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Travelling to Kanchanaburi
By car
Route 1: a 2-hour drive along Highway No.4 (Phetkasem) via Nakhon
Chaisi Province, Nakhon Pathom Province, Ban Pong, Tha Maka and
Tha Muang (of Ratchaburi Province) to Kanchanaburi.
Route 2:drive along Highway No. 338 from Bangkok to Nakhon Chaisi
Province then switch to Highway No.4 to Kanchanaburi.
By Bus
Non air-conditioned buses leave Bangkoks Southern Bus Terminal daily
every 15 minutes from 4 a.m. until 8 p.m. The trip takes about 3
hours. Call 02 434 5557-8 for more information.
First class air-conditioned buses (blue color) leave Bangkoks Southern
Bus Terminal daily every 25 minutes Call 02 435 5012, 0 2435 1199
or 02 884 6249 or visit www.transport.co.th for more information.
There are also buses leaving frequently daily for Kanchanaburi from
Nakhon Pathom. The journey takes up to 1.5 hours. From Ratchaburi
and Suphan Buri Bus Stations, there are several buses leaving directly
to Kanchanaburi. The trip takes some 2.5 - 3 hours.
By Train
Ordinary trains leave Bangkoks Thon Buri Railway Station (Bangkok
Noi Station) daily. Only 3rd class seats are available. The journey
takes approximately 3 hours. For more information, call Thon Buri
Railway Station at tel. 02 411 3102 or Kanchanaburi Railway Station
at tel. 034 511285.
The weekend special train leaves Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong)
at 6.30 a.m., returning at 7.55 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and on
public holidays. The trip usually includes several stop-overs at
Phra Pathom Chedi (Nakhon Pathom), Death Railway Bridge, and a transfer
(by minibus) to Phrasat Mueang Singh Historical Park, etc.
There are also special steam trains operating between Kanchanaburi
and Wang Pho.
For more information, call the State Railway of Thailand at tel.
1690, or 02 223 7010, 02 223 7020 or visit www.railway.co.th.
Travelling around Kanchanaburi
Although the city of Kanchanaburi is possibly accessible on foot,
it requires strenuous efforts in completing such a trip. Normally,
bicycles, motorcycles and cars are common means of transportation.
Bicycles and motorcycles can be rented from shops, guesthouses and
hotels located along Maenam Khwae Road. Visitors can capture the
citys atmosphere along their way to see the Bridge over the River
Khwae, the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, the waterfront Song Khwae
Road area, and the JEATH War Museum. For visitors who enjoy driving
themselves, cars can be rented on a daily or weekly basis at several
outlets on Saeng Chuto Road and around the Song Khwae Road area.
The two major routes used to explore Kanchanaburis attractions
are Highway No. 323 and Highway No. 3199. Highway No. 323 runs parallel
to Maenam Khwae Noi to Sangkhla Buri District (approximately 230
kilometers from the city) via Sai Yok, Thong Pha Phum, and Vajiralongkorn
Dam while Highway No. 3199 follows the Khwae Yai River to Sri Nakharin
Dam (69 kilometers away from the city).
Travelling Between Districts
Transportation between the districts is also conveniently arranged
by regular buses. Major destinations include Bo Phloi, Tham Than
Lot (Than Lot Cave), Namtok Erawan, Namtok Sai Yok Yai, Thong Pha
Phum, Sangkhla Buri, the Bridge over River Khwae and the War Cemetery.
They are mostly non-air conditioned buses which leave every 20 minutes
up to 2 hours. Others have their own fixed itineraries. Check for
details at 0 3451 1182, Kanchanaburi Bus Station.
Traveling around Kanchanaburi by train is also popular. It is inexpensive,
reliable and offers a more panoramic view of the area. The route
from Kanchanaburi to Namtok Station near Namtok Sai Yok Noi Waterfall
is recommended for visitors wishing to explore the notorious historic
railway. Trains leave Kanchanaburi Railway Station 3 times daily
and stops at the Bridge over the River Khwae, Tha Kilen (near Phrasat
Mueang Singh Historical Park), Tham Krasae, Wang Pho and ends at
Namtok Railway Station. For more information, call Kanchanaburi
Railway Station at tel. 0 3451 1 285.
Alternate trips to out-of-town attractions
There are ferry services across Maenam Mae Klong that costs 5 baht
per person. You can bring your motorcycle or bicycle on board in
order to explore the other side of the town. Also in operation are
boat services to several interesting destinations.
From the Pak Saeng Pier in Tambon Tha Sao, visitors can hire a
boat (carrying capacity of 10-12 persons) to visit the Lawa Cave
and Namtok Sai Yok Yai. The 1-hour boat ride to Namtok Huay Maekhamin
starts from the Tha Kradan Pier, 12 kilometers from Sri Nakharin
Dam.
Visitors are advised to check with the Tourism Authority of Thailand
(TAT) Office at 034 511 200 and 034 512 500 or email tatkan@tat.or.th
for details on arranged transportation during public holidays and
weekends.
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