bangkok to Chiang Mai?
 

Hey again everyone. First of all, again, thank you all for your wonderful help. i'm currently trying to figure out what the cheapest way to do all my travels would be and I was wondering, if I do not fly to Chiang Mai from Bangkok but take a bus (i've heard they're preferably to the trains?) how much would this cost? I'm trying to figure out discovery pass vs. other transportation means because on Bangkok Air at the moment they have a cheaper web deal flight to Samui from BKK than what the discovery pass would cost ... tricky :)

This might be helpful.
http://www.chiangmai1.com/chiang_mai...rain_bus.shtml

The thing about flying is that it is quick and easy and not badly priced. The train and the bus are both time consuming, and as such uncomfortable as you are confined in the bus seat/train seat/train compartment for the duration, which is like 10 hours I think. Also, with a limited amount of time, I'd think you'd want to spend the least amount of time possible getting from place to place.

oh wow, that's great. thank you so much KimJapan.

Hi Irish,

My wife and I enjoy the first class train which departs bangkok at 6 PM. The train is safe, clean, comfortable and fun. If you are traveling alone you might like second class air conditioned berth. This way you can meet other travelers and Thai people on you train ride. here is the Train time table web site with prices. See http://www.railway.co.th/timetable/N_N.html

The overnight train is much cheaper than flying and you save money for an overnight hotel or guest house.

Have fun
Randy and Ning

FLY!! Air Asia is inexpensive and will obviously save you tons of time.

Unless you like long train/bus travel then using a discount airline to Chiang Mai is the way to go. Depending the day of travel and how far in advance you book, the fare could be as low as 1015 baht. A 1st class cabin on the train is 1253.

The special Bangkok Air fare to Samui is $63 net as compared to a pass of $60. So not really any difference and the special is for the early and very late flights only.

is the train ride an interesting one? Even though it would take longer, if we got to see some pretty countryside I might be interested.. also do they run every day? I couldn't tell from the timetable. Kop Khun kha! (hope that's right :) )

Hi irishcheer

Train and bus will both be cheaper than flying - not only can you save on cost of the transport but you can also travel overnight and save on the cost of a hotel for one night. I've done the journey on all three and my preference if cost wasn't an option would be to fly but if I was counting the pennies, I would prefer to travel by train than bus. We actually quite enjoyed the train journey.

The buses are fairly comfortable but the drivers frequently drive like lunatics and there are stops throughout the night at pitstops which inevitably wakes you are up as the seats are not THAT comfortable. With the trains, book a second class air con sleeper (and get the bottom bunks) or if you want to spend a bit more money, a first class sleeper which will give you and your partner a private compartment.

If you travel at night, as I said, you will save money on a hotel for one night and you will also not waste any time. You could leave Bangkok at about 8pm-ish and arrive about 12 hours later - leaving your days completely free. I would NOT travel on bus or train in the daytime. It would be a waste of time and also I am told (but don't know as have only done these journeys at night) that the scenery is not particularly interesting. In the morning, you do see some of the scenery over the Central Plains and into Chiang Mai for the last hour which is quite beautiful.

Hope this helps
BB

I would definitely fly. You can get cheap flights and there are many excellent and cheap places to stay in Chiang Mai

Interesting that you have heard that buses are preferable to trains. Maybe for short trips - but as others have said BKK to Chang Mai is an overnight trip.

The trains are great - good advice given previously about travelling second class. It's cheap; it's good; it saves the cost of a night in a hotel/hostel. The train to take leaves after dark so not too much to see to start with. But it's an adventure and you do get the fun of going to sleep to the sound of clackety-clack. And waking up EARLY when the day is new a few hours out from CM.

Flying is OK but remember to factor in time/money getting to and from the airport at each end. For me the train wins hands down. If you are short on time then for sure fly back. You can buy a ticket easily from any of the 1001 agents in CM.

with the sleeper trains.. how safe is your luggage etc? I see that with first class you would have your own cabin for two people so I'm assuming you could lock the cabin to keep people out, but with the second class.. is there a place to lock your luggage or are you just hoping for the best? i'm a bit cautious as i've had a few too many friends have items stolen when euro railing.

When we have been by train, we have travelled second class and I have always slept clutching my bag :). We always travel north with smaller bags, leaving some of our stuff in our Bangkok hotel and picking it up on the way back through.

I also used a cable lock with an alarm to lock the bag and attach it to part of the bed. If anyone had tried to tamper with it or cut the cable it would probably have awoken the whole train! I can't remember who it is made by but I got it years ago from Blacks, which is a camping shop in the UK. I also use it if I am travelling on my own anywhere as you can hang it on your room door and if the door is opened or even moves an inch the alarm will go off as you can set it up to act as a movement sensor.

So, we have never had any problems but we always take care. I don't recall there being anywhere to lock your luggage away.

Concur with Bella - That's how I remember it too from last October and trips in previous years. If you are travelling alone you always worry of course - but put your big bag under the bunk or in one of the overhead wire storage areas - you could use a cable lock to secure it - commonplace in India amongst locals and tourists alike. Don't see it too often in Thailand. But always keep your valuables in your daypack and take it with you to bed!! I use mine as a pillow with a jacket or something wrapped around. Always take it with you - to the loo, when cleaning your teeth - whatever.

And to return to your original post, Irishcheer - if want to travel cheap - then you must travel cheap. Thousands do. Thailand is so easy to travel around.

Best of luck.

We just returned from Thailad where we used both Nok and Asia Air and found them both l00% dependable. I had worried about the times because we had some quick transfers. Ironically, the only time delay was with Thai Air! I checked their safety record, and it was great. The planes were lovely--not at all run down. It really lowered our costs.