5 days Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi
This is a short inland loop of temples, brick prangs, and the River Kwai line. The ordinary train from Thonburi is 100 THB for foreigners. Give Erawan its own morning.
Five inland days cover Bangkok temples, Ayutthaya ruins, and the River Kwai line. They do not cover a beach. Sleep two nights in Bangkok, one near Ayutthaya or back in the city, then two in Kanchanaburi if Erawan matters. Ayutthaya and the River Kwai are different directions and different Bangkok stations.
Ordinary trains 257 (about 07:45) and 259 (about 13:55) leave Thonburi Station, not Krung Thep Aphiwat (Bang Sue Grand). Foreigners pay a flat 100 THB to any station on the Nam Tok line, bought at the window the same day. The line crosses the steel bridge and, when open, the Tham Krasae viaduct. Erawan is a different road: local bus 8170 from Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal, first bus 08:00, about 1.5 hours and about 60 THB.
Day by day
1 Bangkok temples
Grand Palace 500 THB at opening, Wat Pho 300 THB, Wat Arun ferry. Sleep Sukhumvit or riverside. Chinatown dinner if you still have legs.
2 Chinatown and the river
Yaowarat in daylight for the lanes, not only at night. River boat. Pack for an early Ayutthaya train tomorrow.
3 Ayutthaya ruins
Krung Thep Aphiwat or Hua Lamphong, 60 to 90 minutes. Paid sites 80 THB each or 300 THB combo. Bicycle or tuk-tuk. Back by the last useful train.
4 Thonburi to Kanchanaburi
Ordinary 257 about 07:45, 100 THB foreigner. Bridge, Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, war cemetery. Sleep in town.
5 Erawan, then out
08:00 bus 8170. Seven tiers, upper close about 15:30. Last bus back about 16:30. Van to Bangkok if you have a night flight.
Three stations, three jobs
Ayutthaya trains use Krung Thep Aphiwat for most rapid and express sets, and Hua Lamphong for many ordinary third-class boards. Kanchanaburi ordinary trains use Thonburi, about 750 m from MRT Bang Khun Non. Sai Tai Mai vans are the faster westbound backup if Erawan is tomorrow morning.
| Day | Station | Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Ayutthaya | Krung Thep Aphiwat or Hua Lamphong | Seat on a northbound set; combo ruins 300 THB |
| Kanchanaburi train | Thonburi | 100 THB foreigner, day-of, third class |
| Erawan | Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal | Bus 8170 about 60 THB; park 300 THB cash |
Keep going
Book
Bangkok nightsRiverside or SukhumvitTwo nights before the north and west day trips.
Search stays- KanchanaburiTown
Two nights if Erawan is on the list. One night if you only want the bridge.
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Thonburi and Ayutthaya trainsTrip.comConfirm Thonburi for Kanchanaburi. Krung Thep Aphiwat does not run that branch.
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Common questions
- Can Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi share one day?
- No. Different stations, different directions. The 5-day plan gives each a day.
- Do you need to book the Death Railway online?
- No. Ordinary 257 and 259 are window tickets, 100 THB for foreigners, usually the same morning.
- Van or train to Kanchanaburi?
- Train if the rice fields are the morning. Van from Sai Tai Mai if the 08:00 Erawan bus is the point.