Riding the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is one of those must-do experiences in Thailand. The rhythmic clatter of the tracks, the gentle sway of the carriage and the sight of rice fields bathed in sunrise hues – this journey truly delivers it all. And while travelling in the second class of this special sleeper train is perfectly fine – cozy enough, practical and budget-friendly, the first class offers this one tiny, glorious upgrade. Because, you know, first beats second — duh.
The only catch? First-class tickets are notoriously hard to get. There’s just one first class carriage on the whole train, which means the seats are very limited and they sell out fast. It doesn’t mean that scoring those tickets is impossible. Well, I did! And unlike this train, I’m not that special. Hahaha
In this blog post, I’ll reveal my “trick” of how exactly I managed to book the tickets for the first class Bangkok Chiang Mai sleeper train and I’ll share a step-by-step guide of the whole process. I’ll also describe (in painful detail) the features of the first class carriage and compartment and I’ll answer two important questions: can you get any sleep on this special sleeper train and is the first class really that much better than the second class.
Important information!
The guide I’m sharing here for buying first-class train tickets WON’T involve using 12GoAsia (the transport booking site). In fact, I actually recommend AGAINST booking train tickets in Thailand through them — and here’s why.
Firstly, since 12GoAsia isn’t synced with the official Thai Railway system, you’re not really buying a ticket – you’re basically submitting a request. Then, someone from their team has to either physically go to the station and purchase it or use the very same website I’ll recommend later. This means the seats you picked might not actually be available, and you could end up with a random seat allocation instead. On top of that, you don’t get instant confirmation of your booking – it can take days before you know whether you even have a ticket or not, which makes planning your trip unnecessarily stressful.
Secondly, because 12GoAsia acts as a middleman, the tickets you buy through them end up being more expensive than if you booked directly on the official Thai Railway website.
Thirdly, even if you book online with 12GoAsia, you’ll still need to pick up the real paper ticket in person at a specific location or have the tickets sent to you. And they only send within Thailand – excluding islands!
Last but not least, if something goes wrong – like a train gets canceled, or you need to change the date…well, good luck with dealing with 12goasia! While, on the website I recommend, you can change or return the tickets, within certain conditions of course.
Sorry, one more thing. You might come across other blogs or even 12GoAsia itself claiming that tickets are only released 30 days before departure. Honestly, I have no idea where they’re supposed to be “released” from, but what I do know is that it’s simply not true. I’ve personally bought train tickets in Thailand more than 30 days in advance, twice. In fact, if you use the website I recommend and you follow my guide, you can book as far as 3 months in advance (it used to be 6) – provided the tickets are available, of course.
To sum up!
By booking through the official Thai Railway website using the method I recommend, you can secure your tickets well in advance, choose the exact seats (or compartments) you want, pay safely online, and have your tickets delivered to you via email within minutes.
Phew, that was a lot! I realize not everything I ranted about above applies specifically to buying first-class tickets, but I had to get it off my chest.
And now down to business!
While I share the full step-by-step guide to booking tickets on the Thai Railway website, I don’t want to keep you in suspense any longer to reveal my “trick” of how I actually managed to book first class tickets! So you know, you have to scroll and scroll and scroll. It’s mean when people do it: said while doing it herself. Hahah The answer to how I managed to book FIRST CLASS on a special sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai will be uncovered in…
3…
There was no magic there…
2…
I don’t think you’ll like what read…
1…
Here it goes!
How I managed to book First Class Bangkok – Chiang Mai sleeper train
Since I live in Chiang Mai and I’m not restricted by travel dates, I literally sat down one afternoon and started checking the available dates day by day. It was on the 4th of July. I managed to book the train for the 9th of September! Yes, you read it right: two months later. And it wasn’t high season.
At first, I was checking only the weekends – my partner and I both work during the week. When I got no results, I started checking weekdays too. And it’s not that there was zero availability for the upcoming weeks. There were single first class spots free. But since we are a couple – a girl and a boy – we needed a whole empty first class compartment. They do it by gender, so if one spot (there are only 2 in a cabin) was taken by a woman, only a woman could book the remaining spot. And naturally the same for men. Which is good idea in my opinion – I wouldn’t like to be “paired” with some random guy – but it does make the booking process a bit more tricky.
So if you’re travelling solo, your chances of booking a first class cabin might be bigger.
So yes, that’s the whole “trick”: availability and patience.
Sorry to disappoint you.
But as I mentioned, using the website I recommend, you can buy your tickets as far as 3 months in advance. So if you know your travel dates and you want to travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai in first class, get on it as soon as possible.
But…is first class actually better and worth all this booking drama?
Let me present to you some basic info and some of the main features of the first class compartment on this sleeper train.
And by “this sleeper train” I mean (just to be clear) the special express train no. 9 that travels between Bangkok and Chiang Mai on a daily basis.
It’s packed with my favourite temples, markets, cafés and local gems – all neatly pinned and ready to use!
What train station does the special train depart from?
Short answer: Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, also known as Bang Sue Grand Station. It’s fairly new, big and modern. It actually feels more like an airport than a train station. Only without the crowds.
Toilets are naturally available, and while I haven’t spotted many restaurants, there are small stands where you can buy snacks for the journey.
When I took Bangkok-Chiang Mai sleeper train, the departure was from Gate B, but you should always check the information screens for the latest updates.
What time does the train leave?
The Sleeper Special Express No. 9 from Bangkok to Chiang Mai leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal at 18:40 (6:40 PM). Boarding usually begins 20 minutes before departure, so it’s best to arrive at the station at least 30 minutes early.
How long does the journey take?
According to the official schedule, the journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on the sleeper train no. 9 should take 12 hours 35 min. The train leaves Bangkok at 18:40 PM and arrives in Chiang Mai at 7:15 AM.
When I took this train in second class back in 2023, it arrived right on time. My recent first-class trip, however, wasn’t so lucky – we had a delay of nearly three hours. No explanation was given, though I suspect it was due to flooding. I have to admit, that I was grateful for my private first-class compartment. A comfy seat and a cup of tea in hand made the wait far more bearable.
How much does the train cost?
First class of Bangkok-Chiang Mai special sleeper train is not that cheap. You can fly for less. But well, it’s definitely an experience.
As of September 2025, the price for a first-class compartment listed on the Thai Railway website is:
- lower berth: 1646 Thai Baht ($52);
- upper berth: 1446 Thai Baht ($45).
Which means that the whole compartment (for 2 people) costs: 3092 Thai Baht ($97).
You can also book the whole compartment if you’re travelling solo – I’ll share how later – then, it’s 2446 Thai Baht for a charter room ($77).
What are the facilities in your compartment?
Let me start by saying that the compartment was smaller, than I had imagined. Although I don’t know what I was expecting, it’s a train after all. That being said, the size turned out to be perfectly fine, even once the beds were made.
Inside the compartment you’ll find one long upholstered bench seat (perfect for 2 people) and a bunk that folds down. The sitting area is equipped with a small fold-down table and another fold-up table. There are also two screens displaying the next station, the estimated arrival time and…what I found especially useful, they also showed which toilets were occupied. You also have your own little sink with 2 soaps and “a bathroom” cabinet. And of course a bin.
In terms of sockets, there are two plug sockets and two USB sockets, so you can easily charge your devices.
The compartments are obviously equipped with Air conditioning and…it was pretty chilly inside. There was a switch to adjust it, but it didn’t seem to work properly. So make sure you have something warm to wear.
Ohh and there are two small bottles of water waiting for you in your compartment.
Is there a toilet in the compartment?
Unfortunately not. That would be the perfect compartment then, you wouldn’t have to leave at all. There is a little sink though.
There are 3 toilets and one urinal located at the back of the carriage. Nice and clean (there was a lady constantly cleaning them), with running water. Equipped with toilet paper, paper towels, and soap. BUT…one toilet was clogged already after 2 hours into the journey and by morning, all them were out of order. We had to use second class toilets. Can you imagine? Hahah So to sum, maybe it’s better that the toilets aren’t in the compartments.
Ohh and there was also a shower room! It looked vary basic, had soaps though and I think a few people used it.
Where do you keep your luggage?
Well, in your compartment. There’s plenty of room for your belongings, with a large space under the seat that can easily fit bigger bags or even a suitcase. On top of that, there’s a small overhead rack that’s perfect for backpacks or smaller items. Altogether, it’s more than enough to keep all your stuff neatly stored away during the journey.
When is the bedtime and how does it look?
Unlike the second class, when the bedtime started way too early (at least when I was travelling), in the first class they give you more time before they make the beds. I was at least able to have my dinner. Our beds were made around 20:15 (8.15 PM), although the timing can vary depending on which side of the carriage you’re on. Obviously you don’t have to make the beds yourself, a member of staff will quickly and efficiently do it for you.
Each bed came with clean bedsheets, including a pillow with a pillowcase and a blanket that was sealed in a plastic bag. Everything was fresh and clean and the bed itself was quite comfortable. Although it might be considered hard if you prefer sleeping on soft beds. For me, it was perfect.
Is there a restaurant carriage?
Yes, there is – one for the whole train. But first class comes with its perks – you don’t have to visit it, you can order what you want from your compartment. While we were still at the station, a staff member (let’s call her the “waitress”) walked through the carriage taking food and drink orders. She was quite persuasive – borderline pushy and clearly determined to make sure everyone ordered something. You can place an order for dinner right away and even pre-order breakfast for the following morning, and she’ll deliver it straight to you.
If you’re vegetarian of vegan, you won’t find a lot of options there. I think fries, some spring rolls and fruits were the only choice. So bring some of your own food for the journey.
Phew ok, we covered the basics.
Now it’s time to finally share a step-by-step-guide to booking first class on Bangkok – Chiang Mai sleeper train. Even though it might seem a bit overwhelming and difficult at first, I promise you it’s not. And going through it is definitely worth it! You will choose the compartment you want, pay and receive your tickets – all in a few minutes.
The process of booking first-class tickets isn’t much different from booking second-class. I already covered it in another “how to book a sleeper special express train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai” blog post – maybe you’ve checked it out. In that post I also described the entire experience of traveling in second class on this particular train.
So put your smart hat on and get ready!
How to book first class on Bangkok – Chiang Mai sleeper special train number 9
Let me start with…
Important information!
If you’re booking the tickets from outside Thailand, make sure to switch your VPN location to Thailand! Without a Thai VPN, the railway website might not load at all. I use NordVPN and it works flawlessly. Use my special link to grab an amazing discount! Up to 77% off and 3 extra months with a 2 year plan!
1. Go on the Thai Railway website.
2. Change the language to English in the top right corner.
3. Before choosing your train, make sure to register an account. You can technically do it later, but trust me – it’ll be way more annoying.
4. After registering, you’ll get a confirmation email (check your junk folder – it almost always ends up there). It’ll be in Thai, but don’t worry, just click the big blue button to confirm your email.
5. After confirming your email, go back to the website and log in.
6. Next, in the “origin” section select Krung Thep Aphiwat and in the “destination” section select Chiang Mai.
7. Choose the travel date and the number of passengers.
Important tip!
If it seems like the website won’t let you pick the date you want, don’t get discouraged. Just pick a random date and the correct number of passengers and click “search”. Once you’re on the next screen, you can change the date there.
8. Click “search” and you’ll be presented with a list of trains.
9. Choose the 18:40 special express CNR number 9.
10. Select 1st class sleeping coach. It’s the first one in the list.
11. Choose the gender of passengers. If you want to share the compartment select “same reservation”. That way you won’t end up separated. Click next.
12. Now it’s time to choose the compartment. Remember, that if you’re a girl-boy couple, you need a whole empty compartment to travel together. If you’re a solo travelling girl, you can only travel with another girl, the same with boys.
The system will automatically select the compartment for you. But you can change it (if other compartments are free). Just click “delete” and you’ll be able to pick from any available seats. If you’re happy with the selection of your compartment, click “next”.
Important info for solo passengers!
If you are travelling alone and you want the whole compartment for yourself, click “delete” (shown in the photo) and instead of choosing a bed, click the box marked as “room” (also shown below). This way you booked the whole compartment and no-one will share it with you. The price for the whole compartment is 2446 Thai Baht (September 2025) and it’s actually cheeper than booking two separate beds.
13. Fill in additional passenger information. Make sure you selected “foreigner” on the right side. As a foreigner, you have to give your passport number. When it’s finished, click “next”.
14. You’ll be taken to the booking summary. Check it once again and select the payment method. As a foreigner you can pay only by credit/debit card.
15. Pick your type of credit/debit card.
16. You’ll be taken to the secure payment page. Fill in your card details and “click” submit.
Most likely you’ll be asked what currency you want to pay in. I recommend picking Thai baht.
17. After paying you’ll receive an email with your booking number and your tickets.
18. Event though you can use a PDF file of your ticket to board the train, I still recommend printing your tickets.
And that’s it! You made it!
Just keep in mind, that…
While the Thai Railway website has improved its speed and features in the last years, it’s still not perfect. It might take some time to load and you might get kicked out. Just be patient and remember to set Thailand as a location in your VPN.
Don’t have a VPN yet?
Get a deal using my special link! If you’re not convinced, read about its perks and find out why NordVPN is the best VPN for travellers.
I also recommend booking your tickets on your laptop, not phone, And if it comes to operating systems, Mac wins over Windows.
I’ve successfully booked my tickets twice using this website and have visited it many times while checking train schedules and, of course, while writing this blog post. So yes – it really does work!
And now…
The answers to two of the maybe the most important questions:
Can you get some sleep in the first class of Bangkok – Chiang Mai sleeper train?
Similar to my experience in second class, I didn’t get much sleep. Not because the compartment or the bed were uncomfortable – quite the opposite, I actually found it cozy. But once I settled in after 11 PM, the train rolled onto what felt like rougher tracks, and suddenly everything in my compartment began rattling and vibrating. The noise was intense, and I just couldn’t drift off. Things quieted down after an hour or two, but then the air conditioning, which was also pretty loud, kept me awake. I did eventually fall asleep, trying to treat the clattering of the tracks as a kind of meditation, but I wouldn’t call it high-quality rest. The main issue was definitely the noise of the train itself.
As for the other passengers, yes, I could hear some muffled voices from neighbouring compartments, but overall, everyone seemed to be trying to sleep – it is a sleeper train, after all.
SO Is the first class really worth it?
I really don’t know. Haha Helpful, I know. Whether it’s “worth it” really depends on your own priorities, and it will be different for everyone.
For me…obviously, having your own private compartment was the biggest perk. That’s really the main advantage over second class, and probably the whole point of the “classes”. Once I shut the door, it felt almost like being in a tiny hotel room. If it weren’t for the noise of the train, I could have easily forgotten I was even on it. I felt comfortable, cozy and completely unbothered by the fact that the journey lasts nearly 13 hours.
In second class, on the other hand, I was always aware I was on a train – and very aware of the people around me.
The little touches also added to the experience. For example, a staff member personally showed me to my cabin (as they did for everyone in first class), which gave the whole thing an extra touch of “luxury.”
So yes, if I were to take this train again, I’d try to book first class, especially since the price difference isn’t all that significant.
BUT! As an experience, I honestly enjoyed the second-class journey just as much. In fact, I’d even say it felt a bit more “spectacular” in its own way. Watching the rows of red seats transform into beds, seeing the staff make them up with lightning speed, and simply being part of the whole sleeper train atmosphere – it all had a certain charm. For me as a traveler, it was definitely a “vibe”.
To sum up, if you’re keen on booking first class – absolutely go for it! I hope this guide makes the process a little easier for you. But if it’s sold out and you “have to” travel in second class, I honestly wouldn’t cry about it.
If both first and second class are sold out for your travel dates, try the overnight Super VIP bus instead. It’s actually faster than the train and has only 20 seats! Book it easily with my guide!
Yay! You made it to the end. Well done!
And that’s my full guide to booking and riding the Bangkok–Chiang Mai first class sleeper train! I know this post was a bit on the long side, but I wanted to cover every detail so you know exactly what to expect: from the booking process, to the station, to settling into your private little cabin. If you manage to secure these elusive tickets, you’re in for a treat: a cozy compartment and the magic of waking up to northern Thailand’s landscapes right outside your window. Truly, it’s one of those classic travel experiences worth ticking off your list.
Hi, it’s Aga, the author of this blog. If you found this blog post interesting, entertaining or useful, please think of buying me a virtual coffee to support the site’s running costs. But if you know me, I might actually spend it on coffee. Thanks!
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Very useful information. I could manage to buy sleeper train ticket directly from Thai train website shared here. Thank you so much.
You’re very welcome! And that’s so great to hear that you managed to secure your ticket 🙂 happy travels!
Hi! Thanks for your detailed explanation. I also checked first class tickets, but I understand from your post that a man and woman aren’t allowed to share a cabin. However, I can check this online. Did I misunderstand you, or will the system then give an error message when I continue booking?
Kind Regards!
Hi, sorry for the late reply, if it’s on the same booking you can book a compartment for a man and a woman.
I meant, if there is one space already taken in a compartment, the other has to be the same sex.
Hi Aga. Thank you so much for a very informative blog.
My wife and I are both in our late 60s and want to travel by 1st class sleeper from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and the only thing I don’t fully understand is the difference in train types between train 14 – Special Express and train 10 – Special Express CNR. I understand they operate at different times, but are there any other significant differences you know of?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Hi Peter, thank you so much. The number 10 train has newer carriages than the 14. I would recommend taking the 10. It’s the same one as the number 9 I wrote about in this blog post.
Thanks again for all your help. That is really helpful.
Best wishes.
Peter
Hi Aga,
I’m trying to register on the State Railway of Thailand and it asks for an identification number.
What is this please ?
Hi Paul, you need to click the switch that says “foreigner” in the top-right corner of the registration form.
Identification should change to Passport number.
Thank you so much.
I cant find
“Krung Thep Aphiwat”
in origin station.
Please help
Joe
Hi Joe. Make sure to change the language in the top right corner from Thai to English. Even if the site is already in English (for me for example Google automatically translates it), you still need to change the language in the “globe” icon in top right corner.
Thank you so much for the detailed instructions! Was able to book my train with no problem.
Hi Nora! That’s great to hear! Happy travels 🙂
Hi this was so helpful, thank you so much! Do you have any advice on using the tickets and navigating the station once you’re there? e.g. do you need to check in or is it okay to board the train with a valid ticket?
Hi Charlie, happy tp help. The ticket you receive from the dtticket is your ticket. You don’t need to check in anywhere. You can just head to the boarding gate. Your ticket will be checked/scanned there. The station is very easy to navigate. There are signs and screens directing you to the correct platform. this station is big, but not too busy, so I’m sure you’ll easily find the boarding gate.
Hi Aga,
Thanks so much for this post. It is veryyy informative and helpful to me who wants to book a ticket too. But 1 question. I have 1 question, you said that we can book 6 months in advance. I checked the date selection only allows me up to 3 months ahead. Is there a way i can book up to 6 months as u said?
Hi Jayden, thanks for the comment. I’m happy you found the blog post informative 🙂 and you’re right, I checked it myself and it does allow you to book only 3 months in advance. I will have to update that info, cuz it used to be 6…Too bad. Thanks for bringing that up! Enjoy your trip 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this. We’ve just booked a compartment in first class for my husband and I (had to get no 13 as no 9 sold out 😔). We paid £60 rather than the £196 on a third party site!! Your detailed instructions were brilliant 🙏
wow! I’m happy to hear that! And I’m glad you managed to find an alternative. Enjoy your trip and enjoy Chiang Mai! 🙂