Bangkok to Kanchanaburi

 

Kanchanaburi is a small town around 125 kilometers (78 miles) west of Bangkok, best known as the’ bridge over the Kwai River ‘ location made famous by the same name’s book and film. The bridge is a part of the Death Railway constructed during World War II by prisoners of war and enslaved men.

 

• Bangkok to Kanchanaburi by taxi

• Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport to Kanchanaburi 

• Bus to Kanchanaburi

• Minibus to Kanchanaburi

• Train to Kanchanaburi

• Taxi fare from Bangkok airport to Kanchanaburi

• Bangkok to Kanchanaburi day trip

• River Kwai from Bangkok

• How do I get from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi?

• How far is Kanchanaburi from Bangkok?

• Is there grab in Kanchanaburi?

 

After that theme, the town is also home to several museums and cemeteries linked to the Second World War. The best of these is the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, which provides good insight into railway building and what it would have been like to be one of the enslaved workers.

Another reason to visit and live in Kanchanaburi is to explore the surrounding Kanchanaburi province with many national parks, lakes, caves, and waterfalls, renowned for its great natural beauty.

The Erawan Falls is a highlight of the region in Erawan National Park.

There are few options to get to Kanchanaburi from Bangkok, which includes a train, bus, taxi, and minibus. Read on this article and will find out more about how to get to Kanchanaburi quickly and without hassle.

 

Bangkok to Kanchanaburi taxi

 

A taxi from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi is, of course, the most expensive but also the most versatile choice. It will possibly take around 3 hours to drive from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi.

Taxi traveling will allow you to stop and visit various places of interest along the way, before continuing your trip, provided you make it clear to the driver that he should wait.

 

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport to Kanchanaburi 

 

There are three choices on how to get to Kanchanaburi after you have arrived at Bangkok airport. You can get from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport by bus, minibus, train, and taxi to Kanchanaburi. It will take around 4 hours to travel by public transport without changes.

On average, the expense of a trip makes 3 dollars. You’ll get to your destination by taxi in 2 hours and 20 minutes, for about $100. There are only 120 kilometers to travel between Bangkok and Kanchanaburi.

The bus service in Thailand is well known, but the last bus to Kanchanaburi departs at 22.00. The train is only scheduled to run twice a day and is not convenient at all. In any case, one will have to walk to the stations for public transport. Choose a taxi if you’re traveling with heavy luggage, small children, or disabled family. Its available 24 hours a day but looks very costly compared to public transport.

 

Bus to Kanchanaburi

 

Buses depart from Southern Bus Terminal / Sai Tai Mai and Terminal / Mo Chit Northern Bus Terminal. Travel time is three to four hours. The price of a ticket is determined by the class of buses and the place of departure. 1st class bus (with air conditioning) costs around $3, and 2nd class bus (without air conditioning) — $2.5.

Be careful: Bus routes separate all ticket offices at Southern Bus Terminal. Three of those offices sell Kanchanaburi bus tickets. Officials at the train station help you understand precisely where the tickets are being sold.

 

Minibus to Kanchanaburi

 

From Northern Bus Terminal / Mo Chit, Southern Bus Terminal / Sai Tai Kao, Southern Bus Terminal / Sai Tai Mai, and from unofficial bus stops in Bangkok: from Khao San Road to Victory Monument. Travel time is three hours. A trip’s cost makes 4.5$.

Each minibus has approximately ten seats. If you find the departure time significant, it is better to buy tickets in advance.

 

Train to Kanchanaburi

 

Two trains depart daily from Kanchanaburi to Bangkok. The cost of a ride is approximately $3. The trip will take 3 hours but bear in mind that Thailand’s 1-hour delays are not a rare thing.

One may travel along the infamous Death Railway on the same train. This is the portion going from Kanchanaburi to the Nam Tok line terminal station. It will take two more hours to get off from Kanchanaburi.

 

Taxi to Kanchanaburi

 

Since the distance between Bangkok and Kanchanaburi is low, finding a car isn’t a problem. The only downside compared to public transport is a high price. It starts at $100. Moreover, for this amount, you’ll get in 2 hours 20 minutes from the airport right to your destination without any adjustments.

 

Taxi fare from Bangkok airport to Kanchanaburi

 

It will cost about 1,200 to 1,500 baht if you take a metered taxi from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi. But if you don’t take a meter of the taxi then the rates will be lower. Nonetheless, the price varies from one supplier to another to get only $235 from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Kanchanaburi.

 

Bangkok to Kanchanaburi day trip

 

Kanchanaburi tours

 

A day trip to Kanchanaburi with an experienced English-speaking guide will help you gain insight into Kanchanaburi’s historical attractions.

On arrival, you’ll take a walk along the Burma Railway (Death Railway) lines, enjoy round trip transportation from Bangkok, and take advantage of assured tour departure regardless of group size.

You should prepare to go out to Kanchanaburi, a historic city just a few hours from Bangkok. Commemorate the memories of prisoners of war as you stroll along the lines of the Burma Railway, also called the “Death Railway.”

Take in the breathtaking view of the Kwai River. Cross the Kwai River Bridge, a historic site of World War II.

Gain a deeper insight into the history of the war in Thailand at the JEATH War Museum. Browse through the galleries with paintings, sketches, portraits, and maps by former inmates.

Finish your trip by focusing on Phra Pathom Chedi, Thailand’s tallest pagoda. Until returning to Bangkok, stroll through the vibrant Phra Pathom Chedi night market and try tasty street bites.

Embark on an interesting journey with an official tour to Kanchanaburi.

 

Kanchanaburi attractions and the Top places to visit in Kanchanaburi

 

River Kwai from Bangkok

 

Find a range of tours from Bangkok to River Kwai, Kanchanaburi that cover interesting places such as the Kwai River Bridge, Wooden Viaduct, Hellfire Crossing, Tiger Temple, Elephant Camp War Museum and Cemetery, and so on. Imagine riding through the Wooden Viaduct on the Death Railway Train.

Tours with fun activities such as elephant trekking and bamboo rafting, elephant riding, and swimming, and much more can also be found. Kanchanaburi lies approximately 128 km west of Bangkok.

The distance from Bangkok to the Kwai Bridge River is 112 km. The distance from the road is 127.6 Km. There’s something wrong with taking a bus to see Death Railway and Bridge on the Kwai River.

 

 

Taking the train from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi and the bridge on the River Kwai using the Death Railway itself is more fitting-and far more enjoyable.

Two trains a day leave Bangkok Thonburi station equally referred to as Bangkok Noi located the west side of the river in Bangkok, to Kanchanaburi.

It is next to River Kwai Bridge station (on the bridge side of Bangkok a few minutes after Kanchanaburi), cross the bridge itself, and run alongside the scenic Kwae River over the Wampo Viaduct to Nam Tok.

The price is just about 100 baht (£ 2 or $3). There’s no reservation needed; they can’t sell out, only turn up, buy a ticket and get on any time before they leave.

The trains are only 3rd class, but don’t let this put you off as they’re clean and comfortable.

There is no buffet car, but vendors walk up and down the train selling soft drinks and fruit and snacks pre-packed.

Pomelo’s slices are good, not too sweet and not too sour. There is also a tourist day excursion train at the weekends.

 

Bridge over river kwai tour

 

You’ve possibly heard of The Bridge on the Kwai River if you’re a history and movie buff.

The classic war movie shows the’ Death Railway ‘ building, one of the Pacific War’s most infamous incidents during the Second World War. And you’ll visit the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery and the railway bridge on this day trip from Bangkok-by car, boat, and rail.

Kanchanaburi is just over two hours ‘ drive west of Bangkok, and upon arrival at the Thailand–Burma Railway Centre, you’ll dive straight into history.

This museum demonstrates the Death Railway’s horrors and overlooks a broad green that is the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.

You’ll cross the road after the tour and pay respects to the almost 7,000 Allied soldiers–including many British–who is lying here.

Next, you will be carried by a longtail boat along the Mae Klong River to see the new bridge over the Kwai River–the original was blown up. You’ll board a train after lunch in a nearby restaurant, and cross the river along the original railway.

The famous River Kwai Bridge is a part of the collective historical memory of the nation. The site of the deaths of many POWs during World War II, it is now the location of the JEATH War Museum and is located near the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.

The bridge which spans the Kwai River in Kanchanaburi is part of the infamous Burma Railway, a rail link between Bangkok and Myanmar constructed during the Second World War Japanese occupation of Thailand.

The Allied prisoners of war designed the railway, and in the process, more than 10,000 died of hunger, overwork, and horrible living conditions.

During the building, more than 90,000 local forced laborers died. The bridge is still a working rail link, and trains regularly travel to and from Bangkok on their journey.

Take a train across the bridge and get to visit the adjacent war museum, which explores the atrocities; take a guided tour of the area to get a closer look at the history of the bridge.

 

How do I get from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi?

 

Kanchanaburi is a famous town in West Thailand and a part of Kanchanaburi Province, situated at the junction of two rivers named Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai. The town has decades of interesting history and iconic landmarks heavily displayed. You can get to this town through multiple options.

The first option is by train, particularly when you happen to be in Bangkok. Various trains depart from Bangkok’s Thonburi Train Station and arrive at Kanchanaburi.

The second option, which is taking a bus or minivan, is more up to the budget. Several buses fly to Kanchanaburi from many locations across the country, including Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Nong Khai, Hua Hin, and much more. Unfortunately, there is no easy transport to Kanchanaburi by plane or boat. Unfortunately, transportation to this destination by boat and plane cannot be used directly.

 

How much is a taxi from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi?

 

The taxi drivers to the station are friendly and will talk about taking you with their taxi straight to Kanchanaburi for just over 1000 Baht. If you prefer a quick ride, it will only cost about 500 Baht or so, which is more than four train tickets.

 

How do I get from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi by train?

 

Although not the easiest way to fly from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi, many tourists can tell you the best way to get there is the train journey. Fly relatively comfortably while watching the stunning scenery pass you by as the suburbs of Bangkok disappear behind you, making way for the Kanchanaburi province’s lush green countryside.

There are two trains a day which leaves at 07:50 and 13:55. The train ride to Kanchanaburi is scheduled to take around 2.5 hours, but due to the usual delays often take to 3 hours.

There are also two trains going the other way a day, leaving from Kanchanaburi to Bangkok at 07:19 and 14:48.

The trains do cross the Kwai River, but the bridge is about 3 kilometers (nearly 2 miles) further along the Kanchanaburi railway line, so you’ll need to get an extra ticket outside Kanchanaburi to experience traveling over the bridge by train itself.

But in Bangkok, you can buy a ticket to take you all the way, so there is no need to get off the train. The Death Railway terminus is on the train at Nam Tok, which is another 80 kilometers (50 miles) away.

The trains from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi do not come from the main train station in Bangkok but go from the tiny Thonburi station, which can be a bit tricky to get to.

Starting at Khao San Bridge, your best option is to go to the Phra Arthit pier, get on the boat for the passenger river, and link to the Thonburi Railway pier by cross-river ferry. It is then a short walk to the station or a minibus ride from the pier.

Taking the train is inexpensive, reasonably comfortable, and you can see lots of scenery outside Bangkok once. We suggest this as one of the best ways to get to Kanchanaburi from Bangkok, but there are also other choices to consider.

 

 

How far is Kanchanaburi from Bangkok?

 

The distance between Bangkok and Kanchanaburi is 107 km, while by road, the distance is 120.4 km.

 

Is there grab in Kanchanaburi?

 

Yes, of the easiest way of getting there is by Grab or taxi for about THB 100 (around USD 3.12).

 

Do not miss Erawan National Park!

 

Erawan National Park official page