- In late July, I traveled from Chiang Mai, Thailand, to Bangkok via sleeper train.
- The 13-hour trip wasn't as picturesque or as comfortable as I had imagined.
On a reporting trip to Thailand in late July, I traveled on an overnight train for the first time. I rode on the Special Express 14, a 13-hour journey that starts in the northern province of Chiang Mai and ends in the capital city of Bangkok.
It was a memorable experience but not one I'd do again — it wasn't as picturesque as I imagined, there was no food served on board, and there were barely any stops during the trip. Here are three reasons why I prefer traveling via domestic flights across Thailand.
1. Cost: I paid 2096 baht, or $81, for a first-class cabin with two bunk beds. It was comfortable enough for a good night's sleep but not worth the premium price tag, especially given that a one-way ticket from Chiang Mai to Bangkok can cost as little as $14.50. If you're a light traveler and don't have much luggage, skip the Special Express and book a flight on a budget airline like Thai AirAsia instead.
2. Efficiency: The train ride was 13 hours long, and most of the trip was in darkness. That's time I could have used to go on a day trip to a province near Bangkok like Pathum Thani or Ratchaburi. It takes an hour and 15 minutes to fly from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, so if your time is limited, a flight is definitely the better use of your hours.
3. Comfort: I had a good night's sleep, but I was hungry for most of the train trip as food wasn't served on board. But on a short-haul domestic flight, that wouldn't be a problem — and the time I'd saved would have left time to check out some of the country's incredible food.