How to get from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to Kanchanaburi?

From Bangkok to Kanchanaburi: distance, travel time, cost

Yana Safina
author of the article

How to get from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Kanchanaburi?

It is possible to get from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to Kanchanaburi by bus, minibus, train, and taxi. A trip by public transport, including changes, will take around 4 hours. The cost of a trip makes on average 3 dollars. By taxi, you will get to your destination in 2 hours 20 minutes, for approximately 100 dollars. The distance between Bangkok and Kanchanaburi is only 120 kilometers.

In Thailand, the bus connection is well-developed, however, the last bus to Kanchanaburi departs at 22.00. The train runs only twice a day and is not very comfortable. In any case, one will have to walk to the public transport stops. If you are traveling with bulky baggage, small children or disabled relatives, choose a taxi. It is available round the clock, but seems rather expensive compared to public transport.


Order a transfer from Suvarnabhumi Airport


Kanchanaburi: a town of one bridge

Kanchanaburi is a small resort town near Bangkok. Because of such a small distance, residents of the capital love this place and come here on the weekend to have some fresh air. That is why foreigners are recommended to come here on weekdays.
The historical heart of the town is the Kwai River. During the Second World War, captured soldiers built a bridge here, which became a part of the notorious Death Railway. Based on these events, the Hollywood movie “The Bridge on the River Kwai” was filmed, which brought fame to this place. Today, the most expensive restaurants and hotels stand on the banks of the river.

Bus to Kanchanaburi

Bus from Bangkok  to Kanchanaburi
Cost

$3

Wait time

15 min

Travel time

4-5 h

Clients

Couple

Intercity buses depart from Southern Bus Terminal/Sai Tai Mai and Northern Bus Terminal/Mo Chit. Travel time is 3-4 hours. The cost of a ticket depends on the bus class and departure place. The bus of the 1st class (with air conditioning) costs approximately 3 dollars, and the bus of the 2nd class (without air conditioning) — 2,5 dollars.
Be attentive: at Southern Bus Terminal, all ticket offices are divided according to bus routes. Three of these offices sell tickets on buses to Kanchanaburi. Train station staff will help you to understand where exactly the tickets are sold.

Buses from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Kanchanaburi:

state-owned buses

Timetable:

from Southern Bus Terminal/Sai Tai Mai — from 5-00 to 22-00
from Northern Bus Terminal/Mo Chit — from 5-00 to 16-00

Route:

Suvarnabhumi Airport — Southern Bus Terminal/Sai Tai Mai — Kanchanaburi bus station
Suvarnabhumi Airport — Northern Bus Terminal/Mo Chit — Kanchanaburi bus station

Travel time:

4-5 h (including the way to the train station)

Wait time:

15min

Comfort level:

Average: an air conditioner; soft seats; snacks are included in price on some buses

Price:

a bus of the 1st class — 3$
a bus of the 2nd class — 2,5$

Clients:

savers; not for families with small children

How to find the bus stop:

It is possible to get from the airport to Southern Bus Terminal/Sai Tai Mai in Bangkok by taxi or bus № 556.
Public transport goes to Northern Bus Terminal/Mo Chit only with a change, so it is better to order a taxi.

Minibus to Kanchanaburi

Minibus from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi
Cost

$4,5

Waiting time

1-2 h

Travel time

4 h

Clients

Ind.tourist

Minibuses run to this destination from Northern Bus Terminal/Mo Chit, Southern Bus Terminal/Sai Tai Kao, Southern Bus Terminal/Sai Tai Mai, as well as from unofficial bus stops in Bangkok: from Khao San street and the Victory Monument. Travel time is 3 hours. The cost of a trip makes 4,5$.
There are approximately 10 seats on every minibus. If the departure time is important for you, it is better to purchase tickets in advance.

Minibuses from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Kanchanaburi:

private buses

Timetable:

from Southern Bus Terminal/Sai Tai Mai — from 7-00 to 16-00
from Southern Bus Terminal/Sai Tai Kao — from 6-00 to 17-00
from Northern Bus Terminal/Mo Chit — from 8-00 to 17-00
from the Victory Monument — from 4-00 to 18-20
from Khao San street — specify timetable on the spot

Route:

Suvarnabhumi Airport — Southern Bus Terminal/Sai Tai Mai — Kanchanaburi bus station
Suvarnabhumi Airport — Southern Bus Terminal/Sai Tai Kao — Kanchanaburi bus station
Suvarnabhumi Airport — Northern Bus Terminal/Mo Chit — Kanchanaburi bus station
Suvarnabhumi Airport — the Victory Monument — Kanchanaburi
Suvarnabhumi Airport — Khao San street — Kanchanaburi

Travel time:

4 h (including the way to the bus station)

Wait time:

1-2 h

Comfort level:

Low: no place for luggage; little space inside

Price:

$4,5

Clients:

those traveling light; not for families with small children; not for elderly people

How to find the bus stop:

It is possible to get from the airport to Southern Bus Terminal/Sai Tai Mai in Bangkok by bus № 556.
To Southern Bus Terminal/Sai Tai Kao and the Victory Monument, one can get by metro: the underground station is located on the lowest level of the terminal.
Public transport goes to Northern Bus Terminal/Mo Chit and Khao San Street only with a change, so it is better to book a taxi.

Train to Kanchanaburi

Train from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi
Cost

$3

Wait time

6-18 h

Travel time

4 h

Clients

Couple

Two trains depart daily from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi. The cost of a trip is approximately 3 dollars. The trip will take 3 hours, but keep in mind, that 1-hour delays in Thailand are not a rare thing.
On the same train, one can travel along the notorious Death Railway. This is the part from Kanchanaburi to the terminal station of Nam Tok line. The way from Kanchanaburi will take 2 more hours.

Train from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to Kanchanaburi:

Bangkok-Kanchanaburi

Timetable:

07:45, 13:55

Route:

Suvarnabhumi Airport — Thonburi station — Kanchanaburi station

Travel time:

4h (including the way to the train station)

Wait time:

6-18 h

Comfort level:

low: narrow carriages; no air conditioning - only ventilators; windows have no glass and are closed by metal blinds with holes for ventilation; seats are wooden and hard

Price:

$3

Clients:

those who enjoy exotic travel and want to see the legendary bridge across the River Kwai

How to find the train station:

The train to Kanchanaburi departs from Thonburi train station. It is possible to get there by metro. The nearest underground station is located on the ground floor of the terminal.

Transfer and taxi to Kanchanaburi

Bangkok Kanchanaburi transfer
Cost

from $100

Waiting time

5 min

Travel time

2 h

Clients

Family

As the distance between Bangkok and Kanchanaburi is small, it is not a problem to find a car. The only disadvantage is a high price compared to public transport. It starts at 100 dollars. For this price, however, you will get from the airport right to your destination without changes, in 2 hours 20 minutes.

Timetable:

24h

Route:

to the address in Kanchanaburi

Travel time:

2 h 20 min

Wait time:

taxi: a dispatcher looks for a vacant car on average for 5 minutes
transfer: you choose pick-up time yourself

Comfort level:

high
taxi: space for luggage; travel with people you know, without strangers
transfer: a guaranteed air-conditioner and space even for bulky baggage; short stops on the way are included in the price; child and baby seat option

Price:

from 100 dollars

Clients:

for families with children; elderly and disabled people; tourists with large luggage; night travelers

How to order a transfer or taxi to Kanchanaburi:

It is possible to book a transfer only on the website, and taxi can be booked by phone or via the app.

Car rental in Bangkok

Car rental in Bangkok
Price

from $23

Rental Period

from 1 day

Required driving experience

from 1 year

To rent a car without a driver to get from Bangkok Airport to Kanchanaburi, you have to provide an IDL, a passport, a health insurance, and photocopies of the documents. There are lots of rental companies in Thailand, but as fraud is quite common, choose certified international firms.
ThInsurance is included in the price of car rental per day. Cars are often broken into and stolen, so it’s better to purchase the insurance that covers carjackings. A deposit of $28 is charged. It’s possible to rent a car at Bangkok Airport, if you didn’t have time to do it in advance.
Try to use secondary roads and drive carefully: in case of an accident the Thai police usually takes compatriot’s side.

How to get from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to Kanchanaburi?

The most convenient and cheapest way to get to Kanchanaburi is the bus. A train trip will let you enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the country and take an excursion to the bridge on the River Kwai. If you are in a hurry or very tired after the flight, choose a taxi.