How to Spend Two Days in Kanchanaburi: Itinerary and Tips

Kanchanaburi, less than three hours away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, is a great place for those looking to be amidst nature, exploring unique temples, and learning more about the construction of the Death Railway. In this guide, we’ll provide you with practical information to plan your time in Kanchanaburi: how to get there, how to get around, the most popular things to do, travel tips, and our personal experiences.

Recommended reading: One-Month Thailand Itinerary

First Time in Southeast Asia? Read our ultimate guide to prepare a trip to Southeast Asia with essential and useful tips: How to Plan a Trip to Southeast Asia: Ultimate Guide with 21 Essential Tips.

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Exploring Kanchanaburi: What You Need to Know

Here’s all the practical information we included in this Kanchanaburi travel guide:

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What is Kanchanaburi Famous For?

Kanchanaburi is best known for the Erawan National Park and the iconic Bridge over the River Kwai.

Within Erawan National Park, the highlight is the 7-tiered Erawan Waterfalls, know for their turquoise waters (if you’re lucky). There’s a 2-km hike that takes you through each level of the waterfalls.

The Bridge over the River Kwai holds historical significance as part of the Thailand to Burma (Myanmar) railway, also known as the Death Railway. Constructed during World War II, this railway was predominantly built by prisoners of war, with forced labor under harsh conditions leading to the tragic deaths of more than 100,000 Asian laborers and Allied prisoners, hence the name given to the railway. This place became very famous after the movie “The Bridge on the River Kwai”.

Besides these two landmarks, there are other war-related places of interest, such as the Hellfire Pass and the JEATH War Museum. Additionally, you can also explore colorful and beautiful Buddhist Temples that offer panoramic views of the River Kwai and the surrounding landscapes.

How Many Days in Kanchanaburi?

We spent two full days in Kanchanaburi. However, if it were today, we might have extended our stay to three or four days to cover all the main attractions. I believe two full days are enough to explore the Erawan Falls on one day and visit some of the most popular temples and the River Kwai Bridge on the other.

If you’re interested in adding other attractions like Hellfire Pass, the Death Railway, and others, I would recommend planning for at least a three-day stay.

Alternatively, Kanchanaburi can also be visited as as a day trip on organized tours from Bangkok. It might feel a bit rushed, but is as a great option if you’re short on time.

How to Get to Kanchanaburi?

The most popular options to get to Kanchanaburi from Bangkok are train or minivan.

Getting to Kanchanaburi by Train from Bangkok

The option that I recommend is the train. The journey is very scenic and if you don’t mind travelling on an old noisy train without AC, it’s totally worth it. I really loved it. It takes around two and a half hours and departs from Bangkok Thonburi Station.

Going to Bangkok Thonburi Station is not the easiest of the places, but it’s also not overly difficult. You can get the ferry to Thonburi Railway Station Pier and then walk about 10 minutes to the station.

Another option, is to get to the Bang Khun Non metro station and then walk 10 minutes to Thonburi Station.

Instead of going to Thonburi Station, you can hop on the train at the Jaran Sanitwong stop. In this case, just get on the train and tell the staff where you want to go. He will collect the money and give you a receipt in place of the ticket.

At the time we went, there were only two trains departing from Thonburi Station to Kanchanaburi: at 07:50 and 13:55 (you can check more details here) (the last stop is Nakhon Pathom). Please check the timetable in advance before planning. This journey is part of the Death Railway and the price of the ticket is always 100 baht per person no matter where you leave.

Related article: Bangkok Ultimate Travel Guide for First-Timers

Getting to Kanchanaburi by Minivan

Another option is going to Kanchanaburi by minivan. The journey takes around three hours. There are different schedules and minivans departing from different locations: near Khao San road, Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal, and Mochit New Van Terminal. You can buy your tickets at 12GoAsia and choose the time and departure location that’s more convenient.

Getting Back to Bangkok from Kanchanaburi

To get back to Bangkok from Kanchanaburi you can either use the train or the minivan.

To get back to Bangkok by train, you buy the train ticket at the Kanchanaburi station at the day of your departure. It costs 100 baht per person. At the time, there were only two trains, departing at 07:19 and 14:48.

There are more schedule options for the minivan, almost every hour. You can either end your journey at Bangkok’s Southern Bus Station or Bangkok’s Northern Bus Station depending on the company. Find all the options and buy your tickets in advance at websites like 12GoAsia.

Where to Stay in Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi City is a small place. If you’re backpacking, like we were doing, I recommend staying near the train station, or near the River Kwai bridge.

We stayed at the Siam Guesthouse, which was just a 5-minute walk from the train station. The place was simple, but super clean and with a nice vibe and the owners were super nice. They even prepared breakfast for us at 6 in the morning, without us even asking at the day of our departure. I really recommend that place.

If you’re looking for something more fancy, this lodge-style resort seems to be an incredible option right by the river with luxury rooms with view. Here are some suggestions of other great places to stay:

How to Get Around Kanchanaburi

To get around Kanchanaburi we used Grab to go to the main temples and other nearby sites. You can hire a private driver to take you to several highlights on the same day. That’s what we did. For you to have an idea, we paid 500 baht to go from the Bridge on the River Kwai to Wat Ban Tham, Wat Tham Suea, the Giant Monkey Pod Tree, and then to the JJ Night Market. Don’t forget, always negotiate the price.

Alternatively, you can also rent a motorbike if you want to have more freedom and if you’re an experienced driver. The traffic is not chaotic.

If you’re staying near the train station, like we did, some places of interest are within walking distance.

To go to the Erawan Waterfalls, we used the public bus. It only costed 60 baht each way. It is a bit far away to go by motorbike, but if you’re used to drive long distances, that should be OK.

Exploring Kanchanaburi on a Tour

If you’re short on time, but you would like to visit the Erawan Falls and the Bridge over the River Kwai, two of the most popular attractions of Kanchanaburi, there are several tours that include those two places on day tours from Bangkok.

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11 Things to Do in Kanchanaburi

Besides the famous Erawan Waterfalls, and the Bridge over the River Kwai, there are plenty of interesting sites to keep you busy for at least three or four full days. Here’s a list with 11 things to do during your stay in Kanchanaburi.

1. Explore the Erawan Waterfalls

Kanchanaburi is a popular place to visit thanks to its proximity to the Erawan National Park. The National Park is famous for its seven-tiered waterfall on a lush tropical forest. The waterfalls are easily accessible from Kanchanaburi by public bus (approximately one hour and a half). You absolutely cannot miss this place.

We went to Kanchanaburi mainly to see the Erawan Waterfalls. Initially, I was unsure about the decision, but I’m really glad we went there. It turned out to be an amazing experience. We not only enjoyed the waterfalls but also explored other interesting places in Kanchanaburi.

The Erawan Falls are located on the Erawan National Park that is approximately 65km away. There is a public bus that departes from Kanchanaburi bus station to the National Park. There are several buses available throughout the day. The bus also stops along the way to collect other tourists. So, make sure you ask your host if he can go with you to the nearest pick up point, because the places are not signed.

The first bus starts at 8AM from Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal, and the last return bus is at 4:30PM. The bus departs exactly on time. On our way back to Kanchanaburi, the bus even left two minutes earlier. I’m sure someone was left behind.

The entrance to the National Park is 300 baht per person. Make sure you have money with you to pay your entrance. The bus leaves you right at the entrance of the National Park. You just have to walk a few meters to arrive at the first waterfall.

There are seven waterfalls spread across different levels along a 2-km trail in the tropical forest. It took us about two hours to hike all the way up to level seven, taking it slow with plenty of stops for pictures. The hike is not too challenging, but the last part might be a bit slippery. I recommend wearing sneakers instead of flip-flops.

If the weather conditions are good and if the water current is safe, you can swim on the waterfalls. But, it is mandatory to wear a life jacket and you need to pay to rent it (but it’s just a small fee).

When we visited, the current was very strong, so swimming was not possible. Also, due to the rain in the previous days, the waterfalls had a brownish color instead of the usual turquoise blue that you often see in pictures. Either way, I’m glad we went there even if we didn’t get to see the turquoise water.

Many people give up the hike around the 4th or 5th level, but I highly recommend making it to the top. The 7th level is truly amazing and one of our favorites (it’s even better when the water is strong).

We created a quick video showing how beautiful this place is.

2. Bridge on the River Kwai

The Bridge over the River Kwai is part of the Thailand to Burma (Myanmar) railway also know as the Death Railway. This was build during the World War II by the Japanese army to supply their army in Burma and India via a safe land route rather than via sea.

Forced labor was used in this construction and due to the very poor working conditions, more than 100,000 Asian workers and Allied prisoners of war died during this construction.

Next to the bridge, there is a small market selling drinks, clothes and souvenirs, and another market selling jewelry and gem stones. This is a great place to buy souvenirs, I bought some beaded bracelets for just 20 baht each.

3. Death Railway Museum

The Death Railway Museum is located right next to Kanchanaburi train station and is a great place if you want to learn more about the construction of the railway that connects Thailand to Burma and the living conditions of the prisoners of war during WWII. We recommend coming to this museum before going to the Bridge on the River Kwai.

4. Have Dinner at Kanchanaburi JJ Night Market

The Kanchanaburi Night Market was among the best we’ve visited. It’s not overly large, but not too small either. All the food options looked delicious, and the ones we tried were very good. Plus, it was very affordable. Apart from food, there’s also clothes and other items.

5. Wat Ban Tham Temple

Wat Ban Tham wasn’t part of our plans, but our Grab driver recommended it, and we’re glad we followed his advice. The Wat Ban Tham temple is known for its colorful stairs that will take you through the mouth of a dragon, it’s quite of a unique site.

After climbing the dragon’s stairs, there are more steps and a somewhat hilly terrain that will take you to the top of a hill. At the top you’ll find a golden pagoda, and you can have some panoramic views of the river and surrounded fields.

At the time of our visit, it was extremely hot and humid, which made climbing to the top a bit challenging and slightly uncomfortable. My boyfriend sweated so much that he had to buy a new shirt from the souvenir shops. He was completely soaked.

6. Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple)

Wat Tham Suea, also known as Tiger Cave Temple (not to be confused with the Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi), is a large and breathtaking temple complex. It stands out for its enormous golden Buddha, which happens to be the largest Buddha image in Kanchanaburi. You can spot it from a distance, as it measures 18 meters in height and 10 meters in width.

Another thing that stands out is the Ketkaew Prasar Chedi, where visitors can pay their respects to holy relics and enjoy stunning panoramic views of the river and the lush rice fields nearby.

This temple complex is truly amazing, and it’s quite different from the ones we visited in Bangkok. My pictures don’t fully capture the impressiveness of the place.

7. Panoramic Views at MEENA Cafe

The MEENA Cafe offers great panoramic views of Wat Tham Suea. It’s a great place for pictures and you can truly appreciate the majesty of that beautiful temple complex. Unfortunately, at the time of our visit, the cafe was closed. So, make sure you check the schedule before going.

8. Giant Monkey Pod Tree

The Giant Monkey Pod Tree is a huge tree and it seems to be a popular attraction in Kanchanaburi. I didn’t know about it, but it was suggested by our Grab driver and it was quite close to Wat Tham Suea.

The tree is over 100 years old and the diameter of the tree is around 51.75 meters, which is quite impressive. It’s a great place for pictures, but if you’re short on time, you can probably skip it.

9. Krasae Cave and The Death Railway

The Krasae Cave served as a refuge for Allied prisoners during the railway construction. It is right next to the most famous section of the Death Railway, the Tham Krasae Railway Bridge, and the Tham Krasae Train Station.

You can get there on an organized tour, Grab, or you can take a Death Railway train from the River Kwai Bridge through the rough terrain where the railway was built. It will take a little more than one hour. Make sure you check the train times before going because the last time I checked, there were only two trains per day in each direction.

10. Hellfire Pass Interpretative Centre

The Hellfire Pass was the most challenging section of the Thailand to Burma railway line, where prisoners of war had to split apart rocks amidst a dense jungle.

The Hellfire Pass Interpretative Centre is a museum where you can learn more about the construction of the Death Railway, and it is also a memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives during its construction. It is now possible to trek through this part of the cutted rocks, that is a segment of the former railway track.

11. Sai Yok Yai Waterfall

The Sai Yo Yai waterfall is a famous waterfall among locals, not far from the Nam Tok train station. It is not far from the Hellfire Pass, so it can be worth adding to your itinerary, but I don’t think it will be worth going there on purpose.

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Kanchanaburi 2-Day Itinerary

Here’s the itinerary we recommend if you only have two full days in Kanchanaburi, like we did.

• Day 1 in Kanchanaburi:
  • Erawan National Park
  • JJ Night Market
• Day 2 in Kanchanaburi:
  • Death Railway Museum
  • Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
  • Bridge over the River Kwai
  • JEATH War Museum
  • Wat Ban Tham
  • Wat Tham Suea
  • MEENA Cafe
  • Giant Monkey Pod Tree

Day 1 in Kanchanaburi: Erawan Falls

Hop on the bus to Erawan Waterfalls early in the morning. Spend the day exploring the seven levels of the falls and enjoy a swim if you’re lucky with the weather. This will take up most of your morning and practically the entire afternoon.

In the evening, head to the Kanchanaburi night market and try local foods and sweets like butter bread and crispy pancakes.

Day 2 in Kanchanaburi: Bridge over the River Kwai and Temple Hopping

To get around on this second day, you can do a combination of walking and Grab, or rent a motorbike.

Start the day by going to the Death Railway Museum and learn more about the impact of World War II on Kanchanaburi and the construction of the Death Railway. After the museum, head to the War Cemetery located just across the road.

With a better understanding of the area’s history, explore the surroundings of the Bridge over the River Kwai and see the passing of the train. Take time to visit the nearby jewelry market and grab some affordable souvenirs. I got some beaded bracelets for just 20 baht.

In the afternoon, hire a Grab driver to take you to nearby temples. I suggest Wat Ban Tham, Wat Tham Suea, the MEENA cafe, and the Giant Monkey Pod Tree.

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Kanchanaburi 3-Day Itinerary

If you have three days in Kanchanaburi, we suggest following the itinerary we recommended for the first two days and adding an extra day to explore the Krasae Cave, the Hellfire Pass, and the Sai Yok Yai waterfall.

• Day 1 in Kanchanaburi:
  • Erawan National Park
  • JJ Night Market
• Day 2 in Kanchanaburi:
  • Death Railway Museum
  • Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
  • Bridge over the River Kwai
  • JEATH War Museum
  • Wat Ban Tham
  • Wat Tham Suea
  • MEENA Cafe
  • Giant Monkey Pod Tree
• Day 3 in Kanchanaburi:
  • Krasae Cave and The Death Railway
  • Hellfire Pass Interpretative Centre
  • Sai Yok Yai waterfall

Day 3 in Kanchanaburi: Krasae Cave and HellFire Pass Interpretative Centre

On your third day in Kanchanaburi, we recommend hiring a Grab driver, going on a tour, or renting a motorbike. Please note that these places are a bit far from the center of Kanchanaburi, which might be challenging on a motorbike.

Start your day by visiting Krasae Cave and walking on the most popular station of the railway, the Tham Krasae Railway Bridge. You can come here and go back by train, but that will leave you without time to explore the Hellfire Pass.

After that, learn more about the construction of the most challenging part of the railway, the Hellfire Pass, at the Hellfire Pass Interpretative Centre.

If you have time, go take a look at the Sai Yok Yai waterfall to finish your day.

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Wrapping Up

While traveling through Thailand, make sure you spend at least two days in Kanchanaburi and explore the Erawan National Park to see the seven levels of the Erawan Falls. Kanchanaburi is also a great place to learn more about the construction of the Death Railway during WWII, a railway connecting Thailand to Myanmar.

We had a great time in Kanchanaburi, and it was a breath of fresh air after visiting the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. It was exactly what we needed.

We hope this Kanchanaburi travel guide helps you plan your time in Kanchanaburi and your Thailand itinerary.

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