From Bangkok to Chiang Mai: A Journey Through Thailand by Train

Farewell to Bangkok: Embarking on a New Adventure

After 10 days in the heart of Bangkok, filled with freelance work and various adventures, it was time to move on. Bangkok impressed us with its scale and colorfulness, but we were ready to explore the northern part of Thailand, where old traditions and culture are still preserved.

Travel Tip: Safety in Bangkok

While Bangkok is generally safe, it’s wise to avoid narrow alleys far from busy streets and be cautious of strangers offering unsolicited help or “treats”, especially from tuk-tuks.

All Aboard: The Train Journey to Chiang Mai

On March 10th, we bid a touching farewell to our hotel owner and headed to the railway station to buy tickets to Chiang Mai.

Key points about our train experience:

• Pet-Friendly Travel: We were told that with our cat, we could only travel in the “economy” class car with a fan. Air-conditioned cars don’t allow pets.
• Warm Welcome: Everyone at the station, from the ticket seller to the police, was very polite and showed genuine interest in our cat.
• Unique Departure: All trains depart to music and the sound of a bell.

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• Our friendly train conductor, ready to ring the departure bell
• Inside the Train
• The unique and practical interior of our economy class train car
• Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll share why our plan to stay in Chiang Mai for a week changed unexpectedly!

The interior of the train car impressed us with its unusual but practical design:

• Security: Armed police officers regularly patrolled the cars, making us feel very safe.
• Stern Conductor: Our conductor seemed unusually serious, more like a military officer than a typical civilian conductor.
• Scenic Route: The 12-hour journey took us through unique landscapes and even jungles.

Travel Tips:

• Ticket Cost: Bangkok to Chiang Mai – 450 baht per person, 100 baht for a cat.
• Journey Time: About 12 hours, but delays are possible.
• Pet Travel: Pets are only allowed in economy class cars with fans, not in air-conditioned cars.
• Comfort: Despite being “economy”, the cars are well-designed and comfortable for long journeys.

Question for fellow travelers: Have you ever taken a long-distance train journey in a foreign country? How did it compare to train travel in your home country? Share your experiences in the comments!

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