How to Buy Tickets for the Royal Blossom Trip to Hua Hin in September
Tickets go on sale on Monday 3rd September 2024 for eight trips during September.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is inviting the public to join a special day trip on the "ROYAL BLOSSOM" train between Bangkok and Hua Hin. The service will run every Saturday and Sunday throughout September 2024, with a total of eight trips available on September 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, and 29.
The ROYAL BLOSSOM train will depart from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Station at 6:45 AM and arrive at Hua Hin Station at 10:30 AM. Passengers will have the opportunity to explore the historical Hua Hin Station, including the iconic Royal Waiting Room. The itinerary also includes lunch at "Khrua Ban Khru," a seaside restaurant in Hua Hin, and a visit to the traditional Khomapastr fabric shop.
In the afternoon, the trip continues with an ecological tour at Pranburi Forest Park, featuring a mangrove nature walk and scenic views at Khao Tao Reservoir. The day concludes with shopping at the Cicada and Tamarind Markets before the train departs Hua Hin at 5:53 PM, arriving back at Hua Lamphong Station at 9:55 PM.
Tickets for the ROYAL BLOSSOM service will be available from September 2, 2024, starting at 8:30 AM. Passengers can choose between the Passenger Car at 1,799 baht per person or the Group Car, which accommodates 4–6 people, at 15,999 baht per room. The fare includes train and bus transportation, insurance, entry fees to attractions, and meals. Tickets can be purchased at any train station nationwide or through the SRT's D-Ticket online system. For more information, customers can contact the SRT's customer service center at 1690, available 24/7.
MY BEST ADVICE:
The Royal Blossom trips to Kanchanburi in August sold out within seconds. I only got two tickets because I made the decision to go to the station to buy the tickets instead of trying online. Tickets go on sale there at the same time at 8:30 AM but if you go early, the ticket seller will enter your details first (name, passport number and sex) and then exactly at 8:30 AM he will select your seats.
If you buy online, you will have to enter your information yourself at 8:30 AM and then click next to select your seats. Sometimes by that time all the seats are sold out. (But if you see that, keep trying. When someone selects a seat it is marked as “not available”. But if that person doesn’t pay within a certain time, it is released for other people to buy.)
I have a feeling that the tickets for the Hua Hin trip will sell out slower. This is because they are putting eight trips on sale at the same time. I think most people will try and get tickets for the first trip on 7th September. That is a mistake. Try for a trip later in the month and I believe you will have better luck.
Comparing the Kiha and Royal Blossom Trains
The State Railway of Thailand now offers two prestigious tourist trains, both former Japanese trains that have been refurbished: the white Kiha183 and the very red Royal Blossom. I've taken about seven trips on the Kiha and two on the Royal Blossom. Today, I'll give you a quick review, highlighting the pros and cons of each train.
Price Comparison
Let’s start with the price, which remains consistent regardless of the destination. The Kiha train costs 1,499 baht, while the Royal Blossom is 1,799 baht. Both fares include a round-trip train ride, all meals, and a guided tour at the destination. However, the Royal Blossom is 300 baht more expensive.
Is the Royal Blossom Worth the Extra Money?
So, is the extra 300 baht worth it? Honestly, the experience is quite similar on both trains. The main difference is the interior. I suspect the higher price for the Royal Blossom might be due to the higher refurbishment costs. Someone even joked that the cost of the coffee machine might be covered by that extra 300 baht per passenger!
Seating and Interior Differences
The seating and interiors of the two trains are very different. The Royal Blossom definitely has the “wow” factor when you first step onboard. However, I find the Kiha more practical and comfortable.
Both trains have a 2 + 2 seating configuration, but here’s where they diverge. On the Kiha, all seats face the direction of travel and can be swung around when the train changes direction. The seats also recline, and there’s a sturdy fold-down table on the back of the seat in front of you, where meals are served. Legroom is also great.
On the Royal Blossom, the seats are arranged in groups of four around a table. This setup is great for a family of four, but less ideal if you’re travelling as a couple or alone, as you’ll be facing strangers. The seats are also narrower, which can be uncomfortable if you’re seated next to another large person. Legroom is tight, especially if you’re sitting opposite someone with long legs.
Table Design Issues
The table design on the Royal Blossom seemed like a good idea at first. It’s wide, with foldable strips on each side for easier access. However, it wasn’t as practical as it looked. I was in the aisle seat, and my friend was by the window. As a left-hander, I found it difficult to eat without my elbow bumping into him. Additionally, the metal table leg was positioned awkwardly, restricting my leg movement.
Reclining and Power Outlets
On the Kiha, the seats not only rotate to face the direction of travel but also recline. Unfortunately, the Royal Blossom seats don’t recline. However, a plus point for the Royal Blossom is the availability of power outlets under the table, which can be used for USB or USB-C cables. The downside is that they’re hard to access, and there’s a risk of dislodging the cables whenever you move your legs.
Additional Seating Options
The Royal Blossom has three passenger carriages with 48 seats in the standard configuration. At one end of each carriage, there are four additional “barber chair” seats for single passengers. On the seating plan, these seats are VIP 1-4. These seats face the window, have long tables, and can recline and swivel to face the direction of travel. I found these seats to be far more comfortable, and they cost the same as the regular seats.
At the other end of each carriage is a free seating zone with a long table against the window and four wooden chairs. Initially, I thought these chairs wouldn’t be comfortable, but people seemed to enjoy sitting there. In fact, the passengers sitting opposite us spent most of their time in this area.
The Observation Car
My favorite part of the Royal Blossom, which the Kiha doesn’t have, is the observation car with large windows on both sides. It also has a coffee bar serving hot and cold drinks, and this is where I spent most of my time. There was no pressure to keep buying drinks, which was nice. The tables are fixed, but the chairs can be moved around. The only downside is the lack of power outlets.
On our outbound trip to Kanchanaburi, we had unobstructed views from the back windows. On the return journey, we were up against the locomotive, but it didn’t matter much since the large side windows still offered great views. One thing I liked about the Royal Blossom is that, because of the coffee bar, people were moving around and socializing more. On the Kiha train, people mostly kept to themselves.
Based on my experiences, I’m inclined to believe that the Kiha train offers a better and more comfortable journey compared to the Royal Blossom. While the Royal Blossom boasts a striking interior and the added bonus of an observation car, the Kiha’s practical seating arrangements, more comfortable seats, and overall user-friendly design make it a superior choice for most travelers. The extra cost for the Royal Blossom doesn’t seem justified when the core travel experience is so similar. For a more enjoyable and relaxed trip, the Kiha train is the better option.
Having said that, if I can get one of the VIP “barber chairs” I will try and go on the Hua Hin trip!
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That’s all for now. Don’t forget you can ask questions in my Asian Train Guide Facebook group about train travel in Southeast Asia. See you next time.
Richard Barrow