Steam Train to Ayutthaya, the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai.

Major Revision of the March 26 Trip Description (updated March 4, 2019)

The steam train trip to Ayutthaya (with optional tour there) will leave Bangkok promptly at 8:10 AM (be at the Bangkok Railway Station by 7:30 AM so you don't miss the train) on Tuesday, 26th March 2019.

The train will arrive at Ayutthaya at 10:15 AM. For the return trip, the steam train leaves Ayutthaya at 4:40 PM and arrives back at the Bangkok Railway Station, Hua Lamphong, at 6:45 PM.

COST

The steam train goes from Bangkok to Ayutthaya. Tickets are 250 Baht for just the return trip (round trip) or 1,250 Baht for the train plus a tour in Ayutthaya as well. The tour price includes breakfast box (on the train), lunch at the Chao Phaya Maruay Restaurant on the Ayutthaya riverside, and supper (on the train).

Dial 1690 (the State Railways of Thailand Call Center) to find out if tickets are still available. As of March 3, there were 67 seats available. If you call the 1690 Call Center, refer to the train as "Train #901, March 26, Bangkok to Ayutthaya" because I found that if you say just "Steam Train" without giving the train number, the agents are often confused. (The phrase "Steam Train" doesn't seem to ring a bell with them.)

BUYING YOUR TICKET

Buy your ticket at the Bangkok Railway Station, Hua Lamphong. For instructions on getting to that station, scroll down.

To be in our train car #5, ask for ticket for:

• March 26
• Train 901 (Steam Train)
• Car 5 - - - > if full, try Car 4 or Car 6 (to be near the rest of us)
• A seat near Seat 64 (Organizer Mr. Art's seat, where you check in)
• 250 baht for round trip (return trip) train ticket
• 1000 baht for Ayutthaya Tour (optional)

You will be sold a 3-part ticket:

• Bangkok to Ayutthaya - 250 baht
• Ayutthaya to Bangkok - 0 baht
• Tour - 1,000 baht

Buy your ticket SOON because the steam train tickets always sell out quickly.

OPTIONAL TOUR OF AYUTTHAYA

As mentioned above, at the main Bangkok railway station, you can buy a State Railways of Thailand (SRT) optional tour of Ayutthaya at the same time as when you buy your railway ticket. The tour ticket (1,000 baht) will be attached to your rail ticket (250 baht).

The tour is listed by State Railways of Thailand as being in Thai language but I have contacted the tour guide (whom I have used in the past for tours of this Meetup). She has excellent command of English and will be able to speak both English and Thai during the tour.

GETTING TO THE TRAIN

Take the MRT subway (it opens at 6:00 AM) to the last station, Hua Lamphong MRT Station. Use Exit 2 to enter an underground passageway that connects to the Hua Lamphong Railway Station. Check in with Organizer, Art, on Steam Train #901 to Ayutthaya. He will be Car 5, Seat 64. Train leaves at 8:10 AM.

Art, Organizer
Bangkok Travel Meetup Group