Travel from Bangkok to Thailand's major cities on a budget. Compare trains, buses, terminals, ticket prices, and essential travel tips. A budget guide to reaching Thailand's key destinations by bus, train, and van—with prices (subject to change), durations, and booking info.
Bangkok Departure Terminals
Mo Chit 2 (buses, vans)
Location: Chatuchak. Serves: North & Northeast (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Isaan).
Ekkamai (buses)
Location: Sukhumvit. Serves: East Coast (Pattaya, Trat, Rayong).
Sai Tai Mai (buses)
Location: Thonburi. Serves: South (Hua Hin, Surat Thani, Phuket).
Hua Lamphong (trains)
Location: Central. Serves: Trains (closing, moving to Bang Sue).
Krung Thep Aphiwat (trains)
Location: Bang Sue (new main train station)
Booking Options
| Platform | Best For |
|---|---|
| 12Go Asia | All routes, trains, buses—compare options |
| At terminal | Walk-in fine for most routes |
| Train station | Buy sleeper tickets 1-2 days ahead |
Best Value Routes
| Route | Price | Why It's Great |
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok → Ayutthaya | ฿15 | Cheapest train in Thailand |
| Bangkok → Pattaya | ฿131 | Quick, frequent, no booking needed |
| Bangkok → Chiang Mai (sleeper) | ฿800 | Transport + hotel in one |
| Bangkok → Hua Hin | ฿180 | Easy beach escape |
Quick Overview
| City | Cheapest Price | Duration | Best Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayutthaya | ฿15 | 1-1.5h | Train |
| Pattaya | ฿131-168 | 1.5-3h | Bus/Van |
| Hua Hin | ฿180 | 3-3.5h | Van |
| Sukhothai | ฿350-400 | 7h | Bus |
| Khon Kaen | ฿350-400 | 7-8h | Bus |
| Udon Thani | ฿450 | 8-9h | Bus |
| Surat Thani | ฿500 | 10-12h | Bus |
| Chiang Mai | ฿500-800 | 10-12h | Bus or Train |
| Chiang Rai | ฿600 | 11-12h | Bus |
💡 Book via 12Go Asia or buy tickets at the terminal. All prices are approximate and vary by operator/season.
City-by-City Guide
Ayutthaya
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest option | 3rd-class train |
| Price | ฿15 (!!) |
| Duration | 1-1.5 hours |
| Frequency | Trains almost hourly; vans every 30 min |
Routes:
| Option | Price | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train (3rd class) | ฿15 | 1.5h | Cheapest option in Thailand |
| Van | ฿70 | 1h | From Mo Chit or Victory Monument |
Start: Hua Lamphong Station
End: Ayutthaya Station (walking distance to ruins)
💡 Just buy ticket at station.
Pattaya
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest option | Bus or van |
| Price | ฿131-168 |
| Duration | 1.5-3 hours |
| Frequency | Every 30 min (05:00-20:00) |
Routes:
| Option | Price | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus (AC) | ฿131-168 | 1.5h | From Ekkamai & from Suvarnabhumi Airport (Level 1, Gate 8) |
| Van | ~฿150 | 2h | From Ekkamai or Mo Chit 2, slightly faster |
| Train | ฿31 | 3.5h | Once daily from Hua Lamphong ~06:30 (slow but ultra-cheap) |
| Grab/Taxi | ฿1500 | 1.5h | Hotel to hotel |
Best Option: Ekkamai Terminal (BTS Ekkamai)
End: Pattaya Bus Station (North Pattaya Rd)
Book online
Hua Hin
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest option | Minivan |
| Price | ฿180-200 |
| Duration | 3-3.5 hours |
| Frequency | Vans hourly; trains 2-3/day |
Routes:
| Option | Price | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Van | ฿180-200 | 3-3.5h | From Sai Tai Mai or Mo Chit |
| Train (3rd class) | ฿44 | 4h | From Hua Lamphong |
| Train (SPT semi-fast) | ~฿100 | 4h | Newer service |
Start: Sai Tai Mai Terminal
End: Hua Hin Clock Tower or Hua Hin Station
💡 Trains have less convenient schedules but are scenic.
Book online
Chiang Mai
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest option | Bus or overnight train |
| Price | ฿500-800 |
| Duration | 10-12 hours |
| Frequency | Buses nearly hourly; trains ~5/day |
Routes:
| Option | Price | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus (basic AC) | ฿500-600 | 10-11h | Overnight from Mo Chit |
| Bus (VIP/better operators) | ฿700-800 | 10-11h | Nakhonchai Air, Transport Co |
| Train (3rd class seat) | ~฿300 | 14h | Not recommended for this distance |
| Train (2nd class fan sleeper) | ~฿800 | 12h | Best value—transport + accommodation |
Train tip: Train #109 departs ~18:30-19:30, arrives Chiang Mai ~08:00-09:00. Lower berth sleeper is popular and sells out early—book ahead.
Start: Mo Chit 2 or Krung Thep Aphiwat (train)
End: Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station or Chiang Mai Railway Station
Book online
Chiang Rai
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest option | Overnight bus |
| Price | ~฿600 |
| Duration | 11-12 hours |
| Frequency | Several night buses; couple daytime |
⚠️ No direct train to Chiang Rai.
Book online
- Route:
- Express bus from Mo Chit (~฿600)
- Overnight departure ~19:00, arrives ~06:00
Operators: Transport Co, GreenBus
Start: Mo Chit 2
End: Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 2 (outside town—songthaews to center)
Alternative: Bus to Chiang Mai, then transfer—but direct bus is simplest.
Surat Thani
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest option | Bus |
| Price | ฿500-600 |
| Duration | 10-12 hours |
| Frequency | Many buses nightly; trains ~3/day |
Routes:
| Option | Price | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | ฿500-600 | 10h | Overnight from Sai Tai Mai |
| Train (3rd class seat) | ~฿280 | 12h | Not recommended for comfort |
| Train (2nd class fan sleeper) | ~฿600 | 12h | Worth the upgrade |
Start: Sai Tai Mai or Hua Lamphong/Bang Sue
End: Surat Thani Town (or Tapee Pier for island transfers)
💡 Gateway to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao.
Book online
Khon Kaen (Isaan)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest option | Bus |
| Price | ฿350-400 |
| Duration | 7-8 hours |
| Frequency | Buses almost hourly; trains ~4/day |
Routes:
| Option | Price | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus (2nd class Isaan) | ฿350-400 | 7h | From Mo Chit, frequent |
| Train (3rd class seat) | ~฿250 | 8-9h | Longer but scenic |
| Train (2nd class AC seat) | ~฿400 | 8-9h | Comfortable |
Start: Mo Chit 2 or Bang Sue Grand Station
End: Khon Kaen Bus Terminal or Khon Kaen Railway
Book online
Udon Thani (Isaan)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest option | Bus |
| Price | ~฿450 |
| Duration | 8-9 hours |
| Frequency | Plentiful, including overnight |
Routes:
| Option | Price | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | ~฿450 | 9h | From Mo Chit |
| Train (3rd class) | ~฿300 | 10h+ | To Nong Khai via Udon |
| Train (sleeper) | ~฿700 | 10h+ | Overnight option |
Start: Mo Chit 2
End: Udon Thani Bus Terminal
Book online
Sukhothai
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Cheapest option | Bus |
| Price | ฿350-400 |
| Duration | ~7 hours |
| Frequency | 1 daytime, 1 overnight typically |
Routes:
| Option | Price | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct bus | ฿350-400 | 7h | From Mo Chit to Sukhothai new town |
| Train + local bus | ~฿400 total | 7.5h | Train to Phitsanulok (~~฿300, 6h) + local bus (~~฿80, 1.5h) |
Start: Mo Chit 2
End: Sukhothai Bus Station
💡 UNESCO World Heritage site—worth the journey.
Book online
Money-Saving Hacks
| Tip | Why |
|---|---|
| Take overnight buses/trains | Saves accommodation cost |
| 2nd class sleeper > 3rd class seat | Worth the upgrade for long journeys (doubles as hotel) |
| Go to main "Bor.Kor.Sor." terminals | Official terminals have best prices |
| Walk-in for short routes | No booking needed for Pattaya, Ayutthaya, Hua Hin |
When to Book Ahead
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Holiday weekends | Book 1-2 days ahead |
| Chiang Mai sleeper train | Book early—lower berths sell out |
| Regular weekdays | Just show up |
Comfort vs. Price
| Journey Length | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Under 4 hours | 3rd class fine |
| 4-8 hours | 2nd class AC seat worth it |
| Over 8 hours | Sleeper train or VIP bus strongly recommended |
Quick Reference Checklist
Before Travel
- [ ] Identify correct Bangkok terminal for your destination
- [ ] For overnight trains: book sleeper 1-2 days ahead
- [ ] For short routes: just show up
- [ ] Bring snacks/water for long journeys
- [ ] Download offline map of destination station
At the Terminal
- [ ] Go to official "Bor.Kor.Sor." counters for best prices
- [ ] Check departure time and platform
- [ ] Keep ticket until journey ends
- [ ] For trains: arrive 15-20 min early
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