Hat Yai to Nakhon Ratchasima by train

There is no direct train. You change trains once in Bangkok and book each train as its own ticket. We found 4 good connections.

Cheapest 357 THB RP170 + RP139 · 30h 09m Fastest 20h 20m SP38 + EX71 · 20h 20m · from 537 THB Sleep on the train 1,142 THB SP38 + EX71 · 20h 20m · berth fare

⚖️ The fastest connection saves 9h 49m but costs 180 THB more than the cheapest one.

Day you leave Hat YaiThe second train's date is set for you.

Compare all connections

1st train	Change at	2nd train	Total time	Fare from	With berths
SP38 18:05	Bangkok wait 1h	EX71 10:35	20h 20m	537 THB	1,142 THB
RP170 18:20	Bangkok wait 8h 40m	RP139 19:40	30h 09m	357 THB	1,316 THB
RP170 18:20	Bangkok wait 10h 05m	SP23 21:05	31h 05m	1,071 THB	1,636 THB
RP170 18:20	Bangkok wait 12h 05m	RP141 23:05	33h 51m	357 THB	922 THB

Fares are per adult for the cheapest class we know on each train. "With berths" uses a sleeper berth on the overnight train(s). Live fares show when you book.

20h 20mfrom 537 THBFastestSleep on the trainShort change: trains can be late

Day 1 18:05 Hat Yai → Day 2 09:05 Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat)

SP38 · Special Express · 15h 30m · 🌙 overnight · from 338 THB · berth 943 THB

Book SP38
⏱ Change in Bangkok: wait 1h at Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat)
Day 2 10:35 Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) → Day 2 14:25 Nakhon Ratchasima

EX71 · Express · 3h 50m · from 199 THB

Book EX71

30h 09mfrom 357 THBCheapest

Day 1 18:20 Hat Yai → Day 2 10:50 Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat)

RP170 · Rapid · 16h 40m · 🌙 overnight · from 258 THB · berth 823 THB

Book RP170
⏱ Change in Bangkok: wait 8h 40m at Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat)
Day 2 19:40 Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) → Day 3 00:29 Nakhon Ratchasima

RP139 · Rapid · 4h 49m · 🌙 overnight · from 99 THB · berth 493 THB

Book RP139

31h 05mfrom 1,071 THB

Day 1 18:20 Hat Yai → Day 2 10:50 Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat)

RP170 · Rapid · 16h 40m · 🌙 overnight · from 258 THB · berth 823 THB

Book RP170
⏱ Change in Bangkok: wait 10h 05m at Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat)
Day 2 21:05 Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) → Day 3 01:25 Nakhon Ratchasima

SP23 · Special Express · 4h 20m · 🌙 overnight · from 813 THB · berth 813 THB

Book SP23

33h 51mfrom 357 THB

Day 1 18:20 Hat Yai → Day 2 10:50 Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat)

RP170 · Rapid · 16h 40m · 🌙 overnight · from 258 THB · berth 823 THB

Book RP170
⏱ Change in Bangkok: wait 12h 05m at Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat)
Day 2 23:05 Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) → Day 3 04:11 Nakhon Ratchasima

RP141 · Rapid · 5h 06m · 🌙 overnight · from 99 THB

Book RP141

Good to know

Each train is a separate ticket. Book the first train, then the second train for the day it leaves.
Leave at least 2–3 hours to change trains. Long-distance trains, especially from the south, often run late, and a missed connection is not refunded.
Most long-distance trains in Bangkok use Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, so you usually change in the same building.
Times and fares come from our timetable and can change. The booking page shows the live times, seats and fares.

FAQ

Is there a direct train from Hat Yai to Nakhon Ratchasima?

No. You change trains once, in Bangkok, and book each train as a separate ticket.

What is the fastest way from Hat Yai to Nakhon Ratchasima by train?

Take SP38 at 18:05, change in Bangkok and continue on EX71. The whole trip takes about 20h 20m, including 1h to change trains.

What is the cheapest train from Hat Yai to Nakhon Ratchasima?

From about 357 THB per adult in total, on RP170 and RP139 in the cheapest available class.

How much time should I leave to change trains?

At least one hour at the same station. Long-distance trains, especially from the south, are often late, so a wait of 2–3 hours is safer. If you change between Hua Lamphong and Krung Thep Aphiwat in Bangkok, allow extra time to cross the city.