Kanchanaburi Full Day Tour: River Kwai and Erawan Falls
Bangkok
Tripadvisor★4.9·332 reviews
Discover Kanchanaburi on a full-day trip from Bangkok, combining World War II history with the natural beauty of Erawan National Park. Visit the iconic Bridge on the River Kwai, explore the JEATH War Museum, enjoy a longtail boat ride, and admire the seven-tiered Erawan Falls with its emerald-green pools.
Leave the busy streets of Bangkok behind and discover Kanchanaburi on a full-day journey combining World War II history with the natural beauty of Erawan National Park. Visit important historical landmarks, learn about the story of the Death Railway, and enjoy the spectacular scenery of one of Thailand’s most famous waterfalls.
Begin at the iconic Bridge on the River Kwai, a powerful reminder of the region’s history during World War II. Built as part of the railway connecting Thailand and Burma, the bridge was constructed under harsh conditions by Allied prisoners of war and local labourers. Learn about the difficult history of the Death Railway and the lives lost during its construction.
Continue with a scenic longtail boat ride along the river to the JEATH War Museum. The museum offers a glimpse into the experiences of prisoners of war through historical photographs, original objects, and a reconstruction of the bamboo huts used as their living quarters. Discover more about the railway’s history and the nationalities involved in its construction.
After exploring Kanchanaburi’s historical sites, travel to Erawan National Park, known for its lush tropical forest and beautiful seven-tiered waterfall. Named after Erawan, the three-headed elephant from Hindu mythology, Erawan Falls features cascading water and emerald-green natural pools. Follow the forest trails to explore the different levels, enjoy the peaceful surroundings, and take a refreshing swim where permitted.
The park’s forested landscape offers a welcome contrast to the morning’s historical visits, with opportunities to appreciate Thailand’s natural beauty and capture memorable photos along the way.
At the end of the day, relax on the journey back to Bangkok and return to your original meeting point. This full-day tour combines meaningful historical experiences, a scenic river journey, and the refreshing beauty of Erawan Falls for a memorable escape from the city.
Important Information
The journey from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi takes approximately 2.5–3 hours, followed by around 1.5 hours of travel from Kanchanaburi city to Erawan National Park.
This is a long day trip involving considerable travel and walking.
Swimming at Erawan Falls depends on local conditions and park regulations. Follow the instructions of park staff and your guide.
Your route
Visit the iconic Bridge on the River Kwai, an important historical landmark associated with the Death Railway built during World War II. Learn about the railway’s construction under harsh conditions and remember the prisoners of war and local labourers who lost their lives.

Enjoy a scenic longtail boat ride along the River Kwai, taking in the surrounding landscapes as you travel toward the JEATH War Museum.

Explore the JEATH War Museum and discover more about the history of the Death Railway through historical photographs, original objects, and a reconstruction of the bamboo huts where prisoners of war lived.

Continue to Erawan National Park, famous for its lush tropical forest and spectacular seven-tiered waterfall. Follow the forest trails to explore the different levels of Erawan Falls, admire the emerald-green pools, and enjoy the natural surroundings. You may also have the opportunity to swim where permitted.

Option 1: Silom MRT Station, Exit 2
Meet your guide on the sidewalk at Exit 2, at the corner of the Silom–Rama IV intersection, directly opposite Lumpini Park.
Option 2: In Front of Starbucks on Khao San Road
Meet your guide in front of Starbucks at the western end of Khao San Road, near Chana Songkhram Police Station. Look for the distinctive traditional-style building.
Please arrive at your selected meeting point on time before departure.
You will receive a manual confirmation by email with further instructions shortly after completing your booking. If you do not receive any email in your Inbox, please check your junk/spam folder.
We exclude lunch from the tour price to provide you with the best possible price while maintaining full transparency.
Bangkok’s traffic is often notoriously congested, so we kindly ask all guests to arrive on time. We always recommend taking the BTS (skytrain) or MRT (metro) to a station near the meeting point.
As our tours run on a group basis, we can wait a maximum of 10 minutes after the scheduled meeting time. After this grace period, the guide will begin the tour. If you cannot make it on time, please let us know before the tour starts. If possible, we’ll do our best to reschedule you for the next available time slot or day, though a rescheduling fee will apply.
We understand plans can change. You’re welcome to reschedule your tour date or time up to 24 hours before the start at no extra cost.
If something comes up within 24 hours of the tour, please email us at tours@wandersiam.com and we’ll do our best to help. Please note that a change fee will apply.
Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the tour start time are eligible for a full refund.
For cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance or in case of no-show, no refund will be issued.
Our tours operate rain or shine, as tropical rain showers in Thailand usually don’t last long. If it rains heavily, we try to seek shelter and will continue as soon as the weather improves. During the rainy season, it’s a good idea to bring a raincoat or poncho. Please note cancellations due to weather are not eligible for a refund.
While changes to the itinerary are very rare, WanderSiam reserves the right to modify the published schedule whenever, in our judgment, circumstances require it or if we consider it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of our guests.
You will receive a manual confirmation by email with further instructions shortly after completing your booking. If you do not receive any email in your Inbox, please check your junk/spam folder.
We exclude lunch from the tour price to provide you with the best possible price while maintaining full transparency.
Bangkok’s traffic is often notoriously congested, so we kindly ask all guests to arrive on time. We always recommend taking the BTS (skytrain) or MRT (metro) to a station near the meeting point.
As our tours run on a group basis, we can wait a maximum of 10 minutes after the scheduled meeting time. After this grace period, the guide will begin the tour. If you cannot make it on time, please let us know before the tour starts. If possible, we’ll do our best to reschedule you for the next available time slot or day, though a rescheduling fee will apply.
We understand plans can change. You’re welcome to reschedule your tour date or time up to 24 hours before the start at no extra cost.
If something comes up within 24 hours of the tour, please email us at tours@wandersiam.com and we’ll do our best to help. Please note that a change fee will apply.
Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the tour start time are eligible for a full refund.
For cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance or in case of no-show, no refund will be issued.
Our tours operate rain or shine, as tropical rain showers in Thailand usually don’t last long. If it rains heavily, we try to seek shelter and will continue as soon as the weather improves. During the rainy season, it’s a good idea to bring a raincoat or poncho. Please note cancellations due to weather are not eligible for a refund.
While changes to the itinerary are very rare, WanderSiam reserves the right to modify the published schedule whenever, in our judgment, circumstances require it or if we consider it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of our guests.

We had an amazing time with our guide Peach. We learned a lot, found the best photo spots, and would definitely recommend the tour.
Originally published on Tripadvisor
Excellent guide and beautiful sights. I’m glad I decided to give this tour a try and had a great day.
Originally published on Tripadvisor
Our guide was energetic, passionate, and extremely knowledgeable. It was a great way to see Bangkok’s important landmarks.
Originally published on Tripadvisor
Ken was a wealth of knowledge and welcomed every question. A friendly and memorable way to discover Bangkok.
Originally published on Tripadvisor
Ken was knowledgeable and lovely. He took the time to explain the places and made the experience enjoyable.
Originally published on Tripadvisor
I had a fabulous time with Surin. The tour felt personal, welcoming, and full of local knowledge.
Originally published on Tripadvisor
A very sunny and enjoyable day trip. The guide was helpful and kept the experience relaxed and fun.
Originally published on Tripadvisor
Ken was a great guide—patient, professional, and happy to answer questions throughout the tour.
Originally published on TripadvisorUt enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in
58 Comments
5
Great trips, excellent service!
This tour was great fun, we had Nicky as our tour guide and she was very engaging, made us laugh and very much looked after us. We had a private tour which made for a very comfortable journey. The tour itself won’t leave you disappointed, but I would warn that if your climbing all of the falls in Erawan, wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and bring bite spray!
We also used the same tour company to do the guided night time tuk tuk tour of Bangkok with Surin, Surin was great and took us to all the places we wanted to see as well as taste some great food in Chinatown.
Overall, I very much recommend the tour company and have loved my time in Bangkok!
5
Perfect trip to a wonderful natural park
Fantastic trip, with wonderful nature, an interesting museum, and the famous bridge.The guide and the driver were friendly and very helpful. I totally recomend to take this tour. Thanks to my guide Mam
5
Think no more
Great experience, excellent service. The guide keeps us engaged and hooked. From the time management to knowledge about the place, everything is just perfect. Highly recommended!
5
Great experience and tour guide
If I could give them 10 out of 5 I would. I was the only one on the tour and I showed up a little early. My tour guide Mam or Auntie greeted me at the meeting point and we headed off to the tour. Since I was early Mam was kind enough to let me ride the train and paid for my ticket to the River Kwai. She rode with me and told me all about the history of the train. Once we arrived, we walked the bridge on the River Kwai and she continued to tell me about the history of the bridge. We then visited the museum as she also paid for my entry fee there too. After that we headed to Erawan National Park. On the way to Erawan Falls we stopped for lunch where I got to taste authentic Thai local food. I paid for my own lunch, but it was only 100 baht. Once we arrived to the park(entry fee also paid for), auntie bought snacks as it was a long hike ahead. She waited for me at the base where I then hiked all 7 levels. I was given 2 hours, but it only took 1 hour and 30 minutes. (If you would like to stay longer to swim just ask). After that we headed back to Bangkok and stopped when needed. With that said, I would 100% recommend especially for the price compared to others.
5
Great daytrip from Bangkok
Great trip. Waterfalls were beautiful and ride comfortable. Guide was really friendly and helpful. I recommend this daytrip.