Exploring Erawan National Park
Erawan National Park in Kanchanaburi Province is known for its seven-tier waterfall, where clear water runs down through a chain of green-blue pools in the forest. You can walk up through all seven tiers and swim in pools along the way.
The park was established in 1975 as Thailand's 12th national park and covers 550 km². It lies about 200 km west of Bangkok, so most visitors either stay a night in Kanchanaburi town or come on a long day trip from Bangkok. This guide covers how to get there, the fees and rules at the gate, the trail to the top tier and how to plan your day.
Getting to Erawan National Park
The trip has two stages: from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi town, then from Kanchanaburi to the park. You can do both by public transport, or go the whole way by private car.
From Bangkok to Kanchanaburi
| Option | Time | Approximate price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st-class bus from the Southern Bus Terminal | About 2 hours | About 110 THB (2nd class about 95 THB) | Most travellers on a budget |
| 1st-class bus from Mo Chit | About 3 hours | About 122 THB | Travellers staying in north Bangkok |
| Train from Thonburi station | 07:50 to 10:25, or 13:55 to 16:24 | About 100 THB for foreigners | A scenic ride on the Death Railway line |
| Smile Taxi Service private car to Kanchanaburi town | Door to door; depends on traffic | Fixed fare: 2,000 THB sedan, 2,300 THB SUV, 2,800 THB van (per vehicle) | Families, groups and people with luggage |
Prices and timetables in this article were checked in September 2026. They can change, so confirm them with the park or the operator before you travel.
Buses from the Southern Bus Terminal run about every 15 minutes from 05:00 to 22:30, which makes them the easiest choice. The daily trains to Kanchanaburi leave from Thonburi station. Thonburi station is about a 9-minute walk (750 m) from MRT Bang Khun Non. The train also passes through Nakhon Pathom on the way.
For every option in detail, read our guide How to Get from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi.
From Kanchanaburi Town to Erawan
Local bus 8170 runs from the Kanchanaburi bus terminal to the park. The ride takes about 1.5 hours and costs about 60 THB. You can also board the bus on Highway 323 by waving to the driver.
| Direction | Departure times |
|---|---|
| Kanchanaburi to Erawan, weekdays | 08:00, 09:40, 11:00, 13:00, 16:00, 17:40 |
| Kanchanaburi to Erawan, weekends | 08:00, 09:40, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:40 |
| Erawan to Kanchanaburi, daily | 05:20, 06:10, 08:30, 10:00, 12:00, 14:30, 16:30 |
The last bus back to Kanchanaburi leaves the park at 16:30. If you miss it, you will need to find your own way back, so plan your day around this time. You can check the latest timetable on the Thai National Parks page for getting to Erawan.
By Private Car
A private car is the simplest way to reach the park, especially with children or a group. Smile Taxi Service has fixed fares to Kanchanaburi town, per vehicle and one way, with expressway tolls included:
- Bangkok to Kanchanaburi (City): 2,000 THB sedan, 2,300 THB SUV, 2,800 THB van. Book a sedan from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi, an SUV or a van.
- Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Kanchanaburi (City): the same fares. Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi to Kanchanaburi.
- Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Kanchanaburi (City): the same fares. Book a sedan from Don Mueang to Kanchanaburi.
- Kanchanaburi (City) to Bangkok: the same fares. Book a sedan from Kanchanaburi to Bangkok.
A sedan takes up to 3 passengers and 2 bags, an SUV up to 5 passengers and 4 bags, and a van up to 7 passengers and 5 bags. The fare is the same for 1 passenger or a full car.
Erawan itself has no fixed fare on our price list. For a car to the park, or a day trip from Bangkok with the driver waiting while you swim, message us on WhatsApp with your plan and we will send a quote.
- You pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip. If you can only pay by card, message us and we send a payment link (an extra fee for creating and handling the payment link may apply).
- Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup. After that, a cancellation or change costs 25% (less than 24 h), 35% (less than 12 h) or 50% (less than 2 h) of the price, and a no-show 100%, also when you pay the driver in cash (details).
- A child seat costs 300 THB extra, on request.
- An English-speaking driver can be requested when you book, subject to availability.
You can see every route on our full price list.
Park Information
Fees and Opening Hours
| Ticket | Foreigners | Thais |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 300 THB | 60 THB |
| Child (3–14 years) | 150 THB | 30 THB |
| Car | 30 THB | 30 THB |
| Motorbike | 20 THB | 20 THB |
Pay in cash at the gate. The park is open every day of the year from 08:00 to about 16:30, and nobody is let in after 15:30.
Food and Drink Rules
- No food is allowed above the second tier, and rangers check bags.
- Drink bottles are allowed, but you pay a 20 THB deposit per bottle. You get it back when you bring the empty bottle down. Keep some 20 THB notes or coins for this.
- Eat before you start the climb or once you are back below the second tier.
The Seven Tiers of Erawan Falls
The trail starts with about 1 km of flat walking to the lower falls. From there it is about 1.5 km more to the seventh tier at the top. Wear shoes with good grip, because the rocks near the water can be slippery.
As of September 2026, swimming is allowed in pools along the trail. Which pools are open for swimming can change, so follow the signs and ask the rangers at the visitor centre. Rangers start clearing the top tier around 15:00, so if you want to reach it, start climbing in the morning. A good plan is to walk straight to the top while it is quiet, then swim in the lower pools on the way down.
What to Bring
- Cash for the entrance fee and the bottle deposit
- A swimsuit worn under your clothes and a quick-dry towel
- Water shoes or sports sandals with grip
- A waterproof bag for your phone and money
- Drinking water, a hat and sunscreen
- A change of clothes for the ride home
Planning Your Day
From Kanchanaburi town: take the 08:00 or 09:40 bus to the park. You arrive about 1.5 hours later, with time to reach the top tier before it is cleared. Swim on the way down and take the 14:30 or 16:30 bus back.
From Bangkok by public transport: a day trip is possible but long. Take an early bus from the Southern Bus Terminal, where buses start at 05:00, and connect to bus 8170 in Kanchanaburi. The morning train arrives at 10:25, which leaves little time in the park, so the train suits travellers who stay the night in Kanchanaburi.
From Bangkok by private car: leave early so you are at the gate soon after it opens at 08:00. You get the quietest hours on the trail and you do not depend on the last bus.
Nearby Attractions
Kanchanaburi town is where bus 8170 starts, so it makes a convenient base. The train from Bangkok runs on the Death Railway line, also called the River Kwai line.
Hellfire Pass is about 70 km from Kanchanaburi town. Its interpretive centre is co-sponsored by the Royal Thai Armed Forces Development Command and the Australian government, and was renovated in 2018. You can walk through the rock cutting and along the old track bed.
Staying Overnight
The park has a campsite. Camping costs 30 THB per person per night, and tent hire is about 225 THB per night. Park accommodation is booked through the Department of National Parks system, which was reported down for long periods up to June 2026. Call the visitor centre on 034 574 222 before you go. Alternatively, stay in Kanchanaburi town and take a morning bus to the park.
Emergency Information
- Police: 191
- Tourist Police: 1155
- Ambulance: 1669
- Fire: 199
- Erawan visitor centre: 034 574 222
FAQ
How much is the Erawan entrance fee? 300 THB for foreign adults and 150 THB for children aged 3–14, paid in cash. A car costs 30 THB and a motorbike 20 THB.
What time does Erawan close? The park is open from 08:00 to about 16:30. Nobody is let in after 15:30, and rangers start clearing the top tier around 15:00.
Can I take food up the waterfall? Not above the second tier. Drink bottles are allowed with a 20 THB deposit, refunded when you bring the empty bottle back.
How long is the walk to the top tier? About 1 km of flat path to the lower falls, then about 1.5 km more to the seventh tier.
Where can I swim? In pools along the trail. Which pools are open for swimming can change, so follow the signs and ask the rangers.
How do I get to Erawan by bus? Take bus 8170 from the Kanchanaburi bus terminal. It takes about 1.5 hours and costs about 60 THB. The last bus back leaves the park at 16:30.
To book a car to Kanchanaburi or ask for a quote to Erawan, message us on WhatsApp.