How To Visit Erawan Waterfalls, Thailand Guide

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The Erawan Waterfall is a multi-tiered waterfall located in the Erawan National Park, about one and a half hours from Kanchanaburi, Thailand. If you’re thinking of visiting, you’re gonna be happy you found this guide since I’ve filled it with everything you need to plan the perfect trip.

Jack and I visited Erawan Falls in February and witnessed beautiful turquoise waters perfect for adventure travellers who love nature, thanks to a combination of seven waterfalls! It’s surrounded by forest, easy to navigate and filled with little fish that will nibble your toes.

We spent the entire day trekking to each one of Erawan’s waterfalls, and although they were all pretty spectacular, we had our favourites. The trip was definitely a highlight of our 6-week visit to Thailand. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Erawan National Park.

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Understand How To Plan Your Visit To Erawan Waterfall From Kanchanaburi, Thailand!

In this guide, I’m sharing our experience visiting Erawan Waterfalls in Kanchanaburi. I’m also covering topics including:

• A comprehensive list of everything you need to know BEFORE visiting so you can have a fantastic trip, including travel, how much time you’ll need, what to pack and where to stay.
• I’m touching on the history of the National Park and why we think Erawan Waterfall is a must-visit attraction in Thailand.
• I want you to fully understand what to expect, so I have included our experience at each waterfall.

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About Erawan Waterfalls in Thailand

Erawan National Park was founded in 1975 and covers an area of 550km²; inside the park, one of its major attractions is the Erawan Waterfalls. The stunning falls consist of seven tiers, each with its own selection of waterfalls and emerald-green plunge pools.

Tier seven is meant to resemble an elephant head – although I didn’t see it – and so the park and falls are named after the three-headed white elephant of Hindu mythology.

⭐ Pro tip >> Depending on what time of year you visit and the number of people visiting, the clarity of the water will be affected. The expectations of emerald pools and blue flowing water need to be realistic. Don’t be disheartened if the water is murky, especially if you visit during the rainy season!

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Is Erawan Waterfall Worth Visiting?

Erawan Waterfalls are certainly worth visiting. They are an incredible collection of waterfalls along a man-made path made up of several tiers and viewpoints. Each waterfall has its own charm where you can swim, relax and explore.

Erawan Falls is located in the middle of Erawan National Park, surrounded by lush rainforest. Jack and I enjoyed a full day in this breathtaking location, and if you enjoy nature and waterfalls like us, you will too.

Can You Swim In Erawan Falls?

The waterfalls are made up of several tiers. It’s possible to swim in all the tiers except tier six. Tier six is more of a viewing platform built over shallow waterfalls. The others have either plunge pools or smaller rocky areas and waterfalls to enjoy.

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Visiting Erawan Falls On A Day Tour

I’ve written this guide aimed towards those of you who want to visit Erawan Waterfalls independently. However, if you’re considering a day trip, there are plenty available. You’ll notice that most tours combine a number of popular activities, such as a visit to Hellfire Pass and the River Kwai Bridge.

My professional opinion is to only recommend a day tour to you if you are short on time, as Erawan Waterfalls is best visited for the whole day. Generally, you will only get around two to three hours at the waterfall if you are visiting on a day tour.

That said, I understand that some of you might be strapped for time, in which case, I suggest booking a tour. Erawan Falls is worth visiting and not to be missed, so if this is how it needs to be done, do it!

• From Bangkok: This private tour combines a visit to popular attractions such as Erawan Falls, Elephant Care, Tham Kra Sae Bridge and the River Kwai Bridge. It’s a full day of activities, highly rated and includes all entrance fees and lunch.
• From Bangkok: For an extraordinary adventure, this small group tour includes a boat trip and a visit the River Kwai Bridge, the JEATH War Museum and Erawan Falls.

⭐ Pro tip: A good day tour to Erawan Waterfalls includes a transfer from Bangkok to Erawan National Park with stops in Kanchanaburi to visit the war cemetery, museum and River Kwai bridge.

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Erawan National Park Itinerary Map

How To Plan Your Visit To Erawan Waterfalls

The information below covers everything you need to know to plan your visit to Erawan Waterfalls in Thailand.

Erawan Waterfall Entrance Fee

The Erawan Waterfalls entrance fee is 300 baht to enter as a tourist and 60 baht for children. If you are a Thai citizen, you pay 60 baht, and children pay 30 baht – a child is 3-14 years. It’s quite common in Asia to have different prices for locals and tourists. Erawan National Park is free to enter.

⭐ Pro tip: If you plan to come by scooter, it’s 20 baht for use of the car park and 30 baht for a car. This price includes access to all seven tiers. 

Erawan Waterfall Opening Hours

Erawan Waterfall is open daily from 8 am until 4:30 pm, all year round. However, if you are in the lower tiers, you generally get to stay until 5 pm as park rangers begin cleaning at 3 pm from the top tiers moving downwards.

You will be asked to leave as they slowly make their way down, tier by tier. 

When Should You Visit?

The surrounding mountains protect Erawan National Park 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.

Erawan Falls is best visited just after the rainy season when the water levels are higher, between late November and mid December just before the holidays. You’ll find it to be busy but not crowded, tier four and three is usually the busiest.

That being said, we visited in February, and it was absolutely fine. The water was flowing through all of them, the plunge pools were filled, and the water was clear. Each tier looked beautiful – all the pictures in this guide are from our time there. 

⭐ Pro tip >> The annual Songkran Festival runs from the 13th to the 15th of April, at which time Erawan Falls turns into a celebratory place for locals; expect lots of waterfights, which can be fun.

When Not To Visit

It’s best to stay away on Saturday and Sunday if possible, and also on bank holidays. Local tourists and people going to Erawan Waterfall from Bangkok generally choose weekends and holidays, making Erawan Falls a really crowded place!

⭐ Pro tip >> Try to avoid these times, and for an overall fantastic experience, make sure to get up early and head to the falls before the tour buses from Bangkok arrive. Generally, they leave at 7 am from Bangkok, reaching the Erawan Falls around 11 am.

How Long At Erawan Waterfalls Do You Need?

We spent the whole day at Erawan Waterfalls, and it was needed, especially if you want to see all seven tiers. The walk to the top tier will take you around an hour, too, so an early start is necessary for a complete trip.

⭐ Pro tip>> Remember, it takes an hour and a half of travel from Kanchanaburi to Erawan Falls, and the park closes at 5 pm! 

How Much Money Do You Need?

The entrance fee doesn’t include additional costs like renting the life jacket, which is required for all tiers, or meals. There are a couple of restaurants inside the park at tier one and a gift shop at the entrance. 

Here’s a breakdown of our costs:

• 300 baht Erawan Falls Entrance Fee
• 20 baht Life Jacket (for the first 3 hours and then 20 baht every hour after – I’ve heard this has changed now and is only 20 baht for the whole day. 

⭐ Pro tip: Lifeguards are active on tiers one and two. They do walk-bys at three and four, while there are none active at tiers five, six or seven.

• 40 baht for a local meal 
• 15 baht for a local drink
• 150 baht travel to Erawan Waterfall if you’re going by bus
• 20 or 30 baht for the car park (if you come on a scooter or car)

⭐ Pro tip: It’s possible to rent bikes at the visitor centre for 20 baht for the day; the bikes can be used to access the first two lower tiers only.

What To Pack For Your Visit?

A waterproof bag is ideal for visiting Erawan Waterfalls, as there isn’t really anywhere specific to leave your belongings once you leave the first two tiers. It’s a good idea to bring the following items.

• Water bottle 
• Packed lunch 
• Towel 
• Sarong
• Sunscreen (mineral or reef-safe)
• Insect repellent 
• Sea shoes (not necessary but useful)
• Swimming costume 
• Waterproof camera
• Anti-bacterial gel 

⭐ Pro tip >> There are no amenities at any of the tiers except at the very start. Make sure you have plenty of water and snacks before you start your hike to tier seven.

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Are Erawan Falls Safe?

From what we saw, it was safe; however, as with any National Park, there are areas of danger. There are lifeguards on duty at a few of the deeper plunge pools; however, they are not at every tier. At the top tiers, we didn’t see any staff. 

There are signs and waymarks indicating where to go and a clear path. This can get slippery at times, especially when it rains, which can be dangerous, but there are rails to hold onto. 

The higher tiers are a little more treacherous and were not as well maintained. It was more slippery, and some of the steps had slates missing. There are areas where you need to walk over wet rocks to rejoin the path which is dangerous if not taken slowly. 

⭐ Pro tip >> The staff will ask you not to take snacks beyond tier two. This is due to some over-friendly monkeys, which will steal food and possessions if left unattended. I understand you might want to carry lunch with you; if so, ensure all food is wrapped and sealed properly and don’t let the monkeys see it!

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Where To Stay During Your Visit

While we were visiting this part of Thailand, we stayed in Kanchanaburi as it provided a fantastic base to explore not only Erawan Waterfalls but also the surrounding National Parks, Hellfire Pass and other attractions within the city itself, such as the River Kwai Bridge.

With this in mind, I would certainly recommend staying in Kanchanaburi, too, especially if you are interested in learning more about the history of the Burma-Thai Railway during the Second World War. 

⭐ Pro tip>> Overall, three full days in Kanchanaburi is enough to visit the top sites and really get a feel for what the city has to offer. 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!

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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:

• 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.
• Thailand’s ancient capital city, Ayutthaya, was superb and not far away from Bangkok.
• Consider heading to Chiang Mai, in the north, for a hit of Northern Thai culture.
• To escape the cities, head south to the tropical beaches. We went on a 2-week island-hopping adventure, which was incredible!
• 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!

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How To Get To Erawan Falls From Kanchanaburi

There are multiple ways to reach Erawan Waterfalls from Kanchanaburi, which is about a 1.5-hour journey. Depending on your preference you can either take a bus (the way we did it), drive, taxi or private tour.

Visiting Erawan Falls By Bus

Catching a bus to Erawan Waterfalls is very simple. There are a few ways to grab it; most people will head to Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal, where buses leave hourly from 8 am until 5 pm.

We caught it from the main road after asking our hostel for information on where to wait. You’re looking for bus number 8170, but I would stop each bus that passes just to check. All you need to say is Erawan Waterfalls, and they will give a nod or shake.

⭐ Pro tip >> It costs 50 baht from Kanchanaburi to Erawan waterfalls but 100 baht from the falls back to Kanchanaburi! You tell me how that works?

The below times and costs are indicative only and likely to change. Remember to check schedules at your hotel before you depart.

• Departing from Erawan Falls to Kanchanaburi: 05:20, 06:10, 07:20, 08:30, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 17:00
• Departing from Kanchanaburi to Erawan Falls: 08:00, 08:50, 09:50, 10:45, 11:50, 13:00, 14:10, 15:25, 16:30, 17:50

⭐ Pro tip: In December, when we last checked, the bus times were changed to be on the hour, although the signs are still noted as the above times. We are not sure if this is permanent or seasonal, so just keep this in mind when planning your trip and check with your accommodation!

Are You Going By Scooter?

It’s possible to drive to the falls by yourself, and pretty straightforward as the majority of the way is along one road. There are signposts as you leave Kanchanaburi; however, they do become scarce further apart after a while.

It costs 200-300 baht to rent a scooter for the whole day. 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.

⭐ Pro tip >> If you don’t have internet access after leaving the hotel, download the maps BEFORE you leave so you can access them offline. If you can’t do this, try to take screenshots of the route beforehand, focusing on any complicated junctions.

Are You Taking A Taxi?

If you are in a big group, taking a taxi might be a good option. It will take you directly to the falls, be more comfortable and less hassle. Keep in mind, if you’re travelling solo, this is a more expensive way to travel.

⭐ Pro tip >> Some negotiation beforehand can help you get a reasonable price; always go in lower than you are willing to pay and never accept the first price they give you.

Visiting Erawan Waterfall By Private Tour

A private tour of the waterfall from Bangkok will generally cost you about 5,700 baht. The price includes the entrance fee to the Erawan National Park and a light lunch, plus stops at other popular sites such as the River Kwai Bridge and museums.

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What To Expect From Your Visit

To make sure you’re fully in the know, I wanted to provide you with some details from our own experience so you know exactly what to expect when you reach Erawan Waterfalls.

Erawan Waterfall Hiking Trail

It took us around an hour to hike to the top of Erawan Waterfalls. It might sound like a long time, but we stopped along the way to take photos, admire the beautiful river and dip our toes in the water when it got too hot, which it did; it got really hot and sweaty!

The hike was fun and followed a well-maintained path until tier five. Past tier five, it started to get dilapidated with some slates missing, and I even put my foot through a slate, almost falling through.  I managed to hop onto the next step without injury!

At this point, it begins to get steeper while the path falls away from a raised deck to a simple dirt trail through the trees.

⭐ Pro tip >> I would advise you to wear trainers or walking sandals to be safe. Flip-flops are not very practical, and it’s easy to slip from the rocks. There are few staff at the very top, so getting help if injured is going to be an issue.

Offerings Amongst Trees

Along the hike, we noticed multicoloured cloth tied around trees and, in some instances, beautiful dresses and garments on hangers, hanging from branches and in bushes.

At first, we thought these were for sale, although we couldn’t see any vendors; it wasn’t until we took a closer look that most appeared dirty and faded. We later found out that they had been left in ceremonial offerings and are often used as a way to pay respect to the forest ghosts and spirits that the locals believe in!

Tier 7 – Phu Pha Erawan

This was one of my favourite tiers. The fact we reached it very hot and sweaty and couldn’t wait to jump in probably contributed to the fact. However, the water was a beautiful light blue as the sun shone over it, which was extremely inviting. 

We took a few photos of the smooth rocks before taking a dip in a very small plunge pool, which was surrounded by boulders and falling water over a small cave.

The water was so refreshing it was blissful. Unfortunately for Jack, he couldn’t stay in too long as the little fish kept nibbling at our toes, which was tickling him too much! I, on the other hand, quite enjoyed it. After a while, we were all seeing how long we could keep our toes in the water without laughing. 

Tier 6 – Dong Pruk Sa & Tier 5 – Buar Mai Long

These two waterfalls are smaller and have fewer areas for swimming, although it is still possible to have a dip. We rested at tier five, which was full of varying levels over small elevations and looked really pretty.

Tier six had a viewing platform that led off the main path, and it was really pretty but not somewhere you could swim.

Tier 4 – Oke Nang Phee Suae

The waterfall here was really cool, and fell over huge flat boulders into a plunge pool. It was a little more shaded than the other waterfalls as it’s amongst the trees, so the water was cooler than expected; however, once we were in, it was incredible. 

It’s slightly more tricky to get in than the others, as there isn’t a direct entry point. We had to climb over some large boulders. Again, there were a lot of fish in this one, but it’s large enough to swim around and keep moving, which will keep them at bay.

Tier 3 – Pha Nam Tok

This is one of the most stunning tiers at Erawan Waterfalls, as it has the tallest waterfall and a fantastic natural pool! It’s also the most popular, so it’s good to get there early.

We were lucky as it was still quiet when we visited due to the pandemic, but it could be a good idea to visit this one first on your way up to skip the crowds.

So we actually almost missed it, too, as it’s off the main path down another path, and although it’s signposted, it’s very small. It was only on the way down we noticed the sign; thinking it was another viewpoint, we almost didn’t go! 

Tier 2 – Wang Mat Cha

This is by far one of the largest, and some say prettiest; I didn’t think so, but it was still beautiful! We didn’t swim in this one, although it’s possible as it has a large blue pool. We were getting pretty tired by the time we reached this and wanted to dip into the first tier, so we skipped past it.

Tier 1 – Lai Kheun Rung

The lowest tier is great fun and really large, or long is maybe a better word. It encompasses a few different, smaller waterfalls and follows the river as it flows southwards. Some people who visit just stay at the bottom few tiers as they are closer to the amenities and lifeguards. 

There was a large tree trunk over one part of the river, which was a fantastic place to take some photos and jump into the water.

⭐ Pro tip >> There are lots of areas to sit and picnic, and with the different levels, it’s also a better place to stay if you aren’t a strong swimmer as it has shallow areas. It’s easy to move around this tier with easier entry points, too.

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In Summary: How To Visit Erawan Waterfalls

As always, I leave you with our final thoughts about visiting Erawan Waterfalls. I can honestly say that these waterfalls are some of the prettiest in Thailand.

At first, I was apprehensive because they are a popular tourist attraction and as most of you know, we aren’t keen on crowds. But Erawan Falls is one of those attractions that must be visited; they stole our hearts, and we just had a lovely experience throughout. From hiking to swimming, our day at Erawan National Park was a winner!

I do suggest spending the whole day so you can fully appreciate every waterfall. Remember to pack snacks, but keep an eye out for those monkeys! Overall, I hope you have a fantastic visit, too.