Bangkok to Kanchanaburi The Death Railway, or the bus.
The short answer: take the train if you can. Two slow trains a day leave Bangkok's Thon Buri station, at 07:45 and 13:55, reach Kanchanaburi in about two and three-quarter hours and roll straight on over the Bridge on the River Kwai. Foreigners pay a flat 100 baht. The bus from the Southern Terminal is quicker, about two hours, and leaves all day.
Below: the options compared with fares checked on 7 November 2026, the train timetable to the bridge and Nam Tok, which Bangkok station and bus terminal to use, and how to do it as a day trip.
Bangkok to Kanchanaburi at a glance
Train and bus fares are what you pay at the station or the counter; 12Go adds a booking fee.
| Option | How long | Leaves from | Price (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train (Death Railway) | About 2 h 45 min | Thon Buri station, 07:45 and 13:55 | 100 baht for foreigners | The ride itself, and the bridge |
| Bus | About 2 hours | Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) | About 110–120 baht | Speed and many departures |
| Minivan | About 3 hours | Mo Chit van terminal | About 150–210 baht | Staying in north Bangkok |
| Private car | About 2 hours | Your hotel or the airport | About 2,500–2,800 baht per car | Groups, luggage, door to door |
Compare live times and prices: Bangkok to Kanchanaburi on 12Go
Which one should you pick?
Take the 07:45 train if you can get to Thon Buri for it. The ride through the countryside and over the bridge is half the point of going, and it costs very little.
Take the bus if the train times do not suit you, or for the way back. Buses from the Southern Terminal leave all day and are faster.
Book a car with a group or a lot of luggage. It drops you at a riverside hotel instead of the bus terminal.
The Death Railway timetable
Daily ordinary trains, 3rd class only. Times from Seat61 and Thai Train Guide (Richard Barrow), which agree within a few minutes; check at the station before you rely on them.
| Train | Thon Buri | Kanchanaburi | River Kwai Bridge | Nam Tok |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 257 | 07:45 | about 10:30 | about 10:35 | about 12:05 |
| No. 259 | 13:55 | about 16:21 | about 16:26 | about 18:15 |
| No. 260 (back) | arrives 09:35 | 07:05 | 06:59 | 05:20 |
| No. 258 (back) | arrives 17:40 | 14:43 | about 14:35 | 13:00 |
The same 100 baht ticket covers any station on the line, so you can stay on past the bridge to Nam Tok, along the river and over the Wang Po viaduct.
The train: Thon Buri station and tickets
Trains to Kanchanaburi leave from Thon Buri station, on the west bank of the river near Siriraj Hospital, not from Hua Lamphong or Krung Thep Aphiwat.
Tickets are sold at the window on the day only; there are no reservations and no online sales. Get there half an hour to an hour early. The carriages are 3rd class, with ceiling fans and windows that open.
There are two stops in town: Kanchanaburi station, in town, where the war cemetery and the Thailand–Burma Railway Centre are, and River Kwai Bridge station a few minutes later, right next to the bridge.
The bus and the minivans
Buses leave the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) in Taling Chan, in the west of Bangkok, throughout the day, and take about two hours to the bus terminal in the centre of Kanchanaburi.
From Mo Chit in the north there are fewer buses and minivans, and the trip takes about half an hour longer. Tourist minibuses from Khao San Road cost more but can drop you at the bridge or your hotel.
The bridge is about 3 km north of the town centre and the war cemetery, so take a songthaew, a tuk-tuk or a Grab for the last stretch.
As a day trip
On the 07:45 train you reach Kanchanaburi at about 10:30. The last train back leaves Kanchanaburi at 14:43 and reaches Thon Buri at 17:40, which leaves about four hours for the bridge, the cemetery and the railway museum. A bus back gives you more time.
Erawan Falls and Hellfire Pass are much further out, so if you want to see them as well, plan to stay at least one night.
By private car
A pre-booked car from central Bangkok costs about 2,500 to 2,800 baht and takes about two hours on the new motorway, door to door.
Booking Bangkok to Kanchanaburi on 12Go
12Go sells the buses, minivans and private cars to Kanchanaburi, with the times side by side in English.
The Death Railway train is not sold online: buy it at Thon Buri station on the day.
Bangkok to Kanchanaburi FAQ
Which station does the train to Kanchanaburi leave from?
Thon Buri station, on the west side of the Chao Phraya, at 07:45 and 13:55. Not Hua Lamphong or Krung Thep Aphiwat.
How much is the train from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi?
Foreigners pay a flat 100 baht to any station on the line, including the bridge and Nam Tok.
Can I book the Death Railway train in advance?
No. Tickets are sold at the station window on the day, and there are no reserved seats.
How long is the bus from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi?
About two hours from the Southern Bus Terminal, a little longer from Mo Chit.
Can you do Kanchanaburi as a day trip from Bangkok?
Yes. Take the 07:45 train and come back on the 14:43 train or a bus. Erawan Falls and Hellfire Pass need an overnight stay.
Last checked: 7 November 2026. Train times from Seat61 and Richard Barrow's Thai Train Guide, fares confirmed by Thai Train Guide, Pattaya Mail and Visit Thailand Today (October 2026); bus and minivan details from Visit Thailand Today, Thai National Parks (September 2026) and Thailand For Visitors; car prices from Visit Thailand Today and 12Go. Timetables change, so check before you travel.