2. Chiang Mai by Train

The train ride from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Station to Chiang Mai station can take anywhere from 12 to 15 hours, so choosing a comfortable seat is a must. Don't let the distance feel daunting – this is one of Thailand's most picturesque train rides. On the way, you'll ride past historic Ayutthaya, golden temples on top of hills, lots of tropical jungle, and small traditional villages.

Sleeper trains are your best bet, and if you pick a first-class ticket in a two-person or four-person sleeper carriage, you'll get AC, a stewardess, and a train with a restaurant car. Lower bunks are always more expensive, as they're slightly bigger. The trains going to Chiang Mai also allow you to book the entire two-person compartment all for yourself by charging you the equivalent of 1.5 tickets. Anything marked as a second-class sleeper train is usually fans only–this saves you a little money, but you have to decide if the savings is worth the long, hot journey.

For those on a budget, there are two cheaper options: The first one is a daytime 2nd Class seats-only (no beds) air-conditioned train. Although relatively comfortable and clean, traveling for 15 hours in a sitting position is not ideal. The extreme budget option is a third-class train with no beds, no AC, and wooden benches as seats. Third-class tickets cannot be reserved in advance and are only available on the day of the journey. These trains are hot, crowded, and not really comfortable, but the tickets are cheap, and you won't find a more authentic Thai experience than this.

No matter what train you choose, you'll get beautiful views of rice paddies and rainforest, plus snapshots of life in rural Thailand, along the way. Once you arrive in Chiang Mai, you will find tuk-tuk and moto taxis waiting right outside the railway station to take you to your hotel.