Almost all long-distance trains in Thailand now leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat (Bang Sue Grand Station) in northern Bangkok, no longer from Hua Lamphong. If you have a ticket for Chiang Mai, the South or the Northeast, this is where to go: the easiest way is the MRT (Bang Sue station) or a taxi or Grab, arriving at least an hour early. This practical guide explains how to book, how to get there, how to find your way around and what to bring; for the station as a sight, see the page on Krung Thep Aphiwat station. Times and fares noted in October 2026, to be confirmed with the SRT (1690). ## Where to book and how to get there: summary | Question | Answer | For whom | |---|---|---| | Book online | Official D-Ticket (SRT), sales open 180 days ahead | Night trains, high season | | Book at the station | Station ticket counters, or call 1690 for information | Ordinary trains, last-minute trips | | Get there by metro | MRT Blue Line, Bang Sue station, direct passage | Everyone, outside rush hour with luggage | | Get there by taxi or Grab | 20 to 40 minutes from the center depending on traffic | Luggage, small group, early departure | ## Which trains leave from here Night trains to Chiang Mai (see the Bangkok to Chiang Mai night train), trains to the North and Northeast, trains to the South (Hua Hin, Surat Thani and beyond) and day-trip trains to Ayutthaya and Lopburi (see the train day trips from Bangkok). Since 1 August 2026 the air-conditioned BNEX train links the station to Ayutthaya. The train to Kanchanaburi and Nakhon Pathom leaves from Thonburi station, across the river. Hua Lamphong (Hua Lamphong station) no longer handles long-distance services: if your ticket says Hua Lamphong, check with the SRT before leaving. If you are not going far, the guided Ayutthaya day tour with lunch spares you the train tickets. ## Booking your ticket  The **D-Ticket** online booking system opens sales 180 days ahead: it is the best option for sleeper berths, which go fast from November to February and during holidays (Songkran, New Year). Sleeper tickets are named, so keep your passport with you. At the station, the counters sell ordinary train tickets (no reserved seat) on the day. A third-party platform such as 12Go charges fees but saves you the queue. For the overall budget, see the cost of a trip to Bangkok. ## Getting to the station The station is on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road in Bang Sue district. The MRT is the most reliable: Bang Sue station is linked to the station by a covered passage. From the center allow about twenty to forty minutes by metro or taxi; by road, rush hours (morning and late afternoon) add a lot of time. See BTS or MRT in Bangkok and Grab or taxi. From the airport, see Bangkok's airports. ## Inside the station: finding your way The station is huge (more than twenty platforms, some 600 meters long). Look first for the departures board, then the platform number: allow 15 to 20 minutes to find it with luggage. There are restaurants, shops and left-luggage services, whose hours should be confirmed on site. Someone leaving for the night can eat first: the dining car is open on the night train, but prices are higher. ## Tips - Arrive an hour before a night train, 30 minutes before an ordinary train. - Confirm the departure station on your ticket: some trains changed in 2023. - Keep your luggage with you; see scams and safety. - To sleep near the station before a very early departure, compare hotels in Bang Sue. ## Frequently asked questions **What is the difference between Krung Thep Aphiwat and Hua Lamphong?** Krung Thep Aphiwat has been the central long-distance station since 19 January 2023; Hua Lamphong, in the center, no longer handles long-distance services. **How do I get to the station?** By MRT to Bang Sue station, or by taxi or Grab. **When should I arrive?** An hour before a night train, 30 minutes for an ordinary train. **Can I book online?** Yes, on D-Ticket, up to 180 days ahead. ## Going further For the city, see transport in Bangkok and Bangkok to Phuket: plane, bus or train.
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