Bangkok-kanchanaburi-bangkok

[mrtoad]

As i spend a number of days in Kanchanaburi each week, and regularly travel back to Bangkok I'm curious about traveling this route by train at some point for a change. Does anybody have any idea on how frequent the trains are from Kanchanaburi and roughly at what times - likewise the same from BKK? I don't just want to go to the train station on the off chance and hang around for hours and hours.

It would be interesting to hear from anyone who has traveled this route previously.

Cheers.

[lioness]

Have a look at www.tourismthailand.org and into Kanchanaburi section, they did have the info on there.

It is a 3rd class line, they will stop wherever and whenever, generally don't run to time and you could be sharing your seat with chickens and the like. It's an interesting trip as long as you are patient.

[moe666]

Easier to ride the bus.

[sungod]

http://www.railway.co.th/english/index.asp

Then click on the timetable menu at the top.

[apetley]

Can take up to 5 hours, not a bad thing if you are into the scenery and generally rubber necking.

Worse is the at least two derailments this year. The track is in a shocking state.

[asanee]

It is a 3rd class line, they will stop wherever and whenever, generally don't run to time and you could be sharing your seat with chickens and the like. It's an interesting trip as long as you are patient.

Google: railways Thailand-what a surprise!

the Kan-tourist office has leaflets detailing all transport options.

the above re chickens is the utter nonsense most TV posters seem to delight in. What IS true its 3d class only=hard wooden setas and just 2 trains/day with eternal delays. The end-station in BKk is also NOT anymore at Thonburi/beside the river-as this area is taken up by expansion of SriRath hospital.

Whay anyone-they surely must be regular users-fails to mention that THIS line has special farang pricing-the Thai travel free (a long running govmt promotion for stopping trains) the farang pay the special price of 100/150 bt-any distance. Thats equal or more as the nice 1st cl. AC buses. It was always a favorite haunt of any TV_poster to jump at double pricing schemes like this one-why now no such thing?

Lately there has also been a new spate of comfy NGV-vans: direct ev 15/20 mins to the Vict. Monument in barely 2 hrs-or the old route to near Sanam Luang. MOstly better fit for ''commuters'' (I dont think anyone does this route on a daily base)

[lioness]

asanee

I have indeed shared a bench with a crate of chickens, it's amazing how you can refer to that as utter rubbish, because it does happen. I also know of one foreigner who shared with a family and the familys pet goat.

Just because it hasn't happened to you, or maybe it's not supposed to happen, doesn't mean that is so, this is Thailand expect anything.

I don't think the cost is an issue, it's the experience

[Kan Win]

Hi 'mrtoad',

New to this neck of the woods then . Suprised that you have not read our "Lonely Comet" guide to Kan.

One of the most “Must Read” books on Kanchanaburi. From the front to the back page, laugh a minute.

Comprehensive and morish, where some reviews of late.

This book details the REAL “Kan” as it should be. No holds barred. "The Empire Strikes Back” so to speak, was yet another comment.

From Kanchanaburi Page 09

The rest of this book Kan be read below.

"Lonely Comet"

Merry Christmas and Joy to Kan

[mrtoad]

Easier to ride the bus.

Wow, must have taken you an age to come up with that one.

If you read the initial post, you might understand that I was looking to do something a little bit different from the regular ways that I normally travel between BKK and Kan. Price and speed is not the issue either.

Thankyou for the other comments and information from those that have read the initial question and taken the time to share some info, and not decided to disc uss double pricing and how good the mini vans are. I'll most certainly give it a go at some point in the near future just for a bit of a change.

[Briggsy]

I've done it. To say it is slow is an understatement. It crawls along and finally reaches Bangkok Noi.

[Lancashirelad]

The end-station in BKk is also NOT anymore at Thonburi/beside the river-as this area is taken up by expansion of SriRath hospital.

So where does it stop now? It was (just about) walking distance to the ferry pier before.

This is a lovely relaxing train journey. (as indeed are most train journeys in Thailand) ....and i would think safer than some of those buses with 1/2 a turn of free play in the steering and a yabaa'd up driver pushing it along at 120kph whilst chatting on the phone.

[phetaroi]

The end-station in BKk is also NOT anymore at Thonburi/beside the river-as this area is taken up by expansion of SriRath hospital.

So where does it stop now? It was (just about) walking distance to the ferry pier before.

This is a lovely relaxing train journey. (as indeed are most train journeys in Thailand) ....and i would think safer than some of those buses with 1/2 a turn of free play in the steering and a yabaa'd up driver pushing it along at 120kph whilst chatting on the phone.

I agree, it's a nice leisurely journey, quite pleasant, done it a couple of times.

I am TOTALLY confused, however, about where it starts/ends. The new little Bangkok Noi station or Hualamphong.

[mrtoad]

The end-station in BKk is also NOT anymore at Thonburi/beside the river-as this area is taken up by expansion of SriRath hospital.

So where does it stop now? It was (just about) walking distance to the ferry pier before.

This is a lovely relaxing train journey. (as indeed are most train journeys in Thailand) ....and i would think safer than some of those buses with 1/2 a turn of free play in the steering and a yabaa'd up driver pushing it along at 120kph whilst chatting on the phone.

I agree, it's a nice leisurely journey, quite pleasant, done it a couple of times.

I am TOTALLY confused, however, about where it starts/ends. The new little Bangkok Noi station or Hualamphong.

Would be useful to know the answer to that question, but excuse my ignorance where is Bangkok Noi station?

[Lancashirelad]

Bangkok Noi station at Thonburi

Just refresh the page is the map fails to load correctly 1st time.

[whalefish]

I've been living in Kan now for only 2 months, but have made frequent trips into Bangkok using all (to my knowledge) available means of transport. The train is my favorite so far. Having ridden it 6 times now, it's always arrived between 2 1/2 to 3 hours, including stops at passenger's back yards. Bring a book, some music, some snacks, and have a blast. The windows are always open with a nice breeze flowing through the cars, the passengers are always interesting, and the scenery is stunning. The station in Kan is only blocks away from the backpackers ghetto, and takes you to the Thonburi train station in BKK, a short walk from one of the river boat piers.

The government 2nd class buses that run between BKK and Kan are also nice. They go between either the North or South bus terminals in BKK (a bit outside of town) to the bus station in Kan (centrally located). The drivers are a bit jerky on the brakes, but otherwise a pleasant ride of about 2-3 hours.

The minibuses between BKK and Kan are a nightmare. They're always late pulling in (by at least 30 mins), the drivers are nutso, and you better have a supply of Dramamine before you get on. Not worth the nausea and health risk in my opinion.

Hope that helps.