day train

[stokiebaz]

has anyone caught the train from bangkok to udon that travels during the day?any tips or info appreciated.

[dee]

it takes a long time. 10 hours.you would be better getting the night train.at least you can have a sleep.when you wake up your there!!!! 4 am the first one gets in.

[rick]

I have used the night train (both sleeping and sitting). You need patience and a book, you might sleep. I have done it the other way round (Udon - Bangkok) by day and actually preferred the experience; could watch the scenery (ok not marvelous but better than night time!) and was befriended by a few Thais who talked to me during the trip. During the day food vendors board at some stations and sell food (e.g. sticky rice, roast chicken) so not dependant on official train food which is a little expensive.

Personally, wether to travel by day or night would be decided by me on convenience of getting to station and ease of onward travel at far end. Remember only a few trains a day, basically which ever direction you travel either early morning or evening start and 10 hours.

[laphanphon]

http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm

[stokiebaz]

thanks guys

[plien]

http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm

One of the most useful links Ive seen in a long time. Thank you la. Been thinking about going Bkk - Singapore for some time. This link make it simple.

[mortiboy]

I took the night train to Bangkok last year. MY God! Nightmare! I dont know whether the carriage suspension faulty or the tracks.But All I got was clack clack clak all the way I mean really bad! The carriage was swaying to and fro. . and stops so often. YOU CAN EXPECT 11 HOURS TRAVEL.
If you travel on it, make sure you take sleeping pill and some booze:lol:
But what you expect for about 500 baht!

[Fawn]

Nightmare! I dont know whether the carriage suspension faulty or the tracks.But All I got was clack clack clak all the way I mean really bad! The carriage was swaying to and fro. .

Clak, clak, clak? That's the sound of the big metal wheels running over the rails!



More like clackety clack - I love it, reminds me of the old Blitish Lail trains when I was a small boy.

I did the Udon - Bangkok train trip by day a few years ago, Stokie. The Dragon put us in cattle class, absolutely spiffing. I loved the way the vendors came on at one stop, selling gai bing and such like.

My favourite train trip was the second class sleeper up to Chiang Mai from Bangkok - toptastic.

Choo, choo - all aboard, readers!

[beer monkey]

Ehh nowt wrong wit that lad...
I Like the Bangers to Surat Thani Train night train......beer and smokes whilst standing in between the coaches watching the world go past...and yes clackerty clack and a bit of rocking....the sound of a real train.

[BKKSTAN]

I took the night train to Bangkok last year. MY God! Nightmare! I dont know whether the carriage suspension faulty or the tracks.But All I got was clack clack clak all the way I mean really bad! The carriage was swaying to and fro. . and stops so often. YOU CAN EXPECT 11 HOURS TRAVEL.
If you travel on it, make sure you take sleeping pill and some booze:lol:
But what you expect for about 500 baht!

I always try to get the center of the coach,close to seat 20 as possible!I will never take the second class sleeper if they want to put me close to the end seats 1-8 and 32-40,preferring to pay the extra,freeze and take first class!

I always take a book to read,eat a big meal before boarding,have them make my bed right away and I usually will be asleep within the first 2 hours!

[Fawn]

I always try to get the center of the coach,close to seat 20 as possible!I will never take the second class sleeper if they want to put me close to the end seats 1-8 and 32-40,preferring to pay the extra,freeze and take first class!
I always take a book to read,eat a big meal before boarding,have them make my bed right away and I usually will be asleep within the first 2 hours!

Do you get the guard to rustle up a mug of hot cocoa before you slip into your jimjams?

[cfcmik]

For me, one advantage of getting the overnight train is the restaurant carriage where you can sit
and enjoy a beer or 2(ish) before retiring to your bunk. I would suggest getting to the restaurant carriage
asap as it tends to fill up quickly and usually shuts around midnight. Also if you book 1st class expect
a long walk to the restaurant as it is the opposite end of the train.
Another thing about booking the middle of the coach is that your farther away from the toilets which
tend to chuck up a bit during the latter part of the journey.

[Ter]

Not done one yet in Thailand though would like to, I heard somewhere that it is a very good way to see a country and I agree as have done most of europe and some of India. One day I hope to take it

[BKKSTAN]

IMO,seeing the country from Bangkok to Nong Khai by train will put you to sleep!

[jimboLV]

Not done one yet in Thailand though would like to, I heard somewhere that it is a very good way to see a country and I agree as have done most of europe and some of India. One day I hope to take it

Ter, I would highly recommend train travel through Thailand. We spent our honeymoon in Chiang Mai and then took the train from Chiang Mai to Ayudhya and the scenery was fantastic. Through mountains, small villages, scenes that you would never see from a car or bus. And you just sit back, relax, and take it all in. Then we completed the trip back to Udon on a night sleeper train from Ayudhya. I was hoping to take in some night time sights, but as soon as I settled down in the berth, the next thing I knew it was daylight and we were approaching Udon. It must have been the clickety clack of the rails or maybe the bottle of local hootch I bought from the attendant or something, but I had one of the best sleeps in memory. My wife had planned the whole trip and being an impulsive American I questioned the logic of such a roundabout route to return to Udon. But she was right, it was thoroughly enjoyable.