Bangkok to Chiang Mai Express - 7 Days

Frequently asked questions

• What kind of experience can I expect on the Bangkok to Chiang Mai Express tour?

  This express trip is designed for those short on time but wanting to explore Northern Thailand, including Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, and Chiang Mai. It's packed with temples, palaces, and small villages, offering ease of travel by trains and buses for a memorable week in this dynamic region. The travel style is 'Classic'.

• What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?

  Accommodation includes stays in hotels (4 nights), a unique rafthouse experience (1 night), and travel on a sleeper train (1 night).

• What should I know about the accommodation quality?

  A variety of hotel and guest house styles are used, which might differ from what you are accustomed to. In some areas, we stay in simple local guest houses in beautiful locations, with small, basic rooms and potentially shared toilet and shower facilities. Please note that properties with only two stories may not have elevators.

• Are there exceptions for single room bookings?

  Yes, if you book the 'My Own Room' option, you will receive a single room for all night stops except for the rafthouse (Night 2) and the overnight sleeper train (Night 4).

• Are meals included in the tour price?

  The tour includes 5 breakfasts and 1 dinner. Generally, other meals are not included to offer flexibility in your dining choices and budgeting. Your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) can recommend excellent local restaurants, and groups often choose to dine together.

• What is the typical group size and age range for this tour?

  The tour accommodates a maximum group size of 16 people. It is suitable for individuals aged 12 to 100 years.

• What is the physical rating for this tour?

  This tour has a physical rating of 1, which means an average level of fitness and mobility is required. Travelers should be able to walk without aid, climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage at a minimum.

• Who will be leading the tour?

  The tour will be accompanied by one of our Chief Experience Officers (CEO) throughout the trip, and local guides will be utilized where specific local knowledge will enhance the experience.

• What modes of transportation are used during the tour?

  Transportation between destinations and to/from included activities primarily involves trains, private vans, and walking.

• Are there any considerations for train travel during public holidays?

  During local public holidays like New Year's or Songkran (April 13-15), train routes may have limited space. In such instances, alternative transport may be arranged for one or more of the scheduled train journeys.

• What is the local currency and how should I manage money during the trip?

  The local currency is the Thai Baht. We recommend carrying debit cards (Visa and Mastercard networks are widely accepted at ATMs) for cash withdrawals. It's also a good idea to have some USD cash for emergency situations. Traveler's cheques are generally not recommended due to exchange difficulties and fees.

• What is the customary practice for tipping?

  Tipping service providers such as waiters (around 10%) is customary. For drivers and local guides, a recommendation ranges from $1.5-$3.5 USD per person per day. Tipping your CEO at the end of the trip is appreciated, with a guideline of $20-25 USD per person per week.

• Are international flights included in this trip?

  No, international flights are generally not included in the price of your tour. However, on some combo tours travelling between two different countries, international flights are included as part of the itinerary and price of the tour. Please speak to your GCO or booking agent for further details. In addition, check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.

• Are there any health considerations I should know before travelling?

  Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that sometimes we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our CEO's are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. In Asia pharmacies tend to stock the same western drugs as you get at home but they are usually produced locally so please bring the full drug name with you when trying to purchase a prescription drug. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. Please refer to the Physical and Culture Shock ratings for trip specific information. Our tour operator reserves the right to exclude any traveler from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our CEO they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.

• Are there specific itinerary notes for entry into Thailand?

  Effective May 1, 2025, all travelers entering Thailand through air, land, or sea must complete the Thailand E-Arrival form. You must register at least 3 days before arrival. Please see Trip Details for more information.

• What are the exceptions for single room bookings or the “My Own Room” option on this tour?

  The "My Own Room" option does not apply on Night 2 (raft house) and Night 4 (overnight train) as these are shared accommodation experiences.

• Do I need to pay a departure tax?

  Departure Tax is included in all International and Domestic tickets in China, Thailand and Vietnam.

• Does the tour operator have an email newsletter I can subscribe to?

  Our adventure travel e-newsletter is full of travel news, trip information, interesting stories and contests. To avoid missing out on special offers and updates from our tour operator, subscribe at www.gadventures.com/newsletters/. Stay current on how our company invests in our global community through our foundation – Planeterra. Sign up for Planeterra's monthly news to learn more about how to give back and support the people and places we love to visit.

• How large will the group be?

  The maximum group size is 16 travelers, with an average of 12.

• How much emergency money should I bring on this trip?

  Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

• How much spending money do I need for my trip?

  Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

• How old must I be to join this trip?

  You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on our tour operator tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.

• How should I dress to respect local customs during the tour?

  In Asia the dress standard is more conservative than it is back home. When packing try to pick loose, lightweight, long clothing that will keep you cool in the usually hot and humid climate of Asian summers. In predominately Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim countries we ask that you dress respectfully and avoid very short shorts/skirts and singlets/tank-tops when visiting villages, temples or mosques or other holy sites. In Pakistan we recommend a head scarf for women while walking around.

• Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?

  We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

• Is travel insurance required for my trip?

  Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

• What activities are optional on this trip?

  In Chiang Mai, optional activities include a Half-Day Chiang Mai Cycling Tour (1500THB per person), a Street Food Walk at Chiang Mai Night Market, and a Northern Thai Cooking Class.

• What are the main highlights of this trip?

  The main highlights include exploring magnificent temples, sleeping in a floating rafthouse, seeing the multi-tiered Erawan Falls, visiting the old capital city of Ayutthaya, and learning about the sombre history of Kanchanaburi.

• What modes of transportation will we use on this trip?

  We will use trains, private vans, and walking. Please note that as the popularity of train travel in Thailand continues to grow domestically, some of the routes used on this tour do not have sufficient space during local public holidays (including New Year’s, Songkran (April 13-15), etc.). During these times, alternative transport may be arranged for one or more of the train journeys on this tour.

• What do I need to know about safety and security on my trip?

  Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewelery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it deemed necessary, due to safety concerns. Your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy and explore at your leisure. While your CEO will assist you with options available in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions. Water based activities have an element of danger and excitement built into them. We recommend only participating in water based activities when accompanied by a guide(s). We make every reasonable effort to ensure the fun and adventurous element of any water based activities (in countries with varying degrees of operating standards), have a balanced approach to safety. It is our policy not to allow our CEOs to make arrangements on your behalf for water based activities that are not accompanied by guide(s). Swimming, including snorkeling, is always at your own risk. Read more about travel safety for ways to further enhance your personal safety while traveling.

• What is Planeterra?

  Planeterra International Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to turning travel into impact by helping local communities earn an income from tourism. Planeterra connects underserved local communities to the benefits of tourism by developing and supporting small community-owned businesses. These businesses support Indigenous people, empower women, grant youth access to employment opportunities, and protect the environment. Planeterra also works to ensure these businesses have a thriving customer base by integrating their projects into our tour operator’ itineraries globally. Our tour operator is Planeterra’s largest corporate donor, covering all operating costs, so 100% of your donation will bring opportunity to people in need. Our tour operator Dollar-a-day Program - Make Every Day Count - Turn your travel into impact with Planeterra Foundation. Did you know? Most communities around the world do not benefit from tourism. Give back to the places you visit on your travels by creating opportunities for local people to earn an income, and protect the environment. Make every day count by donating $1/day for the length of your trip, and join us in empowering the communities you will visit when you travel. 100% of your donation goes directly to Planeterra projects.

• What kind of accommodation can I expect on this trip?

  A variety of styles of hotels/guest houses are used on this trip. In many instances they might not be like what you are used to back home as service and efficiency can vary. In some areas we stay in simple local guest houses in stunning locations - rooms are small and simple and there may only be shared toilet facilities and showers.

• What meals are included in this trip?

  The trip includes 5 breakfasts and 1 dinner. Our tour operator understands the importance of breakfast to start your day, and we strive to include a basic breakfast wherever possible (typically toast, coffee, and tea, though this may vary). Generally, other meals are not included to offer flexibility, but your CEO can suggest local options, and groups often eat together.

• What rules should I know before joining this trip?

  Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of people in the sex trade is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our CEOs have the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they utilize the services of paid sex workers, in any capacity.

• What should I know about currency, credit cards, and exchanging money while on this tour?

  During this tour the local currency you will use is the Thai Baht. As currency exchange rates in South East Asia do fluctuate, we ask that you refer to the following website for the most up to date daily exchange rates: www.xe.com for each of the above mentioned currencies. The best way to carry your money is in debit cards, withdrawing cash in local currencies from ATM machines. ATMs are found throughout South East Asia and will generally accept cards on the Visa and Mastercard networks. It is a great idea to travel with both a Visa and Mastercard if at all possible in case of loss or problems with one card, you will have a back up. Please note, your bank will charge a fee for overseas withdrawals. USD Cash is recommended for times when ATMs are not accessible. You should bring some cash with you for emergency situations (please refer to our trip dossier) but carrying only cash is a high safety risk. ATM card/s and some cash is the ideal mix. Travellers cheques can be tricky, timely and expensive to exchange. While we do not recommend that you bring them as your primary source of funds, it is great to have one or two cheques in case of emergency. Thomas Cook or American Express travellers' cheques in US currency are the easiest to exchange. Cash advances can also be made with some banks but are time consuming and tend to have high fees attached. Credit cards can be used at some upmarket restaurants, and at some larger stores if shopping for big items. If you are bringing US Dollars, please make sure that the notes are new and in good condition. Notes older than 2003, or with any tears or blemishes may not be accepted. Be fussy with your bank when buying cash!

• What should LGBTQ+ travellers know about safety and travel considerations on this trip?

  The safety and well-being of all of our travelers is a priority at our tour operator and that includes our travelers who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. We recognize that there are specific concerns and questions you may have about your adventure in terms of safety and security. We encourage you to visit our LGBTQ+ page for useful resources to ensure you feel safe and comfortable throughout the duration of your trip. The Equaldex tool linked on this page can be of particular help when deciding where you may want to visit next.

• What are the visas and entry requirements for my trip?

  All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. It is your own responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. Visa requirements for your trip will vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. We keep the following information up to date as far as possible, but rules do change and sometimes without warning. While we provide the following information in good faith, it is vital that you check the information yourself and understand that you are fully responsible for your own visa requirements. Visa information specific to your destination and nationality can be found in our Important Pre-Departure Information page here Thailand: Most nationalities do not need a visa for Thailand for stays of 30 days or less but if you do they are available on arrival at Bangkok Airport. If staying in Thailand for more than 30 days, you will be required to obtain a tourist visa in advance. Only 15 day tourist visas are issued when entering Thailand overland. As of May 1st 2025, all non-Thai nationals entering Thailand by air, land or sea must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online before arrival. Register within 3 days of arrival. For more information and to complete the Arrival Card, we kindly request that you visit the Thailand Immigration page. Information is accurate as of April 1st, 2025.

• When can I do my laundry on this trip?

  Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

• Who will be leading the group?

  All our group trips are accompanied by one of our Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.

• Is there a warning about purchasing gems in Bangkok?

  Please do not buy gems in Bangkok unless you know what you are doing. Even if genuine you should not expect to be able to sell them at home. If you fall victim to a gem scam, we are unable to assist you.