Chang Mai

[ch1ldofthemoon]

Has anyone got any good links/suggestions etc.....for Chang Mai ?

I`m thinking of going there in early December for a week/10 days.

What`s the best/cheapest way to get there from Bangkok ?

Any help will be very welcome........

[Montydog]

Best (cheep) way is to take the overnight sleeper train from BKK to Chiang Mai, cost about 900thb one way. But I think flying is a fairly cheap option with the low cost carriers now, though I enjoyed my train trip when I went there I flew back to save time.

 

Hotel I would recommend is the Tapae Place just near the night market very near the action and GF at 700thb per night a nice place.

[Flash_Basbo]

I took the overnight train from BKK but didn't get a sleeper; 515thb. They have large reclining chairs. It was fairly empty the night I rode so I had the entire row to myself.

 

I went during Loy Krathong in November. I think it's their biggest festival of the year. The city was one big party for two days. Highly recommend Chiang Mai for Loy Krathong.

 

Make sure you hit Doi Suthep. It's a beautiful temple complex overlooking the city.

 

This is a good website for Chiang Mai info: http://www.chiangmainews.com/ Sightseeing in Chiang Mai: http://www.chiangmainews.com/sight/index.php

This site has great nightlife info: http://www.whorist.com/01Thailand/011MaiNL.htm

[mastaloopz]

I'd second that about the train sleepers... Chaing Mai is a fun place to visit!

 

The train ride is about 12 hours. Make sure you book your sleeper early enough in advance, they'll fill up quick the last day in my experience. I had to ride back from Chaing Mai in second class, and I tell you what, trying to sleep overnight in December in an old seat on that train was nearly impossible!

 

Flying is faster, but if the view is much nicer on the train ride (and cheaper!) if you have the time to do it.

 

Have a great time!

 

Loopz

[JohnnyK]

The best way, IMHO, is the 2nd Class sleeper, a/c, lower berth because you get more room and a window. Its about 730 baht and you get a comfy bed and arrive about 8:30 am refreshed.

It leaves BKK around 7:30pm.

Take your own bumwad.

[Flash_Basbo]

2nd Class for 730 thb? Good deal. Are you sharing the car then?

[JohnnyK]

2nd Class for 730 thb? Good deal. Are you sharing the car then?

No, here's how it works:

 

The car has single seats facing each other. The porter pulls the seat bottoms toward the middle, he flips down the seat backs and it makes a single bed.

He then lays a thin mattress over, covers with a freshly laundered sheet, leaves a pillow and blanket. You draw a curtain for your privacy and there is a reqading light and hooks to hang up your clothes. Very comfy and perfectly clean.

First class you get a little room to share with a friend but its almost 2X the price.

 

Thai food on the train is adequate but avoid the falang food as its real crap like microwaved eggs and dried out ham. Once was enough for me.

 

10 pm everybody beds down and off to sleep. Its mostly Thai families and a few backpackers so no noisy stupids as the Thais will call the man to shut them up.

Aisles are full of luggage and shopping bags as the Thais have been shopping in BKK. Its all very decent and you can't beat a clean comfy bed plus trnsport for 730 or so.

[Flash_Basbo]

Its all very decent and you can't beat a clean comfy bed plus trnsport for 730 or so.

Sold! Thanks for the info. An extra $5 USD for a matress and privacy is money well spent.

 

Does the Thai train system link-up with neighboring countries like in Europe? I'd love to be able to go from BKK to Cambodia or Vietnam without major travel plans having to be made.

[JohnnyK]

Whilst in Pattaya, where does one go to book rail travel?

jbmiller,

Some travel agents do but you can go to the station by moto taxi (its the other side of Suk Road), just say rot fai (lot fye) and book it there with no commission.

 

Flash, the website for Thai Railways has never worked out for me maybe the hamster running the server is tired

[laffnliv]

Fly! The cost is worth the time you save. Have been twice, and will go again. A really nice place!

Roy