAILAND WITH KIDS: If you let your kids watch YouTube, Netflix, etc, then I recommend getting the Unlimited Data. But if you’re not video streaming, then 50 GB of data is enough to browse the internet, use Google Maps, and stay in touch with friends back home.
PHYSICAL SIM CARD: You could also pick up a physical SIM card at the airport upon arrival or at any mall, which would have a TRUE shop, DTAC shop, and/or AIS shop. You would need your passport on hand. The physical SIM + a prepaid service card would cost about 350 baht (~$10 USD), but it usually only comes with only 5GB of Data. So Airalo is a much better deal.
TIP: If you plan to use a physical SIM card, then be sure to contact your local phone provider (such as AT&T or Verizon) before traveling overseas to check that your phone is already unlocked. They can usually do this for you over the phone.
*PLEASE NOTE : the price ranges are up-to-date as of the date of publishing this post. They may vary from season to season.
Other Blog Posts that might help you with your upcoming family trip to Thailand:
- This 3 week Thailand Itinerary will take you to the 4 Must See places in Thailand
- If you’d like to visit the most famous landmarks in person, this is an epic One Day in Bangkok Itinerary with kids on the Hop on Hop off River Taxi.
- The Best Things to Do in Bangkok with Kids with recommendations to the best cultural activities, museums, kid-friendly restaurants, indoor playgrounds, and what to do on a rainy day in Bangkok.
- The Best Family-friendly Temples in Bangkok with helpful info like how to get there, opening hours, entrance fees, and how to keep the kids entertained while visiting.
- Don’t forget to read up on the recently updated Tourist Visa measures.
The Best Beaches in Thailand for Families (w/ tips from a local)
Thailand has some of the best beaches in the world with pristine white sand coastlines
This family-friendly AirBNB is one of the most charming vacation homes in Bangkok
With a large playroom full of toys, a Master Suite with large soaking tub, and a fun bunk room, this family-friendly AirBNB is one of the most charming vacation homes in Bangkok, Thailand.
