What to Expect on a Bangkok to Surat Thani Sleeper Train

Ashley relaxing in a top bunk on a sleeper train in Thailand

Planning to travel on a sleeper train from Bangkok to Surat Thani in Thailand? Here’s everything you need to know!

Travelling by sleeper train in Thailand is by no means luxurious – facilities are often basic, and quite dated. However, for value for money, it’s a great way to travel long distances without flying, and generally more comfortable than overnight buses.

On our backpacking trip around Thailand, we needed to get from Bangkok to Surat Thani to connect to the Gulf Islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. We chose the sleeper train, to avoid internal flights – and saved money on an additional night’s accommodation!

I’ve shared our experience below, followed by advice on how to book a the sleeper train from Bangkok to Surat Thani and general advice for sleeper train travel in Thailand!

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Our experience on an overnight train from Bangkok to Surat Thani

We’d booked the 19.50 train from Krung Thep Aphiwat, Bangkok’s Central Station, to Surat Thani, in the south of Thailand. As we often do, we arrived early to the station via a Grab (highly recommended for SE Asia travel!). Parking on some wooden seats, we took turns at having a quick look at the station stalls, until it was time to join the queue at our boarding gate.

Scanning our tickets and heading up to the platform, we (almost) expertly weaved our way around a group with way too many suitcases, heading right to the end of the train to the final carriage. Upon entering the train, we found our way to our two opposite top bunks, throwing our main backpacks underneath and keeping our smaller day bags with more valuable items in the bunks.

On a Bangkok sleeper train, the second class sleeper carriages are basically set up like a hostel dorm – a row of bunk beds on each side, with privacy curtains and luggage storage below the bunks. Apparently on some services, you start off seated and the staff come round to change to bunks, but ours was set up for sleeping from the start.

Once we’d settled in to our bunks, we were feeling peckish. A staff member did come around taking food orders, but we decided to head down to the dining carriage to see what it was like (always researching…). We underestimated how far away we were, so walked through quite a few carriages to get there, stumbling over the odd suitcase along the way.

The dining carriage was quite small and basic, but we managed to get a table, surrounded mostly by lively locals. You can buy a set meal in the carriage, served in a tray with soup and a small bottle of juice. My vegetarian option had rice, a fried egg, stir fried veg, spring rolls and pineapple. While it’s not the greatest food I had in Thailand (a HIGH bar to beat), it was a decent meal and relatively inexpensive, costing 200 THB (about £4.50).

Stomachs full and a basic bathroom trip later, we headed back to our bunks to bed down for the night. Closing my curtain, I put on a sheet mask and did some reading before settling down to sleep around midnight. With the soft chug of the train, I was slumbering quickly – and luckily there were no snorers in the surrounding area!

At around 6am, everyone began to stir, getting ready for our Surat Thani arrival. I quickly packed up my things, and was fully ready by the time the stewards came to announce our impending arrival. Backpacks on our backs, we jumped off the train and exited the station, still dozy but ready for the next adventure!

Honestly, I had a GREAT sleep on the train to Surat Thani, despite waking up at an ungodly hour to make our connecting transfer to Koh Samui. I was surprised by how comfortable and secure I felt in my bunk. Yes, the facilities are very basic – but for one of the cheapest ways to get from Bangkok to Surat Thani, it’s absolutely worth it.

How to book a sleeper train from Bangkok to Surat Thani

It’s best to book your sleeper train from Bangkok to Surat Thani as far in advance as possible. We made the mistake in assuming we’d be able to book a couple of days out, and ended up readjusting our plans when we couldn’t get places until the following week. (however, this resulted in us spending a day in Ayutthaya and two days in Kanchanaburi, so it worked out okay in the end!)

After not being able to find what we wanted online, we actually went to the station to book in person. It turns out that booking sites have basically the same availability.

The most convenient way to book a sleeper train from Bangkok to Surat Thani is via the 12Go website. We actually found 12Go a great resource in general when backpacking our way around Thailand!

Full Moon Party Travel Tip: If you’re planning to head down to Koh Phangan for a Full Moon Party, I’d recommend booking your sleeper train tickets as soon as possible.

Which type of ticket should you book for the sleeper train?

When booking the train to Surat Thani, you’ll have multiple class and carriage options. For a comfortable journey, the minimum you’ll want to book is a Second Class Sleeper AC. You also get a Second Class Sleeper Fan on some journeys – but trust me, paying for the air conditioning is SO worth it.

If you book far enough in advance, you might be able to get a First Class Sleeper ticket. These are two-berth private sections, with their own bathroom and two bunk beds. (FYI: if you’re travelling solo and book one ticket, you’ll likely end up sharing the cabin with a stranger.)

Even travelling Thailand on a budget, I wouldn’t even consider booking the Class 3 or even the Second Class Seats for this 10 hour train ride!

Bangkok – Surat Thani Sleeper Train Timetables

Trains run from Bangkok to Surat Thani throughout the day, but the main overnight sleeper trains are timetabled as follows:

  • #169: 17:30 – 04:06
  • #83: 18:50 – 04:58
  • #85: 19:50 – 06:23
  • #167: 20:30 – 07:16
  • #39: 22:50 – 07:50

We chose the #85 train, as the timings worked well for us arriving in Surat Thani for our onward travel.

I’d advise checking the train’s availability on 12Go and booking at least a week ahead – sleeper carriages sell out in advance so you’re highly unlikely to get them on the day!

Also, consider those arrival times in Surat Thani optimistic, as trains are often delayed in Thailand. Our service arrived around 20 minutes late, but we’d prepared and had an hour and a half window between our estimated arrival and bus transfer.

How much does a sleeper train from Bangkok to Surat Thani cost?

Prices for the sleeper train can vary depending on your class, the service you travel on, and whether you book at the station or online.

We paid a total of 714 THB (£16.50) each for our Second Class Sleeper tickets bought directly at the station a week before we travelled. However, it’s usually more convenient to buy these online, allowing you to book more in advance to get the tickets you want.

When you book a sleeper train from Bangkok to Surat Thani, expect to pay the following amounts:

1st Class A/C Sleeper – from 1431 THB
2nd Class A/C Sleeper – from 823 THB
2nd Class A/C Fan – from 473 THB

What to pack for a Thailand sleeper train

On board the train, there’s space below the bunks for luggage. I’d recommend putting your main backpack here, but make sure any valuables (laptop, camera, etc) are in a smaller bag to have on your bunk with you. I also kept a small pouch with my passport and cash attached to me while I slept.

  • Eye mask: the main carriage lights stay on all night on Thai sleeper trains, and the curtains are too thin to really block any light.
  • Earplugs: I found my sleeper train carraige to be very quiet, but in case of noisy passengers/snoring, ear plugs are a good idea to have just in case.
  • Comfy sleepwear: the bunk has a privacy curtain and a blanket, but it’s always best to have extra layers just in case.
  • Entertainment: Music/podcasts/a book/something to watch before you go to sleep
  • Water and snacks: in case you don’t fancy buying food and drinks on board!

If you forget any of the above, the station has a couple of shops where you can pick up eye masks, earplugs and drinks/food!

What are the facilities like on a sleeper train in Thailand?

The quality of facilities on sleeper trains in Thailand will vary depending on the destination and service you travel on, but these can often be very basic. First class cabins will generally have their own bathroom.

On our sleeper train from Bangkok to Surat Thani, each second class sleeper carriage had two toilet cubicles and sink facilities. One toilet was a ‘squat’ style toilet (common across areas of Asia), and the other a more familiar Western-style bowl. Toilet roll is provided but like anywhere in SE Asia, it’s worth having tissues with you just in case.

Food and soft drinks will be available in the dining carriage. You can’t buy or consume alcohol on sleeper trains in Thailand.

(possibly the least aesthetic photos in my camera roll coming up…)

How to stay safe on a sleeper train in Thailand

I found that the sleeper train from Bangkok felt generally safe to travel on as a woman. I did have my partner in the bunk opposite, but having a top bunk especially helped me feel at ease sleeping on the train alone. The lights stay on in the carriage all night, and stewards patrol the carriages throughout the journey.

While still highly unlikely, theft would be the main thing to be aware of on a sleeper train. In terms of theft and on-board safety, here are a couple of important tips:

  • As mentioned above – wherever possible, try and keep your valuables in your bunk with you.
  • Secure your most important items (passport & cash) in a money belt/small bag you can attach to yourself while sleeping.
  • Be careful if you’re moving between carriages when the train’s in motion – sometimes the side doors are left open (this led to a pretty scary moment for me when I stepped aside to let another person pass!)
  • Be aware of others and speak to a steward if another passenger is making you feel unsafe.

Onward travel from Surat Thani

As mentioned above, Surat Thani is the gateway to the islands in the Gulf of Thailand; the most popular of these being Koh Phangan, Koh Samui and Koh Tao. (You can also transfer at Surat Thani for bus services to Krabi, Koh Lanta, Khao Sok National Park and Koh Phi Phi.)

Bear in mind that Surat Thani Railway Station is actually around 15km away from the main town of Surat Thani, so you’ll need to transfer to the ferry terminal to get to the Gulf islands. The best way to do this is to book a combination bus + ferry ticket from the rail station, with guaranteed transfers.

Make sure you book a transfer at least an hour or so after your train’s arrival time, as they often run behind!

Koh Phangan

Famous for being the epicentre for the iconic Full Moon Parties, but there’s more to Phangan than just drinking and dancing on the beach. We visited in the low season outside of Full Moon, and spent three nights at Puk’s Palace hostel, which offered the perfect mix of socialising and chilling.

Things to do in Koh Phangan:

  • Full Moon Party – a backpacker staple in Koh Phangan’s Haad Rin. The largest beach party in Asia attracts up to 30,000 visitors a month, for a traveller’s rite of passage.
  • The Jungle Party takes place before and after the Full Moon Party, where you can dance the night away surrounded by lush jungle landscapes and cascading waterfalls.
  • Take a day tour to Ang Thong National Marine Park to snorkel and kayak (also available from Koh Samui).

Find more fun things to do on Koh Phangan!

Book your bus + ferry tickets to Koh Phangan here.

Koh Samui

We spent another three nights on Koh Samui, where we hired a scooter to explore some of the island for a day. The main ring road is quite busy, so I’d only recommend doing this if you have experience! We stayed on the east of the island in Nathon, which was very locals-focused and quiet. If you’re looking for a more lively spot, I’d recommend basing yourself in Lamai or Chaweng.

Things to do in Koh Samui:

Discover the best things to do for solo travelers in Koh Samui.

Book your bus + ferry tickets to Koh Samui here.

Koh Tao

We didn’t make it to Koh Tao on our month in Thailand, but it’s a popular spot for more laid-back travellers. The smallest of the three most popular Gulf Islands, it’s best-known for ample scuba diving, snorkelling and water activities.

Things to do in Koh Tao:

Book your bus + ferry tickets to Koh Tao here.

Planning a backpacking trip to Thailand? Check out these posts:
How to spend 24 hours in Ayutthaya – the perfect day trip from Bangkok!
Find out what to expect on a sleeper train from Bangkok to Surat Thani.
Combine fascinating history, beautiful scenery and buzzing local life with two days in Kanchanaburi.
Visit Thailand’s most spectacular waterfalls with this complete guide to Erawan National Park!
Explore the mountains of North Thailand with my ultimate guide to Pai and the Pai Bamboo Bridge.

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