TRIPS BY TRAIN IN THAILAND
HAROLDHUA HIN, KANCHANABURI, STATE RAILWAY OF THAILAND, TRAIN
It’s not fast, but it’s fun. Traveling by train in Thailand. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) offers some fun train tours at very affordable prices.
The train is not exactly the fastest means of transport in Thailand. The cheapest airline tickets are hardly more expensive than the train on long distances and buses and minibuses are also considerably faster. But there is something nostalgic about trains. Gaze out the window and watch the landscape pass by.
Hua Hin and Suan Son Pradiphat
Hua Hin is a favorite destination for many Bangkokians. The picturesque train station of the Royal seaside resort alone is worth a visit. It dates from 1920 and contains a beautiful architecture. The train departs from Hua Lamphong in Bangkok at 6:30 AM and stops in Nakhon Pathom at around 7:40 AM. Travelers can visit Phra Pathhorn Chedi here, Thailand’s largest pagoda.
Trips by train in ThailandAfter forty minutes, the train leaves again, arriving in Hua Hin at 10:30 am. You can also choose to stay on board. In that case, the train continues to Suan Son Pradiphat, a base of the Royal Thai Army with a beach, hotel, golf course, seafood restaurants and even massage shops.
You can make this trip on Saturday, Sunday and during public holidays. The price varies whether you want a place in the air-conditioned train or not. Meals are not included in the price.
Suan Nongnooch in Pattaya
Fancy a day of viewing tropical gardens? That is also possible with the trips by train in Thailand of the SRT. The train to Pattaya leaves early from Hua Lamphong in Bangkok and stops in between in Makkasan, Klongton, Hua Mak, Hua Takae and Chachoensao before arriving in Pattaya. From the station in this seaside resort you will be taken to Nongnooch.
Here you will find botanical gardens and a landscaped waterfall. You can also sit down for the buffet during lunch in the Fuang Fa restaurant. In the afternoon you go to the Pattaya Floating Market for some shopping. The train leaves Pattaya at noon and arrives back in Bangkok early in the evening. This trip can be made on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
Erawan waterfall and Srinakarin dam
Another trip for the early birds. The train from Hua Lamphong and stops in Nakhon Pathor for forty minutes. Finally, you will arrive at the famous River Kwai bridge in Kanchanaburi. After looking around here for twenty minutes, you will continue on a bus to the falls. One is manpower constructed, the other is natural.
At the Srinakarin dam you will receive an explanation about how this structure was constructed. The Erawan waterfall is beautiful and you can even swim here. So make sure you have your swimsuit with you. Please note that as a foreigner you pay extra for access to the waterfall. You will be back in Bangkok around half past nine in the evening.
Trips by train in ThailandAmphawa Floating Market
A visit to Thailand is of course not complete without a floating market. Every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday you can take a day trip to Amphawa. The train leaves Wongwian Yai station early in the morning. The first stop is in Mahachai, famous for its large market. You take the ferry to Ban Laem, from where you take the train to Mae Klong.
This is the place with the famous train market. From the train you can see how the train drives right through the market and then arrives at Mae Klong station. From there you will go to the floating market.
Around dinner you will be transferred by minibus back to Bangkok, where you will arrive around 8:00 PM.
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