Getting to Kanchanaburi
Kanchanaburi is connected by daily road and rail
services with Bangkok and other neighbouring
provinces. Air - conditioned and non-airconditional
coaches frequently leave Bangkok's Southern Bus
Terminal throughout the day for the 2 to 3 - hour
journey while trains leave the Bangkok Noi Railway
Station two times daily for Kanchanaburi. Call
223-7010, 223-7020 for details of train timetables.
There are no direct flights to Kanchanaburi and bar
far the best way to get there is by bus or train
from Bangkok or other areas. On the other hand some
of the journey can be made by boat travelling up the
Kwai River or you can hire a car or motorbike
capable of doing long distances, not the usual
motorcycle - scooters that most Thai's use as these,
though capable of doing the journey are not really
powerful enough, unless travelling short distances.
Within Kanchanaburi itself a popular form of
transport is a bicycle as most places of interest
are within peddling distance.
to Kanchanaburi Thailand
has an excellent and reasonably priced railway system and tickets
can be bought pretty much at any station in the country for travel
along that line. You need to book well ahead for first class travel
and for other classes during peak travel times. Most of the time
however you can simply book in person a few days in advance. Travel
agencies also sell tickets for overnight trains.
First class seats on overnight services are difficult to obtain
unless you book well in advance. For a higher price you enjoy
air-conditioning and much more privacy. Second class travel is
recommended - you get a good night's sleep in a fold-down bunk in a
fan cooled carriage and the ticket prices are affordable. Third
class is good for short trips only - you get a hard wooden seat with
no fan cooling. Tickets are cheap, so the carriages can be crowded.
You can choose from express services with minimal stops or
cheaper services that stop at every town en-route. Train travel is
the safest and most affordable way of exploring Thailand. You do
need to be a little security conscious as the occasional theft
and/or drugging of passengers occurs.
Hualamphong Railway Station located on Rama IV Rd., tel. 2230341,
Bangkok's main station, serves most long-distance trains. Bangkok
Noi on Arun Amarin Rd., tel. 4113102, on the Thonburi side of the
Chao Phraya River, is used by local trains to Hua Hin and
Kanchanaburi.
