Experiences of trains Southeast Asia

Published September 4, 2010 | By islandofthailand

We had heard of Thailand in the comfort of train travel, we decided that an attempt to give him, traveling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. The alternative to this long journey into night was a private cabin in the first class or behind the scenes "in a second-class compartment. We have chosen the second class less.

We got on the train and found our compartment. Sit face on padded seats, we asked, how could they be converted into sleeping face.As the cold air out of the place, we rely on pants and shirts with long sleeves immediately.

As the train station, a man came to us to serve refreshments – so far so good! After the departure of the crew members appeared in the corridors, the men were in their uniform caps, checking tickets and deals with security and "things" and their brushes with the cleaning staff came at regular intervals. Service was excellent in vain: meals, coffee,Soft drinks, beer, etc., were on sale. There was also a dining car. We went to wait and see, but not in hot car full of smoke – there was no air conditioning.

About eight clock was the supervisor of machine for making beds. With eyes wide open, we saw how our two seats have been converted into a bed and a bunk, which was fixed to the wall above the bed to make folded. For the entire sector has been transformed into a dormitory to ensure privacy, curtains can be drawn.Our traveling companions were divided their time in various ways, one of them was a laptop, work behind the curtain a monaco meditates, backpackers have been exchanging messages … The subject had closed for the night and into the corridor, the parking attendant nodded, half asleep. We slept well on klickediklickedi-clack of the track with our knitted hats. The train arrived in Chiang Mai for a few hours late, but that did nothing, we made it.

On the way back to Bangkok, we decidedtry a walk-in closet in first class. In the evening, making the car attendant on the beds, down and up. We spent a quiet night, fortunately, our closest neighbors were quiet people – but we had to miss the atmosphere of the second class.

Next we have a day train from Bangkok to Hua Hin. The train was full, but we did get seats together. At the intermediate supplier lost in the train sell all kinds of snacks and food portions.Tickets for trains day can only be purchased on the day of departure. This means serpent, but as we know everyone has their cards, and there is room for everyone.

Some time ago we traveled to Thailand a night train from Hat Yai, south of Kuala Lumpur. Tickets for the first section of Hat Yai to the Malaysian border, Hat Yai, we bought the station, and tickets from the border to Kuala Lumpur on the Internet – easy to handle, it is not. The borderStation in Johor Bahru, we had to go through what should the passport and customs controls and expect to go by train to Kuala Lumpur.

For this part of the trip we had booked a private cabin, sleep well the night before our long flight home a few days. We brought our luggage into the cabin and saw the dusty carpet, has taken the allergy medicine, just to be safe. But something was moving on the ground, head of the bed on the ceiling.Cockroaches, big and small. t-can 'be true! Must have a clean cabin. The train began to move and we stood in the hallway waiting for the conductor. -Do not worry, be well, eat small worms, said the conductor laughed when we told our discovery horrible. I still remember his smile and his board sparkling white teeth … We do not have a second car. He entered the dining car to eat a bite and a sip of lukewarm tea, all the timeRegret that we are not a bottle of Sam Song, a traveler for excellence has led the nightcap. The Malayan Railways, which are not, of course, does not drink alcohol, not beer … The evening was long and the night even more.

It 'easy to travel by train from Singapore to Malaysia. On the other hand, if you only want to cross the border, a bus is cheaper.

If you really like trains and want to do some sightseeing easy, you can book a place on the Eastern andOriental Express, running between Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. Luxury … and for the budget traveler can only form of glossy brochures.

From the capital of Laos, Vientiane (from the Thai side of the border, to be exact) is a well functioning rail link to Bangkok. Laos has a rail system, but not the traffic flow well.

The main line railway runs near the Vietnamese coast between Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Hanoi. The Journeytakes between two cities c 30 hours plus any delays. Night trains are air-conditioned soft sleepers () and hard sleepers, with cabins for four and six. There are separate stalls for men and women and not put thresholds. Our tickets for the night train was cheap and the price includes a bottle of water and lunch.

There was no dining car, but a waiter, the sale of beer and soft drinks. The car and carriages were clean and safeThanks to many employees. They moved in the corridors of the currency and severe look, and noticed that western tourists were cautioned to meet their needs.

The locals took tea in their cabins, but I have the hot heads of department. We had a good sleep on the train Vietnamese night – with all our clothes under a thick blanket, no warm caps were necessary. At dawn we were awakened by beautiful Vietnamese music and the smell of breakfast.

AUseful tip on rail travel in Vietnam tickets checked when you go to the waiting room or on the platform where the train sometimes modified to a "leave Traveler's Card" upon arrival, if the platform is gone, but. To take good care of your ticket.

In Southeast Asia, trains, especially those with air conditioning that are cold and there is a strong project. So wear a knitted hat, scarf and warm clothing and keep it handy.

Moving from one place toPlace in the air is simple and fast, no one can deny it, but train travel is often cheaper and more fun. We believe it is definitely the choice of real travelers.