Frequently Asked Questions
🎫 Booking & Tickets
You can book up to 180 days in advance for long-distance trains if traveling more than 60% of the route. Otherwise, it is 30 days. Visit the Booking Window Calculator for more information
Official D-Tickets can be shown on your phone, but I recommend doing a screenshot for safety in areas with poor signal.
Yes for 3rd class and local trains, but sleeper berths on popular routes often sell out weeks in advance.
The official site is dticket.railway.co.th. You can also use agents like >12Go.asia.
Yes, children between 100cm and 150cm tall get a discount (usually around 50% off the base fare). Under 100cm travel free but they don't get their own seat.
Major stations accept credit cards for fares over a certain amount (usually 200-300 THB). Smaller stations are cash-only.
Yes, at a station counter for a fee (approx. 20-50 THB), provided seats are available on the new date.
Yes, but fees apply. Refunds can cost up to 70% of the ticket price depending on how close to departure you cancel.
Yes, but you need their full name and passport number as it appears on their ID.
Thailand does not currently offer a meaningful "unlimited" rail pass similar to the JR Pass in Japan.
🚉 Stations & Routes
Most long-distance trains now depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.
Yes, but primarily for local, commuter, and special excursion trains.
No direct train exists. Take the train to Surat Thani and transfer to a bus (3-4 hours).
Take a sleeper train to Surat Thani. "Combined Tickets" including the bus and ferry are available.
No. Like Phuket, the nearest station is Surat Thani or Thung Song, followed by a bus.
You can take a train to Ban Khlong Luek (Aranyaprathet) on the border, then cross on foot to Poipet.
Yes, there are direct international trains from Bangkok to Vientiane (Khamsavath Station).
Yes, the Special Express No. 45 goes to Padang Besar on the border for ETS connections.
Trains depart from Thonburi Station in Bangkok twice daily to Kanchanaburi.
The Northern Line into Chiang Mai and the "Death Railway" are widely considered the most beautiful.
🛌 Classes & Amenities
1st class is a private 2-berth cabin. 2nd class is an open carriage with bunks and privacy curtains.
Lower berths are wider, have a window, and are easier to access. Upper berths are narrower and have no window.
Yes, a clean sheet, pillow, and blanket are provided and fitted for you by the attendant.
Generally no. Newer CNR trains were designed with it, but service is rarely active. Use a local SIM card.
Newer CNR trains (No. 9/10, etc.) have outlets at every seat. Older trains may only have shared ones.
Showers (usually cold water) are typically only available in 1st class carriages.
Most long-distance trains have a dining car, though service status can vary. Check before boarding.
Yes, local vendors board briefly at many stops to sell snacks and rice boxes.
Very cold! Thai trains are famous for aggressive AC. Bring a sweater and socks.
Modern CNR trains are all Western-style; older carriages usually have one Western and one "squat" toilet.
🛡 Safety & Rules
Yes. There are also "Ladies Only" carriages on major sleeper routes for extra peace of mind.
No. Alcohol is strictly prohibited on all SRT trains and at stations.
No, smoking is illegal on the train and inside station buildings.
There are racks above or beside your seat. For sleepers, your bag stays near your berth.
Theft is rare, but using a small padlock to secure your bag to the rack is a sensible precaution.
Yes, modern CNR trains and many refurbished carriages are equipped with CCTV.
Delays (30-60 minutes) are common. Don't book tight connections.
Yes, you can disembark early, but you won't get a refund for the unused portion.
Yes, but your seat might be resold if you don't show up within a reasonable time.
Major stations like Krung Thep Aphiwat have dedicated Muslim prayer rooms.
🐶 Specialized Questions
Only in 3rd class fan carriages. Pets are not allowed in AC or sleeper carriages.
Yes, but only on trains with a cargo car. You must pay a separate freight fee.
Yes, on trains with cargo cars. Fees depend on engine CC and distance.
Technically 1st (60kg), 2nd (40kg), 3rd (30kg). In practice, it is rarely weighed if you can carry it.
CNR trains (No. 9/10, etc.) have dedicated carriages with lift access and wide toilets.
These are refurbished Japanese trains used for special weekend day-trips from Bangkok.
Yes, SRT runs steam excursions on special holidays like the King's Birthday.
Officially, foreigners must carry their passport on all long distance trains and night trains as conductors may check it against your ticket. These trains also have railway police who might ask to see your passport. But in practice they rarely ask.
Extremely crowded. If traveling in mid-April, book 180 days in advance.
The SRT Hotline is 1690 (24 hours). For emergencies, call the Tourist Police at 1155.
ANY QUESTIONS? If you have any questions about train travel in Thailand or Southeast Asia, then please visit our
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There are many experts there waiting to answer your questions. For more information about train travel in Thailand, visit Richard Barrow's Thai Train Guide.