chiang mai-bangkok

1. Posted by mac1234 (Full Member, 110 posts) 11 Aug '07 22:27

what is the best transportation? it has to be either bus or train for me because flights are too expensive! im thinking il probably get the vip bus but im undecided. opinions??

2. Posted by claireh (Respected Member, 316 posts) 12 Aug '07 01:55

Without doubt, the best way to travel Chiang Mai to Bangkok is the sleeper train. If you travel 2nd class non-a/c it costs around 650B. It is really comfortable and both times I did the journey, I slept the whole night and woke up feeling fresh as a daisy. You can even order breakfast to be brought to your bed. VIP buses are ok, but I often worry about my belongings and I never sleep well on them.

3. Posted by mahmud (Full Member, 247 posts) 12 Aug '07 04:42

Yes, the best way is to travel by Train. I went last year to Chiang Mai from Chittagong (Bangladesh) by air. Then went to BKK by Train. I enjoyed the journey.

4. Posted by bex76 (Moderator, 3360 posts) 12 Aug '07 07:42

I did the overnight bus between Chiang Mai and bangkok and wouldn't do it again! i think the train sounds like a good option.

5. Posted by DocNY (Respected Member, 403 posts) 12 Aug '07 11:28

I'd agree the train is the way to go - but if you have specific dates/times I'd keep checking with Air Asia, we managed to find flights for less than $20 (including taxes) between the cities a couple of times last year.

[ Edit: Edited on Aug 12, 2007, at 11:27 AM by DocNY ]

6. Posted by opospa (Travel Guru, 1836 posts) 12 Aug '07 16:52

Train is cool!!!
Comfortable as well.
And much more safer than Bus.
Train mate,.....Safety first....

7. Posted by mahmud (Full Member, 247 posts) 12 Aug '07 20:02

Yes, Train is 100 times sfaer than bus.

8. Posted by mac1234 (Full Member, 110 posts) 12 Aug '07 23:32

yeah the train sounds good, the only problem is its booked up for the next 2 days and i wanna leave today! maybe il get the bus but how dodgy is it in terms of thefts?

9. Posted by cybervlad (Full Member, 78 posts) 13 Aug '07 01:59

mac1234, why do you think, that flight from ChiangMai to bangkok so expensive?
For example, Nov, 6, AirAsia flight FD3243 (18:50-20:00) costs only 854.93 TBH
2nd class sleeper train (with aircon) costs 791/881 (upper/low)

But, of course, if you have enough time, overland traveling is more interesting!

10. Posted by opospa (Travel Guru, 1836 posts) 13 Aug '07 02:06

Quoting mac1234
yeah the train sounds good, the only problem is its booked up for the next 2 days and i wanna leave today! maybe il get the bus but how dodgy is it in terms of thefts?

I am not sure about this. But i heard some other travellers told me some of the items in the backpacks were stolen. Not camera or MP4 or what, but shirts and pants. Just becareful with your Camera or MP4 or other valuable things. Especially Passport. But in VIP buses, normally this seldom happen.

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