Hua Lamphong Station

Hua Lamphong Railway Station

Bangkok is physically the heart of Thailand, therefore the focal point of railway network is its Bangkok Railway Station, located in centre of capital. Unofficially known as Hua Lamphong Station, a name used by both foreign travellers and locals, the station is within walking distance of Chinatown, near the bank of Chao Phraya River. It is easily reached by taxi, tuk-tuk or subway; the homonymous MRT station is exactly opposite and is connected to the railway station. The taxi stands are to the left of the departure platforms. Beside and in front of the station there are the stops of Bangkok City Buses, BMT, which allow cheap and convenient transportation from all areas of capital. Hua Lamphong is the starting point over 130 trains that cross the country, and serves approximately 60,000 passengers each day. The station is also the terminus of Eastern and Oriental Express luxury trains. The station was completed in 1916. It was designed by an Italian architect, and it is a beautiful example of design of first 1900s style. The huge station is perpetually crowded with 16 departure platforms, a big hall with 26 ticket counters, an Advance Booking Office and two electric display boards. Station's services include travel agencies, a Left Luggage desk, a Mail Boxes Office, ATMs, a Tourist Office, a Tourist Police Box as well as several toilets with showers. In the large hall there are plenty of dining choices including coffee shops, restaurants, a cafeteria, fast-food shops and platform vendors. Directly at station you can buy any tickets for your train journey. Tickets for trains leaving the same or next day can be bought directly at one of 26 ticket counters. To book a ticket for the following days you must contact the Advance Booking Office located on the far right of main entrance. Inside office, take a numbered ticket from the machine and wait for your number to appear on the monitor. There is a train plan posted, so you can select your own seat or berth when you buy a ticket. You can pay by cash or by credit card. To find availability in first and second class booking in advance is highly recommended, a few days for the seats and as soon as possible for bunks and sleeping cabin. In the central station it's also possible to buy a special tickets in form of passport to travel by train along all the railways in Thailand, it costs from 1500 to 3000 THB, depending on the class.