Thailand Train Stations

Compared with western railway stations, Thailand train stations are not very modern and large. Except the ticket offices, some of the stations even do not have walls but only a roof available. Basic facilities like coffee shops and restaurants can be found at some stations. Train stations in Bangkok and Chiang Mai are larger and busier. 
 
Bangkok's main station Hua Lamphong was opened in 1916. Almost all trains depart from Hua Lamphong Station in Bangkok, which locates in the very center of the city. Only a few trains to Kanchanaburi or the River Kwai use the much smaller Thonburi Station which lies in the far bank of the river. Hua Lamphong Station is regarded as the central hub of rail network in Thailand, and its significance is often compared to Suvarnabhum Airport. Hereunder are the basic facilities of the station:

• Pre-sale Booking Office: The office is opened from 8:30 to 16:00 every day. Tickets can be bought 1-60 days before the scheduled departure date. Very short routes such as Bangkok to Ayutthaya can only be bought one day before the traveling date. Short routes like Bangkok to Chumphon can be booked 30 days in advance. Tickets for long trips are usually released 60 days before the departure date. You will be issued a numbered queuing receipt at a machine in the office, then wait till your number is called. The staff will help you to make a train ticket booking according to your request.

• Ticket Window: There are ticket windows on both sides of the station hall where you can buy a ticket for immediate travel for the same day. There are also TV screens above each window showing train schedule. Please prepare your passport to buy the ticket for the ticket which will be issued in your name.

• Information Window: You can get a printed timetable in English and Thai for all rail routes in Thailand. The staff there can speak English and answer all your questions regarding the train trips.

• Luggage Storage: It is located at the ground floor, opens daily from 04:00 to 23:00. The price varies from 20-80 baht per piece per day. 

• Toilet and Shower: The toilet and shower are located in the corner of the lobby behind the information window. A small fee is charged, 3 baht for toilet, and 10 baht for shower.

• Taxis: The taxi waiting area is on the left side of the station. It costs about 50 baht ($1.5) from the train station to any downtown hotel. Metered taxis are much safer and cheaper.

• Food and Drink: There are several places where you can buy some food and drinks. Coffee shops and restaurants can easily be found inside and outside of the station, such as KFC, Black Canyon Coffee, or Kong Noodle Restaurant.
 
The easiest way to get to Hua Lamphong Station from the airport is to take a taxi on the ground floor. There will be an English-speaking staff there helping you to call a taxi. The staff will ask for your destination and fill in a form, then give one part to the taxi driver, and the rest part is in your hand for reference. An additional airport fee of no more than 50 baht and toll fee will be charged and paid by the passenger.
 
It is said that to relieve congestion, long distance trains will use the new Bang Sue station from 2021, which is 11 km north to the Hua Lamphong Station. Short distance trains will still use the Hua Lamphong Station. The new Bangkok metro will also link the Bang Sue Station to the rest of Bangkok and Hua Lamphong Station.
 
Chiang Mai train station is the main station in northern Thailand, which located on Charuen Muang Road. It is in the middle of the Superhighway and Ping River. There is spacious parking area outside the station, and the local restaurants and vendors make the surroundings bustling.