Trains and ferries in Thailand
The useful train is Bangkok to Chiang Mai on SRT 9 and 10. The useful boats are Lomprayah on the Gulf and morning Andaman ferries to Phi Phi.
North trainSRT 9 northbound about 18:40 to 07:15
Gulf boatsLomprayah and Seatran
Andaman boatsMorning only in the wet months
Long-distance trains now use Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, not Hua Lamphong, for the Chiang Mai sleepers. SRT 9 northbound (Krung Thep Aphiwat to Chiang Mai, about 18:40 to 07:15) is the useful overnight. SRT 10 is the southbound return, Chiang Mai about 18:00 to Krung Thep Aphiwat about 06:50. Confirm today's board. Budget a Grab; the station is north of the old core.
Book trains on SRT or via Trip.com when inventory is mirrored. Book Gulf ferries the afternoon before. Book Andaman boats when the weather desk is awake, not a week out in September.
What to book
| Route | Mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok to Chiang Mai | SRT 9/10 sleeper or flight | SRT 9 northbound about 18:40 to 07:15. Flight is the day-saver. |
| Bangkok to Phuket or Krabi | Flight | The train south is not the first-trip move. |
| Samui to Phangan or Tao | Lomprayah | Morning seats in swell season. |
| Phuket to Phi Phi or Krabi | Ferry or speedboat | Cancel when the Andaman is up. |
| Bangkok to Ayutthaya | Train from Krung Thep Aphiwat | About one hour. Day trip unless you want dawn. |
| Bangkok to Kanchanaburi | Ordinary train from Thonburi | Not Bang Sue. Nam Tok is a separate check. |
| Bangkok to Hua Hin | Southbound train from Krung Thep Aphiwat | Special Express 43 is the useful morning set. |
Book
Common questions
- Hua Lamphong or Krung Thep Aphiwat?
- For Chiang Mai sleepers 9 and 10, use Krung Thep Aphiwat. Hua Lamphong is still a station; it is not your sleeper.