Is Kanchanaburi Worth Visiting: Things To Do & Guide

Why is Kanchanaburi worth visiting? Why is it famous, and where is it? These are all questions I get asked when we tell people we visited the city during our trip around Southeast Asia.

Interestingly, neither of us had heard much about the city before deciding to go. Jack, who had done more research, tried explaining what he thought had happened there, but really, we didn’t know.

It wasn’t until we arrived that we found out some incredible truths. We were shocked, saddened and in disbelief at the events which took place at Kanchanaburi during the Second World War.

It’s a place with an incredible history surrounded by stunning nature and somewhere which certainly deserves a visit!

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Find Out Why We Think Kanchanaburi Is Worth Visiting And the Best Things To Do…

In this post, I’ll share my views on visiting Kanchanaburi, what it was like, when you should go and why we believe Kanchanaburi is worth visiting. I’ll also cover topics including:

• The best things you can do there,
• The region’s history,
• And why it’s famous, or should I say infamous...

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Is Kanchanaburi Worth Visiting?

For Jack and I, it was the best, however, if you ask anyone who has been to Kanchanaburi, I believe they would all say yes too! The city itself isn’t that beautiful however dig a little deeper and there is so much to be discovered.

It’s one of those places that gets missed off so many people’s lists; it isn’t near the coast so there aren’t any beaches and since it’s very close to Bangkok it gets forgotten about. Okay, some people do opt for day trips from the capital but I think it deserves more time than that.

I think it should be on everyone’s list, it’s incredible and full of so much history that it makes for an exciting few days and one of the best things is that it’s super close to Erawan Waterfalls which is one of my favourite waterfalls in Thailand too!

>> Read more about our trip and explore a 3-day itinerary in Kanchanaburi: Kanchanaburi Itinerary: 3 Days In This WW2 Era City

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What Is Kanchanaburi Famous For?

Kanchanaburi is infamous. It is part of the site where the Japanese took allied Prisoners of War (POWs) to build a railway connecting neighbouring Burma (now Myanmar) so they could transport supplies during the Second World War.

The thing is, the treatment of the POWs was beyond horrific, and not only did the Japanese take POWs they also had thousands of Southeast Asians working on the harrowing railway under the guise that they would have a better life.

Conditions were so bad that tens of thousands of men died including the death of over 90% of the Asian workforce, dubbing it the “Death Railway”. There was a film made which propelled Kanchanaburi’s fame bringing it into the limelight for many tourists and WW2 fanatics.

However, the sadness of the events that took place there is embedded within the city and can be witnessed in the museums, historical landmarks, the war cemetery and the Death Railway itself.

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The Best Things That Make Kanchanaburi Worth Visiting

Hopefully, by now, you’ve decided whether Kanchanaburi is a place worth visiting. If you’re still not sure, I wanted to dive into the 8 best things to do in Kanchanaburi, so you know what to expect from your trip.

1. Visit The River Kwai Bridge

There are a few things which have to be done to make your trip to Kanchanaburi worth it and at the top of that list is visiting the Kwai Bridge. The bridge, and therefore Kanchanaburi, was made famous after headlining the 1957 classic WW2 film “Bridge Over The River Kwai”.

The film propelled Kanchanaburi onto the map and since then, many tourists have headed to the city to snap up a photo next to the bridge, take guided tours and learn about the history.

✅ You can exercise and see the way of a local life with local people: Click Here For A Guided Bike Tour Around Kanchanaburi!

2. Ride The Orginal Train Line

Another thing that many people love to do to make visiting Kanchanaburi worth it is to take a ride on the infamous railway itself! It’s possible to take a ride on a train and pass over a section of the original rail line from Kanchanaburi to Nam Tok.

The journey will also take you over the River Kwai Bridge and you’ll be able to learn about the cultural and historical significance while admiring fantastic views.

3. Visit The War Cemetery

The war cemetery was a very sombre experience. It’s been designed beautifully and well-kept but the fact it holds the graves of over 6000 men is very sad. It’s somewhere which should be visited by everyone who visits Kanchanaburi.

4. Visit The Death Railway Museum

The Death Railway museum in Kanchanaburi town is right opposite the war cemetery. Don’t get it confused with other museums in the area as we noticed that there are few around.

We found that this one was the best and most informative with information in English. It showed a good representation of the lives of the captive men including photos and a short documentary.

✅ Get a change of scenery on a full-day tour around Kanchanaburi and soak up Thailand’s history: River Kwai and Death Railway Day Tour.

5. Visit Hellfire Pass

There was a section of the railway that was almost impossible to construct due to a huge section of granite rock blocking the planned route. The POWs and labourers were instructed to blast through using large chisels and pikes before placing dynamite in the holes.

The work was extremely difficult and treacherous and many men lost their lives. The pass, which later became known as Hellfire Pass can be visited from Kanchanaburi. There is a small museum and memorial, it’s also possible to walk along the old railway on an audio tour.

✅ Learn all about the history of the Death Railway, the Hellfire Pass, and more on this private tour in Kanchanaburi: Visit Hellfire Pass And Go Bamboo Rafting On The Same Day

6. Visit Erawan Waterfalls

Some of the most breathtaking waterfalls in Thailand can be found at Erawan Waterfalls. The waterfall is actually made up of seven tiers, all of which can be visited by hiking along a path to the very top of the falls.

If you want to visit all the waterfalls you will need a full day, however, it is possible to visit the lower tiers and have just as much fun. Tier 3 has an epic waterfall and you can swim in the pools of nearly all of the seven waterfalls!

✅ Explore the lush greenery, refreshing waters and rich history of the Kanchanaburi area, and end up at the famous Bridge On The River Kwai: Erawan Waterfall & Train Full-Day Tour

7. Visit The Night Market

A highlight of our trip and something that made Kanchanaburi worth visiting all by itself was the night market; it was very impressive. It wasn’t the largest we would visit in Thailand but it was our favourite.

The selection of food was mind-blowing! Expect to find deep-fried sandwiches, chicken feet, noodle and rice dishes, grilled seafood, super sweet glutinous rice balls and the most delicious coconut smoothies (ever); plus everything else in between.

8. Visit The National Parks

Kanchanaburi is surrounded by national parks such as Erawan National Park, Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park and Khuean Srinagarindra National Park.

If you love hiking then why not head into one of the parks and experience some of the fascinating flora and fauna?

✅ Immerse yourself in nature with a full-day private trekking tour that brings you to discover the evergreen forest of Kanchanaburi: Trekking Kanchanaburi Forest to Tham Than Lod

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Where To Stay In Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi has a lot of accommodation options from hostels and budget hotels to 5* resorts. Therefore, depending on your budget there are many options to choose from.

A selection of our favourite places are listed below.

• Budget Suggestion: Asleep Hostel
  They have mixed dorms and a couple of private rooms close to the train station. Breakfast is included (although very basic, it fills the spot). It’s possible to rent a scooter from them too and they have all the information on bus/train times.

• Mid-Range Suggestion: 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.

• High-End Suggestion: 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!

✅ Don’t see what you’re looking for? To browse through more accommodations in Kanchanaburi, click here.

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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:

• Another ancient city to visit is Chiang Mai in northern Thailand.
• Chaing Mai is filled with exciting attractions, beautiful landscapes and majestic wildlife.
• We also enjoyed visiting Phuket Island, especially the old town.
• If you’re visiting multiple destinations, be sure to go on snorkelling tours, and island hopping and enjoy adventure excursions.
• You might also see some historical sites, such as the ancient city of Ayutthaya, including the city’s many ruins and temples.

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How Long Do You Need In Kanchanaburi?

The best way to work out how long you need in Kanchanaburi is to first figure out what activities you want to do. Jack and I spent three days (four nights) and easily managed to fit in the activities we had planned.

In truth, we didn’t really have many activities planned until we reached Kanchanaburi but soon realised there was a lot to do. Our days were full but we managed to visit the main sites in Kanchanaburi and spend a day at both Erawan Waterfalls and the Death Railway.

Therefore, I would recommend you need 3/4 days in Kanchanaburi to make the most out of your trip.

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How Do You Get Around Kanchanaburi?

The best way to get around Kanchanaburi is on foot or by tuk-tuk. It’s possible to walk from the Kwai bridge to the War Cemetery (although it’s a long walk) but we did it and it took around one hour.

Otherwise, you can jump in a tuk-tuk (or a taxi) to get you around, which they are everywhere and really affordable. It’s also possible to arrange with the tuk-tuk driver to take you to multiple destinations if you want to check out other sites. You can negotiate a price for the whole day.

Make sure NOT TO PAY anything upfront!

Another popular way to get around is to rent a scooter. Renting a scooter is a rite of passage for any backpacker in Thailand! It’s easy to find them and rent them and they are great if you want to explore further afield than Kanchanaburi centre, although driving in Asia can be a little daunting at times.

In fact, Jack and I did rent a scooter from our hostel and took a day trip to visit the Death Railway which is about an hour and a half outside the city. It wasn’t our first time venturing on scooters, we did a 4-week scooter road trip back in Indonesia, so luckily, we felt pretty confident.

Top Tip: If you’re walking make sure to take plenty of water and beware of the heat; heatstroke is common. Try not to walk during mid-day.

How do you get from Kanchanaburi to Erawan Falls?

The most affordable way to reach Erawan Waterfalls is on a public bus.

Another couple of ways is to rent a scooter and drive there yourself or you can arrange a taxi. If there is a group of you the taxi is a good idea however it can be expensive and you will have to arrange pick-up too.

It’s possible to visit Erawan Waterfalls on an arranged group tour too. These leave from either Kanchanaburi or Bangkok and will include all transfers.

Good to know: You can reach Erawan Waterfalls on the number 8170 bus but I would stop each bus which passes just to check. All you need to say is Erawan Waterfalls and they will give a nod or shake.

How do you get from Kanchanaburi to Chiang Mai?

There is no direct route to Chang Mai from Kanchanaburi, however, there are a few options. The easiest and most comfortable way is to catch a train to Bangkok and then either a flight or an overnight sleeper train.

I quite enjoyed the sleeper trains in Thailand and would recommend them to anyone. There are different classes but second-class with air con is absolutely fine. You get your own bunk with a curtain, pillow and sheet, for a night it’s fine; it’s also really affordable!

The final way to reach Chang Mai from Kanchanaburi (and the way we did it) is to jump on a coach. It’s best to get the night bus if you’re on a budget to save on accommodation for that night however don’t expect to get a good night’s sleep.

In Kanchanaburi central, there is a large bus station which all the buses depart from. You will have to go a few days before you leave to buy your tickets to ensure you get a seat, don’t leave it last minute!

Good to know: Prices vary but for us, in early 2022 the coach to Chang Mai was 600 THB p/p or 850 THB (VIP); the office opens at 10 am and the sleeper coach leaves at 6 pm. The bus station is a 20-minute walk from the Asleep hostel recommended below.

How do you get from Kanchanaburi to Bangkok?

The quickest way to reach Bangkok from Kanchanaburi is by train. These run frequently and if you go on third class, which is fine for shorter journeys, it’s extremely cheap.

Another way is on a bus although it’s quicker and more efficient to use the train.

✅ Check out the timetables of buses and trains here!

How do you get from Kanchanaburi to Phuket?

There are a couple of ways to reach Phuket from Kanchanaburi; plane or sleeper train/bus. Although it’s possible to reach Phuket from Kanchanaburi there is no direct route.

We came up from Khoa Sok National Park which is between Phuket and Kanchanaburi by train. If you haven’t visited Khoa Sok National Park it’s a fantastic place to break up the journey if you’re taking this route.

To reach Phuket by train, first, you have to go to Bangkok or Nakhon Pathom station and then from there, you can jump on the sleeper train to Surat Thani. From Surat Thani, you will need to jump on a minibus to take you to Phuket.

To fly, you have to get to Bangkok first and then find a flight to Phuket; there will be many.

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When Is The Best Time To Visit Kanchanaburi?

• 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.

It’s completely up to you but it’s worth knowing that during the rainy season, there are fewer tourists and therefore tours/accommodations can be cheaper because of this. However, the waterfalls might not be as clear due to the rainfall making the water murky.

If you plan to visit the waterfalls the best time is just after the rainy season when the water levels are higher, this is between November and December. That being said, we visited in February and it was absolutely fine.

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Is Kanchanaburi Safe?

From my personal experience, I felt that Kanchanaburi was very safe. We did a lot of walking around the city to reach places of interest and took to eating at the night market every night, which was absolutely fine.

I would say that like any place you visit, it’s still important to keep your wits about you, don’t go wandering around alone after dark and stay away from quiet streets. Even though Kanchanaburi was safe for us petty crime such as theft is still a big problem.

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Is It Expensive To Visit Kanchanaburi?

In comparison to Europe and the USA, Kanchanaburi is not expensive. Thailand as a whole is an affordable country to travel to, however, it is developing and it’s not as cheap as it once was.

For example, expenditures have a look at the table below. You will notice that some of the activities are free but we didn’t do any guided tours. If you want guided tours, which if we had the budget we would have loved to do, they will cost more; so just keep that in mind.

How much money will you need for 3 days in Kanchanaburi?

These costs are from our own trip and should be used as a guide only.

Activity	Cost (THB)
Asleep hostel	160 THB p/p
Kwai river bridge	– free
War cemetery	– free
Death Railway museum	150 THB p/p
Hell pass interception Museum	– free
Scooter p/day	250 THB
Petrol (full tank)	140 THB
Erawan Waterfall	300 THB p/p
Transport to Erawan Waterfall(1hr 20mins)	50 THB p/p (there) 100 THB p/p back
Night Market	20 – 50 THB (per stall)

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Are There Any Reasons Kanchanaburi Isn’t Worth Visiting?

The thing that’s amazing about Kanchanaburi is that even if you’re not into the history side there’s lots of other stuff to do. The city is surrounded by beautiful national parks and there are lots of activities to do along the river, such as bamboo rafting; not to mention the city has amazing nightlife.

I would say that if you’re in search of a tropical paradise and sandy white beaches then Kanchanaburi is not for you! Instead, you should head to the southern islands and check out places such as the tiny island of Koh Mook!

If you love nature then you’ll enjoy visiting the national parks and stopping in Kanchanaburi for a night on your way through would be worth it.

The night market is definitely worth checking out and the whole area around the Kwai bridge is lovely too. The bars down River Kwai Road (towards the cemetery end) get really busy and so it’s a fun place to head in the evening.

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Conclusion: Is Kanchanaburi Worth Visiting

As you can probably tell, both Jack and I loved Kanchanaburi and really had a good time exploring the city, visiting the sites and learning about its history. To balance the trip we enjoyed visiting Erawan Waterfalls immensely – it was a great thing to do after all the museums.

If you are going and plan to visit similar to our itinerary, I would suggest visiting the waterfalls last so you can leave on a high rather than on a low! You have to go to the bridge, war cemetery, museum and Hellfire Pass.