I will be meeting my husband who is currently in Iraq and will be spending 2 wonderful weeks in Thailand. I have quite a few questions.
I am currently booked on United in economy and looking at a 26 hour flight. Any ideas to help pass the time?
We plan on spending a few days in BKK the taking the train to Chiang Mai.
Does anyone know if the trains with sleeping cabs run there everyday?
Anything we should avoid or must do?

Thank you in advance!

i would avoid the train ride and fly to chiang mai.....why waste the time and have a less than comfortable nite on a train.....it is very reasonable to fly on either the discount carriers or on thai air...

if you read the past posts here you will see the long and short lists of things to do in thailand...

politics aside, I just want to say thanks to you and your husband for the sacrifices you are making. I hope you have a great and relaxing trip!

I agree, that taking the train makes little sense unless you are train buffs. Are you choosing just Bangkok and Chaing Mai for your two weeks?

Thank you both for your responses.

As far as the train ride, he just thought it might be a romantic thing to do, get a sleeper car. Something we have never done before.

I have been reading the various posts way far back as to people's recomendations. I just wanted to make sure there was something that really stood out we didn't miss.

To answer your question YES the train with sleeping cabs does run everyday actually more than 1 departure to popular destinations like Chiang Mai. 1st class a/c will have a private cabin for two and the 2nd class a/c will have seats that will be turn into a bed by a staff.

Cheapest low cost airline plane ticket will run you about 3,000 baht each and the train ticket(return fare) will run you about 1,500 baht for 2nd class a/c and 2,400 baht for the 1st class a/c.

If you like travel by train how about taking the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and then fly back to Bangkok?

When comparing cost savings of travelling overnight by train to Chiang Mai vs airline fare, it is worth remembering that if you catch the train overnight, you save further money by not having to have a hotel for that night.

Yes, he has decided we should spend our 2 weeks in those 2 places.
I never thought of taking the train over and returning by plane. That sounds like a good ide I will suggest it to him. Do youknow the flight time?

Hello OSU,

I take it you live in Oregon? I am from Portland!

Although I have not taken the night train we did encounter many people that id the trip from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. They all had similar stories about their trip.

Everyone we encountered said they were not able to sleep. The train rocked a lot, drunks having a hay day, etc.

I have traveled by train in Europe many times but I have heard that the trains in Thailand are much different in terms of sleepability.

I like hunaman's idea of taking the train up and flying back. It will give you a taste of each so you will know what to do on your return trip to Thailand (those of us that have been there are fairly certain you will return).

Cheers!

Tamara

Fly to Chiangmai. It's only an hour from Bangkok...then be "romantic" by checking into a really great hotel with spa treatment and the works...Happy Travels!

Eurotraveler - Actually I am from Oklahoma.
Thank you everyone for your input it has been very helpful!

I hope you have a wonderful vacation. Thank you for your great service to the nation in these very dangerous times.

Thank you to everyone for all the advise and well wishes. I spoke to my husband I think we will take the train going to Chiang Mai, and see how it goes. At leasr we can say we have done it. We decided to leave the option of flying back to BKK open depending on the ride there.
At least I am now 29 days and counting!