River Kwai Trip

[taffinexile]

Hi, due in Hua Hin in April, this time with some friends visiting for the first time. They would like to do a trip to the River Kwai. Would like some some thoughts on the best way to do it.. We will have a car so could drive. Are there any organized trips from Hua Hin spread over a couple of days? Or is the trip to Bangkok and then the train the best way? Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

[margaretcarnes]

All the tour agents in HH will arrange Kwai trips for you. Some are just one day trips (not enough time IMO) or you can get 2 day one night trips all in. Going to Bangkok and then by train is longer but there MIGHT be a train 'direct' from HH to Kanchanaburi - still a long journey though. By road from HH direct kind of cuts off a corner.
The only problem with the organised tours for some people is the inevitable stop offs at floating markets, butterfly/orchid farms etc so if you want to avoid those make your own way there.

[hhfarang]

Depends on how adventurous you are. We've driven there from Hua Hin three or four times and it's a pretty easy drive (under two hours if I remember correctly), however, there is a lot to see in the area besides the bridge and associated historical museums, and cemeteries and some of them are fairly remotely located from Kanchanaburi... so, doing a self drive trip will give you more freedom to see what you like and spend as much time as you like in each place but you have to do your homework or you will miss some interesting attractions.

There are water falls, hot springs, caves, national parks, the famous Three Pagoda Pass entry into Burma, plus one of the most historical parts of the WWII railroad construction, Hell Fire Pass, that are from 30 minutes to an hour and a half from Kanchanaburi (the bridge).

Maybe the best way for tourists is to find a tour company that does a really comprehensive tour of the area by van or private car with a knowledgeable driver.

[Dr Michael]

Another option--Drive there--arrange a tour when you are there.
The most informative and least tacky museums is the one adjacent to the Commonwealth Grave Cemetary.

[richard]

Done the trip several times. Once a one day flier the others spread over 2 or 3 days. Best ones for me were through a BK agent who fixed a couple of nights on a floating hotel up river away from the tourist hubbub

[BingoBango]

Drive there, 3 hours max, book a couple of nights at the VN guest house before arriving, they have car parking, right by the train station and cemetries of allied soldiers. also VN guest house is a lovely walk of 1km down to the bridge itself that you can cross on foot.

The car comes into its own as you can tour around, tiger temple is 30km away and then erawan waterfalls about 80 km

VN guest house can sort excursions for you but they will also direct and help you if you go on your own back.

Have a look at their web site and then book, get sat on the veranda sat above the river itself and then sort your itinerary out with their help, when you walk down to the bridge the main street has some lovely open air live music bars that you may want to visit at night.

Down at the bridge their is a large floating restarant, try the duck or freshly caught mekong cat fish.

I have been 6 times 2 nights is enough just to chill out.

I have been on the train from hua hin, you dont have to go to bangkok as their is a station i think at samut sakhon that you change at, had big waiting times as trains were late so car deffo recomended.

Have a great trip which eer you decide

[taffinexile]

Ok thanks for the advice.

[usual suspect]

Friends of mine went from HH on an early (6.30ish) train. got off at Nakon Pratom, buses then go every 15 mins to K'buri..they enjoyed the cool early morning,scenic train ride, and came back on the same route. (just a thought if you do not wish to rent a car).

[traveller2]

We've done a one day trip from HH to the river kwai. It was with a local HH tour operator who spoke excellent english and was very knowledgeable. It took about 3 hours to get there, with a stop off and was an early start (6am pick-up and 8pm drop-off).
There is a train that runs down the 'death railway' from BKK. Its well worth riding it over a section of the route and is focused more towards tourism.

An overnight visit might be more enjoyable for you if you dont travel well?

If you would like more information, feel free to PM me.

I hope you enjoy the trip as much as we did.

t2