| Option | Duration | "From" price | Included (per the listing) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-day tour with floating hotel (GetYourGuide, rated 4.7 from 172 reviews) | 2 days, 1 night | see the listing | picnic and meals, night on a raft, bridge, war cemetery, Hellfire Pass, ride on the original railway line; free cancellation up to 5 days before | seeing the evening show |
| Day trip: Death Railway and Hellfire Pass (GetYourGuide, rated 4.7 from 1,354 reviews) | one day | see the listing | Hellfire Pass, Death Railway ride, bridge, war cemetery, lunch | history, back in the evening |
What the calendar says
According to the official Thai tourism website, the week brings together a sound and light show at the bridge, a Red Cross fair and cultural events. In 2025, shows took place every evening at 7 p.m., with a different programme on 4 and 5 December (a royal khon performance and a classical play). Sources disagree on the price: one mentions free entry to the shows, another mentions tickets. We confirm neither the price nor the 2026 dates.
Why stay overnight
A day trip leaves Bangkok early and returns in the late afternoon: you miss the show. Either you stay in Kanchanaburi (the two-day tour covers transport and accommodation), or you take the train and book a hotel yourself. The train to Kanchanaburi leaves from Thonburi; see our guide Kanchanaburi: the Death Railway and day trip and the page on the Bridge on the River Kwai.
The traps
- Fully booked hotels: book early for the nights of festival week.
- Crowds at the bridge: the walkway is narrow; come before dark.
- Two-day tour: the exact programme (times, hotel) may vary; read the listing.
- Heat: bring water and a hat.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dates in 2026?
Not announced as of October 2026; the 2025 edition ran from 27 November to 7 December.
Can I do the day trip and see the show?
No, unless you get back very late by your own means. Staying overnight is simpler.
Is the show paid?
Sources differ; check with the province.
How long does it take to get from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi?
About two to three hours by road; see our guide.
