Hua Lamphong – main train station of Bangkok

Hua Lamphong - main train station in BangkokRailway station Hua Lamphong in Bangkok – is a major transportation hub in all of Thailand. This place is crossing the railway lines, which go to different regions of the country. Hua Lamphong in Bangkok serving over 50 thousand passengers each day (or about 20 million passengers per year), therefore this railway station in Bangkok in importance second only to the main Bangkok airport – Suvarnabhumi. Moreover, Hua Lamphong Station, a review of which you can read below, it is also one of the most important attractions of the Thai capital. In this article you will find important information about directions, which serviced  this railway station in Bangkok, which hotels are available nearby, how you can get to Hua Lamphong in Bangkok and more other information.

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Directions from the railway station Hua Lamphong

Bangkok and its main railway station are the link railroads in the country with a total length of over 4,000 km. Therefore, with the Hua Lampong you can get almost anywhere in Thailand, where the paved railroad. In the northern direction is the ancient capital of Siam Ayutthaya, Lorburi city, Chiang Mai and Sukhothai. Trains in the north-east direction (towards Laos) follow in the city of Khon Kaen, Buriram, Surin, Nong Khai, Udontani, Ubon Ratchatay and other cities Isan province.

If you choose the eastern branch of the railway, you can reach the border with Cambodia (Aranyaprathet). Also, the eastern branch is used by those who choose this rather exotic way to get from Bangkok to Pattaya – by train. South is a branch of the railway, which also begins at the railway station in Bangkok Hua Lamphong, is very extensive in the country and passes through such an important city like Hua Hin, Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani and ends in the south of the country, on the border with Malaysia (railroad goes on, so from Bangkok you can get to Kuala Lumpur by train).

Map of railways in Thailand in high resolution

Map of railways in Thailand in high resolution

On the map of railways of Thailand, which posted above this text (click to enlarge) you can see a lot of cities, which can be reached by rail. Also, for convenience, all areas are marked with different colors. Separately, you can mention the historical line of the Thai railway. Tourist trains plying on the “Road of Death”, are one of the most important attractions in the province of Kanchanaburi, where the famous Bridge on the River Kwai (much of tourists from Bangkok and Pattaya depart daily to see this bridge). By the way, the railway platform and the bridge can be seen with using one of the online Web camera of Kanchanaburi.

Getting to and from Hua Lamphong Train Station in Bangkok

Hua Lamphong Train Station is located in the central part of the city, near Pathum Wan (Rama IV street). The distance to the downtown area – Silom district – about 1 km. A similar distance to the Chao Phraya River. In walking distance from the train station is located in Bangkok’s Chinatown, a little further – Indian quarter. Those who are not afraid of walking a few kilometers long, can without any problems to reach the main shopping centers of Bangkok – MBK, Siam Paragon, etc. Also nearby is a picturesque Lumphini Park in Bangkok, where I personally like to walk during each visit to the Thai capital .

Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok - top view

Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok – top view

This arrangement allows the train station to get to him almost equally convenient from many areas of Bangkok. However, it is necessary to use different modes of transport. The most convenient way – underground subway MRT Bangkok, because one of MRT station is located directly at the train station and even the name is similar – Hua Lamphong MRT. Due to the fact that the underground metro line intersects with the subway lines BTS SkyTrain, we can choose the fastest route from any area of the city, where there is such a transport.

So when you need to get from the airport Suvarnabhumi to Hua Lamphong Train Station, you must use the Airport Rail Link (station on the lowest floor of the airport). More information about this transport can be found on the page Getting to and from airport in Bangkok: all ways. At the same time you do not need to go to the terminal station (Phaya Thai), and you have to leave the train at Makkasan Station where there is a transition to a line underground metro (MRT Bangkok), and which will take you directly to the train station Hua Lamphong. The process is the quick and convenient, but it also has disadvantages associated with limited time working Aeroportovskaya trains and metro lines (trains do not go at night). In such cases, as well as when you do not travel alone, it is advantageous to use a taxi in Bangkok with a counter.

Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok - the main hall

Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok – the main hall

Getting from Don Muang airport Bangkok to Hua Lamphong Station, also not difficult, because there is a direct part of the railway, on which a plurality of northbound trains runs between them. Trains depart from the airport station practically every half hour. There is also a special train between this station and the airport. You can also use a taxi with the meter (fare is around 200 baht). Finally, you can use the bus №29, which will take you from the airport to the train station inexpensive. By the way, one of the stops of the bus is located at the Victory Monument, where many inexpensive Mini Bus goes to various cities in Thailand.

Get to Hua Lamphong from famous Khao San Road in Bangkok  also not difficult. Firstly, there are buses №25 and №507. But due to the fact that Bangkok often suffers from traffic congestion, better use of water transport in Bangkok. To do this, you need to walk from the Khao San Road and get to the nearest pier and catch a boat to the southern direction. You need to go to the pier Marine Dept. From the pier to the train station is less than 1 km away, so you can either walk or a short ride on a motorcycle taxi for 20 baht. Finally, you can stay in one of the nice hotel, which is located near the railway station Hua Lamphong (cm. Card with a lower price) and easily reached on foot if necessary.

Hotels near Hua Lamphong in Bangkok

In the central part of the map you can see Hua Lamphong Station in Bangkok and nearby – a lot of green markers. Each marker – it a hotel, which located near the train station in Bangkok. If you click on the marker, you can immediately see the value of staying at this hotel, and its average rating based on feedback from visitors. You can also see the number of stars in the hotel (if this parameter is important for you). For more information about the hotel, you must click on the button “Show price” and select the desired date. In Bangkok, a lot of hotels, and you can always find a good hotel at a low price, especially when using my favorite Hotellook service, which has provided this map hotels close to Hua Lamphong train station.

Review of Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok

Train station  Hua Lamphong is a real architectural monument, because it was built in 1916 and in 2016 already marks the 100-year anniversary. Over Hua Lamphong project worked by Italian architects Annibale Rigotti and Mario Tamagno, so its appearance is somewhat different from other buildings of the city. The railway station building built in Neo-Renaissance and is decorated with stained glass. If only the building was not decorated with the Thai national flags and a large portrait of the King of Thailand on the outside, as well as Buddha statues inside the station it could be mistaken for a beautiful european building.

Passing through the main entrance, you find yourself in a large hall under the arched roof, where 26 ticket offices are located. All ticket offices are divided into two categories. In the first type you can buy tickets “today for today” and this  ticket offices works around the clock. While the latter are intended for pre-sale tickets, and during their work with 08-00 to 16-00. Cashiers understands English, therefore problems with the purchase of tickets should not be. At the opposite side of the main entrance hall are located on the sides of large electronic scoreboard with a schedule of trains flights, and almost all the inscriptions on the station are made in Thai, and duplicated in English.

Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok - view from the second floor to the lobby

Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok – view from the second floor to the lobby

On both sides of the hall there is a large number of plastic chairs for passengers, where you can wait for your train. At peak availability and can not be, so many Thais whole families are placed directly on the floor in the central part of the hall. Sometimes, there are exhibitions of sale, such as books. Among the other infrastructure that may be helpful to travelers, it may be noted ATMs in Thailand, paid showers and toilets. There is also a storage chamber as low as 30 to 100 Bath (depending on the size of the baggage and its weight). Storage chamber works for some reason not around the clock, and only with 04-00 am to 11-00 pm.

Thais love to frequent snacking, so at the railway station of course there are special places for this. Cafes and restaurants, including fast food, mainly located on the second floor of the station, there is a food court and shops with snacks and drinks for the road. After passing through the hall, you reach the next part of the station Hua Lamphong,  where come and go the trains. In main building of Bangkok train station, under arched roof you can find 6 of 14 platforms, the rest are located to the left of the station building on the street, under a small roof.

Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok - view to the platform

Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok – view to the platform

Buying tickets at the Hua Lamphong Station in Bangkok

As already described above, there are two types of ticket offices. Given the great popularity of the trains for the local people, it is better to buy your tickets in advance on night trains with sleeping facilities, because sometimes when buying a “today for today”  the free seats on the train may be missing. In this situation you can use to travel to the destination station wagons 3rd class. Seats in these wagons are cheap, but the comfort level is very low. Especially if the trip is long. Under current rules, the preliminary tickets for trains in Thailand can be purchased already for 60 days prior to travel.

Online schedule of Hua Lamphong Train Station

Online schedule of Hua lamphong Train Station

It is possible to buy tickets for trains in Thailand and see the schedule on the official website of the Thai railways. For the convenience of foreigners English version (toggle the checkbox in the upper part of the site on the right). To find the train you are interested enough to enter the date, the departure station and destination station (see. Screenshot above). Next on the page that opens, select a specific train with a convenient timetable for you and see the details (available seats in wagons of various classes and their cost).

Despite the fact that the train in Thailand is so popular with the locals use them for tourism purposes is not very convenient. This is due primarily to the fact that up to the most popular resorts trains are not running (I mean Samui, Phuket, Krabi, Koh Chang) due to lack of railroad there. By train you can get to Pattaya, but trains are rare, and much faster time to get on the bus directly from the airport, rather than spend time and money to travel to the train station. A night trains with seats for sleep  more expensive than bus, so this option is also not suitable for budget travelers. Perhaps that is why the most tourists visiting Thailand and its capital even is not the first time until now have not been to Hua Lampong railway station in Bangkok or visited it for informational purposes only.

Shops and thai cafe near Hua Lamphong Train Station

In the journey it is important to eat regularly. It is also very good when food costs are not too high. Therefore, below you can find information about where you can buy food for the journey, or where you can enjoy a dinner before starting your trip, near the railway station in Bangkok. 7-Eleven store: When you go out of the main entrance of the Hua Lamphong station and go left, there is a one of 7-Eleven store. Purchases in this shop is a lot cheaper than the supermarket inside the train station. I think, you must remember if you want to buy alcoholic drinks for your journey, you need make it before you go to landing to your train (alcoholic drinks are no longer sold on Thai trains). Also you can remember one of important thai law: the alcohol can only be sold by shops only between noon and 14-00 and then from 17-00 to midnight.

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The second way to buy products on a journey by train – Chicken and Rice Shops: For purchase a cheap and tasty meal, and somewhere to sit down and have a thai beer (whatever the times of day) you need go out the main entrance, turn left and cross the main road. There are few ‘chicken and rice’ shops located opposite the station with tables and chairs outside, as well as inside. You can see the menus are in Thai but usually there are three basic options: ‘Khao Man Gai’ (Hainanese chicken and rice), Khao Ka Moo (pork leg in a light gravy with rice and a stewed cabbage like vegetable), and Khao Moo Dang (pork in a sweet red sauce with rice). Approximate cost of meals – 40THB to 50 THB (per one dish) and around 100 THB for a large beer. Have a nice travel by train from Hua Lamphong train station in Bangkok!

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