8 Things to do in Kanchanaburi – Day Trip to Kanchanaburi from Bangkok

Kanchanaburi is a perfect destination to make a day trip from Bangkok. Besides the beautiful River Kwai and the Erawan National Park, Kanchanaburi is also distinct for its tragic history.

Located 150 km to the west of Bangkok, Kanchanaburi was the place where prisoners of war were exploited under the Japanese army during World War II. They worked to build the rail route from Thailand to Myanmar, which now is called Death Railway.

Since the 1957 movie based on this tragic story, ‘The Bridge over the River Kwai’, Kanchanaburi became well-known and attracted many tourists, who wish to visit the museums, war cemeteries, and the Death Railway built by POWs with blood and tears as well as its lush nature and emerald lagoon.

Among the many attractions in Kanchanaburi, here are some of the best spots you can visit.

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1. Bridge over the River Kwai & Death Railway

The Bridge over the River Kwai is the most famous and well-known part of the Death Railway. It is known that 16,000 POWs and about 100,000 slaves died during the construction, which is why it’s called Death Railway.

You can either walk across the bridge while enjoying the view at the small side platforms between the spans or take one of the trains in operation that cross the bridge every day. The most famous section of the railway is the way to the “Dangerous Curve (Krasae Cave)”. If you want to take a tour with a train ride of this section, click here.

👉 Click here to book River Kwai 1 Day Join-in Tour 👈

• Address: Ban Tai, Mueang Kanchanaburi District, Kanchanaburi 71000, Thailand
• Train Ticket Price: 100 baht for non-Thai nationality.

2. Hellfire Pass

Hellfire Pass was a part of the railroad where they needed to cut through a mountain to connect the tracks. This stretch of the railway was named as such because the POWs working on this site with torches at night resembled ‘hell’.  Visit Hellfire Pass in order to witness the cruel conditions of the POWS as well as other historical sites in Kanchanaburi with this tour!

👉 Click here to book Hellfire Pass Tour 👈

3. Kanchanaburi War Cemetery

Kanchanaburi War Cemetery is located across from Kanchanaburi railway station. This is where 7,000 POWs of the Death Railway, mostly from the U.K., the Netherlands, and Australia, are buried and commemorated. After the war ended, the Allies decided to move all the buried POWs bodies along the railway to either the cemetery in Kanchanaburi or in Myanmar if the POWs died closer to Myanmar(Burma).

The cemetery is neatly maintained. However, during the rainy season access to graves may be closed to prevent damage to the grounds.

If you want to visit Kanchanaburi War Cemetery with other famous attractions, simply join this tour.

• Address: 284/66 Sangchuto Rd, Tambon Ban Tai, Amphoe Mueang Kanchanaburi, Chang Wat Kanchanaburi 71000, Thailand
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Opening Hours: 09:00-17:00

4. JEATH War Museum

JEATH War Museum, located close to the Bridge over the River Kwai, is where you can learn more about the construction of the Death Railway and the prisoners. The museum is named after the countries whose casualties were meant to be commemorated: Japan, England, America, Australia, Thailand and the Netherlands. The building resembles the jail where the prisoners were incarcerated. It houses personal items such as photographs & clothes as well as some drawings by ex-prisoners depicting their life in the camps.

If you want to visit JEATH War Museum with other famous attractions, book this join-in tour.

This tour, which goes to JEATH War Museum and then further to the remoter Hellfire Pass instead of Kanchanaburi War Cemetery and Krasae Cave is another great option!

• Address: Ban Tai, Mueang Kanchanaburi District, Kanchanaburi 71000, Thailand
• Entrance Fee: 40 baht
• Opening Hours: 08:30-18:00

5. Krasae Cave

Krasae Cave is a small cave on the Death Railway near the famous Dangerous Curve. It has been said that this area was one of the most difficult to construct and the most dangerous sections of the Death Railway. This is the spot where you might have seen in a picture with people sticking out their heads from the windows of a train on Death Railway.

You can walk to the cave from Thamkrasae Station. However, there are no handrails, thus be careful not to trip. The train drivers are well-aware that tourists do walk the tracks in this area and normally give enough warning as they approach. It is absolutely worth trying the walk if heights don’t bother you.

Krasae Cave houses Buddha images that the locals have respected for a very long time. If you want to visit Krasae Cave with other famous attractions, the cheapest & easiest option is to book this join-in tour.

• Address: Lum Sum, Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi 71150, Thailand
• Entrance Fee: Free

6. Cruise / Jet ski tour at River Kwai

The most luxurious ways to explore Kanchanaburi area would be by cruises or even jet skis along the River Kwai. Some people say it is the best thing to do in Kanchanaburi as you can really soak up the sceneries in such a chill environment.

If you define yourself as a thrill-seeker, jet skiing would be a better option for you than a cruise. Both options offer a short course (1hr, 1.5hrs) and a long course (2hrs, 2.5hrs). Choose based on your preference and schedule.

If you want to get on a cruise or a jet ski along the River Kwai, book this private tour. You can get on it with additional charges.

• Cost for cruises and jet skis
  – 1.5-hour River Kwai cruise: 1,400 baht per boat
  – 2-hour River Kwai cruise: 1,800 baht per boat
  – 1-hour River Kwai jet ski tour: 4,300 baht per 2 people
  – 2.5-hour River Kwai jet ski tour: 6,300 baht per 2 people

7. Erawan National Park

Besides its rich history, Kanchanaburi is also famous for its beautiful Erawan National Park and the Erawan Waterfall, a seven-tiered waterfall found inside the park.

When you visit Erawan Waterfall, don’t forget a towel and a swimsuit, because there are plenty of turquoise lagoons perfect for swimming. When swimming, you will find doctor fishes everywhere eating the dead skin off your feet. It takes some time to get used to the strange and tickling feeling, but you should definitely try it while at the Erawan National Park.

Erawan National Park and the waterfall is tricky to get there by public transit. The best way to get there is to book a private taxi or transfer service.

👉 Click here to book Erawan Waterfall 1 Day Private Taxi Tour 👈

If you want to take a join-in tour at an affordable price to Erawan Waterfall & River Kwai, here’s the perfect tour for you.

👉 Book Erawan Waterfall & River Kwai 1 Day Join-in Tour 👈

You can also include a visit to the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market or the Death Railway to your itinerary of the Erawan Waterfall and River Kwai tour, here are some more options!

👉 Book Erawan Waterfall & River Kwai & Damnoen Saduak Floating Market 1 Day Join-in Tour 👈

👉 Erawan Waterfall + Death Railway + River Kwai Bridge Tour 👈

Or if you are a nature lover and would like to visit other natural beauties along with the Erawan Waterfall, join in on this tour with a transfer service!

👉 Book Erawan Waterfall + Phrathat Cave + Srinakarin Dam 1 Day Tour 👈

• Address: Highway 3199, Tha Kradan, 71250 Si Sawat, Kanchanaburi, ตำบล ท่ากระดาน อำเภอ ศรีสวัสดิ์ กาญจนบุรี 71250, Thailand
• Entrance Fee: adult 300 baht / children 200 baht (for non-Thai nationality)
• Opening Hours: 07:00-17:00

8. Kanchanaburi ElephantsWorld

Located on the banks of River Kwai, Kanchanaburi ElephantsWorld is a sanctuary for abused, sick, or old elephants. If you are an animal lover visiting Kanchanaburi, why not head to ElephantsWorld to spend some time with these majestic creatures for a meaningful and insightful time? You can get join the tour to the sanctuary by clicking here!

👉 Book Kanchanaburi ElephantsWorld Visit 👈

• Address: Wang Dong, Mueang Kanchanaburi District, Kanchanaburi 71190 Thailand
• Entrance Fee: Adult (~12 yrs): 2270 baht, Child (4~11 yrs): 1360 baht

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To travel Kanchanaburi, you can either take a join-in tour at an affordable price or a private tour with your choices of destinations in Kanchanaburi.

👉 Click here to book River Kwai 1 Day Join-in Tour 👈

👉 Click here to book Kanchanaburi 1 Day Private Tour 👈

👉 Click here to book Erawan Waterfall 1 Day Private Tour 👈

If you want to know more about popular day trip destination near Bangkok, also read 👉 5 Nearby Day Trips from Bangkok (Central Thailand)

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Last but not least, don’t forget to visit Trazy.com for more travel tips and ideas for your next trip to Thailand! 😉

Photo Credit
Official Website of ElephantsWorld
Landscape with river Kwae Noi seen from viewpoint at Wat Tham Khao Pun in Kanchanaburi, Thailand via photopin (license)