Thailand Guide

Getting around Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi is known for a Thonburi train rather than a Bang Sue hop, so stay in town and use songthaews for the bridge. Erawan is a separate 65 to 70 km road.

Back to Kanchanaburi
Thonburi trainsSai Tai Mai vansBus 8170
Getting around Kanchanaburi
Photo: Supanut Arunoprayote (CC BY 4.0)
TrainThonburi station, not Krung Thep Aphiwat
Faster pathVan from Sai Tai Mai, about 2 to 2.5 hours
Erawan65 to 70 km; bus 8170 about 1.5 hours
Fee300 THB foreign adult at Erawan
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Ordinary SRT sets to Kanchanaburi and Nam Tok leave Thonburi (Bangkok Noi), about a 750 m walk from MRT Bang Khun Non. They have not moved to Krung Thep Aphiwat, and that is the first-timer mistake. Read Bangkok to Kanchanaburi before you Grab to Bang Sue.

Vans from Sai Tai Mai take about 2 to 2.5 hours, and in town, songthaews cover the bridge and the night market. Erawan is 65 to 70 km: bus 8170 about 1.5 hours, 300 THB foreign adult at the gate, seven tiers. Two nights if Erawan and the railway are both planned.

Which mode for which hop

  • Thonburi train: Atmospheric, third class, not Bang Sue.
  • Sai Tai Mai van: Faster if Erawan is tomorrow.
  • Songthaew: Bridge, cemetery, market.
  • Bus 8170: Erawan. Ask the last bus back before you climb.

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Common questions

Which Bangkok station?
Thonburi for the daily ordinary trains. Krung Thep Aphiwat does not run that branch.
Can you Grab to Erawan?
You can. Budget the empty return. Bus 8170 is the cheap clock if you catch the 08:00.