To get to CM early in the day by train, one has to leave on the 14:30hr train to get to CM by 06:05hr. This provides the earliest day time arrival.

By plane, well, you can leave any time in the morning as it is a 1 hour flight (approx).

Given that flight and train ticket prices are comparable there are no real reasons to take the train to CM other than (1) wanting to enjoy the journey or (2) you need/want to get to towns in between BKK and CM where there are no flights.

As I said in my earlier post if you have not done a train journey and you want to see some country side then take the day train from BKK. It's worth doing just the one time. Then fly back.

Where are you seeing a train that gets in at 06:05? In any case, why arrive so early? What do you think will be open?

I would take the 19:35 that gets in at a civilized 08:40, although there is also the 18:10 that gets in at 07:15.

<<<I would take the 19:35 that gets in at a civilized 08:40, although there is also the 18:10 that gets in at 07:15.>>>

+1.

Some people who advocate internal flights seem to just think you can just walk straight out of your hotel and onto the aircraft, that it'll take off straight away, and drop you off at your next hotel in an hour's time!

To get a flight @ 0800 from Don Muang to CM means getting to the airport by no later than 0600. That means getting out of bed by 0430 at the very latest. That also means an early night beforehand, unless you want to feel rough all day.

Aircraft arrives at CM @ 0930ish. You've still got to get through the airport, collect your gear, and get to your accommodation in CM. So your talking at about 6 hours from start to finish, and doesn't account for possible flight delays.

And what have had? Another boring flight!

Getting the overnight train = [practically] Nil time lost, and you've enjoyed a great Thai experience.

@ Thursdaysd
>Where are you seeing a train that gets in at 06:05?
My bad (outdated info) - Train 1 leaves 18:10 for a 07:15 arrival.

>In any case, why arrive so early? What do you think will be open?
This was in response to:
"KimFionafromUK192 on Aug 11, 15 at 12:57pm
@crelleston: If they travel by plane, they will arrive Chiang Mai much earlier daytime and thereby can tour the city soon. For me, it's not comfortable to sleeping on train."

All I am saying is that the earliest one can get in to CM by train is to leave the previous evening. What will be open? Well, if you want to head up the mountains to see certain tourist attractions, you need to leave from town early.

I have done the BKK-CM and vice versa trains many times, in the days where train was much cheaper than flight (i.e. before there were low cost airlines). Now I prefer to fly.