Tickets and booking trains from Hua Hin

[LolaBeltran]

Contemplating an excursion to Bangkok and back to try out the new services.
Booking is already way more complicated and daunting than simply driving up as usual or hopping a mini-bus. But I shall persevere.

1. Bangkok is listed as Krung Thep Apiwat but to book "Bangkok" worked.
2. I selected travel on the 6th January. Every train but one in the train selection list comes with the tag "The selected train is on 5 January 2024" OK I cant travel on 5th.
3. Second class air seems to be the only ticket option. My question: Is this reserved seating? ( Or will I be standing in the aisle . . .an experience I have had several times in the past and would like not to repeat.

(If this is in the wrong forum please move . . .but the conversation here seems to include travel on the new trains)

[buksida]

Sorry, I cant help much. Booking trains in Thailand has never been easy and I still don't think there is a functioning SRT online system, you have to physically go to the station to secure tickets.

If its any consolation, we struggled in Japan and Korea also but for different reasons!

[Sabai Jai]

State Railways Thailand website says you can book online. I have never used it or know anybody who has so successfully.
Here's the link, you should get some info from it

https://www.railway.co.th/Home/Index

[2dandan]

Ive used this site before without any problems

https://12go.asia/en/travel/hua-hin/kru ... on=forward

[LolaBeltran]

For January 6th there appears to be only one train from Hua Hin to Bangkok
Departure time 14:36 Arrival time 18:05 SPECIAL EXPRESS DRC. Train Number40 second class air con

All the rest of the list for January 6th are marked "The selected train is on 5 January 2024"

Site 2dandan links to is an agency. Tkt is 60 baht more expensive than SRT website but probably the best option for booking.
(SRT 330 baht . . .Agency 396 baht . . . .per adult one way)

Still no clue if seats are reserved. I am giving up on this trip. Maybe in the future . . .

[hhinner]

For January 6th there appears to be only one train from Hua Hin to Bangkok
Departure time 14:36 Arrival time 18:05 SPECIAL EXPRESS DRC. Train Number40 second class air con

All the rest of the list for January 6th are marked "The selected train is on 5 January 2024"

Site 2dandan links to is an agency. Tkt is 60 baht more expensive than SRT website but probably the best option for booking.
(SRT 330 baht . . .Agency 396 baht . . . .per adult one way)

Still no clue if seats are reserved. I am giving up on this trip. Maybe in the future . . .

"The selected train is on 5 January 2024" only means that the train in question starts its journey (down south) on the 5th before midnight. If you search for the 7th you will get a similar message saying the train is for the 6th.

The official web site is https://www.dticket.railway.co.th/DTick ... /home/Home

[LolaBeltran]

Thanks hhinner! That makes perfect sense. But "begins on" or "starts on 5 January" (or the day before) would make things a clearer.
Also. . . does anyone know if train #40 with "second class/air con" has reserved seating? Or is it a free for all?

[Scout]

Thanks hhinner! That makes perfect sense. But "begins on" or "starts on 5 January" (or the day before) would make things a clearer.
Also. . . does anyone know if train #40 with "second class/air con" has reserved seating? Or is it a free for all?

I’m pretty sure that if you go another step or 2 in the reservation process you will be presented with seat selection option. As far as I know, only the 3rd class (non-air) trains do not allow you to book a seat.

[buksida]

SRT opens 90-day advance booking service ahead of Songkran 2024
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has announced 90-day advance booking service for CNR express trains on eight return services that connect Bangkok with Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, Nong Khai and Hat Yai. The service is available from this Friday, 12 January, ahead of the Thai New Year or Songkran 2024.

According to SRT, the advance booking service is to facilitate travellers especially during holidays, such as Songkran, that normally see the mass mobility of people.

Travellers can book tickets 90 days in advance for CNR express trains (115 cars) on eight return services on four popular routes in the Northern, Northeastern and Southern Lines.

There are two return services on the Northern Line, including the Special Express Train No. 9 from Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) to Chiang Mai and the Special Express Train No. 10 from Chiang Mai to Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat).

There are four return services on the Northeastern Line, which are the Special Express Train No. 23 from Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) to Ubon Ratchathanni, the Special Express Train No. 24 from Ubon Ratchathanni to Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat), the Special Express Train No. 25 from Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) to Nong Khai, the Special Express Train No. 26 from Nong Khai to Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat).

On the Southern Line, there are two return services, being the Special Express Train No. 31 from Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) to Hat Yai and the Special Express Train No. 32 from Hat Yai to Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat).

The 90-day advance tickets on the eight return services are available for sale from 08.30 Hrs. on 12 January 2024 via D-Ticket mobile application and website (www.dticket.railway.co.th) and the ticket booths at SRT stations across Thailand.

For other trains, reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance.

https://www.tatnews.org/2024/01/srt-ope ... kran-2024/