Rail Travel From Hua Hin Thread

[pharvey]

Those trains in BBs pictures don’t look that bad at all, I’m definitely interested in giving it a go, just for the experience more than anything else.

BB's Reports on the trains and his trips to the "Wendyball" have been interesting indeed and from looks of the photo's the trains, stations and "crowds" have improved dramatically since I last used the service (many moons ago unfortunately) - certainly impressed with the quality and performance for such a price! I've travelled on trains and public transport in numerous countries over the years, and it has been quite honestly frightening at times. These trains in Thailand seem a far better way to travel (over short fairly short distances at least) that it is by road, though the latter provides the convenience I guess (at a cost).

Keep posting on these trips BB and others who have experienced similar or those who have tried (tried again) based on comments here... All good info! Whilst I may not be able to travel to/within Thailand and HH currently (though the LHG has done), several of our friends do so...

[Big Boy]

Thanks for the timetables. Do you know if it is possible to buy tickets at the station before departure for both departure and return or do I have to register here and buy tickets online? https://www.dticket.railway.co.th/DTick ... bookticket
hahuahin

Firstly, it seems your passport is required to buy a train ticket at the station. If you use the link, your passport is required as part of the registration process.

A difficult one, it depends upon which service you choose e.g. travelling on the 12:47, you can only buy a ticket at the station. They go on sale one hour before departure.

The services I listed are bookable, but only 24 hours in advance using the link.

Services 171, 169 and 83 should be bookable if there are spaces on the train.

Services 37/45 and 31 are Special Expresses, and you will most likely be offered a Waiting List option. Talking to Richard Barrow (Thailand's self-proclaimed train expert), being put onto a waiting list rarely results in getting a train.

Of course, yes, you can just turn up at Ratchaburi Station (with your passport) and try to buy a ticket for the next available train.

If I was you, I'd be looking at booking 24 hours before using the link. However, there is the option of doing what I did earlier today, and book from Bangkok to Hua Hin (not a lot of extra money), but boarding at Ratchaburi - for the longer journey, you can book 7 days in advance.

[Hahuahin]

Thanks for helpful information.

I think I will try to book return from Bangkok to Hua Hin in advance as you mention. However, a bit uneasy with passport number everywhere here but will give it a go. Paying a bit more it's still much much cheaper than my previous trips with taxi and I could even stay over a in Ratchaburi some nights before I reach that costs.
hahuahin

[Big Boy]

When I booked at Hua Hin last week, they didn't ask for my passport, although I noticed Thais were handing over their ID cards.

If you look at the booking office window at Ratchaburi station there is a notice saying you have to present your ID Card or passport.

NB: I'm only just learning the rules about Thai rail travel. I may have misunderstood something.

[Dannie Boy]

Sounds as though it’s best to go with your passport (and/or pink Thai ID if you have one), but only hand them over if requested.

[Big Boy]

Yes, I only had my pink ID card, but it wasn't requested.

As I said earlier, to book online, you have to register. One of the early registration questions is Thai/Foreigner. When you select Foreigner, the next question requests passport number.

[Hahuahin]

I have just done the registration here, https://www.dticket.railway.co.th/DTick ... bookticket but it shows only night/ early morning trains to Ratchaburi except one special express leaving 1436 which arrival will be a few minutes to late
Sorry but what was the second departure you mentioned to Ratchaburi on daytime, was it 1250 pm? (Okay my laziness found your post 1247pm)
hahuahin

[Big Boy]

To get the full information, you need to load the SRT application to your phone. It is free, and will open a whole new world of rail travel to you.

I did say above that the 12:47 to Ratchaburi (Rachaburi on the app) is buy at station only, and tickets only go on sale 1 hour before departure.

[STEVE G]

I was just having a look at that SRT App and I see that they sometimes have steam train excursions from Bangkok.
That would be an interesting thing to do, last year I took a trip on a small steam heritage railway in Luxembourg.
It reminded me of my childhood because my father couldn't resist going on a steam train if there was one around.
I'm not old enough to remember steam passenger trains in the UK but when I was very young, the coal board still ran a steam train through my village from a local colliery.

[Big Boy]

Yes, I've often considered the steam excursions - they do quite a few. However, there are 2 problems:

1. They all run out of Bangkok.

2. Booking is manic, and they always sell out within minutes.

[STEVE G]

^That's a pity, going to Bangkok isn't out of the question but obviously you need to get a ticket.

[Big Boy]

Yes, that's the bit that puts me off.

In one breath Richard Barrow is saying how marvelous the trips are, and in the next he tells everybody impossible to book.

[Hahuahin]

To get the full information, you need to load the SRT application to your phone. It is free, and will open a whole new world of rail travel to you.

I did say above that the 12:47 to Ratchaburi (Rachaburi on the app) is buy at station only, and tickets only go on sale 1 hour before departure.

Done that but find only sleeping berths for the return but maybe it's possible to just be seated
However, do you know if it's possible to buy departure tickets to Ratchaburi at Suan Son? I thought it was only a hop of on platform there.
hahuahin

[Big Boy]

To get the full information, you need to load the SRT application to your phone. It is free, and will open a whole new world of rail travel to you.

I did say above that the 12:47 to Ratchaburi (Rachaburi on the app) is buy at station only, and tickets only go on sale 1 hour before departure.

Done that but find only sleeping berths for the return but maybe it's possible to just be seated The app would only give you additional trains that are running, not availability on the train. That can only be found via the link you quoted earlier. However, even a 2nd class a/c sleeper berth may be preferable to spending overnight in Ratchaburi. Many years ago, all that I could find was a sleeper (during the day) from Hua Hin to Bangkok - I really enjoyed that, laying down looking out of the window all the way to Bangkok. You are clearly experiencing the same difficulties as me booking a train on Wednday evening, which is why I opted for 3rd class, and booked from Bangkok to Hua Hin, even though I will be boarding at Nakhon Pathom.
However, do you know if it's possible to buy departure tickets to Ratchaburi at Suan Son? I thought it was only a hop of on platform there.3 trains per day start and terminate at Suan Soan (app spelling, not mine). I can only guess there will be facilities at the station. However, I often drive past Suan Soan, and will call in soon to see if it has a ticket office................. watch this space for an update. I intend travelling from Suan Soan on Wednesday myself, so I need to find out before that.
hahuahin

[Big Boy]

There we go, I didn't need to call in. I've just found it written in an old Hua Hin Today, "The upgrade to the Southern Line has seen Suan Son Pradipat upgraded from a railway halt to a fully staffed station.

Unfortunately, Hua Hin Today will not let me cut and paste, so you'll have to take my word for it.