Train tickets

[bladerunner2120]

Not sure where to post this, i did look,.....

Can anybody advise me on Overnight 1st class sleeper train tickets.
I will be flying in to Phuket for a week then im keen to travel by train to BKK and later on to Hua Hin.
Can i purchase train tickets on the net, or in Phuket for travel from Surat Thani? i dont want to rock up to the station and not be able to get tickets on the day, same goes for when im in BKK....can i purchase tickets to Hua Hin 2 weeks in advance?
Ive looked on the net and there didnt seem to be any site that could help me...not even Thai railways, i am in Australia, any help will be appreciated.

[lomuamart]

All I can advise you is that certain trains - and probably the ones for 1st class and overnight - can be booked 90 days in advance. I can't advise you of your route though.
I've managed to book tickets from HH through Hualampong and on to Chiang Mai, so my guess is that the computer booking system is nationwide and you'll probably be able to book tickets from any station for departure/arrivals to others.
I'm not 100% sure though and don't want to mislead you. I've not heard of internet booking here.
There's a bit more information here:
http://www.tourismhuahin.com/trains-huahin.php

[charlesh]

No train from Phuket to Bangkok!!! No train line to my knowledge.
VIP bus to HH and train from HH best bet - quicker and comfortable! If you want to train it only I suspect that there ,might only be 1 train/day as 1st class and not o/n!
Easiest by far is the VIP direct to Bangas from Pootown if you don't want to or no need to stop in HH. The VIP bus's have lay back seats and a/c works a treat also toilet. Also reasonably priced. Usually have meal and comfort stops too!
Trains and rolling stock rather poor unfortunately in LOS.
When I did the Penang bit by train they did not book more than a week in advance!!!

[canthai]

You can book train tickets directly online as I have done it more than once. You just have to go to http://www.thairailwayticket.com/Defaul ... language=1

[charlesh]

Canthai if you have managed to travel FROM Phuket by train TO HH @/or Bangas it would be a first. Could not find Phuket listed on the Sth'n time table and perhaps Chumphon is the closest station which is on the East of the isthmus not the West (where Phuket is).
Maybe there is an old Japanese railway line in the jungle?

[Roel]

The OP asked:

Can i purchase train tickets on the net, or in Phuket for travel from Surat Thani?

So he seems to be aware that the train leaves from Surat Thani, not Phuket.

Answer is yes, many travel agents (the ones that do all kind of day tours, excursions, transfers, hotel bookings etc.) can arrange your train ticket for a small handling fee. Hundreds of these around in Phuket. Maybe you have to try more than one before you get lucky, but you will get your ticket.

And apparently according to canthai you can nowadays also buy them on the internet.

Als some more info here: http://www.thailandbytrain.com/

[bladerunner2120]

Thanks canthai and other forum members.....and charlesh if you reread my original post you would see i said travel from Surat Thani, i am aware there is no train from Phuket.

I want first class overnight sleeper for the experiance, i like trains otherwise i would fly, my partner wasnt too happy at first about going by train, she was going to meet me in BKK but ive talked her around now.

ps.....charlesh....is that a fitzroy football club emblem?

[charlesh]

I will be flying in to Phuket for a week then im keen to travel by train to BKK and later on to Hua Hin.

Sorry mate I was taking the above observation too literally and yes correct re: FFC

Have a safe journey!

[Jimbob]

another useful info website for trains is www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm. It also gives help on adjoining services such as from Malayasia

[canthai]

I wish people wouldn't be so sarcastic in their replies. I know there is no train service from Phuket and I am sure the original poster knows that. I merely was pointing that you can book train tickets online using the official Thai Train site. You set yourself up with a user name and password, logon, pick your departure station (Surat Thani), pick your arrival station (Hua Hin), select your dates, enter and a list of available trains and seat classes will come up, select the one you want, enter, follow the payment procedures, voila - you have just booked your ticket - print the receipt.

[margaretcarnes]

There's a small airport at HadYai - so maybe a flight from Phuket to HadYai would be possible - then pick up a train direct to HH. But I doubt it would be a sleeper that way - check timetables - but I think most overnight trains are on the Southbound route.

[Khundon1975]

A sleeper train, good idea, with the amount of accidents on Thai railways at the moment, you may just get to sleep through your demise.