Key hubs
Kanchanaburi airport and railway station
- Airport
- No commercial airport in town. Fly to Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi BKK or Don Mueang DMK) and continue by road, about 2.5 to 3 hours depending on traffic
- Railway station
- Kanchanaburi station, on the Death Railway branch from Thonburi and Nong Pladuk; services are slow and limited, so check current timetables with the State Railway of Thailand
- Getting around
- Walk or cycle within the riverside area; songthaews and tuk-tuks for short hops; a hired car and driver for Erawan, Hellfire Pass and Sai Yok
How to reach Kanchanaburi by air
There is no commercial airport in Kanchanaburi. Fly to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK) and continue by road, about 2.5 to 3 hours depending on traffic. Check for direct flights from your Indian city with the airlines.
How to reach Kanchanaburi by train
Kanchanaburi station is on the Death Railway branch, about 117 km from Thonburi station in Bangkok. Ordinary trains and a weekend excursion run on the line, but services are slow and limited; check current timetables with the State Railway of Thailand.
How to reach Kanchanaburi by road
Bangkok is about 120 km east. Highway 4 and Highway 323 link the two, and buses run from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal. A private car or van with a driver is the most comfortable way for families.
Getting around Kanchanaburi
The riverside area is walkable or cyclable. Songthaews and tuk-tuks cover short hops, and a hired car with a driver is best for Erawan, Hellfire Pass and Sai Yok. The Death Railway train can serve as a scenic ride towards Nam Tok.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Kanchanaburi
- Keep to one major outing a day. The town sights are flat, but the heat from March to May is tiring and the road trips to Erawan or Hellfire Pass take a good part of a day.
- Choose a hotel with a lift or a ground-floor room, and a car pickup from the door. Many riverside guesthouses have stairs and no lift.
- Carry your regular medicines, a copy of the prescriptions and travel insurance papers. The town has medical facilities, but serious problems may need transfer to Bangkok.
- Drink bottled or boiled water, carry sun protection and shoes with good grip; stone near waterfalls is slippery in the wet.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.