Getting to Chiang Mai, Bangkok -Thailand

From Bangkok, we headed to Chiang Mai. There are many options in terms of transport to get to Chiang Mai which all have their pros and cons. 

We'd read that the best way to get to Chiang Mai would be to take the sleeper train which departs 4 times a day. 

After enquiring at a travel agents, (these are based everywhere in Bangkok) we - well I - had a mini heart attack after finding out that on the 5th of December every year, Thais seriously celebrate the Kings birthday. This results in closure of local businesses and cut down in transport. So we had to abandon the idea of going by train, since the last train left at 7.30pm on the 4th. We were advised that only coach trips would be available during the bank holiday which ran till the 10th Decemeber. 

The idea of a 13hr, hot and stuffy coach journey did not appeal to us at all so we were kinda stuck in Bangkok (panic). After remembering someone mentioning something about inhouse flights, we hit jackpot. For both of us, including hold luggage and flying out the next day, (5th December) it cost us a total of 3200TB (£30 each). The flight flew from Don Muang with Air Asia and took a tenth of the time. Everything was so efficient and easy - it's definitely worth checking out if you're travelling far between places within Thailand.

Options:

Bus/coach - 12/13hrs - 990TB

Train/sleeper train - 11/12hrs - 1100TB 

Aeroplane - 1hr - 1300TB without hold luggage/ 1580TB with hold luggage

We landed in Chiang Mai around 9pm and caught a taxi to our new hostel. It took us an HOUR to find this bloody hostel. The taxi driver had no clue where it was; the map on trip advisor was wrong resulting in driving in circles around Chiang Mai. The journey should've initially taken 10 minutes...

Anyway, we finally checked in at our hostel, Trekkers Camp around 11.30pm on 5/12/13. The place was owned by a lil Thai family with a traditional but cute decor. For me, it finally felt that this was the beginning of our adventure. Our room was basic, 2 rock solid beds, a horrible paint job (lime green) and a private bathroom. At only 500TB for two nights including breakfast, (£2.50 each) we couldn't complain. 

 

Only problem with Trekkers camp was that was miles away from Chiang Mai old town. Other than that it was a sweet daint place in the middle of Thai countryside.