How To Visit Hellfire Pass & Death Railway, Thailand Guide
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Are you searching for how to visit Hellfire Pass on Thailand’s Burma-Thai Railway, otherwise known as the infamous Death Railway? You’re gonna love this post; I’ve packed it full of useful advice, tips, maps and personal insights.
As part of our 6-week trip to Thailand, Jack and I visited Konyu Cutting, aka Hellfire Pass, at the Interpretive Museum, just outside Kanchanaburi. In truth, we knew very little about what happened in Asia during the Second World War, so we didn’t know what to expect.
Our visit to the notorious Death Railway was an educational and eye-opening experience for us both. We spent days learning about the horrific events that happened there, visiting the museums, memorials, Hellfire Pass, and even the walking trail along the original railway.
Understand Everything You Need To Know To Visit Hellfire Pass And The Death Railway!
In this post, I’m sharing our experience visiting the Death Railway and Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre. I’m also covering topics including:
- A run-through of everything you need to know to have a successful and enjoyable visit, including travel, how much time you’ll need, what to pack and where to stay.
- Information on the history of the railway, the memorial, and why Konyu Cutting was given its name: Hellfire Pass.
- Finally, if you want to understand what to expect fully, I’ve included a quick summary of our experience along the full Hellfire Pass walking trail, part of the original Burma-Thai Railway.
Are you planning a trip soon? Here are useful links to begin planning!
Accommodations – I recommend Booking.com
Flights – I recommend Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – I recommend SafetyWing
Tours/experiences – I recommend Get Your Guide
Car rental – I recommend DiscoverCars
These are all the sites I personally use to book my trips, and if you use them, some of them will earn me a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps reduce the ever-increasing costs of keeping my site up. Thanks!
About The Death Railway And Hellfire Pass
The Death Railway is a 400km stretch of track which was built for the Japanese using forced labour during the Second World War under some of the most horrific conditions known to man.
The construction of the railway shows the best and worst of humanity, from barbaric torture to stories of brotherhood and the unwavering human spirit.
Why Is It Called Hellfire Pass?
Konyu Cutting, which is known as Hellfire Pass, was a specific section of the track where conditions were at their worst. The tasks at hand were more perilous than anywhere else, and being one of the most physically demanding parts of the construction, many men lost their lives.
⭐ Hellfire Pass is named so due to the emaciated men who worked on the cutting during the night. They only had flickering torches for light, imitating a scene from hell.
Is Hellfire Pass Worth Visiting?
A visit to the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre provides important information regarding its construction and history. It’s possible to walk a section of the railway and see first-hand the challenge that faced thousands of Prisoners Of War (POW).
In truth, we hadn’t planned to visit Hellfire Pass but remained in Kanchanaburi, visiting sights such as the River Kwai Bridge, the War Cemetery, and the museums.
However, after a little research, we decided to head to the pass for the morning, thinking we would go to Erawan Waterfall afterwards. In reality, we spent the whole day at Hellfire Pass, taking advantage of all the information in the museum, the viewing platform, and the 3-kilometre walking trail along the original Death Railway!
🌟 Who will enjoy Hellfire Pass Interceptive Centre? If you enjoy history and learning about WW2, Hellfire Pass is certainly worth visiting. Even for myself, who isn’t that into war history, I found the day to be memorable.
Visiting Hellfire Pass On A Day Trip
This guide is aimed towards those of you who are spending a few nights in Kanchanaburi and plan to visit Hellfire Pass independently. However, if you’d rather visit Hellfire Pass on a tour, there are numerous day trips available.
Most combine other activities, such as a visit to Erawan Waterfall and the River Kwai Bridge, and generally leave from Bangkok. However, you can also find ones departing from Kanchanaburi.
🌟 My top pick >> Three of the top sites are included in this private day trip from Bangkok. Join a local guide and go on a train ride as you visit the Death Railway, Hellfire Pass and Erawan Waterfall.
- From Bangkok: Hellfire Pass and the River Kwai Bridge are part of this private tour from Bangkok. Join a professional guide who will share his local insights with you. Also included is a visit to the War Cemetery and Museum.
- From Kanchanaburi: The perfect private tour to Erawan Waterfalls and Hellfire Pass if you’re already in Kanchanaburi.
- From Bangkok: Customise your own Kanchanaburi tour from Bangkok so you can see the places you want to visit at your own time and pace.
⭐ Pro tip: A good day tour should include a transfer from Bangkok to Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre with additional stops in Kanchanaburi, such as the War Cemetery, the museum and the River Kwai Bridge. A lunch and all entry fees should be included, too. Also, consider this 3-Day River Kwai, Floating Market and Erawan Waterfalls.
The Death Railway Itinerary Map
How To Plan Your Visit To Hellfire Pass
The following information covers all the need-to-know details about visiting Hellfire Pass and the Death Railway at the Interpretive Centre. Set up by the Australian Government, the centre is dedicated to those who suffered and died at Hellfire Pass.
Hellfire Pass Entrance Fees
There is no entrance fee to visit Hellfire Pass, and the Interpretive Centre is open to all; you can take an audio tour if you plan on doing the walking trail, which is great because there are many interesting points along the walk to learn about.
The audio tour is free; however, a 200 baht deposit is needed. It’s not obligatory, but donations are possible and can be left in a donation box at the exit.
Hellfire Pass Opening Hours
The museum is open every day from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, excluding Christmas Day. The centre holds special events on Remembrance Day (November 11) and ANZAC Day (April 25).
⭐ Pro tip >> You can check the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre for notices and closure dates, such as bank holiday closures if you’re travelling during this period.
When Should You Visit Hellfire Pass?
The surrounding mountains protect the pass from the eastern monsoon, resulting in less rainfall compared to other forested areas further west.
- Rainy Season: is May to October, with most rainfall around September to October and a bit into November.
- Dry Season: the rest of the year is relatively dry, with cooler weather around November to January.
⭐ Pro tip: Rockslides are more likely during the rainy season as the soil becomes saturated and weakened. However, the rain can bring a welcome respite from the relentless heat. We visited in February, which was fine for us, but it was very hot and humid.
How Long Do You Need At Hellfire Pass?
From Kanchanaburi, it takes 90 minutes by scooter to reach Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre, which is the location you should put on the map!
If your plan is to visit the memorial, which is at the end of Konyu Cutting, then it’s a 20-minute walk from the end of the museum. It takes around 45 minutes to do the museum; it’s very small but nicely put together.
If your plan is to do the walking trail, you will need the whole day. It’s a 3km trail, and you have to come back the same way (6 km/4 miles in total). It should take around 3 hours.
How Much Money Should You Take?
As admission is free, a visit to Hellfire Pass is an affordable activity in Thailand; however, there are some things you might want to consider.
- Donations: Although not required, the information and quality at Hellfire Pass do make you want to leave a donation – 200 baht = £4.50/$5.60
- Audio guides: 200 baht refundable deposit – to be returned by 3:50 p.m. (note a 500 baht late fee applies).
- Snacks: There is a vending machine before you start the walk, which has drinks and snacks. There is also a small restaurant close to the car park; however, if you’re planning to visit Hellfire Pass in a day, then take a packed lunch!
- Fuel: don’t forget about fuel. If you rent a scooter, it costs 140 baht to fill up a tank.
What Should You Pack?
There is no official dress code to visit the museum. If you’re planning to walk the trail, then sturdy, closed shoes are recommended, as the ground eventually becomes uneven.
Some essential packing items are:
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Packed lunch
- Umbrella (also good for keeping the sun off you!)
- Shirt/shawl (or something to keep shoulders covered)
- Sun hat
- Insect repellant
- Small towel (it got very sweaty when we walked)
Is Hellfire Pass Safe?
The short answer to this is yes. Hellfire Pass is a safe place to visit in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, that is managed by the Australian Government. You will have to enter the Military Base to access the museum.
However, if you choose to follow the Hellfire Pass walking trail, there is an element of danger. The pass is well maintained and managed by the staff, but even so, rockslides can happen, and these can be very dangerous.
Further along from the Hellfire Pass Memorial, the trail becomes more treacherous, and care is required when walking to make sure you don’t slip on the rocks.
⭐ Pro tip >> If you are doing the walking trail, the staff will provide you a walkie-talkie, which can be used in an emergency should anything happen. The staff were very attentive and kept a record of everybody who was walking the trail.
Where To Stay
We stayed in Kanchanaburi city for three days and combined the Death Railway’s Hellfire Pass with a visit to Erawan Waterfalls while exploring the city sights and museums on other days.
If you want to experience all these sites in Kanchanaburi too, I would recommend choosing a hotel within the city. It’s easy to get transport to Hellfire Pass, and you will be in the centre, so there will be lots to do.
⭐ Pro tip>> Although we didn’t stay in all these accommodations, I wanted to provide you with a few options to match your budget.
Budget Option: Asleep Hostel
This is where we stayed! They have mixed dorms and a couple of private rooms and are close to the train station. Breakfast is included, although very basic. It’s possible to rent a scooter from them too, and they have all the information on bus/train times.
Mid-Range Option: Chez Bure – Bure Homestay
This is a safe and very clean homestay with really accommodating hosts and a good breakfast included. The location is just off the main street, so very central and within walking distance of the main attractions.
Top-End Option: U Inchantree Kanchanaburi
They have a beautiful property right next to the River Kwai with a great sunset; it’s also very close to the bridge. The staff are very welcoming and kind, plus there is a superb breakfast!
Resources For Thailand
Is it your first time visiting Thailand? We’ve written lots of useful posts to help you plan your trip. You can check them all out on our Thailand Page here, but below are some of our most popular articles:
- We enjoyed our visit to Kanchanaburi and recommend spending a few days in the city. Find out why we think Kanchanaburi is worth visiting here.
- Hellfire Pass and the Death Railway can be a sad place to visit, combine your visit to Thailand with destinations such as Khao Sok National Park and the tropical island of Koh Mook to leave on a high!
- If you’re into history, then a visit to Thailand’s ancient capital city, Ayutthaya could be of interest. There are numerous ruins and temples to admire.
- Finally, if you’re flying home from Phuket, don’t forget to swing past the Old Town – it’s worth a day or two of your time!
How To Get To Hellfire Pass From Kanchanaburi
There are multiple ways to reach the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre, which is about 1.5 hours from Kanchanaburi. Depending on your preference you can either take a bus, drive (the way we did it), taxi or private tour.
⭐ Pro tip: The below times and costs are indicative only and likely to change. Remember to check schedules at your hotel before you depart.
Travel By Bus
There is a direct bus route from Kanchanaburi train station to Hellfire Pass; however, the bus will also make stops along the main road (323 Sangchuto Rd) through Kanchanaburi, which is sometimes easier if you are staying closer to the River Kwai bridge.
- Price: The ticket is 50 baht each way.
- You might be interested in this Kanchanaburi River Kwai with Train Ride and Hellfire tour.
⭐ Pro tip: The bus number is 8203 and departs regularly from 8:00 am, with the last bus returning around 4:45 pm, and the journey should take around 90 minutes.
Travel By Scooter
We opted to rent a scooter and drive. It’s very simple and follows one road: take the main road (323 Sangchuto Rd.) from Kanchanaburi north past Nam Tok – the access road to Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre branches off into the national park to the left about 50 miles (80 km) from Kanchanaburi.
- Price: It costs 200-300 Baht to rent a scooter for the whole day.
⭐ Pro tip: Remember it’s an hour-and-a-half journey, and you will be required to return the bike with a full tank. A full tank of petrol will cost you 140 baht. It is sometimes necessary to leave a deposit too, which is for the bike and helmet; this can cost 250 Baht.
Travel By Taxi
If you are in a big group, taking a taxi might be a good option. It will take you directly to Hellfire Pass, be more comfortable and less hassle however, this is always a more expensive way to travel.
⭐ Pro tip: It also might require some negotiation before you can get a reasonable price; always go for lower than you are willing to pay and never accept the first price they give you.
Travel By Train
There is no direct train to Hellfire Pass from Kanchanaburi. It’s possible to take a scenic train which passes over the River Kwai bridge to Nam Tok for 100 baht.
⭐ Nam Tok to Hellfire Pass: In Nam Tok, there is a connecting bus which will take you directly to Hellfire Pass for 20 baht. There are three scenic trains departing throughout the day; the first is usually around 5:55 am, and the last train leaves Nam Tok at 3:15 pm.
Hellfire Pass – What To Expect
The Viewing Platform
When we first arrived, we were guided to the viewing platform, which overlooked the valley to the Burma border. It was a beautiful sight yet disheartening as the view provided a perfect representation of the terrain and sheer size of the project. We were struck by the reality that these men faced.
The Interpretive Museum
After the viewing platform, we entered the museum. The museum is small but extremely good; it took us around an hour to complete. There’s a short documentary which provided first-hand accounts from POWs and Japanese soldiers, which was really interesting but pretty heartbreaking, too.
The museum explains the story of the construction of the Death Railway and is supported by photographs and brilliant visual aids.
There was one showing the amount of food a worker received compared to the amount of rock they had to move, conveying the hardships and suffering endured by the men.
Konyu Cutting (Hellfire Pass)
Konyu Cutting was the longest and most difficult cutting along the entire Burma-Thai railway. It had the deepest section of solid rock, which required blasting through using dynamite.
To pack the dynamite, holes were driven into the rock by two men teams of which one would hold a metal chisel while the other would strike it with a heavy sledgehammer.
Walking through the cutting was incredible, the sheer height of the walls seemed so much greater than we expected.
Various relatives had left flags, notes and crosses tucked into the rock face, while a few of the original track sleepers were still visible on the ground. It was a humbling experience.
The Hellfire Pass Memorial
At the end of Hellfire Pass, we came to a large, black stone pyramid memorial surrounded by country flags. The memorial stands as a representation of the human sacrifice and to all “who suffered and died” in 1942-45.
As we walked around it was touching to see many people had left flowers and wreaths, small wooden crosses and notes around the memorial. We thought it was nice to dedicate a memorial and remember those who died.
Our Experience Hiking The Death Railway
Jack and I didn’t realise there was a walking trail at the Interpretive Centre (hence why we thought we could do both Hellfire Pass and Erawan Waterfalls in a day), so we weren’t completely prepared!
However, we decided it needed to be done, and so after we had finished Hellfire Pass, we continued along the Death Railway for an additional 3km.
We found the trail itself to be relatively easy; however, the sun made it a lot harder than expected.
The audio stops were greatly appreciated, although my headset wasn’t working properly, and in the end, I wasn’t able to use it, so we had to take turns on the other one (check yours before you go!).
What was the path like?
Most of the path was shale and dry loose material. There were a few areas along the trail, mainly at the trenches where bridges would have been, which became more laborious with steeper declines and inclines leading down and up with some steps.
In other areas, it was quite rocky underfoot (hence the sturdy footwear) so we had to be careful not to slip.
How long did the hike take?
It took us 3 hours to finish the trail and get back to the Interpretive Centre. We were covered in sweat and extremely thirsty – having run out of water.
There was also an issue with insects flying around our heads and ears, which became a nuisance. We did have insect repellant but ended up wrapping our shirts around our heads to keep them away from our ears!
Something to think about…
Jack and I are both young adults with a good level of fitness, yet we still found it exhausting due to the heat. It’s impossible to imagine the men who worked 16-18 hour shifts in the gruelling sun with little water and malnutrition. Yet they did, with whips and bayonets at their backs, many died, but others survived.
In Summary: How To Visit Hellfire Pass and Death Railway
As always, I leave you with our final thoughts about visiting Hellfire Pass and the Death Railway in Thailand. The visit was, overall, exceptional. It was interesting to learn about the history and the lives of those who were imprisoned in the camps.
I recommend planning for the full walking trail if you’re keen to learn more and hear personal stories from the survivors. However, a visit to the memorial alone will leave you satisfied.
There is a cafe to purchase some refreshments just outside the museum in the car park after your visit, but also along the roads leading to the centre. If you plan to visit the memorial only, you’ll need around 2.5 hours once you’ve arrived.
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