Erawan National Park | Airport Transfers

📍 Erawan National Park

Exploring Erawan National Park

Erawan National Park is one of Thailand's most beautiful natural treasures, famous for its spectacular seven-tiered waterfall cascading through emerald pools. Located in Kanchanaburi Province, this pristine park offers unforgettable experiences for nature lovers, swimmers, and hikers alike.

Getting to Erawan National Park

From Bangkok

Transport	Duration	Cost	Details
Private taxi	3 hours	3,500-4,500 THB	Most convenient, door-to-door
Van + bus	4-5 hours	200-300 THB	Budget option, multiple transfers
Tour package	Full day	1,500-2,500 THB	Includes transport and lunch

From Kanchanaburi Town

Transport	Duration	Cost	Frequency
Public bus	1.5 hours	50 THB	Every 50 minutes
Songthaew	1.5 hours	50 THB	Morning departures
Private taxi	1 hour	800-1,000 THB	Anytime

Bus Schedule from Kanchanaburi:

First bus: 8:00 AM
Last return bus: 4:00 PM
Departure point: Kanchanaburi Bus Station

Park Information

Basic Details

Entry Fee: 300 THB (foreigners), 100 THB (Thais)
Vehicle Fee: 30 THB (car)
Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (last entry)
Best Days: Weekdays (much less crowded)
Peak Season: November - February
Rainy Season: June - October (waterfall at full power)

Park Facilities

Visitor center with information
Lockers available: 20-40 THB
Changing rooms and toilets at base
Basic food stalls near entrance
Swimming shoes available for rent

The Seven Tiers of Erawan Falls

Each tier has its own unique character and swimming opportunities.

Tier-by-Tier Guide

Tier	Thai Name	Distance	Difficulty	Swimming
1	Lai Kuen Rang	550m	Easy	Excellent
2	Wang Matcha	700m	Easy	Good
3	Pha Nam Tok	850m	Easy	Best pools
4	Oke Nang Phee Sua	1.1km	Moderate	Limited
5	Bua Mai Long	1.5km	Moderate	Good
6	Dong Pruk Sa	1.7km	Challenging	Excellent
7	Phu Pha Erawan	2km	Challenging	At base

Tier Descriptions

Tier 1 - Lai Kuen Rang

Easiest access, wheelchair-friendly path
Wide cascading falls
Fish will nibble toes (natural spa!)
Popular with families

Tier 2 - Wang Matcha

Beautiful terraced pools
Good for relaxing
Moderate crowds

Tier 3 - Pha Nam Tok

Most photographed tier
Stunning emerald pool
Can be crowded midday
Best swimming experience

Tier 4 - Oke Nang Phee Sua

Smaller waterfall
Rock scrambling required
Less crowded
Good rest point

Tier 5 - Bua Mai Long

Multiple swimming holes
Less accessible
Peaceful atmosphere

Tier 6 - Dong Pruk Sa

Large deep pool
Rope swing available
Fewer visitors
Worth the climb

Tier 7 - Phu Pha Erawan

Named after three-headed elephant (Erawan)
Rock formation resembles elephant
Challenging final climb
Sense of achievement
Swimming at base

Hiking Information

Trail Details

Total Distance: 2 km one way
Total Time: 2-3 hours to reach Tier 7
Elevation Gain: Approximately 300 meters
Trail Surface: Mixed (paved, rocky, steep sections)

Difficulty by Section

Section	Difficulty	Notes
Entrance to Tier 3	Easy	Paved path, gradual
Tier 3 to Tier 5	Moderate	Some scrambling
Tier 5 to Tier 7	Challenging	Steep, rocky, ropes

What to Bring

Essential Items:

Water shoes or sports sandals with grip
Swimsuit (under clothes)
Quick-dry towel
Waterproof bag for electronics
Drinking water (1-2 liters minimum)
Sunscreen (reef-safe preferred)
Snacks for energy

Optional Items:

Underwater camera
Change of clothes
Insect repellent
First aid basics

Swimming Rules and Etiquette

Important Regulations

No sunscreen in pools (unless reef-safe)
No shampoo or soap in water
No feeding fish with food
No littering (pack out all trash)
No alcohol in park
Life jackets recommended for weak swimmers

Fish Experience

Hundreds of Mahseer fish inhabit the pools and will nibble at your skin - a natural fish spa! This is harmless and part of the unique experience.

Wildlife in the Park

Animals You Might Spot

Mahseer fish (in pools)
Wild boar (mornings/evenings)
Macaque monkeys (keep food hidden)
Various bird species
Butterflies (especially Tier 1-3)
Gibbons (heard more than seen)

Flora

Deciduous and evergreen forest
Bamboo groves
Wild orchids
Limestone caves and formations

Best Times to Visit

Time of Day

Time	Crowd Level	Conditions
8:00 AM opening	Lowest	Cool, misty
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM	Moderate	Pleasant
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM	Highest	Hot, crowded
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM	Decreasing	Afternoon light

Season Considerations

Dry Season (November - May)

Lower water levels
Easier swimming
More visitors
Clearer weather

Rainy Season (June - October)

Powerful waterfalls
Lush green forest
Fewer crowds
Possible trail closures after heavy rain

Nearby Attractions

Combine Your Visit

Kanchanaburi Town (65 km)

Bridge Over the River Kwai
Death Railway Museum
Night market
Accommodation options

Hellfire Pass Memorial (80 km)

WWII railway history
Walking trail
Moving museum experience
Free entry

Sai Yok National Park (100 km)

Sai Yok Yai Waterfall
Caves to explore
Bamboo rafting
Less crowded than Erawan

Accommodation Options

Near the Park

Erawan Resort

Distance: 2 km from entrance
Price: 800-1,500 THB
Basic bungalows

Park Accommodation

Camping: 60 THB/person
Tent rental: 150-300 THB
Book at: nprd.go.th

Kanchanaburi Town

Type	Price Range	Examples
Budget	300-600 THB	Blue Star Guesthouse
Mid-range	800-1,500 THB	Good Times Resort
Riverside	1,500-3,000 THB	River Kwai Jungle Rafts

Sample Day Trip Itinerary

From Bangkok

Time	Activity
6:00 AM	Depart Bangkok by private taxi
9:00 AM	Arrive at Erawan, enter park
9:15 AM	Start hiking to upper tiers
11:30 AM	Reach Tier 7, enjoy
12:30 PM	Descend, swimming stops
2:30 PM	Lunch at Tier 1-3 pools
3:30 PM	Final swim, shower
4:30 PM	Depart for Bangkok
7:30 PM	Arrive Bangkok

Useful Thai Phrases

English	Thai	Pronunciation
Waterfall	น้ำตก	Nam tok
How far?	ไกลแค่ไหน	Glai kae nai
Can I swim here?	ว่ายน้ำตรงนี้ได้ไหม	Waai nam trong nee dai mai
Be careful	ระวัง	Rawang
Beautiful	สวยมาก	Suay maak
Help!	ช่วยด้วย	Chuay duay