Your Travel Guide to Thailand
All information & tips to prepare your trip in Thailand
You will find all the practical information about traveling by train in Thailand on the dedicated page.
Thai trains are rarely on time. They usually leave their departure station on time but then build up more or less significant delays along the way. The train is the cheapest means of transport in Thailand. You can book your tickets online in advance (book here). For sleeper berths on night trains, it is strongly recommended to book at least 15 days in advance. For 3rd class tickets, there is no need to book in advance, but you won't get an assigned seat and, depending on the number of passengers, you may have to stand. Still, traveling 3rd class on a Thai train is an experience worth having for the atmosphere. Have a nice trip from Bangkok to Pak Chong!
SRT train hotline: 1690 (only from within Thailand)
The atmosphere on Thailand's night trains, with their dining cars turned into nightclubs, is truly amazing! It is often a memorable journey, even though you don't see much of the landscape. To be sure to have a sleeper, it's best to book your tickets in advance via websites like 12Go.
Khao San Road is Bangkok's backpacker district. Travel agencies and transport companies offer buses or combined bus + ferry tickets from Khao San Road to popular islands such as Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan... as well as to other destinations in the country.
There are direct buses from Bangkok to Phnom Penh or Siem Reap (the town near Angkor) in Cambodia, border crossing included. Buses leave from Mo Chit, Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal. Seats are limited, so it is best to book in advance on 12Go.
If you prefer to plan ahead and book your train tickets before you leave, you can do so on the 12Go website, which I have personally tested and recommend. Booking in advance is especially recommended for sleeper berths on night trains, but can also be a good idea for some Special Express trains.