Aphiwat Train Station

[ThaiHard 114]

For the first time I will be arriving in Bangkok by train, to Aphiwat Central (Bang Sue). All good so far, they even give me a bed to arrive on.

I do wonder about my return journey, however (or, rather, the return journey to the station itself). The train leaves at 8pm on a Friday!

I was going to organise either a late check out or book an extra day on Soi 6, in order to keep up the fun until the last hour or two. However, as I do not travel light, I will need to get to the train station by taxi. Does anyone know what I should expect regarding traffic at this time? Would it be better to reluctantly check out earlier in the day to avoid the rush hour altogether (and store my heavy suitcase at the train station etc.)?

Any advice would be genuinely appreciated. Many thanks.

[ethanhunt 229]

If you plan to travel from Pattaya to Aphiwat Central you'll have to traverse through BKK city traffic quite a bit.

At around 17:00-1800 hrs in the evening can expect some serious congestion, specially if it's a weekday. 

[ThaiHard 114]

1 minute ago, ethanhunt said:

If you plan to travel from Pattaya to Aphiwat Central you'll have to traverse through BKK city traffic quite a bit.

At around 17:00-1800 hrs in the evening can expect some serious congestion, specially if it's a weekday. 

Thanks for your reply.

Sorry, my post was not clear. I am staying on Soi 6 in Bangkok (Nana area) and will need to travel to Aphiwat from there to catch the train back up north at the end of my stay. I was wondering how much of a nightmare the traffic will be on a Friday evening between these two locations (the general Nana area and Aphiwat station). I am not familiar with Bangkok - my assumption is that it will be a nightmare and I will probably need to get a taxi in the afternoon and hang around the station, but I am aware assumptions are often wrong, especially mine!

[sydney69er 1,914]

1 hour ago, ThaiHard said:

Aphiwat Central (Bang Sue)

Aphiwat Central (Bang Sue Grand Station) is so confusing! Biggest train station in South East Asia running at under 5% capacity. It is located 10Km from Khao San Road, a bit further from Sukhumvit.

I had a 7am  train leaving there. I left my hotel in Soi 11 at 6am and the cheapest taxi I could get was fixed 400 Baht for a 20 minute taxi ride ( I asked a few) - maybe 30 - 40 minutes in peak hour. (i don't have Grab etc).

I have also caught the underground MRT from Sukhumvit Station to Bang Sue (first name they gave the station)  Aphiwat Central (the revised name 12 months later). The trip took maybe 40 minutes door to door and cost a few dollars if that.

[ethanhunt 229]

2 hours ago, ThaiHard said:

Thanks for your reply.

Sorry, my post was not clear. I am staying on Soi 6 in Bangkok (Nana area) and will need to travel to Aphiwat from there to catch the train back up north at the end of my stay. I was wondering how much of a nightmare the traffic will be on a Friday evening between these two locations (the general Nana area and Aphiwat station). I am not familiar with Bangkok - my assumption is that it will be a nightmare and I will probably need to get a taxi in the afternoon and hang around the station, but I am aware assumptions are often wrong, especially mine!

In that case, you (taxi) can avail the tollway just off Sukhumvit. Probably will cost you a bit more on the tolls but get you there with time enough to spare. 

[maipenrai55 286]

7 hours ago, ThaiHard said:

Thanks for your reply.

Sorry, my post was not clear. I am staying on Soi 6 in Bangkok (Nana area) and will need to travel to Aphiwat from there to catch the train back up north at the end of my stay. I was wondering how much of a nightmare the traffic will be on a Friday evening between these two locations (the general Nana area and Aphiwat station). I am not familiar with Bangkok - my assumption is that it will be a nightmare and I will probably need to get a taxi in the afternoon and hang around the station, but I am aware assumptions are often wrong, especially mine!

Yes and be advised soi 6 gets jammed in the afternoons making a left turn on to Sukhumvit. 100 meters could take you 45 minutes at least on a Friday 

Id recommend traversing the little sub soi that leads to Soi 8 and catching your ride rather than at your soi 6 hotel

[ThaiHard 114]

Thanks for the replies. Not the best planning on my part, though my hands were tied a little bit by commitments here. Perhaps I'll book a hotel next to the station on the Friday and check in with a LT early afternoon. That way I can both have fun until the last minute and a chilled end to the trip. Not the cheapest idea for a 5 hour stay, but possibly the least hassled.

Thanks again, I appreciate the advice.

[Jairockz 337]

20 hours ago, ThaiHard said:

Thanks for your reply.

Sorry, my post was not clear. I am staying on Soi 6 in Bangkok (Nana area) and will need to travel to Aphiwat from there to catch the train back up north at the end of my stay. I was wondering how much of a nightmare the traffic will be on a Friday evening between these two locations (the general Nana area and Aphiwat station). I am not familiar with Bangkok - my assumption is that it will be a nightmare and I will probably need to get a taxi in the afternoon and hang around the station, but I am aware assumptions are often wrong, especially mine!

You just jump on BTS at Nana and change lines at Mo Chit. Really simple … 

[ThaiHard 114]

4 hours ago, Jairockz said:

You just jump on BTS at Nana and change lines at Mo Chit. Really simple … 

Appreciate your reply, but as stated in my OP I'm not travelling light so a taxi is unfortunately unavoidable! It's not the biggest of problems anyway - the real problem was my eagerness to book my trip asap and subsequent failure to think through the days/times!