A charming town that has great deal to offer a backpacker looking for a relaxed experience in Thailand. The city boasts many historical attractions. The surrounding areas lay claim to some of the most beautiful nature in the kingdom. From the Bridge over the river Kwai to the famous Erawan Falls, there is surely something for everyone. This location is only a hop, skip, and a jump away from Bangkok. As such, it is often promoted as a day trip by Bangkok based tour companies. However, it is well worth at least a couple of days if you want a chance to see what is on offer.

Getting to Kanchanaburi from Bangkok:

Bus

You need to get to the southern bus terminal which is just across the bridge from the Khao San area (Banglamphu).  It is too far to walk, but a quite short taxi ride.  When you get to the terminal you will see many local Thai busses (blue) and very few farang.  Just walk in and look for a sign that says Kanchanaburi.  Walk up to that window and buy your ticket.  They should speak plenty of English.  The trip to Kburi should only takes 3 hours.  It is a much better way to travel on local busses in my opinion.

Minibus

Take a Thai minibus. You will need to cross the Ratchadamnoen Avenue and go right on the other side. Ask how get to Royal (formerly) Rattanakosin Hotel to avoid confusion.  Everyone will know this hotel.  In front of that hotel will be minibuses going to Kanchanaburi.  They will start to run every hour at 4:00 am.  If there is any confusion, there is also a 7-11 there.  In front of the 7-11 there are minibuses going to Ratchaburi.  You can ask them where the bus to Kanchanaburi is departing from.

Travel agencies in the Khao San Road area will also arrange a minibus for you, but this is less than desirable. They are convenient, so you need to do your own cost/benefit analysis. These tend to be overcrowded, and they often smell bad in my opinion! It is cheaper to take the minibus service mentioned above. It is a short walk from Khao San Road, so there is no need for a taxi. Personally, I often use the Ratchaburi service (offered by the same company) myself. They are professional, convenient, and timely.

Train

This is the slowest of all of the options, but it is still a nice trip for most travelers.

Taxi

Taking a taxi from Bangkok is a good option if you are in a rush and sharing with a few other like-minded people. The official rate is about 1200 Baht, but this will depend largely on your ability to haggle over the price. Generally, taxi drivers will attempt to charge you more. With a friendly smile, a little bit of Thai, and a lot of patience, it will be possible to get a reduced price for the journey. It will take an hour and a half to two hours depending on traffic and other factors.

What to see!

WWII Related Attractions

Nature, Waterfalls, and National Parks

Temples & Other Attractions