How to Book the Sleeper Train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai in 2026
Note: This post was originally written for a trip I took in 2024. In 2026, I’m planning another trip to Thailand, and have updated this post with the process as it is today.
The overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is pretty much a rite of passage for any Thailand traveller.
The first time I planned this journey in 2024, it took me 45 minutes to figure out how the process actually worked, and it was only through the help of other bloggers like Aga on the Run that I managed to get anywhere.
Today, in late February 2026 (the date I’m updating this post), I’ve just done it again and this time, the process was much smoother. As a blogger, it feels both a bit vain and a bit satisfying to use my own instructions to help me, but it really did.
If you’re planning your own trip, then take it from me: It’s a lot easier than it looks to book. Secondly, even though you may see advertisements for companies like 12go offering train tickets, I’d avoid them. These aren’t direct booking platforms – you’re basically paying for another person to go down to the train station and buy tickets on your behalf. This can be handy, but Trustpilot reviews are hit and miss.
In this post, you’ll find what I did to book, and you can read more about what to expect from the actual onboard experience in a separate post.
The most important advice you need
On the day of travel, check how long it’ll take you to get from wherever you are in Bangkok to Krung Thep Aphiwat station. See that number? Double it. Then add another 20 minutes.
You might think I’m being dramatic, but I left 90 minutes before my train, believing Google maps that a taxi would take me 40 minutes to the station. I missed my train by 10 minutes and never made it to Chiang Mai.
The next time I had a sleeper train booked, I arrived early to the station, dumped my bags in a locker and went out to explore, making sure I was back in plenty of time. Bangkok traffic is no joke, you’ve been warned.
How to book the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
- Download a VPN. I used CyberGhost, which has a free 24 hour trial, no credit card required. Once it’s running, change the server to Thailand – the Thai Railways website doesn’t always work properly outside of the country.
- Go to the Thai Railway website, set the language to English or use Google Translate
- Create an account. Make sure you toggle the tab to “Foreigner” when signing up. Log in.
- Search for your train. For Bangkok, enter Krung Thep Aphiwat in the Origin box, and Chiang Mai in the Destination box. (Krung Thep Aphiwat is Bangkok’s central train station. If you just enter “Bangkok”, you won’t see any trains to Chiang Mai.)
- Choose the right train. Once you see the list of trains, choose the 18:40 Special Express CNR – it’s newer than the one leaving at 20:05.
- Pick your seat. Choose your coach and your berth. The lower berths are a little bit more expensive than the upper, but they’re more comfortable
- Get your passport ready. You’ll be asked for the passport number for all travellers, have these to hand.
- Payment. The first time I booked, my Mastercard didn’t work but my Revolut Visa went through with no problems. The second time, in 2026, my Monzo Mastercard worked on the first try. I cannot explain the debit card gods, but have a backup option just in case, and keep your banking app open and ready to authenticate.
- Ticket. You’ll get a ticket emailed to you. Print this out and bring it with you – you’ll have a digital copy emailed to you, but it’s handy to have this with you just in case.
Things to know:
- Translation is spotty. Not everything translates on the English version of the website. There are a few options for the second class carriage: General passengers, disabled passengers, women and children. I copy-pasted the text into translate to make sure I was booking a ticket for the appropriate option.
- Booking a lower berth. The lower berths (bottom bunks) are the fastest to book out. I refreshed the page/went back and forth a few times and found that the available berths kept changing. You might have luck trying this.
- Book early. The further out you book, the more likely you are to get the berth you want. I booked about 30 days in advance, and found that there were still a lot of other passengers already.
- Payment quirks. The site seems to be unpredictable. I’ve had success with a Monzo Mastercard in 2026, while for my 2024 journey only my Revolut Visa worked.
- Carriage details. The page will show you an icon of the passengers booked into different berths, and whether they are male, female, or a monk. There is a separate carriage for women and children.
- Air conditioning. Look for “Air coach” if you want air conditioning (I’d recommend this option). “Fan coach” means… well, just a fan and Thailand’s heat!
Summary:
It takes a little patience, but the process wasn’t too bad once I figured out the VPN trick, and how the website works. Travelling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train is such a great way to see a bit more of Thailand, and it’s popular with travellers. The bunks are surprisingly comfortable, and you can read more about that experience here.
One Comment
Pingback: