Itinerary Ideas: Southern Thailand by train

Air travel in Thailand is convenient and good value, but there are still plenty of advantages to opting for rail travel, especially when travelling on local trains. If you prefer the joys of slow travel, consider exploring Southern Thailand by train.

Although railway lines and various stations are gradually being modernised in preparation for the high-speed rail network there is still a nostalgic charm to train travel in Thailand. Grab a window seat on an ordinary train and enjoy the sights and sounds along the journey. Listen to the lively banter of food vendors as they move through the carriages, and watch the scenic countryside unfold as you pass through quaint rural stations.

For this edition of our Itinerary Ideas series, we focus on travelling to Southern Thailand by train. Depending on how much time you have available on your Thailand trip, travelling all of this route might not be viable. Instead, you can cherry-pick parts to suit your preference. Whichever route you opt for, we suggest spending at least two weeks if you want to travel by train in Southern Thailand.

As with any Thailand itinerary, our advice is not to try and cram too much in. Our selections for where to go will allow you to explore not just the beaches and islands, but lesser-known destinations where you can experience local culture and discover natural wonders.

Southern Line

Many travellers take the Southern Line train to reach Hua Hin, while sleeper trains to Chumphon and Surat Thani are popular with those heading to the Gulf Coast islands like Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, and Ko Tao. Although there’s no direct train service to Krabi or Phuket on the Andaman Coast, travellers can still use Surat Thani station as a transit point. From there, buses connect directly to Phuket or Krabi. If you are travelling to the Andaman Coast and heading for Krabi or Phuket, be sure to stop along the way to explore the beautiful Khao Sok National Park.

If you want to spend more time island hopping, you could take the train to Trang or Hat Yai. From Trang, buses and minivans connect to boats heading for the Trang Islands. From Hat Yai, it’s easy to connect to a van/boat transfer service to the islands in Satun province like Ko Lipe and Ko Tarutao.

Bangkok

The starting point for your rail adventures will be Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok. The new, state-of-the-art train station opened for business in January 2023 under the original name of Bang Sue Grand Station before being renamed Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.

Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal is located in the north of Bangkok near to the northern bus terminal and Chatuchak Market. If you’re travelling by MRT metro, get off at Bang Sue (station BL11 on the Blue Line) and follow the signs to the main terminal concourse.

Hua Hin

4 or 5 days in Hua Hin

It was the arrival of the railway in the 1920s which transformed Hua Hin from an unassuming fishing village to Thailand’s first seaside resort. With plenty to see and do in and around Hua Hin, this is an ideal first stop on this Southern Thailand itinerary.

There are several beaches to choose from in Hua Hin where you can relax and take in the sea air. Away from the beach, trips to the National Parks at Kaeng Krachan and Kui Buri are both recommended with the latter being one of the best locations in Thailand to see elephants in the wild. Make time too for the natural wonders of Khao Sam Roi Yot including Phraya Nakhon Cave.

• 16 of the best things to see and do in Hua Hin
• 6 of the best day trips from Hua Hin

Prachuap Khiri Khan

2 days in Prachuap Khiri Khan

Hua Hin is a well-established tourist destination but for a different experience with more of a local feel, take the daytime ordinary train further south along the coast to Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The charming seaside town of Prachuap Khiri Khan features a sweeping, curved bay framed by hills and mountains at each end. While the narrow beach in the heart of this peaceful provincial capital isn’t ideal for swimming or sunbathing, it’s perfect for a leisurely walk along the spacious promenade.

For a bit of adventure, you can climb the 396 steps up Khao Chong Krachok (Mirror Mountain) to reach a shrine and temple, where panoramic views of the coastline await. This part of town is teeming with macaques, so avoid bringing food and keep your bags securely closed. If you’d rather steer clear of the monkeys, stroll along the pier to watch locals at work fishing or settle into one of the restaurants by the promenade to savour fresh seafood.

Chumphon

4 days in Chumphon

Chumphon is known as a transit town and most overseas travellers will only visit Chumphon to catch the boat across to the island of Ko Tao and then on to Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Samui. While that is a viable option, for this itinerary we suggest staying on the mainland to discover more of Chumphon.

Chumphon Town is a good base to explore this quiet corner of Thailand with frequent songthaews (shared taxis) running to the mainland beaches like Thung Wua Laen Beach and Sairee Beach. You’ll also find a diverse range of things to see and do in Chumphon away from the beach.

Surat Thani

1 day in Surat Thani

Surat Thani is a handy jumping-off point for travellers who would like to venture across to the Andaman Coast. If you’re heading for Krabi or Phuket, you can take a bus or minivan. If you decide to travel this route, we highly recommend stopping off for a couple of days in the gorgeous Khao Sok National Park. From there, you can travel onwards to Khao Lak and Phuket or Krabi. Alternatively, you can take the train from Surat Thani to Trang. From the charming town of Trang, it’s easy to arrange transfers to the Trang Islands.

Surat Thani is also a transit point for travellers heading to Ko Samui. Another option would be to make the trip to the quiet resort area of Khanom on the Gulf Coast mainland. From there you could continue south to the historic city of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

For this itinerary, we continue our rail adventures in the South and travel on to Phatthalung and Hat Yai.

Phatthalung

2 or 3 days in Phatthalung

Phatthalung might not be on the radar for most international tourists, but this southern Thai province offers some of the country’s most breathtaking natural scenery. Known for its vibrant handicraft community, Phatthalung is helping to preserve local traditions and culture. For those looking to discover lesser-known destinations, Phatthalung is a must-visit.

The highlight of Phatthalung is Thale Noi. The name translates as ‘Small Sea’ and this expansive wetland is one of Thailand’s richest areas for biodiversity. Perfect for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, Thale Noi’s vast freshwater lagoon is home to over 280 species of aquatic birds. The lagoon is teeming with birdlife year-round, with even more species arriving during the summer migration, when thousands of birds flock to feed in these lush marshlands.

Hat Yai and Songkhla

3 or 4 days in Hat Yai and Songkhla

Hat Yai is an interesting city in which to spend a few days and an excellent location for foodies. The same is true for the charming coastal town of Songkhla where you will find a historic old town district, a thriving art scene and an abundance of wonderful locations to eat.

From Hat Yai, you can take the sleeper train back to Bangkok or fly to the Thai capital or directly to Chiang Mai. If you have the luxury of time, continue your Southern Thailand adventures by travelling across to Ko Lipe and explore the islands in Satun province.

How to buy tickets

You can purchase tickets for long-distance and sleeper trains online through the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) ticket portal. Registration is required to use the service, though some users have found the site challenging to navigate. Alternatively, tickets are available for purchase in person at any SRT station.

For ordinary train services, tickets aren’t available online and must be bought directly at the departure station on the day of travel. While tickets are typically expected to be printed, ticket inspectors should also accept e-ticket confirmations on smartphones or tablets.

Good to know

Booking ahead
Train services in and out of Bangkok are especially busy around Thai public holidays, particularly during Songkran in mid-April and the New Year at the end of December. Booking ahead is recommended, as sleeper berths can also fill up quickly during the peak tourist season (November-February). For popular routes like Bangkok to Chiang Mai or Bangkok to Surat Thani, it’s best to secure tickets in advance.

Punctuality
Train schedules in Thailand should be viewed as estimates rather than guarantees. Punctuality is expected to improve with future modernisation, but for now, it’s wise to allow extra time if you have connections. Long-distance sleeper trains can often arrive one or two hours later than scheduled, though you can track trains in real-time through the SRT Train Tracking System.

Practical tips
On sleeper trains, attendants convert daytime seats into beds, with lower berths offering more space and comfort, though at a higher price than upper berths.

Air-conditioning on sleeper trains is quite effective, making the carriages cool at night. Blankets are provided, but bringing a light sweater or jacket can add comfort. Since lights remain on overnight in sleeper cars, eye masks and earplugs can be useful for light sleepers.

Krung Thep Aphiwat
If you are travelling by long-distance train in or out of Bangkok, you need to select Krung Thep Aphiwat (the new central rail terminal for Bangkok) as the arrival or destination station. On the State Railway of Thailand ticket system, if you select Bangkok, it only shows local trains from the old Bangkok Hua Lamphong station.

For official information, check the State Railway of Thailand website. However, an easier- to-use resource is the Thai Train Guide, created by British expat Richard Barrow. This detailed guide covers routes, ticketing, timetables, and practical advice, making it a popular reference for train travel in Thailand.

Itinerary Ideas
This article is part of our Itinerary Ideas series. These particular itineraries are for anybody, but may appeal more to repeat visitors to Thailand looking to explore different destinations on their next trip or anyone seeking meaningful travel experiences. If you’re a first-time visitor to Thailand or looking for more ideas of where to go and what to do, check out these articles too:
2-week Thailand itinerary
3-week Thailand itinerary
4-week Thailand itinerary

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