Erawan National Park and Waterfall in Kanchanaburi

Erawan Waterfall and is it worth visiting

Erawan National Park and Waterfall (Erawan National Park) is the most famous natural attraction of Kanchanaburi province, and possibly the whole of central Thailand. And all thanks to the Erawan waterfall, which is considered one of the largest and most beautiful in the country. The place is very popular with tourists and locals, so in high season and on weekends everything is filled with people here. However, in addition to the waterfall itself, there are other interesting places in the national park that deserve attention, and some tourists generally come here to spend the night.

The park was founded in 1951, and covers an area of 550 square kilometers. But only a small part of it is of interest to tourists: a waterfall, jungle trails, and four caves, of which only one is open to the public. There are tigers, elephants, Sambar deer, giant flying squirrels, king cobras, a huge number of monkeys and other animals in the park, but it is almost impossible to see them, because they live in remote parts of the park, where it is impossible for ordinary tourists not to get there. Tourists can visit the following places here:

• Erawan Falls

  A beautiful seven-stage waterfall surrounded by a green jungle. It can certainly be called the most beautiful in Thailand. You can climb to the top level, but you need to do it before 15 o'clock, because after that time the levels above the 4th are closed. You can swim in the pools, so take a swimsuit and sunscreen with you. There are fish in the water that are used for fish massage at resorts, and here you can get it in natural conditions. On the lowest level there are trays with food and drinks, and picnic gazebos. Cleanliness in the park is very monitored, take the garbage with you. Be careful with monkeys: there are a lot of them, and they steal things (see how to behave with monkeys, precautions).

  It takes 15 minutes to walk from the entrance to the park to the first level, but if you want to climb to the very top, you should plan at least two hours on the road. See Erawan waterfall on the map.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Pha That Cave

  Pha That Cave is the most popular and easily accessible cave in Erawan. It is located 18 kilometers from the main entrance, but it can be reached by public transport, there is a parking lot nearby (cave on the map). Before entering the cave, you need to climb up after walking 600 meters. The entrance to it is very narrow, but inside it is more spacious and full of beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. A very worthwhile place to visit if you have never been to other caves. If you have been to other similar places, you can skip it. Learn more about the cave here...

  

  

  

  

  

• Trails

  From the office of the park, which is located and the main entrance, there are two hiking trails for exploring the flora and fauna. These are Khao Hin Lan Pee Nature Trail (5 kilometers) and Mong Lay Dry Evergreen Forest Natural Trail (2 kilometers). Both trails will take you to the waterfall. Guides are not required to walk along them, but with a guide it will be much more interesting here.

  

• Other caves and sites

  There are several other caves and sites to visit in the park, and according to the official information and the booklet that are given out when buying tickets, they are open to the public. But in practice they are closed, and their visit is possible only with individual guides by prior arrangement.

Working hours

Visitors can access the park from 08:00 to 16:30. However, after 15:00 access to the waterfall above the 4th level is closed, so in the afternoon try to get to the top right away

Entrance fee

400 baht adults (12.25 USD, see Thailand's currency and exchange rate); 200 baht children (6.13 USD). Motorcycle parking – 20 baht, car – 30. Accommodation in bungalows from 400 baht per person. Camping place 30 baht, tent rental from 90 baht. Sleeping bags, mattresses, pillows are also available for rent

How to visit the national park, how to get there

Erawan National Park is located 50 kilometers from the city of Kanchanaburi (park headquarters and entrance on the map). The entrance to the park is through the office (headquarters), there is also a parking lot. You can only move around the territory on foot. It takes 15 minutes to get to the first level of the waterfall from the entrance by the shortest path.

Most often Erawan is visited in the form of excursions from the city Kanchanaburi or other resorts in Thailand. A lot of excursions are offered here from Pattaya (including in Russian), Hua Hin, Bangkok. The cost of a two-day excursion with an overnight stay in a floating hotel from Pattaya starts from 2500 baht. Excursions from Kanchanaburi cost from 1500 baht (45.95 USD). But you can visit it yourself without any problems, preferably from the city of Kanchanaburi.

Usually one is enough to get here by rented or local transport, walk along the trail to the waterfall, and return back the same day. There is a paid parking lot at the entrance to the park for transport, where you can safely leave the transport, but be very careful with your belongings: do not leave anything on the motorcycle, because monkeys can steal or damage them.

If one day is not enough for you, if you wish, you can stay in a guest house or campsite in the park itself, or in the nearest hotels or guest houses. Stops at floating hotels on the River Kwai are especially popular, but rooms in them should be booked in advance, because they are very popular.

If desired, in the park itself you can stay overnight at a campsite in your scarf for 30 baht per place (0.92 USD); rent a tent from 100 baht (3.06 USD); rent a bungalow from 800 baht (24.51 USD). A kilometer from the entrance and office of the park there is a small market in the village where you can buy food and ready meals. There are also ATMs, shops, and accommodation options.

It is not difficult to get to the park by local transport. From Kanchanaburi bus station (bus station on the map) during the day, from 8 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. several times a day, a bus departs directly to the entrance to the national Park, an hour and a half on the way. Departure time as of 2025: 08:00, 08:55, 09:50, 10:45, 11:50, 13:30 , 15:00, 16:20, 17:40. You can also take this bus on the main city street Sangchuto Road. This is the official route No. 8170 (B1), but there are a lot of private traders at the station who, under various pretexts, will offer a taxi or minivan ride. The fare on the official bus is 50 baht (1.53 USD), and do not believe anyone that he does not go. Back from Erawan to Kanchanaburi, the last flight departs at 16:30 hours, and there may simply not be enough space. Therefore, try to get at least on the previous flight (approximately 15:40) or even earlier, otherwise you will have to get on private companies.