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Hopping aboard the old ‘Thailand express’ is a whole trip within itself.
Depending on your budget, you could be living it large in your own air-conditioned, sleek, slick, and modern cabin — with more charger ports than you can shake a stick at.
Or, if you’re up for living life on the wilder side, you can grab a seat in one of the carriages further back, where things start to feel as real as it gets.
I booked one of those economy train tickets, and took a one-hour long journey from the forever-buzzing backstreets of Bangkok, all the way to its quieter, former incarnation — the ancient city of Ayutthaya.
✨ The Inspiration
Sometimes in Thailand, I find myself stuck in the same cycle of Bangkok and beaches.
It’s nice an’ all, but there’s so much more to Thailand — culturally and historically.
Feeling adventurous, I did some digging on quick trips away from Bangkok.
The only dealbreakers were: it had to be cheap and easy to get to.
Ayutthaya kept popping up — described as an historic city in central Thailand, just 80 km (50 miles) north of Bangkok. Once the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, from 1350 to 1767.
I was intrigued.
🗺️ The Gameplan
I did what any fool with a phone who knows how to get around Thailand would do: I headed to 12Go Asia.
There, you’ll find super convenient and affordable train and minibus options.
- 🚂 Ordinary Train (3rd class, fan)
฿111 ≈ $3.40 USD
⏱ Travel time: ~1.5 to 2 hours - 🚐 Minivan (air-conditioned)
฿171 ≈ $5.25 USD
⏱ Travel time: ~1 to 1.5 hours
I decided to book the train, purely for the possibility of a scenic adventure, I guess.
(More on that later…)
12Go has already helped more than 3,500,000 travellers from around the world get from point A to point B trouble-free and with a high-quality service guarantee.
Either head to their website and download the app, or use the handy search tool below to book your travel around Thailand and beyond.
🚇 The Journey
The booking came complete with a Google Maps link to the departing station.
Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (also known as Bang Sue Grand Station) is easy to get to via public transport.
Make your way to the nearest MRT Blue Line station and catch a metro train towards Bang Sue Station.
Once you arrive, the way to Central Terminal is well directed and signposted.
If you feel overwhelmed at any point, just reach out to a member of staff — they’re honestly super helpful.
I’ve got a blog coming soon that dives deep into everything you need to know about getting around Bangkok — bikes, buses, boats, the whole lot.
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(and the odd cheeky travel discount)
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🚉 The Journey pt. 2
Bang Sue Grand Station is massive and modern; the halls feel like a vast, hollowed-out modern spaceship — nothingness surrounds you, accompanied only by the echo of your own footsteps.
But you’re never alone; food and drink are sold everywhere.
When you find yourself in the midst of any train-related action, the nothingness is replaced by crowds of eager travellers.
The modern theme continues as you scan yourself through the electric ticketed barriers and make your way up to the escalated station.
Modernity bids farewell the moment you step into your carriage.
Thailand is great — forever a country of contrasts.
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The aesthetic was on point — sure, it looks well used, but come on, it has character.
As the rickety train rattled on, time absolutely breezed by.
The carriage doors remained wide open, clanging in tune with the tracks beneath us.
Scenic sights became prime time viewing from wide-open windows, delivering deliciously cool air into the carriage.
Further ventilation was provided by the many fans placed along the aisle’s ceiling.
Vendors came in and out at every stop. Need an ice-cold Thai tea, or some flowers? Don’t worry, they’ve got you covered.
And as quickly as you could say “Khun pud passa Angrit dai mai?” it was announced, we were soon to arrive in Ayutthaya…
🛕 The Destination
Here is my full day’s guide around Ayutthaya.
I did all the things you could possibly do wrong, so that you can do it all right.
(P.S. The train can be booked for under a dollar, but you have to book it at the station on arrival.)
🧭 Let’s keep the adventure going:
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Prices accurate at time of writing and are subject to change.
