Erawan National Park: Seven Waterfall Tiers in Kanchanaburi
Erawan National Park in Kanchanaburi Province is best known for Erawan Falls, a waterfall that runs down through seven tiers of clear, green-blue pools in the forest. A trail climbs past every tier, and you can swim in pools along the way.
The park lies about 200 km west of Bangkok, so most visitors either stay a night in Kanchanaburi town or come on a long day trip. Prices and timetables were checked in September 2026 and can change, so confirm them with the park or the operator before you travel.
Essential Visitor Information
Park Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Province | Kanchanaburi |
| Distance from Bangkok | About 200 km west |
| Established | 1975, as Thailand's 12th national park |
| Area | 550 km² |
| Opening hours | Every day, 08:00 to about 16:30 |
| Last entry | 15:30 |
| Top tier | Rangers start clearing it around 15:00 |
| Visitor centre | 034 574 222 |
The park is open all year. If you want to reach the seventh tier, start the climb in the morning.
Admission Fees
| 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 |
As at other Thai national parks, foreigners pay more than Thais. Pay in cash at the gate.
The Trail and the Seven Tiers
The walk has two parts. First, about 1 km of flat path takes you from the visitor area to the lower falls. From there, the trail climbs about 1.5 km more to the seventh tier at the top.
How long the climb takes depends on your fitness and how often you stop, so start early.
A good plan is to walk straight to the top first, before rangers start clearing it around 15:00, then swim in the pools on your way back down.
Swimming and Safety
Where You Can Swim
As of September 2026, swimming is allowed in the pools along the trail up to the sixth tier. Rules at individual pools can change, for example after heavy rain, so follow the signs and check with the rangers at the visitor centre before you swim.
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 for each bottle. You get the money back when you bring the empty bottle down.
- Eat before you start the climb, or when you are back at the second tier or lower.
Keep 20 THB notes or coins ready for the deposit.
Safety Tips
- The rocks near the water are slippery. Walk slowly and wear shoes with good grip.
- Do not jump or dive into a pool when you cannot see how deep it is.
- Stay on the marked trail and follow the rangers' instructions.
- Do not swim alone, and keep children within reach in the water.
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
- Bus from the Southern Bus Terminal: 1st class about 110 THB and about 2 hours, with departures about every 15 minutes from 05:00 to 22:30. 2nd class costs about 95 THB.
- Bus from Mo Chit: 1st class about 122 THB and about 3 hours.
- Train from Thonburi station: departures at 07:50 (arriving 10:25) and 13:55 (arriving 16:24). This line is known as the Death Railway or the River Kwai line, and foreigners pay about 100 THB. Thonburi station is about a 9-minute walk (750 m) from MRT Bang Khun Non.
For all the options in detail, read our guide How to Get from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi.
From Kanchanaburi Town by Bus 8170
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 stop 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, every day | 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. The latest timetable is on the Thai National Parks page for getting to Erawan.
By Private Car with Smile Taxi Service
A private car is the simplest way to reach the park with children, a group or luggage, and you do not depend on the last bus. 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) or Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Kanchanaburi (City): the same fares. Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi to Kanchanaburi or from Don Mueang to Kanchanaburi.
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 or LINE 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 PayPal payment link, with a 5% fee added.
- 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).
- Airport pickups include 60 minutes of free waiting, counted from the actual landing time.
- A child seat costs 100 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.
Planning Your Day
From Kanchanaburi town: take the 08:00 or 09:40 bus. 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 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 reach the gate soon after it opens at 08:00. If you arrive after lunch, you may have time only for the lower pools.
What to Bring
- Cash for the entrance fee and the bottle deposit
- A swimsuit and a quick-dry towel
- Water shoes or sports sandals with grip
- A waterproof bag for your phone and money
- Drinking water in bottles, a hat and sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- A change of clothes for the ride home
Combining Erawan with Other Sights
Kanchanaburi town is where bus 8170 starts, which makes it a convenient base for a two-day trip.
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.
The Tiger Temple (Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua) is no longer a place to visit. It has been closed to the public since 2016, when the authorities removed its tigers.
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, so call the visitor centre (number below) before you go. Alternatively, stay in Kanchanaburi town and take a morning bus to the park.
Emergency Contacts
- 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.
Where can I swim at Erawan? As of September 2026, in the pools along the trail up to the sixth tier. Follow the signs and check with the rangers, because rules at individual pools can change.
How far is it to the top tier? About 1 km of flat path to the lower falls, then about 1.5 km more to the seventh tier. Start in the morning, because rangers begin clearing the top 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 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.
Can I still visit the Tiger Temple? No. It has been closed to the public since 2016.
To book a car to Kanchanaburi or ask for a quote to Erawan, message us on WhatsApp or LINE.