When can you book Thai train tickets?
The State Railway of Thailand does not open every ticket on the same day. Long trips go on sale 90 days ahead, medium ones 30 days ahead, short hops the day before, always at 08:30 Bangkok time. Check your date, and if it is not open yet, get an email the moment it is.
Three windows, one rule.
The window depends on one thing: the share of the line your ticket covers.
60% of the line or more
Bangkok - Chiang Mai, Bangkok - Hat Yai, Bangkok - Nong Khai
From 25% to under 60%
Bangkok - Phitsanulok, Bangkok - Nakhon Sawan, Bangkok - Nakhon Ratchasima
Under 25% of the line
Bangkok - Ayutthaya, Bangkok - Lop Buri, Bangkok - Hua Hin
Sales open at 08:30 Bangkok time
Every day at 08:30 Bangkok time (UTC+7), SRT puts one more date on sale. There is no early access and no gradual release. Where you are, that is 08:30.
Where each station falls.
Distance from the start of the line (Krung Thep Aphiwat, or Hua Lamphong for the Eastern Line), share of the full line, and the window of a ticket from that terminus.
| Station | Distance | Share of line | Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) | 0 km | 0.0% | Start of line |
| Don Mueang | 15 km | 1.9% | 1 day |
| Rangsit | 22 km | 2.9% | 1 day |
| Ayutthaya | 64 km | 8.5% | 1 day |
| Ban Phachi | 82 km | 11.0% | 1 day |
| Ban Mi | 95 km | 12.7% | 1 day |
| Lop Buri | 125 km | 16.8% | 1 day |
| Chumsaeng | 155 km | 20.8% | 1 day |
| Ban Takhli | 170 km | 22.8% | 1 day |
| Nakhon Sawan | 238 km | 32.0% | 30 days |
| Taphan Hin | 320 km | 43.0% | 30 days |
| Phichit | 339 km | 45.6% | 30 days |
| Phitsanulok | 382 km | 51.3% | 30 days |
| Ban Dara | 430 km | 57.7% | 30 days |
| Uttaradit | 478 km | 64.2% | 90 days |
| Sila At | 480 km | 64.5% | 90 days |
| Den Chai | 526 km | 70.7% | 90 days |
| Nakhon Lampang | 635 km | 85.3% | 90 days |
| Lam Phun | 722 km | 97.0% | 90 days |
| Chiang Mai | 744 km | 100.0% | 90 days |
| Station | Distance | Share of line | Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) | 0 km | 0.0% | Start of line |
| Don Mueang | 15 km | 2.4% | 1 day |
| Rangsit | 22 km | 3.6% | 1 day |
| Ayutthaya | 64 km | 10.3% | 1 day |
| Ban Phachi | 82 km | 13.4% | 1 day |
| Kaeng Khoi | 118 km | 19.1% | 1 day |
| Lam Narai | 201 km | 32.7% | 30 days |
| Thanon Chira | 259 km | 42.1% | 30 days |
| Chatturat | 302 km | 49.2% | 30 days |
| Bua Yai | 338 km | 55.0% | 30 days |
| Ban Phai | 400 km | 65.1% | 90 days |
| Khon Kaen | 442 km | 71.9% | 90 days |
| Nam Phong | 490 km | 79.8% | 90 days |
| Udon Thani | 561 km | 91.4% | 90 days |
| Kumphawapi | 580 km | 94.5% | 90 days |
| Nong Khai | 614 km | 100.0% | 90 days |
| Station | Distance | Share of line | Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) | 0 km | 0.0% | Start of line |
| Don Mueang | 15 km | 2.4% | 1 day |
| Rangsit | 22 km | 3.6% | 1 day |
| Ayutthaya | 64 km | 10.3% | 1 day |
| Ban Phachi | 82 km | 13.4% | 1 day |
| Kaeng Khoi | 118 km | 19.1% | 1 day |
| Pak Chong | 172 km | 28.1% | 30 days |
| Nakhon Ratchasima | 256 km | 41.7% | 30 days |
| Lam Plai Mat | 338 km | 55.0% | 30 days |
| Buriram | 368 km | 59.9% | 30 days |
| Surin | 412 km | 67.1% | 90 days |
| Sikhoraphum | 445 km | 72.5% | 90 days |
| Sisaket | 507 km | 82.6% | 90 days |
| Kanthararom | 534 km | 87.0% | 90 days |
| Ubon Ratchathani | 567 km | 92.4% | 90 days |
| Station | Distance | Share of line | Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) | 0 km | 0.0% | Start of line |
| Nakhon Pathom | 57 km | 4.9% | 1 day |
| Ratchaburi | 110 km | 9.6% | 1 day |
| Phetchaburi | 159 km | 14.0% | 1 day |
| Ban Cha Am | 179 km | 15.7% | 1 day |
| Pran Buri | 180 km | 15.8% | 1 day |
| Hua Hin | 222 km | 19.5% | 1 day |
| Prachuap Khiri Khan | 311 km | 27.3% | 30 days |
| Thap Sakae | 360 km | 31.7% | 30 days |
| Bang Saphan Noi | 390 km | 34.3% | 30 days |
| Kui Buri | 430 km | 37.8% | 30 days |
| Chumphon | 478 km | 42.0% | 30 days |
| Lang Suan | 510 km | 44.9% | 30 days |
| Surat Thani | 644 km | 56.6% | 30 days |
| Ban Na | 655 km | 57.6% | 30 days |
| Na San | 670 km | 59.0% | 30 days |
| Chaiya | 700 km | 61.6% | 90 days |
| Thung Song | 766 km | 67.4% | 90 days |
| Chawang | 800 km | 70.4% | 90 days |
| Khao Chum Thong | 820 km | 72.2% | 90 days |
| Trang | 821 km | 72.3% | 90 days |
| Nakhon Si Thammarat | 835 km | 73.5% | 90 days |
| Kantang | 842 km | 74.1% | 90 days |
| Phatthalung | 855 km | 75.2% | 90 days |
| Khao Chaison | 880 km | 77.4% | 90 days |
| Hat Yai | 938 km | 82.5% | 90 days |
| Padang Besar | 966 km | 85.0% | 90 days |
| Pattani | 1002 km | 88.2% | 90 days |
| Yala | 1048 km | 92.3% | 90 days |
| Tanyong Mat | 1100 km | 96.8% | 90 days |
| Sungai Kolok | 1136 km | 100.0% | 90 days |
| Station | Distance | Share of line | Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) | 0 km | 0.0% | Start of line |
| Chachoengsao | 61 km | 31.1% | 30 days |
| Chon Buri | 108 km | 55.1% | 30 days |
| Si Racha | 131 km | 66.8% | 90 days |
| Pattaya | 155 km | 79.0% | 90 days |
| Ban Phlu Ta Luang | 184 km | 93.8% | 90 days |
The formula: distance of your trip ÷ total length of the line × 100. Bangkok - Phitsanulok: 382 ÷ 744 = 51.3%, so a 30-day window. Between two stations that are not the terminus, take the distance between them: Lampang - Chiang Mai is short, even on a train from Bangkok.
The window follows the ticket, not where you get off
A ticket to Chiang Mai opens 90 days ahead even if you leave the train at Phitsanulok. Some travellers buy to the end of the line to book earlier. It works, but you pay for the full distance.
Trains with their own rule
- Medium trips on trains 107, 111 (Northern Line) and 39, 43 (Southern Line) open 90 days ahead, like long trips.
- Third class seats on Rapid and Express trains are sold only 2 hours before departure on short trips under 120 minutes.
- Train 997 on the Eastern Line is sold only 2 hours before departure, every class.
How fast trains sell out.
From YesMyTrips bookings on Bangkok - Chiang Mai. Peak means November to February, Songkran, New Year and long weekends.
| Train and class | Peak season | Off-peak |
|---|---|---|
| CNR first class cabin | Within hours | 1 to 3 days |
| CNR second class sleeper | 1 to 2 days | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Second class sleeper on other trains | 1 to 3 days | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Third class and fan seats | Rarely sells out | Rarely sells out |
Fridays go first
Friday night departures out of Bangkok fill before any other day.
Sunday returns
Chiang Mai - Bangkok on Sunday night is just as tight.
Ladies only
The ladies only sleeper car sells faster than the mixed cars.
Get an email the moment it opens.
The official SRT app hides trains that are not on sale yet. On YesMyTrips you see them with an orange "Not open yet" button: this is not a bug, SRT has simply not released the date.
Why we do not pre-book
No seat exists before SRT releases it. A pre-booking we could not honour would put your hotels, flights and transfers at risk, so we alert you instead.
Join several waitlists
Each train and class is a separate alert, with no limit. Subscribe to two or three options and book the first that opens.
Act fast on the email
The alert means seats were free at the 08:30 check. First class on popular trains can be gone within minutes in peak season.
Book Thailand train tickets online
YesMyTrips books State Railway of Thailand (SRT) tickets for routes across Thailand. Prices shown in the search results are final and include all fees: nothing is added at checkout. You receive the official SRT D-Ticket as a PDF by email once your booking is confirmed.
Why travelers book with YesMyTrips
- Final prices from the first screen, all fees included. QR code payment costs even less.
- Choose your exact seat or berth on most trains.
- Real-time prices and availability from the operator.
- Real people answer by email, WhatsApp or Telegram.
- We handle changes and cancellations with the operator for you, when the operator allows them.
Founded by Maxence Decamp, train booking specialist in Southeast Asia since 2019. YES MY TRIPS Co., Ltd. (Vietnam), member of EuroCham Vietnam and CCI France Vietnam.
Tips that actually help.
Have a backup class
If first class is gone, the CNR second class sleeper runs on the same train and sells slower.
Mind the time zone
08:30 in Bangkok is the middle of the night in Europe. Set an alarm or let the waitlist do it.
Look again before departure
SRT sometimes releases held seats 1 to 3 days before departure, and cancellations happen. Not guaranteed, worth a daily look.
Passport names
Names must match the passport exactly, for every passenger. Check them before you pay.
Quick answers.
How far in advance can I book Thai train tickets?
90 days for trips covering 60% or more of the line, 30 days from 25% to under 60%, and 1 day under 25%. A few trains have their own rule, listed in the 60% rule section.
What time do SRT tickets go on sale?
Every day at 08:30 Bangkok time (UTC+7), for the date that just entered the window.
Why can I not book Bangkok - Ayutthaya 90 days ahead?
Ayutthaya is 8.5% of the Northern Line, so it has a 1-day window.
Why does my train say "Not open yet"?
Your date is beyond the SRT window. Join the waitlist for that train and class and we email you when it opens.
Does the waitlist email guarantee a seat?
No. It tells you seats were available at the 08:30 check. Book straight away.
Can I join several waitlists?
Yes, each train and class is a separate alert, with no limit.
If I book to Chiang Mai and get off at Phitsanulok, which window applies?
The one for the destination on your ticket: Chiang Mai, so 90 days.
What if my train is sold out?
Change the date before you change class, and check again 1 to 3 days before departure for released seats.
How do I leave a waitlist?
Email contact@yesmytrips.com with your email and the train and class. Waitlists are archived automatically once the alert is sent.
Sources & verification. Booking rules from the State Railway of Thailand D-Ticket system (policy effective April 30, 2026). Station distances from the YesMyTrips station data, checked against SRT timetables. Sell-out speeds from YesMyTrips bookings.
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