The Erawan Falls are a seven-tiered waterfall in Erawan National Park, about 65 km from Kanchanaburi and roughly 200 km west of Bangkok. The water cascades over limestone into a series of turquoise pools where swimming is permitted. The falls are named after Erawan, the three-headed elephant of Hindu mythology, as the uppermost tier is said to resemble an elephant. A roughly 2 km long path leads from the parking area up to the seventh tier.
The first three levels are easily accessible on foot and are the busiest; it gets significantly quieter with each additional level. If you arrive on a weekday at 8:00 AM, allow three hours and spend the night before in Kanchanaburi, as it's a long day coming from Bangkok.
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Key facts
The entrance fee is 300 Baht for foreign adults and 150 Baht for children.
Children are between 3 and 14 years old. Thai nationals pay 60 baht. A car costs 30 baht more and a motorbike 20 baht more. Please bring cash.
Open from 8:00 am to approximately 4:30 pm, last entry 3:30 pm
The park is open daily, including holidays. The upper levels close earlier than the park itself, and the rangers begin clearing the summit around 3:00 PM.
Approximately 2 km to the seventh level, three hours including swimming
The first stage is about 500 m from the parking lot, the summit about 2 km away. The direct ascent takes about one and a half hours, the descent about half an hour.
Food is not allowed from the second floor upwards, and a deposit of 20 baht is charged on bottles.
Food items must be stored at the checkpoint above the second level. A deposit of 20 baht is charged for plastic bottles, which will be refunded upon leaving the building.
Bus line 8170 from Kanchanaburi costs 60 Baht and takes about 1.5 hours.
The first bus departs from Kanchanaburi bus station at 8:00 AM, the last bus returns from the waterfalls at 4:30 PM.
Autumn is strongest on weekday mornings and from July to December.
It gets very crowded on weekends and Thai holidays. The water level is highest during and shortly after the rains, and the pools are clearest in the cool, dry months.
The seven stages of the Erawan Waterfalls
The difficulty ratings and distance information are based on park signs and information provided by hikers; the total distances may vary by several hundred meters depending on the source. Swimming is only permitted where the rangers give permission.
Is a visit to the Erawan Waterfalls worthwhile?
Yes, if you arrive early. It's one of Thailand's most visited waterfalls, with over half a million visitors in 2024, and the reason is simple: the pools really are that color, you can swim in most of them, and the path between them leads through shady forest. The small fish in the pools, mainly garra, nibble at your feet – some like it, others don't.
The catch is the crowds. On a late weekend morning, the first three levels are packed with families and tour groups from Bangkok, and if you don't see anything else, you wonder what's so great about it. Keep going. From the fourth level onwards, the path gets steeper and it's less crowded, and the upper levels are significantly quieter, especially on weekdays.
Towards the end of the dry season, around March and April, the river is less impressive as the water level drops. If you have to choose between Erawan and Sai Yok, Erawan is the better place for swimming, while Sai Yok is an easier stopover on the way to Hellfire Pass.
How long does the hike to the Erawan Waterfalls take?
Plan for three hours. That's enough time to climb to the seventh level, swim in two or three pools, and descend at your leisure. The ascent takes about an hour and a half, the descent about half an hour. If you only want to visit the lower levels, one hour is perfectly sufficient.
The trail is mostly concrete or steps, so the first three sections are suitable for everyone. From the fourth section onward, it becomes steeper, with steps, roots, and wet rocks, and the final section up to the seventh requires some scrambling. Wear sturdy shoes (no flip-flops) and bring swimwear, a towel, and a waterproof bag. Toilets for changing are located near the first two sections.
Timing is more important than physical fitness. The park is open until 3:30 p.m., but the upper levels close earlier, and rangers begin directing visitors from top to bottom around 3:00 p.m. If you arrive after lunch, you'll reach the seventh level just as it's closing. Therefore, plan to be at the entrance no later than 9:00 a.m. A golf cart runs from the visitor center to the lower levels for 20 baht if you'd like to skip the first section.
Getting to the Erawan Waterfalls from Kanchanaburi
Bus 8170 runs from Kanchanaburi bus station to the park entrance for 60 baht and takes about an hour and a half. You can also flag it down on Highway 323 before the bridge over the River Kwai. It's best to take the 8:00 AM bus to arrive at the park entrance in plenty of time.
On the return journey, the last bus departs from the waterfalls at 4:30 pm, which coincides well with the closing time of the upper areas. If you miss it, there's no easy alternative, so keep an eye on the time.
Alternatively, you can hire a driver or a scooter. The route along Highway 3199 is approximately 65 km and takes about one to one hour and 15 minutes by car. With your own vehicle, you can visit the Srinagarind Dam or the Tham Phra That Cave on the way back. Hire a driver for the day or rent a scooter in town.
Bus 8170 timetable, Kanchanaburi and Erawan Falls
Local bus schedules are subject to change at short notice. Please check at the bus station the day before your journey.
Erawan Waterfalls from Bangkok
It's possible to visit the falls in one day using public transport, but it's a tight squeeze. An early bus from Bangkok's southern bus station (about two hours) will take you to Kanchanaburi, where you can catch the 9:40 am bus to the falls. The return bus at 2:30 pm leaves you time for an evening bus back to Bangkok. This amounts to roughly seven hours of bus travel for three hours at the falls. The train isn't a viable alternative, as it doesn't arrive until 10:30 pm. Instead, stay overnight in Kanchanaburi, take the 8:00 am bus, and you'll be on the trail before the tourist groups.
If you only have one day, a tour is recommended. Day trips from Bangkok depart early, travel the entire route by car, and usually combine the waterfalls with the Bridge on the River Kwai or the War Cemetery on the return journey. Expect a 12-hour day, with approximately three hours spent in Erawan.
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Accommodation near the Erawan Waterfalls
If the waterfalls are the main reason for your trip, it's best to stay near the park so you can be at the entrance by 8:00 AM. If you also want to see the bridge and the war sites, stay overnight in Kanchanaburi and take the first bus out.
Camping in Erawan National Park
The park has a campsite. Setting up your own tent costs 30 baht per person per night. A tent for two to three people can be rented for 225 baht; sleeping bags, sleeping mats, and pillows are available for a few extra baht. Those who stay overnight in the park can reach the waterfalls before the tourists from the city arrive.
The national parks' online booking system was still out of service in mid-2026, so for the park's bungalows you need to call the visitor centre on 034 574 222, ideally with a Thai-speaking staff member who can help you.
Other attractions near Erawan Waterfalls
When is the best time to visit the Erawan Waterfalls?
The waterfalls carry the most water during and shortly after the rainy season, roughly from July to December. September and October are the wettest months, with over 200 mm of rainfall recorded at the Kanchanaburi weather station. Therefore, the water level is highest during these months, although the pools can become murky after a storm. November and December are the best time to visit: the waterfalls still carry a lot of water, are clearer, and cooler.
The hot season is from March to May, with peak temperatures around 38°C in April. During this time, the water level is at its lowest. It's best to set off early in the morning and avoid weekends and long Thai holidays, as traffic jams can stretch for miles. During Songkran in mid-April, expect heavy rain on your journey; therefore, keep your mobile phone in a waterproof case.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about the Erawan Falls travel guide.
300 Baht for foreign adults and 150 Baht for children aged 3 to 14. Thai citizens pay 60 Baht. A car costs an additional 30 Baht and a motorbike 20 Baht. Please bring cash.
Open daily from 8:00 AM, last entry at 3:30 PM, park closes around 4:30 PM. The upper levels close earlier, and the rangers begin clearing the summit around 3:00 PM.
The ascent to the seventh level (2 km) takes about an hour and a half, the descent half an hour. Allow three hours for swimming, and one hour for the lower levels alone.
You can reach Kanchanaburi by bus, minivan, or train, and then take bus 8170 to the park. The journey takes about an hour and a half and costs 60 baht. With an early bus from Bangkok, the trip is doable in one day, but time is tight. Therefore, it's recommended to stay overnight in Kanchanaburi or take a day trip from Bangkok.
Yes, in most pools, provided the rangers allow it. The small fish in the water nibble at your feet. Toilets for changing are located near the first two pool levels.
Only up to the second level, where there are picnic areas. Beyond that, eating is not allowed, and there is a 20 baht deposit for plastic bottles, which you get back when you leave the premises.
The third level is the most photographed, but also the most crowded. The upper levels, from the fifth to the seventh, are quieter and their pools clearer, so the climb is worthwhile if you arrive early.
The water level is highest on weekday mornings between November and December, when the waterfalls are still carrying a lot of water after the rains and the water is particularly clear. The waterfalls carry the most water from July to October and the least from March to May.
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I lived in Bangkok for four years and traveled throughout the country from there. The guidebooks reflect my personal opinion and are written as I would explain things to a friend planning a trip.
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