Travel by train/ bus from BKK to Kanchananaburi -Chiang Mai

We are planning on staying in Bangkok for a few days and then traveling up to Kanchanaburi for 2 days then onto Chiang Mai. We would like to know the best mode of transport train or bus for BKK and how long do they take to get to Kanchanaburi? Is there a train or bus that leaves from Kanchanaburi direct to Chiang Mai?

Travel by train/ bus from BKK to Kanchananaburi -Chiang Mai

Bump please - I am interested as well.

Travel by train/ bus from BKK to Kanchananaburi -Chiang Mai

A/C buses depart BKK for Kanchanaburi many times a day, usually take around 2-2.5 hrs

Train leaves from Thonburi railway station to Kanchanaburi available only 3rd class train, 2 times a day. Cheap but takes longer time, about 3 hrs

No bus/train goes direct to Chinagmai from K%26#39;buri. You have to bus back to BKK. If you want to go to Chiangmai by a bus. Choose a bus that runs directly from K%26#39;buri to the Northern bus terminal, Mo Chit.

If you want to avoid getting back to BKK, you have to take a local bus to Suphanburi and connect a nother local bus to Ayutthaya. Then you can bus or train up to Chiangmai but it%26#39;s too hassle and troublesome to do so

Hello yalowa,

Thanks for the great reply. I hope the OP doesn%26#39;t mind but I do want to piggy-back a question. You mentioned that there are AC buses that go to Kanchanaburi and that it%26#39;s faster than the train, but where does one go to catch those VIP buses? And can you recommend a reputable company? Also any recommendations for accommodations there too?

Thanks very much!

Thanks for great info Yalowa.

And cool that others can tag along and use the information also.(Cricket28!)

I would also like to know where to go for VIP bus services from BKK to Kanchanaburi?

Also the train trip from BKK up to Chiang Mai could you tell me how long it takes and what the conditions, rough costs etc as we are limited for time it might be just as easy to bus back to BKK from Kanchanaburi and fly up to Chiang Mai as we are also traveling across to Hanoi after 4-5 days in Chiang Mai

Sawati

The buses from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi (and the South) depart from the Sai Tai Mai station located in the Thonburi side of the river.

http://www.1stopbangkok.com/getting_here/bus/

You are not going to see Kanchanaburi on that site but they depart from that station every 20 minutes from very early in the morning.

Remenber:Southern Bus Station or mostly known by Sai Tai Mai

Chokdi

I forgot,the Northen bus terminal is called Morchit an is located very close to the Chatuchak Wekend Market

…flickr.com/3080/2775734947_b8ee4afeab_o.jpg

Thanks for the reply Arumsawas!

If you take train,that%26#39;s gonna take 5 hours to get there and I don%26#39;t think your trip will finish in one day but,for bus you have to go Southern bus terminal. For my idea I think you suppose to go with the tour and can book any travel agency take one day trip and after the tour let them transfer you back to train station in Bangkok %26#39;cause Kanchanaburi and Chiangmai are diffence direction then take train to Chiangmai.I very often suggestion to my customer.

A/C bus leaves from both the Northern terminal(Mo Chit) and the new Southern bus terminal (Sai Tai Mai).Departing from Sai Tai Mai is the best options as there’re many companies and don’t have to wait so long for a coach . No need to pre book , just walk straight to any ticket booth. I have no preferred company but the 999 VIP bus is probably one of the best

For an accommodation, it all depends on what’s your like/dislike. If you want a bit of nightlife, consider staying around the River Kwai bridge which is not far from its city centre. Check out these sites

http://www.vnguesthouse.net/index.html#

http://www.ploygh.com/

http://www.sugarcaneguesthouse.com/

If you like somewhere nice and peaceful, consider staying outside the town and also Sai Yok district(another 60 kms from town) is quieter and far from a night scene .

http://www.orientalkwai.com/

http://www.riverkwaijunglerafts.com/

http://www.riverkwairesotel.net/

You can book a day trip once you got there. Many travel agencies and the price is slightly lower than booking from Bangkok

For a train trip to Chiangmai, I recommend reading this thread

http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm

Hi Yalowa

would you please clarify for me? We are catching the bus back from Kanchanaburi to BKK and then catching the overnight train to Chiang Mai. Should we be catching the bus to the southern station or the northern station, bearing in mind that we need to go on to the train station?