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Burma Railway

Burma Railway: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Bangkok: Historical Day Tour to River Kwai

1. From Bangkok: Historical Day Tour to River Kwai

Learn about the construction of the Burma Railway, also known as the “Death Railway,” on this 10-hour historical tour to Kanchanaburi, approximately 80 miles (130 kilometers) west of Bangkok. Upon arrival, you will tour the well-kept War Cemetery, where the graves of an estimated 9,000 Allied soldiers are tended. They perished while constructing the notorious "Death Railway,” which the Japanese had hoped would stretch all the way to the Burmese border. Uncover the terrible history of the railway at the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, an interactive museum, research, and information center dedicated to presenting the story of the Thailand-Burma Railway built during World War II. See the past recreated and relived with pictures and artifacts. You will also ride a train along the original Death Railway track, with a sumptuous lunch awaiting at the disembarkation station. Return to Bangkok in the late afternoon for your hotel drop-off.

From Bangkok: Death Railway & River Kwai Bridge Private Tour

2. From Bangkok: Death Railway & River Kwai Bridge Private Tour

Benefit from very early morning pickup at your hotel in Bangkok, and then travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle to Kanchanaburi, established in the late 18th century by King Rama I as a defensive outpost against attack from Burma. Visit the interactive Burmese Railway Museum, dedicated to presenting the history of the Thailand-Burma Railway built by the Empire of Japan in 1943. See period photos and models to get a better understanding of the background of what happened during World War II. Pay your respects at the War Cemetery and visit the memorial to some 6,000 Allied prisoners of war. Then, take a scenic train ride on the notorious Death Railway, constructed by prisoners of war on the orders of the Japanese. Break for a local lunch at a restaurant, before travelling back to Bangkok.

Kanchanaburi River Kwai & Hellfire Pass Private Tour

3. Kanchanaburi River Kwai & Hellfire Pass Private Tour

Meet and greet your guide at the lobby of your hotel in Bangkok at 7 AM. Start your full day private tour to the highlights of Kanchanaburi province and the most important WW2 memorial sites. The drive to Kanchanaburi province will take about 2 hours. First, visit the JEATH war museum, war cemetery and the Bridge over the River Kwai. Learn about how the notorious Burma-Siam railway, built by Commonwealth, Dutch and American prisoners of war, was a Japanese project driven by the need for improved communications to support the large Japanese army in Burma. Discover all of the bridge's history at the museum. Afterward, take a train ride on the Death Railway. After lunch and another 45min drive, see and learn more about the history at the Hell Fire Pass and Memorial. End the day with a visit to one of the most beautiful waterfalls of the country, Saiyoke Noi. Enjoy time to relax and take in the beautiful environment. Finally, head back to your accommodation in Bangkok.

2-Day River Kwai Highlights & Jungle Rafts Floating Hotel

4. 2-Day River Kwai Highlights & Jungle Rafts Floating Hotel

Begin your adventure with a pickup from your hotel in Bangkok and head to the west of Thailand, Kanchanaburi Province.  Start with a visit to the Thailand–Burma Railway Centre, an interactive museum, information and research facility dedicated to presenting the history of the Thailand– Burma Railway. Next, visit the Allied War Cemetery which is commemorates the 6,000 allied prisoners of war who perished along the railway line and were moved after the war to this eternal resting place. Continue to the world famous Bridge over the River Kwai, a part of the Death Railway, constructed by Allied POWs. Afterward, take a long-tailed boat on the River Kwai to the floating hotel at River Kwai Jungle Rafts to have lunch. After lunch, journey downstream to Phu Takian Pier and visit the Hellfire Pass Memorial. Then return to the rafts to enjoy your dinner, followed by a 45–minute presentation of traditional Mon Dance. Begin your second day with a visit to a Mon tribal village to learn about local traditions and customs. Trek through the jungle and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Take a ride on a historic train on the Death Railway, passing over an original wooden viaduct constructed by Allied prisoners of war. Transfer back to your hotel in Bangkok in the evening to conclude your two-day journey.

Kanchanaburi: River Kwai and Death Railway Day Tour

5. Kanchanaburi: River Kwai and Death Railway Day Tour

Make the most of your day of adventure and start early with a smooth pickup from your accommodation in Kanchanaburi, or meet your guide at the Kanchanburi Bus Terminal. Catch up on sleep in the comfy air-conditioned van on the way to your first stop, the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. Walk along the perfectly kept grounds as you honor the fallen soldiers and prisoners of war and civilians who died while working on the infamous Death Railway (Siam-Burma Railway) under the Japanese Empire. Head to the JEATH Museum, built to commemorate those who lost their lives while working on the railway during World War II. The JEATH War Museum was named after the nationalities of those that worked on the railway: Japanese, English, Australian, American, Thai, and Hollander. Examine exhibits from the war such as weapons, tools, uniforms, medals, and replicas of the living conditions the prisoners of war lived in. Make a quick stop at the Bridge over the River Kwai, where you’ll experience the subject of your earlier history lessons. At Tham Krasae Station, a picturesque railway section that snakes around a cliff, admire the views, see the trains pass by, and fill up on some tasty lunch. Enjoy a quick coffee break before stopping at Wat Tham Suea, otherwise known as the Tiger Cave Temple. Don’t miss the tiger paw prints on its cave walls and the large, gleaming, 18-meter-tall Buddha statue at the top. Make the steep hike and be rewarded with a close-up view of the statue as well as the impressive scenery of the surrounding landscape. After exploring and taking photos at Wat Tham Suea (Tiger Cave Temple), begin your journey back to your accommodation with some of Thailand’s unforgettable history engraved in your mind.

From Bangkok: Private Car Hire to Kanchanaburi Province

6. From Bangkok: Private Car Hire to Kanchanaburi Province

Leave the busy city of Bangkok for a day to explore Kanchanaburi, a city full of beautiful nature and historical sites from the period of the Second World War. Enjoy a private tour with the flexibility to design your visit based on 3 itineraries. After a long day of sightseeing, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Bangkok at night. Program 1: Car Hire to Kanchanaburi City Sights Only With this program, visit the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, the main cemetery for victims of Japanese imprisonment during the construction of the Thailand-Burma Railway, and the real Bridge on the River Kwai. Find out more about the infamous railway at the Death Railway Museum and JEATH War Museum. Program 2: Car Hire to Kanchanaburi City Sights & Erawan Waterfalls As well as the sights visited in program 1, this program also allows you to explore Erawan Waterfalls and spend some free time swimming in them. Program 3 - Car Hire to Kanchanaburi City Sights & Hellfire Pass As well as the sights visited in program 1, this program also takes you to the Hellfire Pass, a railway cutting on the former Burma Railway, also commonly called the Death Railway, in Thailand.

From Bangkok: Erawan Waterfall & Kanchanaburi Private Tour

7. From Bangkok: Erawan Waterfall & Kanchanaburi Private Tour

Enjoy your full-day private tour from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi with your personal tour guide. Start with pickup from your hotel in Bangkok in the early morning. Visit the top destinations in Kanchanaburi by a private air-conditioned car. Begin your trip by visiting Bridge Over the River Kwai, the famous attraction of Kanchanaburi which was made famous by the movie of the same name. Continue to Erawan Waterfall National Park, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Thailand with an altitude of 500 meters above sea level. Walk from the national park office to the waterfall. Relax at the waterfall or take an optional trek up to the top of the waterfall on the 7th tier (about 1,500 meters). After the waterfall, enjoy an optional lunch at a local restaurant. Visit Krasae Buddha cave and board the train to ride along the former railway for about 30 minutes. Then return to your hotel in Bangkok.

Kanchanaburi: Erawan Waterfall & Train Full-Day Tour

8. Kanchanaburi: Erawan Waterfall & Train Full-Day Tour

You’ll start bright and early and head to Srinakarin Lake, built as a result of the Srinakarin Dam on the Kwai Yai River. The peaceful lake offers fantastic views of the reservoir and the surrounding mountains and forests. Admire the lakeside views and get your photos in before heading to your next destination.  Erawan National Park is named after the three-headed white elephant in Hindu mythology. The park is most famous for housing the Erawan Waterfall, a cascade that tumbles down seven tiers – said to resemble the god Erawan. Take a quick dip in the emerald green pools, scout the nearby caves, and take in the lush surrounding forest of the park before digging in to a tasty lunch at a local restaurant. Up next is the infamous Siam-Burma Railway, also known as the Death Railway. Ccatch a train and chug past stunning views of the Tham Krasae Bridge and River Kwai. You’ll end the day with a stop at the Bridge On The River Kwai, where you’ll learn about its cultural and historical significance while admiring fantastic views.

Kanchanaburi: 3-Day Highlights Tour from Bangkok with Meals

9. Kanchanaburi: 3-Day Highlights Tour from Bangkok with Meals

Day 1 Begin your 3-day getaway early with pickup from your hotel in Bangkok at 6.00 AM and set off for Kanchanaburi. Once you arrive in Kanchanaburi, visit the Thailand–Burma Railway Centre, an interactive museum where you can learn about the history of this famous railway. Your next visit is the Allied War Cemetery, which is a memorial to the 6000 allied prisoners of war who perished building the death railway. Then, Kanchanaburi's most conic landmark, the The Bridge over the River Kwai. Take a long-tailed boat on the River Kwai to the River Kwai Jungle Rafts Hotel. Check in and have lunch upon arrival. In the afternoon, take a long-tailed boat downstream to Phu Takian Pier and continue on road to visit the Hellfire Pass Memorial. In the evening, enjoy dinner back at the hotel followed by a 45–minute presentation of traditional Mon Dance. Day 2 Wake up to sounds of nature surrounding your room and enjoy breakfast served. You will then visit the nearby Mon Tribal Village. Learn the way of life of the Mon villagers, originally from Myanmar, who were granted permission to build this village by the Thai authorities after they fled from their homeland. Feast on an authentic Thai lunch and enjoy an easy jungle walk in the afternoon. After a day of exploring the rainforest, you will return to the hotel for dinner.  Day 3 Wake up feeling recharged after spending 2 days in the jungle and enjoy a final berakfast and a leisurely morning. Check out of your room and and have lunch at a local restaurant. Finally, take a historic ride on the Death Railway, passing over the original wooden viaduct. You will then return to Bangkok and will be dropped off at your hotel around 6.00 PM.

From Bangkok: Kanchanaburi Tour with Floating Market Visit

10. From Bangkok: Kanchanaburi Tour with Floating Market Visit

Start your tour with pickup from your hotel in Bangkok at 7 AM and discover the highlights of the Kanchanaburi Province in western Thailand in just one day. Enjoy a private day trip to visit Maeklong Railway Market and the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Travel to the Maeklong Railway Market where you can see the trains passing. Take a private boat tour through the Damnoensaduak Floating Market and see the farms and traditional Thai-style houses along the canal. Walk around the first floating market of Thailand, where the villagers sell fruit and other food products on their paddle boats. Afterward, enjoy transfer to Kanchanaburi Province where you will have an optional Thai lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the bridge over the River Kwai and learn about its WWII history. Visit Krasae Cave Bridge and board the train from Krasae Cave Station to Tha-Kilen Station. End your tour with drop off at your hotel in Bangkok at around 7:00 PM.

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What people are saying about Burma Railway

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 484 reviews

We booked this trip as my Grandfather was a POW here in WWII and I thought it was important for my son to see what hell he had to injure. Our driver, Mr. Artie was a very lovely man. i booked him as a driver and NOT a guide, so his basic grasp of English was not a problem and his sweet nature and amazing command of Google translate more than made up for it. The whole day day was very emotional and could not be described as "fun" but humbling and enjoyable all the same. I made a decision half way through the morning that we would skip Hellfire Pass and go to Erawan Falls instead, as the subject matter is pretty dark at the cemetery, Jeath Camp and Kwai Bridge is pretty dark! It was the right decision, as the falls are stunning and a truly special experience! This trip was great value for money. Nearly 600km and 12hrs in a cab for 70quid is amazing value. Artie was a very lovely man and an excellent driver. Thank you Mr. Artie. ❤️❤️

This excursion was amazing. Our guide (Siri) was fabulous and explained things very well but also made sure we were comfortable and happy throughout. The waterfalls were amazing and are a must see when In Kanchanaburi. We walked to level 7 but each way Siri made sure we were fine to continue. And it was worth it as the scenes were amazing. We started early in the morning which definitely helped as by 10.30 it was starting to get busy. We really enjoyed seeing the beauty of all the waterfalls and national park. We then headed off for lunch which was nice and authentic and cheap! The train ride was also great. Amazing views and travelling over such a historic bridge was very humbling. Overall a great trip and glad we booked it.

I would definitely recommend this excursion if you tee looking for a great day out. Visiting the historical war cemetery and the bridge/death railway was an honour. Our tour guide (Na) was excellent as she had a wealth of knowledge and took so many picture for us. We were driven to each site in a comfortable AC car and had plenty of time to walk around. As it was only two of us we felt like we had a private tour and we never felt rushed when looking around. We also went to a local restaurant for lunch but I think a lot of tour guides frequent the same place. Nonetheless the food was great and very good value! It was a great day out and we thoroughly enjoyed it!

Had a great day on the River Kwai .our guide was lovely.She even bought us some local fruit to share on the train journey along the death railway. The pick up was punctual.It was really nice that there was only my wife and I on the tour! I would also like to thank our driver, who made us feel very safe and comfortable on the 3 hour drive to the River Kwai. If you are interested in history .Particurlarly World War 2, this is fabulous excursion. Very interesting and moving..Would definite.y recommend to anyone Whilst they are in Bangkok.

We had a great time with Scott and our driver Mr. O. We learned a lot and the whole trip was planned perfectly. We would recommend it to everyone! :)