Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) to Nong Khai by Train
This is a review of the train between Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) and Nong Khai. I used this train to connect to the international train into Laos. This is part of my Singapore to Beijing train trip.
🇹🇭 TRAIN 7: Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) to Nong Khai
🚂 Special Express No. 25
🗓️ Date of Travel: 9th October 2024
⏰ Departure: 20:25 | Arrival: 06:25
⏱️ Duration: 10 hours and 0 minutes
📏 Distance: 615.3 km (map of route)
🎟️ Ticket: 944 baht (2nd Class lower berth)
QUICK LINKS: TRAIN 1 | TRAIN 2 | TRAIN 3 | TRAIN 4 | TRAIN 5 | TRAIN 6 | TRAIN 7 | TRAIN 8 | TRAIN 9 | TRAIN 10
From Bangkok, there is only one international train to Laos: Rapid No. 133, which departs from Krung Thep Aphiwat Station at 9:25 p.m. Unfortunately, it only has one 2nd Class sleeper carriage, so it sells out quickly. A popular alternative is the train I booked: Special Express No. 25, which offers nine air-conditioned 2nd Class sleeper carriages and one air-conditioned 1st Class sleeper carriage. This train leaves an hour earlier and provides a more comfortable night ride. Arriving early also gives you time for breakfast, perhaps a cold shower, and allows you to pass through Thai immigration before the crowds arrive on No. 133.
At Krung Thep Aphiwat Station, we were allowed to board the train twenty minutes before departure. To pass through the automatic ticker barriers, we had to scan the QR Code on our tickets. As I had bought mine online, I just scanned the QR Code in the D-Ticket app on my smartphone. From here you go up a lift or escalators to the platform on the second floor. Passengers who were in carriages 2-5 were told to use the right-hand escalator. Passengers in carriages 6-13 were told to use the left-hand escalator.
Thailand’s flagship sleeper trains are the Chinese-built CNR models, which were introduced on four routes in 2016. Even though they’re now eight years old, they’re still in excellent condition. You don’t have to choose 1st Class cabins for comfort and cleanliness—the 2nd Class carriages are just as good and even better in some ways. Since it was already late, the carriage attendants had prepared our beds with clean sheets. I booked a lower berth as usual, since it’s slightly wider and further away from the bright lights and cold air-conditioning. The air-conditioning is often set to freezing, so I always bring a jacket. It’s also wise to have an eye mask and earplugs, especially on the CNR trains where the curtains are quite thin and let in a lot of light.
The toilets are airplane-style and maintained well. There are two cubicles with Western-style toilets and one cubicle with a urinal. Each has a washbasin with soap and toilet paper. Outside, you’ll find two more washbasins and a mirror, perfect for brushing your teeth or shaving.
Eight of the carriages have 40 seats that convert into beds, with one lower and one upper berth. There’s also a special carriage with only 36 seats, providing more space for a wheelchair lift, wheelchair storage, and accessible toilets. Next to this carriage is the air-conditioned dining car. Meals are reasonably priced at around 190 baht for a set, typically including a rice dish, soup, fruit, and a bottle of water. If you prefer not to visit the dining car, waiters will come by to take your order and serve you at your seat. You can also bring your own food, but please be considerate of other passengers and avoid bringing anything with a strong smell.
Each berth has a power socket for charging devices and a reading light with two brightness levels. Besides the privacy curtains for the corridor, you also get curtains for the window. A note: if you’re in the upper berth, there’s no window, unlike sleeper trains in some other countries. The day seat’s backrest on the lower berth can be lifted up to provide a bit more space, which is useful for tall people like myself. It also serves as a handy shelf for light items. Overall, there was enough space for me to sleep comfortably on my back or side. I slept soundly through the night and woke up only when we arrived in Udon Thani.
I’ve travelled in 1st Class before, so here’s a quick comparison. The cabins accommodate two people, and if you want single occupancy, there’s an extra charge of around 1,000 baht. Connecting doors between cabins (e.g., between Cabins 1 and 2 or 3 and 4) make it convenient for families. The main advantage over 2nd Class is the added privacy. You can lock the door, turn the lights on and off as you like, and even control the air-conditioning to some extent. There are plug sockets for charging, a small fold-down table, and a wash basin. The twelve 1st Class cabins have their own exclusive toilets and, more importantly, a shower room with hot water! The carriage attendant will provide a towel, and soap is supplied.
I also appreciate the CNR trains’ monitors, which display maps showing the train’s location, the names of the upcoming stations, expected arrival times, temperature inside and out, and whether the toilets are vacant. You also get a free bottle of water. The service on these trains is excellent, with dedicated attendants in smart white uniforms for each carriage. If you’re concerned about what Thai trains are like, a trip on one of the CNR trains is a great way to start. Besides Nong Khai, these trains also run to Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, and Hat Yai in the south.
➡️ BUYING TICKETS:
🇹🇭 Thailand: DTicket
🇲🇾 Malaysia: KTMB
➡️ TRANSPORTATION TICKETS IN ASIA:
✅ 12GO Asia
✅ Trip Dot Com
✅ Baolau
QUICK LINKS: TRAIN 1 | TRAIN 2 | TRAIN 3 | TRAIN 4 | TRAIN 5 | TRAIN 6 | TRAIN 7 | TRAIN 8 | TRAIN 9 | TRAIN 10