Bangkok to Chiang Mai night train: berths, times and booking

The night train between Bangkok and Chiang Mai is one of the most popular rail experiences in Thailand: you fall asleep in the capital and wake the next morning in the north, after about twelve and a half hours, saving a night's hotel. This guide covers times, berth classes and fares, booking, and a few tips for a good night. The times and fares below were checked in October 2026 on reference sites; confirm them before buying with the SRT (hotline 1690) or on the official ticketing site.

Times: which train to choose

The most used train is special express no. 9, which leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat station (MRT Bang Sue) in the early evening, around 18:40, and reaches Chiang Mai around 7:15 the next day. It uses recent CNR sleeper cars and has a dining car. A second night train, no. 13, leaves about an hour and a half later. The return is on no. 10.

Interior of a 2nd class sleeper car, with its berths

Since 5 December 2025, no. 9 bypasses the town of Lopburi and stops at the new Lop Buri 2 (Tha Wung) station. See our page on Lopburi and its monkeys for how to reach the old town.

Classes and fares

Class	Berth	Fare to Chiang Mai
1st class	Private cabin	2,453 baht
1st class	Lower berth	1,653 baht
1st class	Upper berth	1,453 baht
2nd class	Lower berth	1,041 baht
2nd class	Upper berth	941 baht

Children get discounts. Fares checked in October 2026, subject to change; for the private cabin, check on the ticketing site whether the price is per person or per cabin.

In 2nd class, berths are stacked in a large open car closed off by curtains: the lower berth is wider and has a window, while the upper one is cheaper but narrower. The cars are air-conditioned and often cold: bring a jumper and a scarf, even if a blanket is provided. One car is reserved for women and children.

Booking your ticket

Tickets open for booking 180 days in advance on the official D-Ticket site, or through platforms such as 12Go. Book early in high season, from November to February, and during holidays such as Songkran or New Year: lower berths go first. Berth tickets are named; keep your passport with you.

Tips for a good night

Choose a lower berth if you can: wider, with a window.
Bring a jumper, earplugs and an eye mask: the lights stay on rather late.
Have dinner in the dining car or bring something to eat; water is sold on board.
Keep your valuables with you during the night.
Staff make up the berths after dinner; you can ask for them to be made up earlier.

Alternatives

Flying is faster (about an hour and a half) and the night bus is cheaper, but the train is the only one with real berths. For more train trips, see Train trips from Bangkok; for the station and the network, see our transport in Bangkok and Ayutthaya from Bangkok, on the same northern line.

Beds in a CNR 2nd class sleeper coach