Bangkok to Nong Khai Train Times, Costs and Booking Info 2023

Train Times, Types & Costs

Train No	Departs	Arrives	Duration	Class	Cost
EX75	08.45	17.30	8h 45m	2nd (A/C) - 3rd (Fan)	494 THB - 251 THB
SP25	20.25	06.25	10h 30m	1st (A/C sleeper) -2nd (A/C sleeper)	1st class - Lower Berth =1,557/Upper Berth = 1,357 THB - 2nd class- Lower Berth = 998/Upper Berth = 898 THB (all A/C)
RP133	21.25	07.55	10h 00m	3rd (Fan)	213 THB

All trains depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bangkok)

EX75 (express) – 2nd & 3rd Class, Quickest, Seat, A/C or Fan
SP25 (special express) – 1st & 2nd Class, Overnight Sleeper, Berths, A/C
RP133 (rapid) – 3rd Class, Overnight, Seat Only

Booking

Booking online is available with boarding passes being sent to an email address from the agent. Tickets can also be bought at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bangkok) and other train stations which are cheaper than booking online; however, it could cost more to travel to the station and back and takes up time.

Booking Options

Book well in advance, especially if you require a sleeper berth or 1st class.

If you’re going straight to the Thai Embassy in Vientiane –the best option is the overnight train number SP25.

The 8.45 EX75 is not going to be fun without a sleeper berth (cheap and scenic, though), and the 18.35 will have you arriving too early. If you’re not going to the Embassy in Vientiane when you arrive then you can take any of the options.

Which Berth?: I always book a lower berth. There is more room and if I can’t sleep there is a window to view the goings on in the outer world of the train. Lower is also much better for those that need the toilet frequently.

Women: If you wish you can stay in a female-only train carriage (sleeper), and if booking alone, this should be the carriage that you’ll be allocated a seat in or make sure you choose a female carriage.

Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bangkok)

Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bangkok) has an entrance to Bang Sue MRT (Underground) station can be accessed from the Central Terminal which takes passengers along the MRT line, to the BTS (Skytrain) and the Airport Train Link.

Buses and taxis are also available at the central terminal.

From Don Mueang Airport

If you are nearer to Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok than the central station then you can take the same trains EX75 , SP25 and RP133, from Don Mueang Railway Station (close to the airport). The trains arrive at Don Mueang about 25 minutes after leaving Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bangkok).

— Book from Don Mueang to Nong Khai Here

The Overnight Train Journey

If you’ve not as yet taken an overnight train in Thailand, don’t worry, it’s all straightforward, and comfortable. When I first travelled here they used the older and much noisier trains, but since 2017 they have upgraded to modern trains that are much better and more comfortable.

Until the change over to the new trains, there used to be a porter who came around to order food. Now you can order snacks and microwaved meals from the restaurant. The old way was much better for me, and real meals were served rather than microwave food (it’s only a train trip – so bugger it and eat before getting on).

The train porter will do his rounds of opening up the seats and converting them into beds with clean bedding.

2nd and 3rd Class Seated Journey

If you’re up for a long seated journey that’s super cheap then go for it. 3rd class is pretty grim though, and you may arrive with serious ass ache from the seats, especially if you get lumped with the outdoor bench-type seats (done a 6-hour journey and never again, and no way to Nong Khai from BKK).

Train 75 – the 2nd class day journey is doable if you want to visit Nong Khai in a scenic manner. It is an old train, though.

Arriving at Nong Khai and getting to the Border or Town

Straight to Vientiane (Laos) – If you’re planning to enter Laos (Vientiane), as soon as you leave Nong Khai railway station, you can either take the Thanaleng train or jump in a Tuk Tuk to the friendship bridge and then a bus across the bridge to the border. (See Getting from Nong Khai to Vientiane).

To Nong Khai Town – If you’re going to Nong Khai town, you can get a Tuk Tuk from the station, which sits outside. They cost around 60 – 80 THB a person. The town is only 4 kilometres so the Tuk Tuk shouldn’t charge you too much (See Getting Around Nong Khai).