4 days in Kanchanaburi and Erawan: river and falls
Train or van west, sleep the river, and walk Erawan early. Keep Ayutthaya on a different daylight block so both parks get a full morning.
River-town history plus one waterfall day is the west-of-Bangkok plan. Sleep in Kanchanaburi using where to stay. The River Kwai morning is the steel bridge plus the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, not a ten-minute selfie. Ordinary trains still leave Thonburi; see Bangkok to Kanchanaburi.
Erawan is a separate day: 300 THB for a foreign adult, seven tiers, 65 to 70 km, bus 8170 about 1.5 hours. Turn around near 15:30 if you want tier 7. Leave Ayutthaya off this van. Hellfire Pass is a third road if you stretch the week.
Day by day
1 Thonburi train
Walk from MRT Bang Khun Non. Sleep in town.
2 Bridge and cemetery
Railway centre first. Bridge at dusk if you want the photo.
3 Erawan Falls
300 THB. Seven tiers. 15:30 turnaround.
4 Return Bangkok
Train or van. Do not add Ayutthaya this afternoon.
Town story, then the waterfall
For ruins plus this river, use 5 days Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi.
| Block | Sleep | 2026 fee or clock |
|---|---|---|
| Nights 1 to 3 | Kanchanaburi town | Thonburi train in |
| Day 3 | Same hotel | Erawan 300 THB; 65 to 70 km |
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Kanchanaburi townThree nightsBridge plus Erawan without a same-day rush.
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Thonburi trainsTrip.comOrdinary trains leave Thonburi station for Kanchanaburi in about 2.5 to 3 hours, about 100 THB for a 2026 foreigner fare. Krung Thep Aphiwat (Bang Sue) is the wrong station.
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Erawan vansToursCheck whether the 300 THB park ticket is included in the tour price.
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Search flights Chiang Mai to HanoiCommon questions
- Bang Sue or Thonburi?
- Thonburi (Bangkok Noi). Bang Sue is the first-timer mistake.
- Same day as Ayutthaya?
- No. Different rail, different day.
- Swim at Erawan?
- When the water is clear. Parks can close swimming after heavy rain. Call 034 574 222.