Kanchanaburi From Bangkok

Kanchanaburi, about 130 kilometres west of Bangkok, is where the Japanese army built part of the Thailand–Burma "Death Railway" during the Second World War, using Allied prisoners of war and conscripted Asian labourers. Tens of thousands died. The bridge over the Khwae Yai river — the "Bridge on the River Kwai" of the 1957 film — still carries trains, and the town's cemeteries and museums tell the story with care.

Beyond the history, Kanchanaburi is a gateway to waterfalls, river scenery and national parks. That's why it works better with a night than as a single long day.

Getting there

By train

The historic option, and part of the experience.

• Ordinary trains leave from Thonburi station, on the west bank of the river in Bangkok — not from Bangkok's main stations. The journey takes around two and a half to three hours.
• Foreigners have paid a flat fare of around 100 THB on this line (last reported); tickets are sold at the station on the day.
• Some services continue across the bridge and further along the line towards Nam Tok. Check which trains cross the bridge if you want to ride over it.
• Weekend excursion trains also run from Bangkok on some dates; book these ahead, as they sell out.

Train times have changed over the years. Check the current timetable with the State Railway of Thailand or at the station before you go.

Getting to Thonburi station: take a taxi, or the river boat to Thonburi Railway pier and walk.

By road

• Minivans and buses run from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal and take around two to three hours.
• A private car or taxi takes around two to two and a half hours, longer in traffic — the most flexible option for a group.

On a tour

Day tours usually combine the bridge, a cemetery, a museum and a short train ride, sometimes adding Erawan Falls. Expect a very long day.

What to see

The bridge on the River Kwai

You can walk across the bridge between trains. The curved spans are the originals; the straight central sections were rebuilt after Allied bombing. Step aside into the platforms on the bridge when a train comes.

Kanchanaburi War Cemetery

A beautifully kept cemetery in the town centre with the graves of thousands of Allied prisoners of war. Quiet and moving.

The museums

The town has several museums about the railway's construction. The Thailand–Burma Railway Centre, next to the war cemetery, is the most informative introduction to the history.

Further along the railway

The line continues west through dramatic scenery, including the Wang Pho viaduct, where the track clings to a cliff above the river. Further out, Hellfire Pass has a memorial and walking trail through a cutting dug by prisoners, and Erawan National Park has a famous series of turquoise waterfalls.

Day trip or overnight?

Day trip: possible for the bridge, the cemetery and a museum. You'll spend five to six hours travelling.

Overnight (recommended): you can see the town's history calmly on day one, then add the railway line, Hellfire Pass or Erawan Falls on day two. Riverside guesthouses and raft houses make it a relaxed stop.

Respect

The cemeteries and memorials are places of remembrance. Dress modestly, keep your voice down and avoid posing for playful photos at graves.

For other options, see the best day trips from Bangkok and Ayutthaya from Bangkok.