During our latest visit to Bangkok we decided we finally wanted to see the famous River Kwai Bridge. So we embarked on an adventure and we took the train from Bangkok to the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi!
In this article we’ll tell you all about our door-to-door journey, how to get train tickets and which hotel we stayed at.
What is the River Kwai all about?
The bridge on the River Kwai was built by the forced labor of POWs during the second world war. The bridge was part of a large railroad structure that was meant to connect the south-east Asian continent all the way up to Burma (now known as Myanmar).
During the construction of the bridge many workers suffered and died under horrendous circumstances, which is why the railway has been dubbed as the ‘Death Railway’.
Part of the railroad and a rebuilt version of the bridge are still in use today, and the bridge was made famous in the 1957 movie ‘Bridge on the River Kwai’.
Because we wanted to see this part of history ourselves, we decided to take the train from Bangkok and head to the town of Kanchanaburi.
How to take the train from Bangkok?
If you want to go from Bangkok to the River Kwai by train, then you need to do some planning. The town where the River Kwai Bridge is located is called Kanchanaburi.
It’s important to know is that there are only two trains leaving from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi each day. You need to take the train with destination: Nam Tok. The first train leaves at 07:45 in the morning and the second train leaves Bangkok at 14:00.
When we went there we wanted to make the most out of our time there and decided on taking the early morning train.
As opposed to other rail connections, the train to Kanchanaburi does not leave from Bangkok’s main train station. Instead it leaves from station Thonburi, which is located on the western side of the Chao Phraya River.
For us getting to Thonburi station wasn’t convenient with public transport. Instead we went to Charan(Jalan)Sanitwong which is also an MRT metro stop.
Now of course we could’ve taken a taxi, but since we left in the morning we wanted to avoid traffic. We were staying in the Sukhumvit/Asoke area and traffic there is no joke. Since there are only two trains leaving per day, we were not taking any chances.
If you’re not sure yet where to stay in Bangkok, check-out our Bangkok Area Guide.
How to buy tickets for Kanchanaburi Train
A one-way ticket for the Bangkok – Nam Tok train costs 100 Thai Baht per person, no matter which stop you get on or off. You can buy your ticket at the station if you’re leaving from station Thonburi, or in our case buy them from the ticket inspector since it wasn’t possible to buy a ticket at Jalan Sanitwong. Do make sure to have the exact fare ready.
Train ride to River Kwai Experience
The Bangkok to the River Kwai train only has 3rd class seating and does not have AC onboard. Luckily there are fans installed instead. The seats are comfortable enough for the 2,5 hour ride and with the windows open you’re treated to a nice breeze.
The train makes frequent stops and during the train ride vendors will come on-board to sell their snacks. We were feeling snack-ish so we bought Mango strips that come with a dip made of sugar, salt and chili flakes. A must try in Thailand!
Lastly for the train’s features, there’s also a toilet on board and we can say it was pretty clean for a train toilet.
Arrival in Kanchanaburi, River Kwai
At around 10:30 the train arrives in Kanchanaburi town. Depending on where you need to go within Kanchanaburi you either get off on this stop or you wait until the next one: the River Kwai stop. This stop is right before the bridge.
Upon arrival at the River Kwai stop you’ll see many people waiting to actually board to train. From here on the train will continue its journey by crossing the bridge and head to Nam Tok. This part of the death railway is one of the most beautiful stretches of the journey, providing stunning views.
Everyone will try to get a good spot on the left side of the train, because this guarantees the best views. So if you’re looking to go to Nam Tok, make sure to either start your trip in Bangkok. Alternatively get on at Kanchanaburi Town’s main train station to avoid the crowd and get the best seats possible.
Where to stay in River Kwai (Kanchanaburi)
Upon arrival in Kanchanaburi we immediately made our way to our hotel, which is aptly named: River Kwai View Hotel. As the name suggests the hotel provides views of River Kwai and the Bridge. It’s a basic and affordable hotel and it’s conveniently located at a 2 minute walk from the train stop. In the morning they offer a small breakfast buffet. Right next to the hotel there’s also a 7-eleven and a Café Amazon.
While the hotel itself isn’t anything special, we do recommend it. It’s clean, affordable and well located!
What to do in Kanchanaburi
The River Kwai bridge is of course the ‘main attraction’ of the town. As the train doesn’t go over the track that often, you’re actually allowed to cross it by foot. This is a really fun experience, since walking on the tracks is generally not very safe or even allowed. Here it’s no problem though! When the train crosses you do need to be off the tracks, but the train is hard to miss with its loud horn.
On the other side of the bridge you’ll find a Chinese Temple. It’s nice to check out, but a short 10-minute visit is more than enough.
Back in the main part of the town you’ll find two history museums. One is named the Jeath War Museum and the second one is the Death Railway Museum and Research center. For the most detailed account of the railway’s history we recommend visiting the railway museum and research center.
The entry fee is about 150 Baht for adults. In the museum you’ll find detailed information about what the conditions were like for those forcibly working on the rail road. The museum is easily reached with a short tuk tuk ride.
Our recommendation for a River Kwai Visit
Kanchanaburi town doesn’t require a lot of time. In fact the town is pretty small and aside from some nice restaurants and a few market stalls, there are few things going on during the day.
If you’re looking to see the bridge, take a stroll and visit the museum, then you can also make it a day trip. In that case you can take the early train out of Bangkok. You’ll arrive at around 10:30, see the sights and you can take the train back at 14:45 from Kanchanaburi station.
If you want to see more of the Kanchanaburi area, then we recommend staying two or three nights. This way you can take the train all the way to the end of the line at Nam Tok, visit the Erawan waterfalls and enjoy Kanchanaburi town. You can even sleep at a floating resort!
Thanks for reading our blog about going from Bangkok to the River Kwai by train and we hope you have a great time on your trip! Be sure to read our Bangkok Travel Tips & Arrival Guide to prepare for your upcoming trip!
Enjoy your trip! – Laurens & Laura
p.s. For more Yes and Explore, check-out our Youtube Channel or watch our video about the Train to River Kwai below:
