Floating Market, River Kwai and Death Railway Train Ride
Highlights
- Damnoen Saduak Floating Market with a longtail boat ride
- The bridge on the River Kwai and the JEATH War Museum
- Forty minutes on the Death Railway in the late afternoon
- The Wang Pho viaduct above the river
- Thai lunch included, vegetarian or halal on request
Description
This is the fullest of the western day trips, the floating market and the River Kwai with the Death Railway train added at the end. The order it runs in is most of what makes it work. Damnoen Saduak comes first at 09:00 with the longtail ride and an hour among the canal stalls, and lunch follows at 13:00 in Kanchanaburi. The bridge and the JEATH War Museum fill the early afternoon. Then at 16:00 you board the railway itself for about forty minutes, along the river and over the wooden viaduct at Wang Pho, which the prisoners of war fixed to the cliff face in 1943. The light in late afternoon is the best of the day on that stretch. Sit on the right leaving Kanchanaburi.
Pricing
This tour requires a minimum of 2 persons per booking
- Step 1
06:15 to 07:00 Hotel pickup
Pickup from your hotel in the central Bangkok area, then on to the meeting point at Khaosan Road.
Leave Khaosan Road and drive south-west to Damnoen Saduak.
Longtail boat into the market, then about an hour of free time among the stalls.
Drive north-west to Kanchanaburi.
Thai lunch at a local restaurant.
Walk the bridge and visit the JEATH War Museum.
About forty minutes on the Death Railway, including the Wang Pho viaduct above the river.
Depart Kanchanaburi for the drive back.
Drop-off at Khaosan Road, or Sam Yot MRT station on request.
Included
- Return trip by air-conditioned minivan
- English-speaking local guide
- Longtail boat ride at the floating market
- River Kwai Bridge
- JEATH War Museum
- Death Railway train ticket
- Thai lunch, with vegetarian or halal food on request
Not included
- Drinking water
- Travel insurance
- Hotel drop-off (150 THB per person, minimum 2 people)
- Optional paddle boat at the floating market (150 THB per person)
- Sun protection and a hat
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Cash in small notes for drinks and snacks
This tour starts at one of these meeting points. Pick the one that suits you when you book. No extra charge.
- Open in Google Maps
Khaosan / Chana Songkhram Police Station
Check-in 07:15
In front of Chana Songkhram Police Station at the end of Khaosan Road, opposite Wat Chana Songkhram.
- Open in Google Maps
Korea Town / Sukhumvit Plaza fountain
Check-in 06:30
At the fountain in front of Sukhumvit Plaza (Korea Town), between Sukhumvit 10 and 12, ~200 m from Asok BTS exit 2.
A driver collects you where you're staying. Your area sets the collection time.
Free pickup · 14 areasSee all 14 areasHide areas
Your exact pickup time depends on your area and departure time. You'll see it at checkout and we confirm it with your booking.
The train is a regular Thai service with wooden seats and open windows rather than anything laid on for tourists. It is the one part of the day that can run late, which is why the return to Bangkok is quoted as a window rather than a time. If you have an early flight the next morning, this is probably the wrong tour. The paddle boat at Damnoen Saduak stays optional at 150 THB on the day, and the longtail is already in the price. Everything else you might spend money on at the market starts high and comes down with haggling.
FAQs
About forty minutes, at the end of the day. It is an ordinary Thai service train with wooden seats and open windows rather than a tourist train, and it crosses the Wang Pho viaduct above the River Kwai.
Twelve to thirteen hours from pickup to drop-off, with pickup from 06:15 and return between 19:00 and 19:30. It is the longest of the western day trips, so it is worth avoiding if you have an early start the next morning.
No. The longtail boat is included; the optional paddle boat between the vendor stalls is 150 THB per person on the day.
Yes. Vegetarian food is available on request on every full-day tour, and halal food can be arranged on the Kanchanaburi tours. Tell us when you book so the restaurant can prepare it.
Yes, if your hotel is in the central pickup area. Pickup times are set by area: Khaosan Road and the old town 06:50 to 07:15, Chinatown and Hua Lamphong 06:40 to 06:50, Sukhumvit, Silom, Sathorn and Pratunam 06:30 to 06:40, and Siam 06:30 to 06:45. If you are staying outside that area you make your own way to the meeting point on Khaosan Road, in front of the Chana Songkhram police station, for 07:15, or to Korea Town at Sukhumvit Plaza for 06:30.
Back in Bangkok at Khaosan Road, or at Sam Yot MRT station if you ask the guide on the day. Drop-off at your own hotel can be added for 150 THB per person, with a minimum of two people.
Yes, this tour needs at least two people to run. Group sizes vary with the season, from about two to nine people on a quiet day up to twenty or more in high season.
You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the tour starts and get a full refund. Inside 24 hours the tour is non-refundable, because the seat and the guide are already committed.
