Train From Bangkok to HH

[MissPink35]

will be more relax and enjoy to go HH by train.

[ajmcmahon47]

Hi guys , looking forward to playing golf with some of you in August . Instead of the "excitement" of a taxi from Bangkok I was thinking of catching the DRC 8am train down for a change of pace. It will be a Saturday and I will have my wife with me on our visit to HH. Has anybody caught this train recently? Will it be crowded on. Saturday from BK ?

Alternatively we might get a taxi down and the train back ?

Any advice would be appreciated .

Cheers Tony Mc
Australia

[ajmcmahon47]

Many thanks for the tips about the train / to or from HH. It's not the price of the train, I'm just trying to avoid the taxi drivers that do 140-160 from BK to HH. I intend to buy a ticket Friday night from Central station to ensure a seat for us. If the weather looks crap I will get a taxi down.

Then after my week or so there, we might get the train back for a change of pace.

(I REALLY WANT TO GET THERE IN ONE PIECE!)

See you soon

Thanks Tony Mc

[Stargeezer]

In the past I have taken the train to HH from BKK, and with my Thai family's help I have always got a seat on an air conditioned car with out any problems. The trick is to show up at least 1 hour before train time, go to the ticket booth, and pay in Thai currency. I have also taken the mini buses several times and often wonder if I am going to survive the trip. I usually say a small prayer of thanks every time I arrive at HH. The train ride is generally 4 hours and is very relaxing, I have always met interesting people from all over the world taking the train, and had the time to chat and generally enjoy the scenery along the way. The only slight problem I had is on the arrival to Hua Hin, it is a bit of a walk from the station to where I usually stay, and the taxis and such are pricy if you get in at the station.
Stargeezer

[joelle]

you were lucky stargezer, last time I took the train from bkk to hh, in january, it took me 8 hours !!! problems on the track
the vip bus from the airport is by far the best definitely, highly recommended, and you can enjoy the scenery going along, plus it only costs 305 bahts

[James77Edwards]

I enjoy the train...but i use the bus nowadays more.....
The train was hit and miss : (((

[LaughTilIDie]

I took the DRC (air conditioned 2nd class seating) down from BBK and it ended up taking 5 hours. Had to stop a lot for oncoming trains. Cost was 412 Baht including snack for breakfast and lunch that we had to wait 1/2 hour to eat because the ride was so rough. Got to the station about an hour before and no problem getting a ticket but, by the time we arrived in HH the train was full after making a few stops.
On my way back to BBK I felt adventurous and took a minibus for 180 Baht which was uneventful.

[richard]

In my experience using trains in Thailand is an adventure and well worth it if you've got plenty of time.

Benefits are seeing countryside you do not see in a car, meeting different people from all walks of life and experiencing the travelling vendors that get on and off at every stop and occasionally get nicked by the railway police for not having a license. Their penalty can be anything from a fine to a toilet bonk

I used to do the 18/19/20/21/22/23/24 hour run to Penang and enjoyed every minute of it. Went south with a compartment full of giggling Thai girls who when not eating were talking and sleeping. Came back north with a compartment full of Arabs who just wanted to drink and play cards and grill me about western thinking about Arab nations. It's a mini cultural learning vacation BUT you do need to not worry about time.

[Ajarn Nick]

Trains here aren't more dangerous than anywhere else, they are just bloody uncomfortable. Even for an outspoken train fan like me, it's hard to stand the aircons going wild there.

[Gus]

A highlight of my stays in Hua Hin was to come to town on the 1300 hours train from Bangkok Hualamphong. This is a PROPER train, about 17 rickety coaches with fans in the roof, my 3rd class ticket was 94 baht, there were no 2nd class tickets left. This train goes all the way to Sungakalok and takes 22 hours, now i love trains but the 4 hours plus journey to HH is enough for me. It is a job to tell if the train is running on rails or on the sleepers.

Now I always go to the restaurant car after Taling Chan jct (what a great name), so yesterday I went into the carriage, " Singha Yai Khrap"
Staff " No have"
I was distraught, booze is no longer served on Thai railways.
So it was a couple of cokes, a couple of waters and chicken fried rice and soup.
The police and rail staff just seem to spend their time in the restaurant car, they look well heeled as wel,l with designers shades and watches.

[bsdk1960]

after a railway worker raped and killed a little girl who was sleeping and thrown out of the window
there is no more boots on the train in Thailand

[Allenby]

.
What is train service like now from Bangkok thru Hua Hin and on to Prachuap?

Last time I took a train from BKK to HH was 10 years ago — the DRC.
Now thinking about train to Prachuap: number 43 departing Bangkok 08:05, supposedly arriving Prachuap 12:28.

With much recent news about derailments in many places in LOS, I’m wondering if safe or not?

(I’m not worried about any sexual assaults on the train. Not at my age. No sirree.)

Please advise.

— Al

[Big Boy]

If its the train I'm thinking about, it is a 3 carriage 2nd class air conditioned service. The price will include drinks and snacks. It often runs late.

[Gus]

As Big Boy states it is a 3 car air conditioned Sprinter trai including some food and drink, it is usually late but when i once caught it, it went like the clappers and regained about 30 mins between Hua Hin and Chumphon.
The 1300 hrs train is a proper train of about 18 carriages, lots of traders walking up and down selling food and drink, but no alcohol now. Also this train has a restaurant car where you can spend an enjoyable hour for 100 baht.

[Allenby]

.

If its the train I'm thinking about, it is a 3 carriage 2nd class air conditioned service.

Thanks, Big Boy, yes, that's a DRC train -- Diesel Rail Car.

How is the service, reliability, safety, these days -- thru Hua Hin and on to Prachuap?

-- Al