Rail Travel From Hua Hin Thread

[Big Boy]

With the potential demise of my car, which I must say has served me very well, I have been today looking at alternative methods of transport, and rail travel is a definite possibility.

I had always hoped the introduction of the second line would vastly improve rail services in Hua Hin. However, the timetables I've been looking at still show North bound trains as early mornings and South bound trains evenings. There has always been 1 daily exception in each direction, but they are 3 carriage chug alongs, and are nigh on impossible to book. This has always put me off using trains from Hua Hin. Regular trains never seem to travel in the direction I need them to travel.

After a lot of research today, I am learning there is another timetable where much cheaper 'local' trains run at true Thai prices i.e. I've been trying to book a train to Ratchaburi for next Wednesday that would have cost 258฿, but the best I could do was get placed on a waiting list. I've recently learnt I can do a similar journey on a 'local' train for 24฿. OK, its 3rd class, and no aircon, but its only a short journey. It will get me to Ratchaburi at a perfect time.

I intend using rail more and more now, as I don't really enjoy the journey by road any more (easy enough, but monotonous), and financially savings will be huge.

I thought it might be worth having a thread whereby we could share rail travel experiences, and update any routes we may find, especially off this less accessible local services timetable. I think punctuality might be a major discussion point.

For starters, I've been advised of the following Hua Hin to Ratchaburi local trains today:

• 0614 train 252 arr 0813

• 1247 train 254 arr 1450

• 1456 train 262 arr 1630

These are 3rd class trains and tickets are 23/24 thb bought one hour before departure.

I have been advised the FULL timetable appears on the SRT Timetable app, which you can download. I will look into this when I've completed this post.

[Dannie Boy]

I remember looking a number of years ago at trains between Cha Am and Hua Hin, not as a means of travel but to just experience the journey. At the time I gave up as the train times were not to my liking but maybe this tread will identify more viable possibilities?

[Big Boy]

I've just loaded the app, and it seems to be comprehensive. Trains Cha-am to Hua Hin are at:

10:33 - no price quoted
11:21 - 6฿
13:26 - 6฿
17:06 - 6฿
20:59 - 403฿
23:57 - 363฿

[Big Boy]

I've just checked the cost of a birthday treat to Nakhon Pathom - 33฿ each way, and trains at sensible times. OK, this is a new toy at the moment, but I am wondering why I've been driving.

[Dannie Boy]

I’m sure that if you have a flexible agenda this could be quite a useful alternative to the other forms of travel, but the problem would be if you have a tight schedule and the train is cancelled or severely delayed - still something worth exploring further.

[Big Boy]

Yes, I did say, "I think punctuality might be a major discussion point."

However, I for one have been delayed by the roadworks between here and Bangkok a few times in the last year. These are all TIT issues.

[usual suspect]

Well now...I myself was thinking of using the train for my next PKK trip.
Last time I took my motorbike, used the wiggely waggerly 'coast Rd' via Dolphin Bay etc, & did indeed enjoy it.
But when I got down there & my mates told me I was daft, & shoulda used the train..as they do..Well that got me thinking...
..Hotel would be booked, 2-3 days only, itinery would be Ao Manao bay & Dan Singkon market only..
...The idea of taking a train down there, then hiring a saleng + driver/rider to ferry me about seems like quite an alternative way of doing things..
..OK, so no big adventure, but slightly different..?

[Big Boy]

Catch the 11:49 or 17:32 train for just 19฿. Journey takes 1 hour and 38 minutes. You can't go wrong at those prices.

[buksida]

You do realize those prices are for third class where you get a skinny wooden bench and no a/c? Even at my age, I'd want a bit more comfort when traveling!

[Big Boy]

These are short journies. Yes, I'd prefer a touch more comfort, but I've ridden 3rd class with fans before - most notably on the death railway, where the tracks were really warped with the heat - it did add to the adventure, especially when my wife's bench ended up on the floor. If the bum gets a bit sore, you can always get up and go for a wander.

I would not contemplate these seats for Pedang Basar or Chiang Mai. Even Bangkok could be a step too far. I'm willing to give it a try. I think you know me well enough to give an honest review after my Nakhon Pathom trip. I might even contemplate taking my own cushion .

Whatever, it can't be any worse than a 5 minute ride on an Ayutthaya tuk-tuk.

[Edit] My first adventure will be next week, one way to Ratchaburi. I will return on a 2nd class aircon carriage, so I will have something for comparison. The fact is, to travel in the directions I want to from Hua Hin at the times I want to travel it is 3rd class fan or nothing. Despite all of the investment in dual track, and the building of while elephant stations, there has been no investment in modern rolling stock. Yes, they've accepted a few FREE 2nd hand throw-aways from Japan, but they will need refurbishment/conversion to narrow guage before they can go into service, and there's no guarantee Hua Hin will benefit from this initiative.

[PeteC]

People must bring seat cushions or at least a folded up towel. See how many you spot?

[Big Boy]

I've travelled 3rd class a few times in the past - it never seemed that bad. However, I'm a bit older now, so maybe age will make a difference.

[Big Boy]

Just for fun, I've dug out the 2006 photo of the 3rd class seat my wife was sleeping on as we were travelling the warped rails on the Death Railway. She barely flinched when it collapsed - just moved to the seat opposite

202Pict0110.JPG (75.56 KiB) Viewed 3332 times

[PeteC]

In the corridor you'll be traveling in for this next trip, with the windows open, you better take 2.5PM masks as well.

[REEM]

but I am wondering why I've been driving.

3 hours on the wooden seat of the 3rd class rattler will provide you with the answer you are looking for!

I like the trains here, and when I was younger and didn't have a car I used them a lot. The 2nd class sleepers, 3rd class for short hops and occasionally the 1st class sleeper. The activity at the stations, the food sellers that jump on and off at stations, the "restaurant" car, the opening windows, standing by the open door at the back where you could go to share a smoke with a fellow passenger, and even the disgusting toilets all combined to the sense of adventure that Thai railways guarantee.

But those wooden stalls that you get on most 3rd class carriages, and even the green vinyl covered seats on the "luxury" 3rd class carriages are not for the faint hearted and certainly not for 3 hours.

These days if its more than a couple of hours, I'll take the car, stop off for noodles or rice when I want and leave and arrive at a time of my choosing.

For Ratchaburi or Prajuab though I am happy to take the train, but any further, It's the car and bugger the expense!