Thailand Train Ticket Booking Guide 2024 | Trivacker - A Truly 100% Family Travel Stories

Thank you to the readers who continued to follow our long Thailand-Laos travel story. Although we didn’t visit many countries, each blog entry was detailed regarding itinerary, costs, mapping, and storytelling.

Following our previous journey, we now provide an up-to-date guide for purchasing Thai train tickets without using third-party services like 12Go or standing in line at any Thai train station. This guide was also used by us for our latest trip in Thailand.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Soon, we might once again traverse the Thailand area starting from the southernmost station to a much farther destination.

However, please note that ticket bookings are only for long-distance trains. They DO NOT SELL online tickets for ORDINARY trains with the cheapest prices for short distances (with PVC seats). Such tickets must be purchased at the train station counter on the same day you want to depart to that destination (NO ADVANCE TICKET PURCHASE). The counter opens one hour before departure. Therefore, always check the latest schedule for ORDINARY.”

What is it Like to Travel in Thailand by Train?

For those who are travel enthusiasts where time is not an issue, and those who enjoy a calm and relaxed pace without rushing, Thai trains are absolutely perfect. Covering a distance of over 1800km (1118 miles) from the southernmost station at Sungai Kolok to the northernmost station in Chiangmai.

The ASMR sound of the swaying carriages and the clattering of the iron wheels against the tracks is beloved by travelers who want to experience the true essence of train travel. You can also experience a “moving hotel” if you choose a sleeper berth.

You can choose the type of train class you prefer. From third class, which uses wooden or PVC seats at very affordable prices, for example, THB258 (USD7.80) from Hat Yai to Bangkok for a distance of 900km (560 miles). There are also sleeper berths where the seats can be converted into beds with curtains. Additionally, there are private room options for those who prioritize privacy.

The toilets are also clean. Except for the third class, which may appear like old-fashioned toilets, but they are still clean and usable. You can even shower as we did before. There are also cafes available for those who want to relax by ordering food (halal options are available, especially on the Southern Line) or enjoy a coffee while admiring the scenery through hills and mountains.

For those who want privacy, you can cook instant noodles as there is a pantry with hot water taps. Suddenly feeling bored because the journey is too long? You can walk from carriage to carriage, observing the behavior of passengers. You can also sit in the space at the end of the carriage, which sometimes has an open door (please ensure your own safety). This spot is also very popular among smokers.

Enjoy your journey!

How Much Are Train Tickets?

Prices depend on the distance traveled, the class of the carriage (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or room), and the type of train. Using the example distance from Hat Yai to Bangkok, which is over 900 km (560 miles):

Ordinary (3rd class): THB258 or $7 (PVC seats, not cushioned)
2nd Class Sleeper (fan): THB603 or $17 (lower berth)
2nd Class Sleeper (air-conditioned): THB823 or $23 (lower berth)
1st Class Room: THB1790 or $48 (lower berth)

Train Ticket Booking Methods

Method 1: Walk-in to the ticket counter at the train station. This method is not guaranteed for long-distance bookings, except for short distances that need to be purchased on the same day you depart. DON’T FORGET TO BRING YOUR PASSPORT TO THE COUNTER.

Method 2: By phone. You can call the official number for the Thai railway company at 1690. Don’t worry, they can speak English. Make sure the booking is made 5 days before the departure date and payment should be made 24 hours before the departure date.

Method 3: Through the official Thai railway app or website. THIS IS MY PREFERRED METHOD and will be explained below.

Is it Safe to Travel by Train in Thailand?

Alhamdulillah, throughout our journey from Hat Yai to Bangkok, Bangkok to Lopburi and Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi to Bangkok, and Ayutthaya to Nong Khai (return), everything was safe, and there were no unwanted incidents such as theft, injury, robbery, harassment (especially of women), or racial/national discrimination.

However, it is important to always read prayers as a traveler, constantly monitor your belongings, avoid standing out too much (clothing and valuables), and take care of your own safety. If you arrive before dawn at any destination, stay at the station until sunrise (if alone) or book a Grab car. Never accept offers from anyone to take you either for free or for a fee (especially for solo female travelers). Bring a mini pepper spray or a trekking pole (pretending to go hiking but actually using it to fend off bad people).

What are the Best Destinations to Travel by Train in Thailand?

Below is a list of the best cities to visit along the Thai railway routes. You can also refer to this entry for a summary of each city.

From South to Central:

Hat Yai to Surat Thani (to Koh Samui)
Hat Yai to Prachuap Khiri Khan
Hat Yai to Hua Hin
Hat Yai to Pak Tho (to Maeklong Railway Market)
Hat Yai to Bangkok

From Central to North (Northern line):

Bangkok to Chiang Mai

From Central to Northeast (Northeast line):

Bangkok to Lopburi
Bangkok to Ayutthaya
Bangkok to Nong Khai (towards the Laos border)

From Central to West:

Bangkok to Maeklong Railway Market
Bangkok to Kanchanaburi

From Central to East:

Bangkok to Aranyaprathet or Ban Klong Luk (towards the Cambodia border)
Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani (towards the southern Laos border)

Routes That Does Not Have Railways

Although the Thai railway network is extensive, one disappointing aspect is that it does not cover some very famous cities in southern Thailand like Phuket and Krabi. If you want to visit these two cities, you should stop at Surat Thani station and then take a minibus (the locals mention it as minibus) to get there.

Thailand Railway Map

Click the image below to enlarge. Image source from the website www.thaitrainguide.com.

Guide to Buying Train Tickets – Sleeper Berth

Step 1: Purchasing tickets using a laptop is easier compared to the app. It should be noted that if you use a laptop and after purchasing, the ticket will also be attached in the app if you log in using the same email. Go to this link and select English. Then click Register.

Choose your gender (this is to help them label M or F on the seats for reference for other online ticket buyers, including you).

Make sure to tick “Foreigner.”

For example, if your name is Ahmad Daniel but can’t press the Spacebar? Don’t worry, just type AhmadDaniel as shown below.

Under the name field, enter your passport number.

Enter your email and chosen password.

Registration is complete.

Step 2: Let’s say you’re traveling from Hat Yai and want to go to Bangkok. So:

Origin: Hat Yai Junction

Destination: Krung Thep Aphiwat (the name of the largest terminal in Bangkok)

Travel Date: Choose your departure date.

If booking a round-trip, tick “Round-trip” and enter the “Return Date.”

Select the number of passengers. A maximum of 4 people per booking.

Then click Search …

Step 3: Let’s say you want to purchase a ticket for a seat that can be converted into a bed, also known as a Sleeper Berth.

In the display below, there are many types of trains such as Rapid, Special Express, and Special Express CNR. What’s the difference?

Rapid: Stops at only a few stations, saving some time. Usually has 2nd and 3rd class carriages. It has both air-conditioned and fan-only carriages.
Special Express and Special Express CNR: These are new trains, but the CNR version is newer and more up-to-date. Both have 1st and 2nd class carriages, a more attractive café than the Rapid, and other facilities.

CNR will be my choice as it is more comfortable, even if the travel time differs by 30 minutes to 1.5 hours compared to the Rapid (for long-distance travel towards Bangkok).

Okay, in the display below, select RAPID.

Step 4: For this step, it’s up to your budget to choose between:

a. Ordinary seat (PVC type and the cheapest at THB258) or

b. 2nd class seat with a fan.

c. Sleeper berth with a fan: Lower berth and upper berth.

d. Sleeper berth with air conditioning: Lower berth and upper berth.

For this guide example, we choose “d” and Lower Berth at the price of THB823.

Note: Seats are not recommended for very long journeys from Hat Yai to Bangkok, which take 16 to 19 hours and cover over 900+ km (560+ miles). There’s a risk of back pain. Except for young people who can withstand sitting for long periods or those who need to save money.

Tips for hardcore backpackers: Don’t take a direct trip to Bangkok at a cheap price. Try stopping in cities like Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, or Chumphon (cities located between Hat Yai and Bangkok) to reduce boredom and fatigue from sitting. Then explore the city and find cheap or free accommodation. Hehe. Continue your trip to Bangkok the next day.

Note about upper berths and for those traveling with children: Upper berth will shake a bit. Those who can’t tolerate it should take the lower berth. Upper berth is also not safe for small children as there is a risk of falling. The side railing is not wide enough to prevent falling.

Step 5: Since you have already registered in Step 1 above, you are now a “Member.” Review your personal details and then click the “Choose Seat Number“. Make sure “Foreigner” remains ticked. Otherwise, they might ask for a Thai ID, which you don’t have, hehe.

Note: Booking for more than one person? You, as Passenger 1, are Member. But Passenger 2, Passenger 3, and Passenger 4 will be considered as non-members. Therefore, “No” will be displayed for Passenger 2 and up to Passenger 4.

Step 6: Okay, this step is a bit tricky. Don’t worry, I’ll guide you. This is why I prefer using a laptop to buy tickets because you can translate the Thai language through Google Translate.

So I’ve translated it beforehand. There are two directions, either towards Hat Yai Junction or towards Krung Thep Aphiwat (Bangkok). Is this direction important? Yes, it’s important for those who want to know the train’s direction based on the chosen sleeper berth.

For example, if you enjoy the right-hand side view, choose rows:

11, 12, 15, 16, 19, 20, 23, 24, 27, 28, 31, 32, 35, 36

For those who prefer the left-hand side view, choose rows:

9, 10, 13, 14, 17, 18, 21, 22, 25, 26, 29, 30, 33, 34

Note: Don’t forget to check the number of carriages available for the sleeper berth type. For example, the display below shows there are two carriages [1] and [2]. If you are not satisfied with carriage number [1], click on carriage number [2].

Note 2: By default, the system will automatically select the sleeper berth for you. Don’t worry, scroll down and just click “x” (Delete) and re-select the berth you want.

Note 3: Green boxes mean Available. Blue boxes are for men, and pink for women. Yellow boxes are for Monks. For women who want to book and feel uncomfortable if the upper berth or lower berth or opposite berth is occupied by a male passenger, choose berths surrounded only by women.

Finished selecting your berth? Click the Next button.

Step 7: This is the final step to purchase. Proceed to pay using a Debit/Credit card. You can also use PromptPay (Thailand’s version of eWallet and QR code) with the Touch N Go app or any banking app that supports DuitNow QR code payments (this is only for Malaysian). This is an initiative by the governments of both countries (Malaysia and Thailand) to facilitate cashless transactions. It can also be used to purchase items in Thai stores.

Finally, download the SRT D-Ticket app. Log in using the same email, and your booking will appear in it. Use this app during check-in, or if you’re unsure, go to the ticket counter and ask for assistance. There may be older stations that require you to print the ticket at the counter as part of their SOP.

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dticket

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/my/app/srt-d-ticket/id1560080111

Guide to Buying Train Tickets – Chartered Room

Step 8: First, follow steps 1 and 2 above. Once completed, follow the steps below. Start by selecting Charter Room.

Step 9: Same as step 5 above.

Step 10: Situations like the display below usually occur if your departure date is close, for example, a week before departure, and tickets might be sold out. However, the Thai railway company can still put you on the Waiting List in case there are last-minute cancellations.

I don’t recommend it, but if you want to, you can proceed by clicking the “ Add to waiting list“. What happens next, I’m not sure because I’ve never tried it.

Not interested in the Waiting List and want to try another date? Go back to Step 4 above and click the “Search change“. Change to a new date. My suggestion is 2 weeks from the day you are booking. Continue to Step 11 below.

Step 11: Observe the red text in the image below to ensure my explanation is clear.

Towards Hat Yai Junction: This means the back of the train (if you’re departing from Hat Yai).

Towards Krung Thep Aphiwat: This means the front of the train.

These positions are important for those who want to enjoy the view according to their preference, for example, on the right side, as there might be many hills and mountains to enjoy.

[1] = means there is only one carriage available for Room type.

For this example, we choose Room 12 and lower sleeper berth.

Note 1: By default, the system will automatically select a room and sleeper berth for you. Don’t worry, scroll down and just click “x” (Delete) and re-select the room and berth you want.

Note 2: Green boxes mean Available. Blue boxes are for men, and pink for women. Yellow boxes are for Monks. For women who want to book and feel uncomfortable if the room is occupied by male passengers, choose rooms surrounded only by women. If a passenger is lying, just report it to the train officer who is always patrolling.

Note 3: Do you see the box or checkbox labeled “Room“? If you’re alone but want to book an entire room, just tick that checkbox. You will be charged for booking an entire room and it’s slightly cheaper if you pay for two beds per room.

Finished selecting your room? Click Next and you will be asked to make a payment.

(Optional) Step 12: Let’s say you have a family of 4 (like us) and want to book a connecting room (with a middle door between two rooms). It’s easy, just refer to the display below. Do you see the red line I’ve marked? That’s the middle door. Is it hard to identify? Not really. Start from either end of the carriage, whether from the left or right, two rooms must be paired. Each pair will definitely have a middle door.

Still not clear? For example, Berth 1 and Berth 2 have a door connecting with Berth 3 and Berth 4. Likewise, Berth 5 and Berth 6 connect with Berth 7 and Berth 8.

Train Booking in Thailand is completed. Let’s proceed with booking instead of lounging at home, hehe. When else will you travel?

Left Luggage Office

Every major train station in Thailand has a luggage storage facility called the Left Luggage Office. What is the purpose of storing here? For energetic travelers who want to explore the city for just half a day or a full day, you can store your bags there without needing to rent a hotel room to leave your bags or carry them around.

Observations during the use of Left Luggage Office in Lopburi (based on 2017, there may be some changes now):

Available at any train station across Thailand with a signboard that reads “Left Luggage Office.”
The storage cost for a day is THB10 (USD0.35) per bag.
After payment, you will be given a number card. DO NOT LOOSE IT.
The storage room guard is at their desk at all times.
CCTV is also present here.
Very safe, but it’s best to use a bicycle lock (like the one shown in the picture we brought to Thailand, weighing less than 100gm). Secure your backpack to the metal bar of the locker using the bicycle lock. Even if a thief cuts the bag straps, the lock will give them more time until the guard notices their actions. Buy at Mr DIY for less than RM10 (this is only for Malaysians, other countries can purchase the same item at your place).
It’s best to attach a luggage tag on the outside of the backpack and slip a business card inside the bag. This serves as identification in case the number card is lost. The luggage tag will show your name as proof of ownership, while the business card will be a second proof if the luggage tag is removed.
After taking your backpack, check the contents inside. Worried about unknowingly becoming an ‘instant drug mule’ if drugs are slipped into the backpack. Luggage bags (wheeled) are not exempt as they might have the skills to open small locks.
Overall, DO NOT WORRY EVERYONE, KEEPING BAGS HERE IS VERY SAFE. Pray and use the law of attraction by imagining the bag is safe before walking out and leaving the bag.