Bangkok to Kanchanaburi Transport Options –Bus, Train, or Taxi?

It’s actually quite easy to get to Kanchanaburi–not only by car or taxi, but there are also bus and train options. Anyone who has already been to Thailand will be aware that the buses and trains here are by no means at a comparable level of development to the ones in some other SE Asian countries like Singapore or those in western countries.

This is reflected in the ticket prices of course, and these transportation methods are often used for reasons other than comfort or speed by the majority of travellers. This is particularly the case in scenic areas with historic points of interest like Kanchanaburi.

Thus, what you deem the best way may vary according various factors such as:

• Whether cost is a major issue or not
• What kind of travelling experience you prefer in Thailand (i.e. if you are here to gain experience and are thus willing to potentially sacrifice comfort for authenticity)
• The number of people you are travelling with and their ages

So let’s take a closer look at some of the options for getting from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi—and you can decide for yourself which you think sounds best. 

Bangkok to Kanchanaburi by Bus or Coach

It’s less than 100 miles by road from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi, and if you are a fan of the more passive style of transportation this could be for you. The bus from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi is one of the easiest ways to make the journey and it generally takes 3-4 hours.

There are plenty of buses heading out of Bangkok to Kanchanaburi on a daily basis, although there is no ‘Western Bus Terminal’ in Bangkok. This means that most buses and coaches depart from the capital’s Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai), but there are others that leave from the Northern Bus Terminal (Morchit).

The buses operate between the hours of 5 am and 7:30 pm, and are likely to be the air-conditioned variety in which you can select your seats.  You can also easily prebook and prepay for Bus transport from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi these days.

• Bus Station Locations: Sai Tai Mai (Southern) in Talingchan, Morchit (Northern and NE) in Chatuchak
• Fares and Booking: Somewhere between 145 and 350 baht depending on vehicle and time and booking can be done here
• Duration: 3-4 hours
• Comfort & Safety: There are differences in quality between some of the buses which are generally reflected in the price. Opt for one of the newer-looking, coach-type vehicles and you should be more than fine for the duration of the trip
• Benefits:  Much cheaper than car and relatively short, also allows for views
• Downsides: Might seem a bit rickety or uncomfortable to some travellers depending on the model of bus and expectations but generally this is rare 

— Book Bangkok to Kanchanaburi Buses Online @ 12go.asia

Bangkok to Kanchanaburi by Train

Getting to Kanchanaburi from Bangkok is definitely rated as the best option by many travellers who have made the trip. It’s neither the comfort nor the speed that makes this the most attractive transport option though.

The train is the cheapest way to get to Kanchanaburi from Bangkok as well, and they typically run twice daily. The trains heading in a westerly direction leave from Thonburi train station in the west of the city. The station is also known as ‘Bangkok Noi’ Station and only serves one other destination besides Kanchanaburi by way of Nam Tok.

There is one class offered on this service–third–which means hard, bench-like seats and air-conditioning that comes by way of open windows. No ticket reservations are required for this trip so in the event of a packed train you’d have to fight for a seat (!).

It’s doubtful that you’ll have to do that though as Thonburi train station is rarely busy.  The window seat makes the trip that much more enjoyable but beware of the overgrown tree branches along the way!

There are toilets on the train, but third-class train services only stretch to vendors jumping on and walking the aisles selling various snacks, fruit, and drinks.

There is also a tourist train that runs on weekends and holidays from Thonburi to Kanchanaburi, and for this you do need to book advance tickets. The prices will vary according to the class of ticket that you buy–in this case 2^nd-class with air-conditioning which will set you back around 300 baht.

• Bus Station Locations: Bangkok Noi Station, Thonburi
• Fares and Booking: Around 100 baht (3^rd class ticket), no booking required
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Comfort & Safety: Not that comfortable in modern terms
• Benefits:  very cheap, faster than a bus, and authentic (!)
• Downsides: Not that comfortable

Bangkok to Kanchanaburi by Taxi or Car with Grab or Bolt Apps (Recommended)

Taking a private taxi or car to Kanchanaburi from Bangkok is undoubtedly the fastest and probably the most comfortable way to get there. It takes somewhere in the region of 2 hours to drive to Kanchanaburi from Bangkok depending on traffic or road conditions, and it is now easier than ever due to the growing use of transport applications like Grab and Bolt.

While it’s still possible to get the odd negative taxi experience in Thailand, these functional applications and their platforms mean you don’t even have to go looking for a ride. Wherever you are setting out from, with your location turned on you simply key in your desired destination and you’ll receive the fare price and an estimated pick-up time, which is usually within 10 minutes or so.

The drivers will pick you up from your location which you should verify on the map options first if you can. You can book cars as well as taxis which provide a slightly more comfortable experience than regular taxis.

The cars tend to be privately-owned vehicles rather than hired ones, so more care and quality is usually evident. And although they come with just a slightly higher fare, most would agree that the fare is often worth it—certainly for larger families with more children might see the benefits of a larger six-seater.

The need for English or any other kind of communication is vastly reduced, if not eliminated entirely with the use of these apps, which is more of a godsend than you might imagine. There is little possibility of miscommunication when using these apps as the destinations are selected from a map before booking.

As the fastest and most comfortable option for getting from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi, this will of course also be your most expensive. Now it pays to keep this in context though , as even though it seems that way, the cost doesn’t mean that it actually is expensive.

For a trip from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi by car or taxi the fares are likely to be in the region of 2500-3500 baht—£50-£70.00 tops. This will depend largely on the vehicle you select as well as the time of day you travel (which could obviously affect the time involved in the journey).

(Incidentally flights have not been included here as they are not so much of a viable option for Pattaya in that  the plane goes on a really extensive route lasting between 5 and 8 hours before touching down—and the cost is about one-third of a flight home for many people.)

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• Pick-up location: Your current location, wherever you may be
• Fare: According to vehicle and distance (usually upwards of 1500 baht)
• Booking: In-app
• Length of journey: Estimated beforehand by app according to time of day and destination but typically 2-2.5 hours 
• Comfort and Safety: Pretty much the best you are likely to get in Thailand unless you are really unlucky with either the driver, the car, or both. The app knows when the vehicle stops or the internet connection is broken, and drivers are subject to monitoring according to ratings—a first in Thailand
• Pros: Direct route from A to B with no communication problems
• Cons: Ten times more expensive than a bus 

— Grab Taxi Thailand Review – Using the App and Service

— Bolt Taxi Thailand Review – Using the App and Service

The Bottom Line

So there you have it–getting from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi really couldn’t be easier! The western resort region doesn’t tend to get anything like as much press as the more well-known tourist spots but it has much to offer.

Literally 2 or 3 hours away, Kanchanaburi presents a side of Thailand that many find much more interesting than beaches and bars, and the many activities and attractions are often closely-entwined with the landscape.

We’ll leave it up to you to decide what you think is the best method of transportation out of the city into the wild–whether the rapid comfort of a private car or the lengthier train ride that provides some decent perspectives into the terrain area as you approach from the tracks. Either way getting from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi should be a blast once equipped with the necessary useful information!