Guide to Special Express No. 7: Bangkok to Chiang Mai

This is Special Express No. 7 day train that goes from Bangkok to Chiang Mai in eleven hours during daylight hours. It is an air-conditioned diesel multiple unit (DMU) built by Daewoo Heavy Industrial in South Korea in the 1990’s. Top speed is around 120km/hour. The train leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal at 7:30 a.m. and arrives in Chiang Mai at 5:50 p.m. Tickets cost 558 Baht. The ticket price no longer includes a free meal. The train staff may help you order meals from stations further up the line but it is advisable to bring your own food and drinks. Food vendors are not allowed to board this train.

Please note, from 5th December 2025 onwards, this train bypasses Lopburi city and stops at the new Lop Buri 2 (Tha Wung) Station. You then have to take local transport into the city.

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Popular destinations along the way include Ayutthaya (261 Baht), Lopburi (289 Baht), and Phitsanulok (397 Baht). It’s a long way to Chiang Mai on this train and you might want to break up your journey. From Phitsanulok it’s only one hour on a bus to Sukhothai Historical Park.

Tickets can be bought up to 180 days in advance if you are going at least 60% of the route. If you are going less than that but more than 25%, you can book up to 30 days in advance. A trick to allow yourself to book at least 30 days in advance is to add additional stations beyond your destination. So, for example, if you want to book either Ayutthaya or Lopburi up to 30 days in advance, you must enter Nakhon Sawan as your destination. Then just get off early. No problem.

Carriages are all 2nd Class and air-conditioned. The seats recline and have drop-down trays in the back of seats. There are also curtains to block out the sun. It is a comfortable ride but the carriages are starting to show their age. Sometimes the air-conditioning doesn’t work or it’s just too cold and you need a jacket. The Return journey is made by Special Express No. 8.

TRAIN TIMETABLE: BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI

Timetable Updated: 5th December 2025

All times are subject to change, Please check with the station master where you bought your ticket or call 1690.

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RETURN TO: Train Finder for the Northern Line | Train Timetables