Major city · Thailand
Kanchanaburiกาญจนบุรี
Give Kanchanaburi 2 nights: one for the Death Railway history, one for Erawan Falls. A rushed day trip from Bangkok sees the bridge and nothing else.
Kanchanaburi sits where the Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai rivers meet, about 3 h from Bangkok by road. It is the base for the Bridge over the River Kwai, the WWII cemeteries and museums, and the waterfalls and caves of the upper Kwai valley. Two nights covers the history and one full day out at Erawan or Hellfire Pass; one night only works if you skip the falls.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- THB
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Mar–May (hot and hazy), Sep–Oct (wettest)
- Airports
- BKK · DMK
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kanchanaburi191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kanchanaburi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Thai baht (THB, ฿).Thailand-wide
- SIM or eSIMAIS and TrueMove H sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport registration is required.Thailand-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Thailand-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Leave ฿20–100 (≈ US$1–4) or the coins; skip it if a 10% service charge is on the bill.Thailand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/O. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Thailand-wide
- SafetyKanchanaburi is calm and low-crime; the real risks are the bridge walkway, river currents, heat on the falls trail and unlicensed tour touts.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in malls and hotels; squat toilets with a water bucket in rural stops.Thailand-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 1669 ambulance and rescue · 1155 tourist police (english) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany Bangkok street-food vendors stay off the main roads on Mondays (street-cleaning day in several districts)…Thailand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBKK Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok) (No flights to Kanchanaburi; bus or train from Bangkok, or a private transfer of about 3 h).
- Getting aroundThe town is stretched along one road, so walking the whole thing is a slog.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee฿40–80 (≈ US$2–3)
- Street or quick mealNoodle soup or rice dish฿50–120 (≈ US$2–4)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a shop฿70–120 (≈ US$3–4)฿35–60 (≈ US$2)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week฿250–600 (≈ US$8–19)
- Museum or sight ticketThailand-Burma Railway Centre entrycheck฿160 (≈ US$5)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person฿300 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room฿1,500 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room฿4,000 (≈ US$130)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ฿900 (≈ US$30) · Mid ฿1,800 (≈ US$60) · High ฿4,000 (≈ US$130)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BKK Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok) (No flights to Kanchanaburi; bus or train from Bangkok, or a private transfer of about 3 h) · DMK Don Mueang (Bangkok) (Same: reach Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal or Thonburi station first)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Feb
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Mar
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Apr
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
May
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)), coolest Jan (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C) low), wettest Sep (19 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kanchanaburi: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1 rd
Feb
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Mar
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
Apr
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
6 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
19 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is stretched along one road, so walking the whole thing is a slog. Orange and yellow songthaews run up and down Saeng Chuto Road for a flat ฿10 and connect the bus station, train station and bridge. Motorbike taxis and tuk-tuks negotiate; bicycles rent for about ฿50 a day and motorbikes for ฿150–200. For Erawan or Hellfire Pass, a tour, a rented car with driver or the morning train to Nam Tok is the practical option.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Erawan Falls (Erawan National Park)
goDoor to door: About 2 h each way
Bus or minibus from the Kanchanaburi bus station, about 1.5 h; songthaew from the park gate to the trailhead
Seven tiers; go early, wear shoes with grip, and expect the top tiers to close mid-afternoon.
Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum
goDoor to door: 2.5–3 h each way
Morning train to Nam Tok, then a local taxi to the memorial; return by bus or afternoon train
A full day. The walking descent through Konyu Cutting is the point; bring water.
Sai Yok Noi Falls and Sai Yok National Park
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Train to Nam Tok or a rented car along Hwy 323
Sai Yok Noi is roadside and easy; the park's caves and hot springs need a car or a tour.
Sangkhlaburi
overnightDoor to door: 3.5–4 h
Air-con minibus from Kanchanaburi, about 3.5 h
Too far for a return day; sleep there and see the Mon bridge.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Mae Nam Kwae Road (riverside)
Guesthouses, raft houses and the bar strip; walkable to the war cemetery and museum.
Saeng Chuto Road
The main north–south road linking bus station, train station and the bridge; songthaews run the length for ฿10.
Near the Bridge (north end)
Quieter riverside stays within walking distance of the bridge and its small station.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ฿800–1,400 (≈ US$25–45) excl. bed
- Mid
- ฿1,400–2,800 (≈ US$45–90) excl. bed
- High
- ฿2,800 (≈ US$90)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × ฿1,500 | ฿3,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ฿1,800 | ฿7,200 |
| Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal → Kanchanaburi, one way2 × ฿110 · check | ฿220 |
| Bicycle rental, one day2 × ฿50 · check | ฿100 |
| Erawan National Park entry2 × ฿300 · check; foreigner rate | ฿600 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ฿300 | ฿600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ฿1,172 |
| Trip total≈ ฿3,223 per person per day, bed included | ฿12,892≈ US$400 |
2026 estimate in baht; Bangkok transport excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ฿40–80 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Noodle soup or rice dish | ฿50–120 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a shop | ฿70–120 (≈ US$3–4) / ฿35–60 (≈ US$2) |
| Songthaew in town | ฿10 (≈ under US$1) |
| Bicycle / motorbike rental, one day | ฿50 (≈ US$2) / ฿150–200 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Thailand-Burma Railway Centre entrycheck | ฿160 (≈ US$5) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ฿250–600 (≈ US$8–19) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The bridge walkway has gaps in the guardrails and is shared with trains: step onto the side platforms when a train comes.
- Elephant rides and tiger attractions in the area have a poor welfare record; decide before you pay.
- Erawan Falls closes its upper tiers in the late afternoon and the park can shut on some public holidays: check before you go.
- Songthaew and tuk-tuk prices are negotiable outside the flat ฿10 (≈ under US$1) town route: agree the fare first.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance and rescue
- 1669
- Tourist police (English)
- 1155
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Kanchanaburiกาญจนบุรี
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ไปที่ที่อยู่นี้To this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Ambulance and rescue1669
- Tourist police (English)1155
Embassy
No embassies in Kanchanaburi; most are in Bangkok. The Tourist Authority of Thailand office on Saeng Chuto Road, just south of the bus terminal, has a free map of the town and province (check hours).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal → Kanchanaburi: about ฿110 (≈ US$4), about 2 h (check)
- Thonburi → Kanchanaburi by train: about ฿100 (≈ US$4) for foreigners, about 2.5 h (check)
- Songthaew in town: ฿10 (≈ under US$1) flat
- Private transfer Bangkok → Kanchanaburi: ฿3,000–3,500 (≈ US$95–110) (check)
Say or show
- สวัสดี — Hello (sawatdee)
- ขอบคุณ — Thank you (khop khun)
- เท่าไหร่ — How much is it? (tao rai)
- ห้องน้ำอยู่ไหน — Where is the toilet? (hong nam yu nai)
- จ่ายบัตรได้ไหม — Can I pay by card? (jai bat dai mai)
- ไม่เผ็ด — Not spicy, please (mai phet)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kanchanaburi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid Mar–May (hot and hazy), Sep–Oct (wettest) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for Bangkok arrivals: last bus from Southern Bus Terminal, train times from Thonburi, and a private-transfer fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: the bridge and WWII museum, the war cemetery and Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, Mae Nam Kwae Road, and the bus and train stations.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, JEATH War Museum, Erawan Falls, Hellfire Pass) and eat pages with last orders.
- Wet-season and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.