Your options for getting from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi include train, bus, taxi and mini bus. Read on for more information on getting there, video of what the train is life, information on how to book train or bus tickets plus day tours, hotels in Kanchanaburi and things to do in this fascinating, peaceful, part of Thailand.
If you’d like to book a day trip or tour to Kanchanaburi from Bangkok, that is also possible. We took the Bangkok to Kanchanaburi train to spend a few days relaxing on the laid-back River Kwai, what a great train journey and what a beautiful place Kanchanaburi is. Also find out here, the only way to book transport to Kanchanaburi, online and in advance.
How to Get to Kanchanaburi From Bangkok
You have a few choices, this was the information we had, a few days ago. Things change, you need to check. There is the train, a regular minibus service, scheduled buses as well as the options of driving or taking a metered taxi.
Booking Tickets to Kanchanaburi from Bangkok
There are only 3 ways of booking train tickets in Thailand:
- Pay an agent or tout a fee.
- Go to the train station yourself
- Use 12Go Asia to book online here , tiny fee, tickets can even be delivered internationally.
We highly recommend booking your tickets through 12 Go, it’s simple, no fuss, minimal expense and reliable. They also handle bus ticket bookings and better rates than any agent will give you. We use them, we recommend them.
The Bangkok to Kanchanaburi Train
The train to Kanchanaburi goes from Thonburi Station in Bangkok, that’s not the main train station, it’s a tiny one. It’s not far from the Khao San Rd area. We paid 150 Baht from the Khao San temple to Thonburi station, you could probably find a driver who would charge you less or, ideally, use his meter. We beat this guy down from 200 and then lost the will to fight. He was the sweetest guy, he made the kids little origami flowers while we were stuck in traffic jams. Taking a river boat most of the way may be a cheaper option, the station isn’t far from the jetty. The train costs 100 Baht each. We had to pay full price for both of the children ( 6 and 9) The Bangkok to Kanchanaburi train leaves at 7.50 am or 1.55 pm.
The Train Between Bangkok and Kanchanaburi. What’s it Like?
Video from the Bangkok Kanchanaburi train and little look at Kanchanaburi itself. Check it out!
Bangkok to Kanchanaburi by Taxi
The taxi driver to the station tried to talk us into taking the taxi straight to Kanchanaburi for just over 1000 Baht. It would have been quick and only cost us about 500 Baht more, but we would have missed out on the pleasant train ride. People sometimes go from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi for the day by taxi, or private tour, they check out the sights and return to their Bangkok hotels at night. See tour options below.
Minibuses
There are a million travel agencies in the Khao San Rd area that will put you on a backpacker’s minibus to everywhere from Cambodia to Burma. The one we tried quoted us 250 Baht / person to Kanchanaburi from central Bangkok. So for a family it’s quite pricey, children pay the same price. Interestingly, the minibus from Kanchanaburi back to Bangkok, seems to only be 150 Baht, from the signs on the street here. Buses and mini buses in Thailand and all of South East Asia can also be booked through 12Go Asia here.
As always with minibuses in Thailand, shop around and compare prices, don’t take the first offer. Be aware that these drivers go very fast where they can.
What’s the Train to Kanchanaburi Like?
The Bangkok to Kanchanaburi train takes about 2.5 hours, so the journey doesn’t drag on and get tedious. Our journey took almost 3 hours, we arrived at around 5 pm, plenty of time to walk the few meters from the station to the main strip of guest houses .
How far is Kanchanaburi from Bangkok? 201KM, 125miles, as the crow flies.
Trains are a wonderful way to travel, the older the better. The passenger is compelled to do nothing, just gaze out of the window at the changing countryside. The train to Kanchanaburi stops a few times at small Bangkok stations, this doesn’t go on for long, the time between stations get longer and eventually you’re rolling through some of the prettiest rural scenery you can imagine. We saw goats, cows, water buffalo, hundreds or cranes, egrets, ducks and chickens around the rice fields. The seats are wooden, no padding, the windows are open, keep an eye on your kids! My boys thought it was great just looking out of the window. If you are hungry or thirsty vendors will keep you supplied with snacks. I can recommend the omelette rice with spicy chicken. Train food is usually good because it’s made for the locals, not the tourists. I’m not sure if there were toilets, we didn’t look. It rained hard for a while, you can pull up the windows then, the open windows give you a lovely breeze and there are ceiling fans that help a bit when you are sitting at stations
1 Day Tours from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi
Of course if you are short of time or not keen on handling all of these arrangements yourself, you can easily book a 1 day tour to Kanchanaburi from Bangkok and have everything taken care of for you. We generally use Get Your Guide for these tours, we’ve used them in several countries now. They have a best price guarantee, if you can find the tour cheaper elsewhere they refund the difference and offer all the reassurances of being a large, well respected international company. Try the following:
River Kwai and Death Railway Tour From Bangkok (here)
Kanchanaburi Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Visit From Bangkok (here)
Ethical Elephant Sanctuary and Historical Highlights Private Tour from Bangkok (here)
Private WWII Kanchanaburi Tour from Bangkok (here)
How to Find the Best Deals on Hotels, Guest Houses, Hostels, Rafts or Resorts in Kanchanaburi
We recommend checking Hotels Combined to find the absolute best price for your stay, this online booking site covers several online booking engines at once to give you the best price on your dates. Agoda are Asia specialists and they often have a bigger selection. Hotels Combined does not check Agoda, so you need to look at them separately. To get a refundable deal, a long time in advance ( some people reserve 3 or 4 hotels and confirm closer to the date) Booking.com usually works best. Another option is of course TripAdvisor you can book hotels through their site too.
Accommodation in Kanchanaburi includes guest houses, river rafts, hostels, resorts and hotels. We found prices to be good. Kanchanaburi is cheaper than Bangkok. Scroll further down for a few recommendations.
Accommodation in Kanchanaburi
For Warm Well Hostel see here. We used this hostel in 2018, the family room pictured above, and were very impressed by it. It’s new, clean, smart and spacious. It’s an easy walk from here to the riverside or the famous bridge. Alterbnatively a local Kanchanaburi motorbike taxi can drop you anywhere. These days we always book our accommodation in advance,
On arrival in Kanchanaburi by train on our first trip, we hadn’t reserved anywhere. We didn’t want to trawl up and down finding the best place at that time in the afternoon. Instead we went with the first cheap place we found, the Jolly Frog, an old Lonely Planet favourite that’s now very run down, but cheap. 2 twin rooms cost us just 200 Baht each. ( we wouldn’t recommend this place.)
Kanchanaburi was so much cheaper than Bangkok when we visited. The next day we moved to popular Sugar Cane Guest House ( click through here for current rates) for a simple, affordable raft room on the stunning river. They serve good food, we revisited in 2018 to eat and enjoy their views while staying at Warm Well ( above). Sugar Cane are in the top 20 hotels in Kanchanaburi on Trip Advisor. Their rooms are simple but the location is perfect.
For Sugar Cane 2, Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at TripAdvisor.
Not everyone wants to travel as budget as we did on this occasion, luckily there are plenty of options to suit every pocket.
Hotels in Kanchanaburi at Your Price Point
A selection of Kanchanaburi hotels, with good reviews and recommendations.
Upmarket Resort with Pool Dheva Mantra Resort #4 on Trip Advisor
Click here for prices and availability on Agoda, here for prices or to book on Hotels Combined
Mid-Price Riverside Hotel U Inchantree Kanchanaburi Hotel #3 on Trip Advisor
Click here for prices and availability on Agoda, here for prices or to book on Hotels Combined
Mid-Price Riverside Hotel Xanadu 2008 Resort #2 on Trip Advisor
Click here for prices and availability on Agoda, here for prices or to book on Hotels Combined
River Raft Hotel Tara Raft Kanchanaburi Guest House
Click here for prices and availability on Agoda, here for prices or to book on Hotels Combined
Check reviews for Tara Raft or Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say at TripAdvisor
Things To Do In and Around Kanchanaburi.
Kanchanaburi is rich in war history and well supplied with museums. You will find many natural attractions and national parks in the area, including waterfalls.
Kanchanaburi is also of note for its Neolithic history, artifacts have been found here and you can find a display at the Jeath War Museum.
The famous Bridge on the River Kwai, The Hellfire Pass and Memorial Museum, The Jeath War Museum, Don-Rak War Cemetary, Chonk-Kai Cemetary, The Bridge War Museum, Three Pagodas Pass, Erawan National Park, Ban Khao National Museum, Sri Nakarin National Park, Pong Teuk Elephants World, Sai Yok Yai, Prasat Muang Singh National Park, and Wat Dong Sak are nearby.
Alternatively, why not take a cruise on the river or enjoy a local cookery course.
The infamous Tiger Temple and Safari Parks are also near Kanchanaburi and now there is an ethical elephant rescue park, Elephants World.
Our favourite thing to do in Kanchanaburi, just relax!
Kanchanaburi is Beautiful!
The river view from The Jolly Frog guest house. Isn’t it gorgeous?
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Read more posts on Kanchanaburi here, about being Busy Doing Nothing on the River Kwai or on onward travel from Kanchanaburi to Bangkok and on to Laos.
We love Thailand’s capital and there are endless things to see and do in Bangkok, but Kanchanaburi is something entirely different, peaceful. It’s well worth the short train ride from Bangkok to spend a weekend or a few days checking out the attractions or chilling on the River Kwai. And getting to Kanchanaburi from Bangkok is half of the fun! If you’d like more information on travel in Thailand, don’t miss our main Thailand Travel Blog page, plenty of information there for singles, couples or families taking any sort of trip in Thailand.
Karen says
Hi Alyson,
I love your blog! I am planning to take my husband and 7 and 8 year old to Thailand this coming February and I’m using lots of the recommendations that you have posted. I can’t wait, we’ve never been to Asia before.
I have a question about travel to Kanchanaburi – would it be crazy to rent a car and drive there?
I very much want to go to the elephant sanctuary and stay in a raft house type place, but sadly, we don’t have a ton of time to spend, My possible plan is to rent a car at Don Muang on a Wednesday morning, drive to Kanchanburi and visit the elephant sanctuary, stay overnight in Kanchanaburi and then leave early the next morning to catch a plane to Ranong out of Don Muang. Is that crazy? It might be! Please let me know what you think. Thank you very much for your help!
Karen
Alyson Long says
Hi Karen, personally, I wouldn’t drive. Get a taxi maybe? The roads are pretty crazy around Bangkok and the death / accident rate is very high in Thailand. We prefer trains and big buses.
julie bagley says
Hi
I’m travelling to Bangkok next April with my family 2 adults and 3 kids (9,,12 and 13) would like to go to Kanchanaburi for 1 night 2 days.
The private tours seem very expensive.
I’m thinking elephant sanctuary, river Kwai, rafting, would you recommend anything else and what is the best way to get there and back
Thanks Julie
P. Chaudhuri says
A nice informative blog this!
Could you confirm that the tourist train from Hua Lampong to Nam Tok still runs on Saturdays and Sundays?
I plan to visit River Kwai and Nam Tok waterfall and Kanchanaburi as 1-day trip in December 2018.
Alyson Long says
Sorry, I can’t.
Sly says
Hi there! My husband and I are researching train rides from Bangkok to Kanchanburi. But all we’re seeing are vans and buses. The 12go website says that there’s no trains available for the dates we want to go in September. Do you have any tips on how else to book trains online?
World Travel Family Team says
That’s really odd as I’ve taken that train many times. It doesn’t go from the main Bangkok station though, it goes from a smaller one. Is the name of the station not in the posts? If not I’ll have to rack my brains.
Melissa says
Hi, will be visiting K’buri soon! Wondering if you were able to take luggage with you on the train with you~>? Thanks!!
Alyson Long for World Travel Family says
yes, no problem.
lilian says
Hi Is there a day tour in the elephant sanctuary from Kanchanaburi instead of from Bankok since were planning to stay a few days in the area anyway? Thanks
Alyson Long for World Travel Family says
Yes, of course, just click through ( same link as BKK tour) and have a look.
Alyson Long for World Travel Family says
Also Lilian, we now have a full post on Elephant World, with video. You’ll see links on this page.
EE says
Hi, im visiting bangkok next week and would like to explore kancanaburi. May i ask if i would like to visit these places Bridge on the River Kwai, Erawan National Park, Ban Khao National Museum, Wat Dong Sak, which train station i need to drop off?
Thanks
Ike says
HI,
If I travel alone to kanchanaburi using train,will it be hard to go anywhere in there for visiting many places ?or it will be better if I just take kanchanaburi tour?or is there any tour that can be booked when I already In kanchanaburi?
I’ll be in Thailand on this 24th December
Alyson Long for World Travel Family says
Probably just get a tuk tuk or taxi will be fine.
Lynette says
Hi just a quick question, do you take the train from thonburi station or thonburi railway?
karin says
Hello! thank for this blog. I wonder if its possible to take the train from Kanchanaburi direcktly to Don muang airport? or must i change train to taxi in BKK ?
Is it only 2 train depuatre /day from-and to Bkk-Kanchanaburi?
Karin from sweden.
Thank you =)
Alyson Long World Travel Family Blog says
Hi Karin, no, the train from Kanchanaburi to Bangkok and the train from Bangkok to Don Muang are totally different lines. You need to switch stations in Bangkok. Probably best to get a mini bus as they go direct to both airports from Kanchanaburi. Cheers
Pea says
Such a helpful blog. Thank you so much. I hope i could make it tomorrow to see the historical bridge and erawan national park.
rosina says
ro say
07/03/2015
we planning to go from Bangkok/bkk airport to kanchanaburri by train what is the best way to get to the train station and how far is it from the airport
alyson@worldtravelfamily says
Which airport Rosina? We got a taxi, metered of course.
AT says
Hi, thanks for this post — i love trains but was skeptical about it but this helps! Had a question – i plean to take the afternoon train to Kanchanaburi. I would like to return the same evening/night to Bangkok as i have a flight the next morning. Do you think that is a feasible plan? Arriving by the afternoon train and taking the last bus back to bkk?
alyson@worldtravelfamily says
Hi AT, I’m wondering why you’d want to do that, you’d have to practically run around seeing the river, the bridge and the museum. I guess you could, but I’d give Kanchanaburi at least a couple of days. Save it for next time maybe.
Gail says
We’re planning a Family trip to Thailand in January 2015. I’m trying to plan the details of our trip, I noticed you mentioned that you were offered a taxi ride from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi for 1000Baht…Total? or per person? Could you advise where we could arrange for such a taxi ride?
alyson@worldtravelfamily says
Total Gail. It was the taxi driver who was driving us to the station, he was trying to persuade us not to take the train. Taxis are really good value around Bangkok, particularly if they use their meters, we never used public transport. Tuk Tuks are normally more expensive unless you can bargain like a local. Just make sure you walk a little way from the main tourist areas before you flag one down and agree a price or make sure the meter is on before you set off. Prices are never per person.
Bhuban Chandra Sarmah says
I just got an interesting topic over your visit from Bangkok to Kanchanburi by train . I am planning to visit Thailand with my family within a period of three months . I stay in Guwahati ,Assam , India , from where I will be arriving Bangkok within three hours duration by Druck Airways ( Bhutan ) .
emilie says
hi!!! I really envy your passion in travelling the whole world! how do you that? I mean, perhaps quitting you day job in Australia and traveling full time with your kids! Wow!!! I dream of traveling the world too, but budget permits me to save and save and soon travel one step at a time. I wish I could do what you have managed to do, or perhaps I could be your adopted daughter. haha just kidding!!!
enjoy the world, and thanks for inspiring me!
*** ps have you been to my beloved country-Philippines? hope you had!
emilie
alyson@worldtravelfamily says
Hi Emilie, I actually quit work when my children were born, it was the husband who quit the full time grind. No, haven’t been to Philipines but it’s very high on the list for next year!
Chou says
Thanks for all the precious info, me and my girlfriend will be on the way to Kanchanaburi that Sunday ! Can’t wait to go in the train.
Jenny says
Awesome! You rock. I only traveled around Bangkok with my two and half year old. It was pretty crazy on the water taxis with him on my back. Looking forward to having more adventures with my kids just like you are doing too.
Ashleigh says
Really helpful info! People. Au also find it useful to know not all taxi drivers know where the station is… 2/3 that we asked didn’t know! So useful to find it yourself on a map first and keeping looking for another taxi driver who does know where he is going! Luckily we got up extra early and had time to search a little. Great journey eye opening! And gives you a glimpse of Thailand beyond Khao San Rd!
abhinav aggarwal says
hi…thanks a ton for the tips… i am gonna be in bangkok on the 9th of Sep….planned to head from the airport directly to Kanchanburi for the Tiger temple visit… Can you help me plan this trip? How long would the trip from the Swarnbhumi airport to the Thonburi station be? and what would it cost me in Bahts? I land at 12.30 p.m and i believe the train leaves at 1.55 p.m… would that be cutting it too short?
alyson@worldtravelfamily says
You’d be cutting it very fine, it will take you a while to get out of the airport and through immigration ( we were in a queue for almost an hour) plus maybe an hour in a taxi depending on the traffic. Traffic is a big factor. I’d stay a night in Bangkok to make it easier on yourself Abhinav, unless you’re really short of time. There is a taxi rank at the airport, you won’t have to negotiate a price, they’ll charge you accurately, so that’s something you don’t need to worry about. Did you see that a girl was mauled at the Tiger Temple last week? We haven’t been and won’t be going, so I can’t tell you anything about that. Erin over at Travel With Bender has been.
abhinav says
thanks a ton Allyson! We’re gonna spend the night in bangkok and get to the tiger temple on day 2.. Just need help with one final question.. We plan to head to suratthani directly from the tiger temple.. This is the part of the trip that i’m not sure of.. Would you know the closest train station from the temple from where we can take an overnight train to suratthani..so we spend the night of day 2 in the train.
alyson@worldtravelfamily says
I have no idea really Abhinav, we think you’re going to have to retrace your steps back to Bangkok and go from there on the train. Another option could be the backpacker minibuses that go all over the country. There are about a million travel agents in Kanchanaburi, one of them will operate a minibus service to wherever you want to go. We took the minibus back to Bangkok, it was only 3 hours, it dropped us at Khao San Rd. we got a taxi from there to the train station ( 50 Baht), but there may be a minibus service down to Surat Thani.
abhinav says
thanks Alyson for your prompt replies.. Really helpful.. Hope the family travels far and wide. Cheers!
alyson@worldtravelfamily says
Abhinav, we took the train from Bangkok to Surat Thani yesterday. I’m writing a post about it this morning, there is a scam to watch out for, which we fell for..duh!!
Suzi Hansborough says
That train ride looks pretty cool.
Kate Thomas says
Ohhh. It looks absolutely delightful. Hope you’re all chillin’.
alyson@worldtravelfamily says
It’s lovely here Kate, I have an ‘office” overlooking the River Kwai, or Kwae. It’s warm with a lovely breeze and the kids are busy playing around the houseboats, watching people fishing or collecting lotus buds and spotting fish and monitor lizards ( Boo swears he saw a crocodile). I wish we had more time to spend in Kanchanaburi but our visa won’t last forever, we need to move on to Laos. Hope you’re doing great back home. Alyson x
Sarah Robinson says
Kanchanaburi is on our list of places to go, will be taking note of where you stay!
Suzanne Fluhr (Just One Boomer) says
Love that last photo! That’s a reflection of the sun, right? Not a pot of gold.
alyson@worldtravelfamily says
I really don’t know Suzanne, something weird going on with the camera I think. Maybe fairies on The River Kwai?