When taking the night train you can’t expect to get an amazing night of sleep, but the views in the morning and the overall experience definitely make up for it. Would recommend any time, despite the slight discomfort. (Also incredibly cheap!)
Was an interesting experience.
Take a power bank with you as no power outlet.
Earplugs will also help
Does get rather cold with AC on.
No food cart but there are people selling food until near 6pm
Arrived in Chiang Mai 05.30
The notion of contrat is really important about this trip. It was an experience, the toilets aren’t a really “comfortable” but the views you’ll get when you wake up are a lifetime sight
It was what you could’ve expected. The train is one of the older ones and thus perhaps not as fresh and comfy as the newer trains, but you get from one place to the other quite smoothly. The seats in the 2nd class are pretty nice, they fold back a bit and are cushioned slightly better than airplane seats. Unfortunately the window by my seat didn’t close so I had to move to a 3rd class seat due to a downpour, but that was also fine. I wouldn’t book a 3rd class for the whole night though, as the seats are like stiff benches. Overall a pretty okay journey. The scenery in the morning was gorgeously green and it was nice to see the small villages passing by. The temperature in the train was good, we had a fan but no AC and the windows were open all the time, but for me (a Scandinavian) I was neigther cold not warm, except for during the stops when the heat hit a bit more. The toilets were pretty good, western style with provided toilet paper. Do bring food and drinks. Earplugs were in the entire time due to loud notice from the train itself, but otherwise no complaints
Staffs are really nice and warm. Sightseeing is the best part. Air conditioning is incredible and I was starting to shiver half of the trip. Getting a light long sleeve sweater will not make a mistake. Of course it’s a long way trip and take some food with you unless you wanna get what have on the train. WC is not that good. My seat is not that comfy as I expected. Better to get these things fixed. Overall, I would say 5/5. Hoping to get different experience with better facilities in the next time.