What you will see
A trail of about 2 km follows the river and climbs from tier to tier. The first three levels are easy to moderate; tiers 5 to 7 take more effort and are less crowded. Allow 3 to 4 hours for the whole route; if you stop at the first pools, 1.5 to 2 hours is enough. Swimming is allowed in most pools, especially at the second tier, where small fish nibble at your feet. The park also protects wild elephants, gibbons, hornbills and more than 120 species of birds: you will rarely see them along the trail. Phra That Cave, about half an hour from the entrance, is an easy visit.
Where to sleep for this itinerary. Stay in Sukhumvit: it is the most practical area for leaving in the morning and getting back in the evening. Compare hotels with free cancellation in Sukhumvit and see our where-to-stay guide (Bangkok) to pick the neighbourhood.
When to go
The most pleasant period is November to February: the weather is drier and the falls are well fed. Arrive at opening, before 8:30 am if you can: the pools are then almost empty, while tour groups arrive late in the morning. Weekends and Thai public holidays are the busiest.
Getting there on your own
- Bangkok → Kanchanaburi: buses leave from the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Taling Chan, in Thonburi); allow about 2 hours and 95 to 110 baht depending on the class of bus. See also our train excursions from Bangkok and our Bangkok transport guide.
- Kanchanaburi → Erawan: bus 8170 costs 60 baht and takes about 1.5 hours. Departures from Kanchanaburi at 8:00, 9:40, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 and 17:40; returns from the park at 5:20, 6:10, 8:30, 10:00, 12:00, 14:30 and 16:30 (times noted in 2026 from travel guides, not published by the park).
- Our advice: the last bus back leaves at 4:30 pm, the same time the park closes. If you leave Bangkok early in the morning, you will only reach the park late in the morning and will have little time left. Spending a night in Kanchanaburi is far more comfortable (see our Kanchanaburi page).
On a tour from Bangkok
Day tours last 9 to 12 hours, including about 4 hours of round-trip driving. They usually stop at the Bridge over the River Kwai and the JEATH Museum, and leave about 4 hours at the park. Prices start around $56 per person, with hotel pick-up, air-conditioned minibus, an English-speaking guide and entry fees (prices seen in October 2026, they vary by date). Our comparison of River Kwai tours details one day that adds Erawan to Hellfire Pass, at about $82 to $84. The drawback: time at the park is short, which leaves only the first tiers. For other ideas, see our nature excursions and our day trips from Bangkok. We do not include tours that add elephant rides or animal shows.
Practical tips
- Shoes: bring sturdy water shoes; flip-flops are a bad idea on slippery rocks.
- Food: it is not allowed beyond the second tier.
- Plastic bottles: a deposit of about 20 baht may be asked at the entrance for single-use bottles, refunded on the way out if you bring them back.
- Swimsuit and towel: bring them, with something to change into.
- Budget: entry, bus and meals remain modest; see our Bangkok travel budget.
Our verdict
If you have only one day, the group tour is the simplest solution, as long as you accept limited time at the falls. If you like walking and swimming, spend the night in Kanchanaburi and arrive at the park at 8 am: you will have the upper tiers almost to yourself. In both cases, check the hours and prices before you leave.
