Kanchanaburi
Mountains, rice fields, temples, and the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. Welcome to Kanchanaburi, a province full of nature, culture, and a heavy history.
Must-do’s in Kanchanaburi
– Visit the waterfalls
– Observe elephants at the Somboon Legacy Foundation
– Visit the Tiger Cave Temple
– Explore war monuments
– Take a train ride
Everything you need to know before going to Kanchanaburi.
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How big is Kanchanaburi?
Kanchanaburi is a province in central Thailand with an area of 19,483.2 km² and a population of about 800,000. It is the third-largest province in Thailand.
The capital city of the province is also called Kanchanaburi, with a population of around 53,000.
The city is located about 130 kilometers from Bangkok and is easily accessible by train, minivan, or car.
What is the best time to visit?
The best time to visit Kanchanaburi is between November and March. The rainy season ends around November, and the hot season begins in March, with temperatures sometimes exceeding 40°C.
What about public transport in Kanchanaburi?
In Kanchanaburi city, there are various public transport options to reach some of the highlights.
For example, there are buses that go to Erawan, the stunning waterfalls 70 kilometers away. You can find more information about the bus from Kanchanaburi to Erawan on this site.
There is also a train route through Kanchanaburi known as the Death Railway. This train stops not far from the Hellfire Pass, a monument related to this railway. For this, you can take the train to the last station, Nam Tok. The train departs from the Thonburi station in Bangkok. More information about the train can be found here.
Although there are buses and trains, you’ll find they don’t run very frequently. So, private transport or taxis are the best option.
The most common taxis are songthaews and motorbike taxis with sidecars. Songthaews are shared taxis with two benches that can seat about 8 people. You’ll also see more motorbike taxis with sidecars in Kanchanaburi, which are perfect for shorter distances. They will quickly take you to your destination.
Be sure to agree on the price with the taxi drivers in advance.
Where can you rent a scooter or car?
You have the most freedom to explore Kanchanaburi province with a scooter or car.
Renting a scooter (motorbike)
You can rent a scooter on almost every street corner or through your hotel. However, keep in mind that if you don’t have a motorbike license, you won’t be covered by insurance. The scooters in Thailand are not like the ones we are used to; they are actual motorbikes, and you need a motorcycle license for them. When renting, never hand over your passport, and be aware that you are usually responsible for any damage.
Renting a car
Another option is renting a car. The roads in Kanchanaburi are quiet and in good condition. The city itself is not too busy either.
There are no international car rental companies in Kanchanaburi. If you want to drive with comprehensive insurance, you’ll need to pick up the car in Bangkok. With Sunnycars, you are 100% covered, and no extra charges apply if you have damage or are involved in an accident.
If you rent from a local car rental company, the insurance coverage will be less comprehensive, so keep this in mind. When we rented our car, we were required to pay up to 5,000 baht for any accidents or damage. Always rent from companies with good reviews and take photos of the vehicle with the owner before you leave.
We had a great experience with Kanchanaburi Rental Cars. You don’t have to leave your passport with them, and you can rent a car with a deposit of about 3,000 baht. The car cost us 900 baht per day for a 3-day rental. For one day, it would cost 1,200 baht. We got our full deposit back after three days of driving fun.
Where to stay in Kanchanaburi?
The most convenient place to stay is in or near the city of Kanchanaburi. This is the most central point for all excursions.
The advantage of staying in the city is that you can still visit a café or restaurant in the evening. It gets dark quite early in Thailand, and while an idyllic jungle hotel sounds nice, there’s often not much to do in the evenings, and public transport is far from optimal. So unless you have your own car for the entire stay, it’s generally more convenient to stay in the city.
Two great hotels in nice locations in Kanchanaburi city are Good Times Resort and The RiverKwai Bridge Resort.
Prefer to be in nature, in an oasis of peace? Then you should definitely check out The Float House River Kwai, where you can stay in luxurious floating bungalows. A unique experience!
How many days do you need in Kanchanaburi?
Most tourists stay for three to four nights in Kanchanaburi. Personally, we would recommend at least 4 nights. This gives you enough time to see the main highlights of the province without feeling rushed. However, if you have more time, you can definitely spend much longer here. It’s almost impossible to visit all the highlights on this page in just 3 days.
Day tours to Kanchanaburi are also organized from Bangkok. However, we think the Kanchanaburi region is too beautiful to visit in just one day. If longer stays don’t fit your schedule, but you still want to visit the stunning Erawan waterfalls, a day tour from Bangkok can cover the waterfalls and a train ride in one day.
Waterfall Beauty at Erawan.
The Erawan waterfalls are often called the most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand, and we completely understand why. Located just 67 kilometers from Kanchanaburi, you can find this stunning National Park.
The Erawan waterfalls consist of seven levels, each with its own waterfall. The total walk is 1.5 kilometers. Sounds easy? It can be quite a climb to the top, so good shoes and plenty of water are essential. If you have water shoes, they’ll come in handy since you can swim in many of the waterfall pools, though there are quite a few stones. In some areas, you’ll be accompanied by fish eager to nibble on your feet.
The entrance fee is 300 baht (free for Thai nationals), and the park opens at 8 AM.
Elephant observation at Somboon Legacy Foundation
Meet Malee, a 60-year-old beauty with a past as a logger. Now in retirement, she enjoys the rest of her life surrounded by nature and the care of the Somboon Legacy Foundation.
Unlike many other ‘sanctuaries’, Malee doesn’t have to endure stressful interactions with tourists. She’s not washed by groups of visitors, nor does she receive food from strangers. Somboon is a hands-off sanctuary, genuinely committed to animal welfare. You can read more about elephant-friendly sanctuaries in Thailand here.
The good news is, you can visit this beautiful place. From a respectful distance, you can observe Malee and her elephant friends. Even though Malee spent her life in captivity, she’s still a wild animal. We keep our distance, but watching and appreciating these magnificent creatures is highly encouraged!
Tiger Cave Temple: Wat Tham Suea
Wat Tham Suea is the Tiger Cave Temple in Kanchanaburi—don’t confuse it with the one in Krabi.
This temple houses the largest Buddha statue in the region and primarily attracts local tourists who come to pay their respects to the statue.
Entry is free. You can either climb the 157 steps to the top or take the train. The train costs 20 baht per person and takes just a few minutes to reach the top.
It can get really hot in Kanchanaburi, so you might want to save your energy and opt for the train. Once at the top, you can explore one of the towers. You can also walk all the way up to enjoy panoramic views of the entire complex and the surrounding rice fields. From this vantage point, you’ll see the impressive golden Buddha statue—18 meters high and 10 meters wide—without needing a drone.
Kanchanaburi Tip
Meena café
The Meena Café has a high Instagram-worthy factor, with photogenic spots like a charming pier between the rice fields and chill lounge chairs with fans. You can enjoy delicious smoothies, coffee, soda, tea, and cakes. The prices are very affordable, ranging from 70 to 110 baht (the most expensive drink is under €3).
And did we mention that the café has a stunning view of the Wat Tham Sua temple complex?
War cemetery
The war cemetery is the final resting place of 7,000 Allied prisoners of war. These prisoners were forced by the Japanese to build the Burma Railway under appalling working conditions.
The war cemetery in Kanchanaburi is a place to remember this dark chapter of history.
Accommodation Tip
Good Times Resort
Good Times Resort is one of the best hotels in Kanchanaburi. It features a beautiful garden, two lovely pools, and a great view over the river.
The restaurant offers delicious smoothies, the best breakfast of our entire Thailand trip, and excellent dinners at very reasonable prices.
Good Times Resort was one of our more luxurious stays, although certainly not the most expensive. In the resort, you can fully relax, while just one street away, you’ll find plenty of cozy cafes and restaurants. Yes, we’re fans!
The Bridge over the River Kwai
A total of 15,000 prisoners of war died while constructing the Burma Railway, which is why it’s known today as the “Death Railway.” Among them were British, Dutch, Australian, and American soldiers. Additionally, another 100,000 Thai and Indonesian civilians perished during the construction.
This Death Railway still exists, stretching between the Bridge over the River Kwai and the Nam Tok station. The bridge became famous due to the film The Bridge over the River Kwai, and has since carried that name. Although the filmmakers made a mistake, as the bridge actually crosses the Mae Klong River, not the Kwai. But that’s beside the point.
The bridge is a major attraction. You can walk across it, and when the train arrives, you need to stand in one of the alcoves so the train can pass. It’s also a popular spot for the perfect Instagram photo.
Huai Mae Khamin waterfalls
Huai Mae Khamin is less famous than the Erawan waterfalls, but we don’t quite understand why. Because these waterfalls are also breathtaking, perhaps even as beautiful as Erawan. Huai Mae Khamin is part of the Sri Nakarin Dam National Park.
The national park is about 100 kilometers from the city of Kanchanaburi. The trail is 2 kilometers long, and these waterfalls also have 7 different levels, each with its own waterfall.
The entrance fee is 300 baht, and the park opens at 6 AM.
If you still have time after visiting the waterfalls, then National Park Sai Yok is definitely worth a visit.
Kanchanaburi Tip
Motorbike taxi with sidecar
Tuktuks and songthaews are very popular in Thailand, but have you ever ridden in a motorbike taxi with a sidecar?
You see them everywhere in Kanchanaburi, and it’s a fun experience to ride around in one!
Wat Thaworn Wararam
Wat Thaworn Wararam is a Chinese temple with Vietnamese and Thai influences. Or is it entirely Vietnamese? We’re not entirely sure, but it is beautiful and unique.
It’s a pleasant place to walk around, and like most temples in Thailand, the complex consists of several buildings.
Travel tip
The train from or to Bangkok
When we arrived at BKK airport in Bangkok, we took a private taxi to Kanchanaburi. It wasn’t a very exciting journey, as we mostly saw highways. It took 2.5 hours and cost 2,600 baht.
On the way back, we decided to take the train. It was a 3-hour, beautiful trip that only cost 100 baht per person. The train passes through lovely landscapes, villages, and rice fields. Time flies as you look out the window!
The train departs from Thonburi Station in Bangkok twice a day, at 7:50 AM and 1:55 PM. From Kanchanaburi, the train leaves at 7:19 AM and 2:48 PM to Bangkok.
You can buy tickets at the train station right before departure.
JJ Night Market Kanchanaburi
This night market is the perfect place to find tasty, cheap local dishes. The market is divided into two sections: one selling clothing and accessories, and the other offering food.
JJ Night Market Kanchanaburi is open every day from 5:00 PM to around 10:00 PM.
#2 Krabi
Kanchanaburi was our first destination in Thailand. Will you continue the journey with us to the south, to the province of Krabi?
In Krabi, we stayed in Ao Nang and on Railay Peninsula. And wow, it’s stunning there.
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