Day 1: The Bridge, Thailand-Burma Railway Centre & Buddhist Temples

Start your trip by visiting the Bridge over the River Kwai, the iconic landmark which was part of the Death Railway, built during World War II. Walk across the bridge and take in the incredible views of the river and surrounding countryside. It’s a popular spot, so arrive early to beat the crowds and snap some photos in the soft morning light.

From the bridge, walk through the town centre familiarising yourself with its layout. Navigating Kanchanaburi is a breeze, with Maenam Kwai Road being the hub for bars, restaurants, hotels, and cafes. This area is the heart of the town’s nightlife, where you’ll find many friendly faces -both locals and travelers – ready to share a drink and swap travel tales. To the east of the town centre, you will find the bus and train stations, and to the west long country roads which lead you to the spectacular national parks and dense forests.

Make your way to the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, a small but informative museum which offers a glimpse into the lives of the prisoners of war who were forced to build the railway. The thought-provoking museum is really well-curated, with emotional survivor accounts and first-hand experiences, alongside models and exhibits which really bring to life the horrendous conditions the prisoners faced. A visit costs 100 Thai Baht, which includes a free coffee or cup of tea in a small café upstairs. 

Right across the street from the museum is the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. It’s the final resting place for many Allied soldiers who lost their lives building the railway. You can walk amongst the gravestones in this immaculately-kept cemetery, reading the heartfelt messages from the family members. I was moved to tears by their sentiments and how few of the young soldiers reached their 30th birthday. You might not think that visiting a cemetery is high on your holiday wishlist, but I encourage you to visit this one. It’s free to enter and really left a lasting impression on me. 

After stopping for lunch in the town centre, it’s time to visit some of Kanchanaburi’s beautiful temples. Head to Wat Thewa Sangkharam, a brightly-coloured Buddhist temple not far from the War Cemetery. It is very striking with its eye-catching red roofs, white columns and extravagant gold decorations. Close to Wat Thewa Sangkharam is a large, fat smiling Buddha who bears a resemblance to Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story! You can also visit Wat Thaworn Wararam, a Chinese temple with large statues, and colourful paintings dedicated to the twelve zodiac signs. Take some time to appreciate these temples from the inside and out, then unwind in the nearby park where you can rest your feet after a day of exploring.

In the evening, I suggest checking out the Kanchanaburi Night Market on Heritage Walking Street. It isn’t as enormous as night markets you might have visited in other parts of Thailand, but it has a really authentic feel. You won’t find pushy sellers, tourist trinkets, souvenirs or racks of elephant trousers. This is a proper night market, geared towards locals. You will find Thai families and groups of friends, hanging out and enjoying high quality food at low prices.

Prices are clearly marked (taking the guesswork out of ordering) and there is a lot of variety, including grilled meat and seafood, stir fried dishes, mango sticky rice and fresh coconut ice cream. Not sure what to order? Check out my post 10 Must-Try Thai Dishes to give you some ideas about what not to miss.

Day 2: Erawan National Park & Kanchanaburi Coffee Scene

On your second day in Kanchanaburi, it is time to visit Erawan National Park. If you’re a fan of waterfalls (and who isn’t?) Erawan National Park is an absolute dream. It costs 300฿ per person for non-Thai nationals and you can easily spend several hours here. The national park is known for its enormous waterfall, which cascades over seven tiers.

If you can, hike up to the seventh tier for spectacular views over the national park. You can swim in some of the stunning turquoise pools (it is clearly marked where swimming is and isn’t allowed). Life jackets are required if you want to swim, and cost 20฿ to rent per person. Aim to get to Erawan early to beat the heat and the crowds, and remember to bring a swimsuit, towel, comfortable walking shoes and plenty of drinking water. You can bring food with you, or buy some at the restaurants and food stalls at the entrance.

You can reach Erawan National Park with your own vehicle, a private driver or via the public bus, which departs from Kanchanaburi bus station. My husband and I chose the bus option and it worked fairly well. The bus is clearly marked (with a big sign saying “Erawan”) and there’s a board with the bus times next to it. It cost 60฿ per person one-way, and the bus terminates at Erawan National Park. On the day we visited, the morning buses were at 8.00, 9.00, 10.00 and 11.15 (journey time 1hr 30).

You can catch an afternoon bus back to Kanchanaburi at 12.00, 14.00, 15.00 and 16.30 (make sure you don’t miss the last one!). We were there for around 3hr 30 and could have stayed longer but the bus times didn’t fit. If you have your own means of getting to and from Erawan, you’ll have a lot more flexibility about how long to stay. 

Depending on how long you spend at the park, you might have time to visit one of Kanchanaburi’s super-photogenic cafes afterwards. We visited Tongkan Café, which is directly on the river and is so beautifully decorated, we understood why there were some many impromptu Instagram photoshoots taking place around us! Something I discovered at Tongkan Café is a popular coffee combination: espresso coffee mixed with fresh fruit juice, served on a mountain of ice. It may sound weird but it is surprisingly tasty and refreshing on a hot, sunny day. During my stay in Kanchanaburi, I tried espresso with lychee juice, apple juice and freshly-squeezed orange juice (OJ was definitely the best!)

Day 3: Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum, Sai Yok Noi Waterfall and the River Skywalk

On your third day, delve deeper into the history of the Thailand-Burma Railway. While visiting the museum on your first day provided a great introduction, now it’s time to experience the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum and Walking Trail. You’ll be walking on the same ground as the prisoners of war once did. Rent a free audio guide (a photo ID is needed as a deposit) and explore a section of the infamous railway. The Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum, which is also free of charge, offers further insights into this harrowing period in history.

There are different ways to reach the Hellfire Pass. The most popular and picturesque is to take the scenic train journey from Kanchanaburi station to Nam Tuk Station, then take a tuk-tuk or taxi to the Hellfire Pass. The train goes over the famous River Kwai Bridge, the Wampo Viaduct, and the Hellfire Pass. The train windows are open, allowing you to enjoy the fresh air and the views of the river, the mountains, and the jungle. Unfortunately the train didn’t work out for us in terms of timing but maybe it’ll work out for you!

You can reach the Hellfire Pass with your own car or via a private driver, or take the public bus. My husband and I caught the bus from Kanchanaburi station (70฿ per person each way) and were dropped off at the entrance to the museum. The buses run every hour from the bus station to the Hellfire Pass, but it seems much more random on the return journey. We only had to wait fifteen minutes to get back to Kanchanaburi, but I’ve heard of people waiting 1hr+. If you want to use public transport here, you have to be very patient and hope you get lucky with the bus times! 

Once you’ve finished at the Hellfire Pass, you could return to Kanchanaburi or explore more nearby. Sai Yok Noi Waterfall is only 20 minutes’ drive from the museum. It’s smaller than the one at Erawan National Park and is much less crowded. Some reviews say it’s free to enter, others say it’s 300฿ for non-Thai nationals so I’d make sure to have 300฿ on you just in case.

Back in Kanchanaburi, why not treat yourself to a massage? I’m a huge fan of Thai massages and there are tons of parlours to choose between in the town centre. Prices range from 200฿ for a foot massage, 250-350฿ for a traditional Thai massage (where you’ll be stretched, twisted and pulled in multiple directions) and around 300-400฿ for a luxurious, full-body oil massage. 

In the evening you could visit the River Skywalk Kanchanaburi City. It is a 150-metre long walkway, 12 metres off the ground. The floors and sides are made entirely of glass, so you get superb panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. It costs 60฿ per person to enter, and there’s an elevator to take you up and down.

There are a couple of rules to follow: you have to wear special shoe coverings and leave most of your belongings in the free lockers at the ticket office (phones and cameras are allowed up on the Skywalk). If you want to be there for sunset, aim to arrive around 6pm as the sun goes down and the town lights up around you.

Day 4: Buddhist Temples, National Parks or Relaxing River Rafts

On your last day in Kanchanaburi, I’ve got some different ideas for you:

You could visit Kanchanaburi’s most beautiful temple Wat Tham Sua (Tiger Cave Temple), which is around 30 minutes’ drive from the town centre. Most people head straight to the Tiger Cave Temple, but my husband and I actually visited the temple next door – Wat Tham Khao Noi – and were amazed to have the whole place to ourselves. This Chinese-style Buddhist temple is a real feast for the eyes and it was so peaceful walking around this complex in total silence. There are lots of steps to climb to the very top, but you will be rewarded by breathtaking views of the Tiger Cave Temple and rice paddies below. 

After exploring this blissfully empty temple, we walked next door to Wat Tham Sua, which was much busier but equally eye-catching. To reach the Tiger Temple, you have to climb 1,200 stairs (when we were there, the elevator was out of service). It’s quite the workout – but trust me, it’s worth it! While you’re at the top of the hill, take in the impressive architecture and intricate details, along with the huge Buddha covered in sparkles with an open, outstretched hand.

As they are religious sites, remember to wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. I suggest getting there at the start of the day or arriving mid-afternoon to avoid the harsh midday sun. If you don’t have your own car or a private driver, it’s essential to ask your Grab driver (Thailand’s equivalent of Uber) to wait for you while you explore the temples.

It’s nearly impossible to spontaneously find a taxi to take you to Kanchanaburi and a lot of tourists get caught out this way – us included! We had to negotiate with a shop vendor, who agreed to drive us back to the town centre for a price. On the way back, we saw two backpackers, lugging huge bags with them under the scorching sun and invited them to ride back with us, which they were very grateful for! So learn from our collective mistake and make sure you’ve got a Grab driver waiting for you. 

If you’re not in the mood for the temples, you could visit Sai Yok National Park (which is further north than the Hellfire Pass Museum). Here you can find beautiful waterfalls connected by a suspension bridge, along with hiking paths, leisurely walkways, caves and spectacular viewpoints. As with Erawan National Park, it costs 300฿ to enter and there are designated swimming points where life jackets are mandatory. If you get peckish, there are lots of restaurants and food and drink stalls at the entrance.

Alternative, why not do a guided bamboo rafting tour along the River Kwai? This Scenic Private Boat Tour at River Kwai sounds like a dreamy way to spend the afternoon. You float down the river for several hours on a traditional bamboo raft, stopping along the way at an underground cave temple and the JEATH War Museum.