Kanchanaburi Train Trip

[Dillinger]

Just wondering if it's a good time of year to go; being the rainy season.

Man U v Spurs is a 6.45 kick off on Saturday too.

[terry57]

Is that anything to do with the Mon bridge?

For those who do not Know.
The " Mon Bridge " is in Sangklaburi up on the Burma Border.

It has just been rebuilt and reopened after being washed away. It's Thailand's largest all wooden bridge and quite a sight.

A really nice road trip is to spend two days in " Kan " then two days in " Sangkla " and a night back in Kan before moving on.

On the way up from " Kan " take in the " Pass " and then head up to " Sangkla."

Leave Monday and go home Saturday is the best plan of Attack to Avoid the weekend crowds.

[terry57]

^ ^

It's a perfect time to go up there Dill.

Outside Tourist season, cooler weather, prices are down, all good.

[terry57]

When in " Kan " stay here, there is two, make sure you go to this one down near the Bridge and not the one further up near the other guest houses.

[terry57]

Three floating rooms on the river with Bungalows further back. Phone ahead to reserve a floating bungalow. 450 Baht A/C, hot water.

[terry57]

Your Handbag will love it.

[terry57]

Early morning, nice innit. Oh yes, the Karioki turds do a run up the river mid week around 7.00 PM. All quiet after that.

[terry57]

Brilliant spot, I always stay here, it's laid back with no Backpackers. If you want to Party go elsewhere.Great for a Family.

[terry57]

On the way up to " Sangkla " stop here. Go mid week.

[terry57]

After the Pass bolt straight up to " Sangkla " and book in here. Fantastic spot with modern Stone rooms. 950 Baht but worth ever Baht. Phone ahead to secure a room.
Weekend its full. Don't go here.. During the week is fine.

[terry57]

Go see the Mon bridge, can walk across it.
Brilliant little town is " Sangkla ", I've been here a few times now.

[Dillinger]

Do you reckon I'd be better off driving or relaxing on the train ?

How long does the train take ?

[Bettyboo]

^ around 3 hours.

I like the train, never driven there, but it's not far just straight up Pinklaos towards Nakhon Pathom and follow the signs...

Brilliant spot, I always stay here, it's laid back with no Backpackers. If you want to Party go elsewhere.Great for a Family.

I've stayed in that place a couple of times, it's fine. I think I paid 450 baht too.

There are lots of places along the river from 70 baht to well over 1000 baht.

[terry57]

^ ^

If you can pick up a car in " Kan " I suppose the Train would be the go.

If not then drive up, By the time one gets out of Bangkok it works out around 3 to 3 and a half hour drive so Train or car there ain't much innit.

I love the drives so it's car all the way for me.

[Mozzbie47]

Your Handbag will love it.

As of 3 weeks ago I dont have a handbag, I got dumped, so I will sorta be solo.

[Mozzbie47]

Struth Terry, you and others paint a great picture, cant wait to get there, will be looking at and staying in the places suggested.
I owe everyone a beer ( cold )

[terry57]

^^

Well, don't you worry about that mate. Going solo is a therapeutic thing so not a problem.

Kan is a great place to be single, there's heaps to see and do for the Newbie, also a great little town for walking.

If you don't have a car rent yourself a scooter to bang around on.

Great riding country just outside Kan on the River road up to Sangkla, grab a Map and enjoy.

I'm going to do a picture thread on my last trip.

[charleyboy]

Stayed at Sugar Cane about 15 years ago,
Have a look in the 'No name' bar, near the Jolly Frog.
Say hello to Tony...A Cockney character if ever there was!

[Dillinger]

I see theres a train from Hua Lamphong, i think i will get on that, do the stuff on there then when it stops in Kanchanaburi at 15.53, i shall check into a hotel, then maybe check out Hellfire pass on the Sunday

I wonder if Stoker has visited the great Chedi

In addition to these regular daily passenger trains, there is a special tourist railcar for day trippers on Saturdays, Sundays & holidays. It has 3rd class non-air-con seats, although some seats have more padding than others as they were originally classified 2nd class. As you can imagine from the amazingly cheap price, it's mainly aimed at Thai tourists and day trippers rather than rich westerners, but anyone can use it, either for the whole itinerary or as a useful extra early train from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi & the Bridge on the River Kwai. The itinerary looks like this (please double check exact times locally - you'll be given a photocopied sheet showing the itinerary after you board):

06.30 depart Bangkok Hualamphong station, Saturdays & Sundays only.
07:40 arrive Nakhon Pathom, 40 minute stop to visit the great Chedi (cone-shaped temple).
09.27 arrive Kanchanaburi, very short stop.
09.35 arrive River Kwai Bridge station & stop for 25 minutes.
10.00 depart River Kwai Bridge station, cross the Bridge & head along the River Kwae via the impressive Wampo Viaduct.
11.30 arrive Nam Tok station.
11:30 arrive Nam Tok Sai Yok Noi. This is the only train to run beyond Nam Tok to the end of the operational line. Time to see the scenic waterfall.
14:25 leave Nam Tok Sai Yok Noi.
14.25 leave Nam Tok station heading back south.
15.53 arrive at Kanchanaburi station and stop for 60 minutes for a visit to the war graves.
16.53 leave Kanchanaburi.
19.25 arrive back in Bangkok Hualamphong station.

The round trip fare is 120 baht 3rd class non-air-con or 240 baht 2nd class air-conditioned, reservation required before departure although it's reported that in practice you can just get on and pay on the train. You may well find plenty of seats available between Bangkok and Kanchanaburi & River Kwae Bridge station, but all seats fully-booked from River Kwae onwards. If you've limited time, this might be a good option, though you won't get to see Hellfire Pass & its museum.

The real Bridge on the River Kwai | Train from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi & River Kwae

[Bettyboo]

Man U v Spurs is a 6.45 kick off on Saturday too.

Some nice bars there to watch the football. The trains I got there always took an hour longer than stated in the timetable.

[terry57]

^^

Don't try and do to much in the day. Break the Trip up, just cruise along.

" Kan " is wasted on that mad Train schedule, It's for Muppet tourists with plenty of cash and no time.

" Kan " is best savored slowly.

[Mozzbie47]

^^^^^From what's been said, I think the best way for me is to hire a car at Bangkok,,, drive to Kan, that way I could do my own thing. Maybe spend a few day there, as you say, it's a great place, take your time and enjoy it.

[Bar4]

Best time to go to Kanchanaburi and Hellfire Pass is at Anzac time. The Death Railway Museum accross the road from the Prisoner of War Cemetery is well worthwhile.

Dawn service at Hellfire Pass is memorable.

Btw. a link to a good movie featuring Kanchanburi and Hellfire Pass. (explaining all about it).

The Railway Man (2013) - IMDb

https://thepiratebay.la/torrent/9995...ip_x264_-_YIFY

That is a great movie. I did not know what it was about and nearly passed on it due to the title but it is a "must watch" in my opinion.

Cheers,

Mark

[Bar4]

I'd suggest taking the train to Kanchanaburi as the first course of action.

Oh good idea, where do I get that from ? Mochit

Thon Buri train station:

Kanchanaburi-info.com: TRAIN TIMETABLE to Bangkok Nakhon Pathom River Kwai Bridge Thakilen Tham Krasae Wang Pho Nam Tok

Not sure which stop best for hellfire pass, but google is probably going to be your friend.

The real Bridge on the River Kwai | Train from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi & River Kwae

Good info there about the train to Kanchanburi

Cheers,

Mark

[terry57]

I think the best way for me is to hire a car at Bangkok,,, drive to Kan, that way I could do my own thing.

On my Road trips I always hit the back roads once out of Bangkok, some great scenery and interesting small towns.

Really take my time checking stuff out, touring is not a race after all.

Make sure you are packing a GPS and a decent map.

" VIP Cars Thailand " does some great deals on rentals.

Small Eco cars are great for touring.