Jump to content
Login with your Gmail HERE and start posting in seconds! ×
Don't just read! Be part of the Community! Join the conversation ×

Is it fesible to travel from bkk to kanchanaburi province to see the sights?

Howitzer

By Howitzer
in Thailand Travel Forum

 Share

Recommended Posts

impulse Star Member

impulse

Posted
Posted (edited)

I'm with Craig3365. I wouldn't hesitate to hire a private car, taxi or van to take me up and back the same day, though it's better to spend a night there to see more. There's a lot to see, and it's a 2.5-4 hour drive depending on traffic- usually under 3.

Normally, I'd take the train, but there was some maintenance on the tracks this summer and I'm not sure the track is open back up to K-Buri yet. Sorry I don't have that info, but the Hua Lampong station will know.

Unfortunately, the big (safer) buses going that way leave BKK from a fairly remote bus station. Still I often take the train up, then take a big bus back (they run more often than the train) and then a 30 minute taxi from the remote station to Asoke where I live.

Warning: I'll never get into another kamikaze public van that packs you in like sardines, then drives like they have a death wish. Never. Hire a private car.

Edited by impulse
SoiBiker Platinum Member

SoiBiker

Posted
Posted

It's doable in a day trip but you'll be rushed and won't get to see everything. I'd go up there for a night or two and take it at a more leisurely pace.

craigt3365 Star Member

craigt3365

Posted
Posted

Is that big wooden bridge rebuilt yet? I've never been, but sounds neat. And from what I've heard, a beautiful area. I guess you can stay on floating rooms in the lake??? Definitely worth an overnighter for that!

apidge Rookie Member

apidge

Posted
Posted

take a bus up there, book into Knobel Knights motel 750 baht a night. takes 2 days to have a look at the museums. the motel is a good one to stay in, have stayed there many times. Have fun, a few bars close by.

xen Gold Member

xen

Posted
Posted

There is a train trip every Saturday and Sunday from Hua Lampong Railway station . Weekdays the train leaves from Thonburi . Leaves about 8.00am and gets back around 9.00 ish (Thai Time) at night.

Third class all the way so bring yourself some snacks /drinks/picnic lunch. Costs 130 baht per person if i remember rightly . 90% Thais all enjoying themselves on their day off. Party time especially on the way back after everyone has had a few drinks for lunch. Unless you consider yourself above the locals and the average Thai people you will have a good time too.

No tour guides either boring the shit out of you so bring a tour book if you need info and you can use it as a fan when the train stops and there is no breeze coming in thru the windows. Kanchanaburi is one of the hottest places in Thailand i have experienced. Gives you an tiny idea what the allied POW's had to endure building the Death Railway .

It however does not go as far as Hell fire pass and is not really want you want if you want to spend a bit of time exploring the area although i understand you can hop off the train and catch it the next day and reume yr tour but you will need to find out for sure when you book at Hualampong station. Also on that note , do book as it is popular and apparently does get booked out especially holiday weekends.

Seat 61 : http://www.seat61.com/Bridge-on-the-River-Kwai.htm#.VdlWxvmqqko

another site is : http://www.thelongestwayhome.com/travel-guides/thailand/weekend-train-kanchanaburi-bridge-over-river-kwai.html

xen Gold Member

xen

Posted
Posted (edited)

Thanks for the tips guys I'm looking at my cell phone so are those links about the tours?

If you are referring to the links i posted they are about information on getting there by train without using a tour company - just general info. Seat 61 is the train traveller's bible .

Kan Win is a excellent photographer who lives in Kanchanaburri i believe and his links takes you to some very good photos.

Edited by xen
Roota Senior Member

Roota

Posted
Posted

Is that big wooden bridge rebuilt yet?

It is, but that's in Sangkhlaburi, a good four hours beyond Kan, so it becomes a much longer trip. Highly worthwhile though.

SoiBiker Platinum Member

SoiBiker

Posted
Posted

Kanchanaburi sounds like a nice place to visit, like to know why it's considered special.

Weird question. When did anyone suggest it was somehow special?

It's a interesting place with some historical sights to see, a scenic railway, some nice surroundings etc. It's one of a large number of places in Thailand that people are interesting in visiting.

SoiBiker Platinum Member

SoiBiker

Posted
Posted

I would stay atleast 2 days/2 nights. You have the onland trip over the bridge (morning), the longtail boat trip on the river (afternoon) and the Erawan waterfall (next day).

I'd allow some time for Hellfire Pass too, if you're at all interested in the wartime stuff.

Don't be tempted by the tours that include the falls, Hellfire Pass and the railway in a single day - you get rushed around and you won't have time to see all the tiers of the falls, or to give the pass the attention it deserves.

malt25 Gold Member

malt25

Posted
Posted
"Is it fesible to travel from bkk to kanchanaburi province to see the sights?"

I think it will be somewhat difficult to see the Kanchanaburi sights from BKK, so yes, definitely better to travel there.

On a slightly more serious note, I'd suggest at least 2 or 3 days if you want to do your visit justice. Hell fire Pass, War museum, the bridge, war cemetery. Go a little further & stay in one of the floating hotels overnight.

I've done a 2 night / 3 day package tour from Pattaya a few times & have driven a hire car there from BKK. You won't be disappointed.

Cheers..... Mal.

chiang mai Star Member

chiang mai

Posted
Posted

Stay overnight, at least one night. Make sure you take a long tail boat down the Kwai River, it's magical and a great way to see the surrounds.

oneday Gold Member

oneday

Posted
Posted

Two days minimum to see the sites in this city. Do not forget to see Erawan National Park 60 kilometers outside town, now voted #1 National Park in Thailand or number #1 most visited or something #1.

Kan Win Ruby Member

Kan Win

Posted
Posted

+1. I forgot about Erawan, it's a must see.

so you never went up past that waterfall, up the road, turn left,

Huay Mae Khamin Waterfall

Level Four.

This place is in Kanchanaburi Province. Go to Erawan Waterfall and just passed that there is a turn off to your left to Srinakharin Dam National Park. Only 42 kms thereafter on a very rough no tarmac road you will reach it. This was my second time there, but went there on that rough road. Near on 2 hours on that road to go 42 kms. I would not advise this road. Use the other route.

See below:-

The first time, I went the long way around on an easier way, on two ferries across the Srinakarin Reservoir. Great views there as well along that way. Go during the "Rainy Season" then the Waterfall should be as full as you have see in my photo.

Should you wish to go there, take a Thai with you that knows the area and way.

Took me 4 hours there, 1 click as you saw, 4 hours back with a whole group of people. On your own it should not take you that long.

large.jpg

and very easy to walk to this waterfall from the main site, toilets, showers, food etc. are there as well.

Win thumbsup.gif

swissbie Senior Member

swissbie

Posted
Posted

Erawan is a must see, but don't go on weekends, public holidays or school holidays. Trains are the nicest way to do it, only 3. class, but it's a short trip. Bus is easy too, the southern bus terminal is not that remote, just a few minutes from Banglampoo, in Talling Chan.

Jonmarleesco Gold Member

Jonmarleesco

Posted
Posted

You mean day-tripping? Yes, but as someone else suggested, hire a car and driver. If you're staying in a hotel, they might offer the service; or they will arrange it. Otherwise, a reputable car/driver hire firm.

Jaggg88 Silver Member

Jaggg88

Posted
Posted

Is that big wooden bridge rebuilt yet? I've never been, but sounds neat. And from what I've heard, a beautiful area. I guess you can stay on floating rooms in the lake??? Definitely worth an overnighter for that!

Yes the wooden bridge is rebuilt - there's a picture and story on TV somewhere. The girl at the front of the bridge is my friend who lives in Oxford - she had no idea she was was in the press photo.

pattayahenry Apprentice Member

pattayahenry

Posted
Posted

it is possible to do kanchanaburi in a daytour from bangkok, but you will see only a very small part of the sights. kanchanaburi has enough interesting places for a whole week or more, -Sangkhlaburi is an idyllic place and well worth visiting as it is off the tourist trail and thus great for the tourist who wants to see "real Thailand" (whatever that is:)).- thongpapum, erawan falls, sai yoke yai and noi national parks, hot springs, lava cave, grasae cave and several others, hellfire museum, and many other interesting lakes, floating resorts, and so on.

jacko45k Star Member

jacko45k

Posted
Posted

Yes, I did it all on public transport years ago, no problems. Even took it further using mini-buses to Sai Yok.

I needed my TGF to help as my language skills were (and still are) poor, but it was a great trip.

I was fitter, younger and more tolerant of discomfort then.......

A truck would suit me better these days.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.






ASEANNOW

ASEANNOW (formerly Thai Visa) Thailand's oldest and most popular forum for expats and foreigners.

Sign up today and have your say

MORE INFO

POPULAR AREAS

CONTACT US

219/59 Asoke Towers, 15th Floor, Soi Sukhumvit 21, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
(+66) 99 196 1100
[email protected]

×
×
  • Create New...