About Hua Lamphong Train Station
Bangkok’s main train station, known locally as Hua Lamphong, is located in the Yaowarat (China Town) district of Bangkok. Yaowarat was, in the past, the commercial centre of Bangkok. Times have now changed and the commerce has moved to other parts of the City such as the areas around the Silom Road, Siam Square and the Sukhumvit Road. Yaowarat, however, remains an important cultural centre with many of the city’s most important important temples and monuments with walking distance of the train station. Many train passengers choose to turn up early for their train, leave their luggage at the station, and explore nearby China Town before boarding their train.
Location of Bangkok Train Station
Getting to Bangkok Train Station
There are 6 different types of transport which you can use to get to Bangkok’s main train station: Taxi, Metro, Tuk Tuk, Bus, Motorbike Taxi, and the Chao Phraya Express Boat.
Metro or Taxi?
For most visitors to Bangkok, the most convenient way to travel to the station will be either the Metro or by Taxi. Both options are relatively cheap in Bangkok.
Travel to Bangkok Train Station by Metro (MRT)
There is a metro (MRT) station in Hua Lamphong train station. Depending upon which part of the City you are coming from, the MRT can be a much quicker and cheaper way of reaching Hua Lamphong train station than travelling by taxi. If you are staying in the Silom or Sukhumvit areas of Bangkok the MRT system is the best choice of transport to and from Bangkok’s main train station.
Travel to Bangkok Train Station from the Khao San Road and other riverside locations
The Khao San Road area and most other riverside locations, particularly those around Wat Po and the Grand Palace, are not currently connected to either the Metro (MRT) or Skytrain (BTS) transport systems. You can travel by Bus, Taxi, Tuk-Tuk or Motor Bike Taxi, however, we recommend that you consider using the excellent Chao Phraya Express Boat service. There is a Chao Phraya Express Boat pier 16 minutes walk from Bangkok train station. See our Guide to Transport to and from Bangkok train station for more information.
Ticket Purchase at Bangkok Train Station
Train tickets can be purchased at Hua Lamphong train station both in advance and on the day of travel.
Ticket Counters
For intercity trains use ticket counters 15 to 22 located at the top right hand corner of the station concourse.
Foreigner’s Ticket Office
At the top left hand cornet of the station, by the side exit, there is a Foreigner’s Booking Office which is open from 06.00 to 20.00 everyday. Credit Cards are accepted for the purchase of train tickets at this office.
Advance Ticket Purchase
For sleeper berths on the popular routes to Chiang Mai and Surat Thani (for Koh Samui and Koh Phangan) it is advisable to buy your tickets at least 4 days in advance. During busy periods sleeper seats will almost always sell out well before the day of travel. It is a long journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai or Bangkok to Surat Thani and the majority of the train services travel through the night. Your journey will be a lot more pleasant if book a 1st or 2nd class sleeper seat in advance of the day of travel.
Two Ways to Buy a Thailand Train Ticket in Advance
Firstly, you can visit any train station in Thailand and buy your ticket there for travel up to 60 days in advance. This is the cheapest way to buy a train ticket in advance. Secondly, you can save yourself the need to make the journey to a train station several days before you need to travel,an option which is not much use if you are not already in Thailand, by booking online using the Book button above.
Buying a Train Ticket Online
After buying an Online Train Ticket through this website you will be an issued with an electronic ticket voucher. A ticket printed by the State Railways of Thailand will collected from Bangkok train station on your behalf and either posted to an address of your choosing or can be collected from an Office very near to Bangkok train station.
How to Find Your Train from Bangkok
Hua Lamphong is busy train station with 12 platforms and departures to destinations across Thailand. Bangkok’s main station is the terminus for 4 out of 5 of Thailand’s major train lines. To make sure you get the right train follow our step-by-step guide to finding the right train at Hua Lamphong train station.
Step 1: Check your Train Ticket
Trains in Thailand all have a number of up to 3 digits. This number will be printed on your train ticket at the far left hand side under the word ‘TRAIN’. If you are travelling to Chiang Mai from Bangkok the number of the train will be one of the following 5 numbers: 7, 109, 1, 13 or 51. Also check the departure time of the train, which will be printed under the words ‘DEP TIME’.
Step 2: Check the Display Boards in the main station building
Above the ticket counters at Hua Lamphong train station there are two large electronic display boards. To find your train check the display board on the left hand side marked ‘DEPARTURES’. The left hand column shows two pieces of information: the type of service and the train number. For example, Train #7 to Chiang Mai will be displayed as ‘SPECIAL EXPRESS 7’.
On the same row as the number of train in the third column it will display the platform number where the train will depart from.
Thailand Trains Tip: The destination shown in the second column is the final stop for the train. For trains to Chaing Mai the final stop is always Chiang Mai as this is the terminus of the Northern Line. However, for trains to Surat Thani, Surat Thani is not normally the final stop and Surat Thani will not be shown as the destination even though the train will stop at Surat Thani train station.
Step 3: Locating the Correct Train Platform
We advise passengers to go to the platform shown on the display board 20 minutes before the train is due to depart. Trains in Thailand are generally prepared for the next journey well in advance of the departure time. However, be sure to check column 5 of the display board (marked ‘Depart…:). If there is a different time to the scheduled departure time displayed this means that the train is delayed.
The train platforms at Hua Lamphong are located behind the ticket counters at the back of the main station building. From the waiting area go through the large opening between the two banks of ticket counters under the large painting (of King Rama v).
Beyond this opening you will see the train platforms. Platform 1 is on the far right of the station. Platform 12 is on the far left of the station near to the Taxi rank, Freight and Parcels Office, Bus Stop and entrance to the Metro station.
Step 4: Boarding the Train
Once you have found the correct train platform check the display board at the start of the platform. This will be either an electronic monitor or a sign on a stand. This platform display board will show the number of the train, the scheduled departure time and the end destination. Do not attempt to board the train which is in the platform unless the information on the platform display board matches the information on your ticket. If the information is not the same it means one of two things: the departure platform for your train has been changed, or the train currently in the platform is an earlier departure to a different destination and you need to to wait a bit longer to take your seat.
Step 5: Finding your Train Seat
Trains seats in Thailand are identified by a Carriage Number and a Seat Number. These will printed on your ticket. The Carriage Number is printed under ‘CAR’ and the Seat Number is printed under ‘SEAT NO’.
When you reach the platform, and you have checked on the platform display board that the correct train is in the platform, walk down the platform to find the correct carriage. Passenger carriages on Thai trains have their Carriage Number on a sign attached to the train carriages about half way along. First class and second class carriages are normally located nearest to the start of the train platform (which means at the back of the train). Passengers in the cheaper seats generally have further to walk along the platform towards the front of the train.
Once inside the correct carriage find your seat by looking for the seat number. This will be either on the back of the seat, at the side of the seat on the wall, or for first class compartments above the door of the compartment.
Facilities at Hua Lamphong train station
You can shop and eat at the train station. You can also leave your luggage whilst you take the opportunity to explore nearby China Town:
- The left luggage office is on the left hand side of the train station near the main front entrance.
- There are a number of seat down restaurants both inside the station and near to the station.
- Snack and drinks can purchased from shops inside the station and the 7-11 Convenience store which is located on the opposite side of the road to the front entrance of the train station.
- Toilets and showers are located to the right hand side of ticket counter 22 at the top right hand corner of the station concourse. There is a 3 THB charge for using the toilet.
- There is a small railway museum located to the left hand side of the main entrance to the station. Entrance is free and the museum is open from 10.00 to 18.00 (except public holidays).