3-Day Kanchanaburi, River Kwai & Ayutthaya Tour from Bangkok

Summary

Bangkok to Kanchanaburi: Floating Markets, Waterfalls & Ancient Temples

You’ll explore Thailand’s floating markets by boat, walk historic bridges over River Kwai, swim under Erawan Falls, meet monkeys in Lopburi, and wander ancient temples in Ayutthaya—all guided by locals who know every shortcut and food stall worth stopping for.

What’s the experience like?

The morning kicked off with a quick hotel pick-up in Bangkok—no fuss, just a friendly wave from our guide and we were off. First stop: Maeklong Railway Market. I’d seen videos before, but nothing beats standing there as the train crawls through and vendors pull back their awnings like it’s no big deal. The smell of grilled pork skewers mixed with fresh herbs hung in the air. I grabbed a coffee at a tiny stall called “Nong’s”—strong and sweet, just how the locals like it.

Next up was Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. We hopped onto one of those long-tail boats; the engine was loud but you get used to it. Gliding past stalls stacked with mangoes and coconut pancakes, I tried bargaining for some fruit (not my best skill). Our guide, Somchai, pointed out which vendors made their own noodles—apparently the lady in the blue hat is famous for her boat noodles.

On our way to Kanchanaburi, we stopped at the War Cemetery. It’s quiet here—just birds and the sound of someone sweeping leaves. The plaques tell stories that stick with you longer than you expect. By late afternoon we reached the River Kwai Bridge. There’s an option for a boat ride—I skipped it to walk across instead. The old wooden planks creaked underfoot while local kids fished below. After lunch at a riverside spot (try the green curry if you can), some folks took the Death Railway train ride; I just watched it roll by, slow and heavy with history.

Evening meant checking into our hotel right on the river—simple but comfy beds and a view of boats drifting past at sunset. Our guide led us to Kanchanaburi Night Market where I tried grilled squid on a stick and sticky rice desserts wrapped in banana leaf. You get free time after dinner; I wandered around town until the neon signs started flickering on.

The next day started early with breakfast (rice porridge and strong tea) before heading out to Erawan National Park. The waterfalls are layered like steps—each pool clearer than the last. Fish nibbled at my toes when I dipped them in; it tickled more than anything else! If you’re up for it, there’s a hike all the way to the seventh tier—takes about an hour but worth every sweaty step for that forest view at the top. We had a picnic lunch Thai-style: fried chicken, sticky rice, watermelon slices.

Before leaving Erawan Park, Somchai showed us a small shrine tucked behind some banyan trees—not many tourists notice it unless someone points it out. Onward to Lopburi after a lunch break in Suphan Buri (the noodle soup here is legit). We arrived just before sunset at Lopburi’s Monkey Temple—hundreds of macaques everywhere! One snatched my water bottle when I wasn’t looking; lesson learned.

After checking into our hotel in Lopburi (clean rooms, decent Wi-Fi), we had free time for dinner—I ended up at “Jay’s Kitchen” near the station for spicy basil chicken and cold beer.

The last morning began with a stroll through Lopburi’s morning market—lots of locals grabbing snacks before work; smells of fried dough and fresh durian everywhere. Then we hit the road for Ayutthaya—the ancient capital and now UNESCO site.

First stop was Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon—a temple with towering chedis and monks tending gardens out front. At Wat Phanan Choeng our guide explained its 18th-century roots and told us about the Chinese princess honored here; inside is this massive golden Buddha that almost fills the hall (19 meters high!).

Lunch was quick but tasty near Wat Mahathat (I went for pad thai). Walking around Wat Mahathat itself felt surreal—the famous Buddha head wrapped in tree roots looks even more mysterious up close than any photo shows. We also visited Ayutthaya’s reclining Buddha and finished at Wat Chaiwatthanaram by the riverbanks—the temple stones glow orange as evening falls.

The drive back to Bangkok was quiet—most people napped or scrolled through photos on their phones. Back at my hotel door by dusk, tired but kind of wishing there was one more day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Bangkok, Markets & River Kwai

• Visit Maeklong Railway Market
• Boat ride at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
• Visit Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
• See Bridge on the River Kwai
• Walk and photo at Bridge on the River Kwai
• Explore Kanchanaburi Night Market

Day 2 — Erawan Falls & Lopburi Monkey Temple

• Visit Erawan National Park and swim
• Visit Erawan Shrine
• Lunch break in Suphan Buri
• Visit Lopburi Monkey Temple
• Free time in Lopburi

Day 3 — Ayutthaya Temples & Return to Bangkok

• Visit Lopburi morning market
• Travel to Ayutthaya
• Visit Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
• Visit Wat Phanan Choeng
• Visit Wat Phra Mahathat
• Visit reclining Buddha
• Visit Wat Chaiwatthanaram
• Return to Bangkok hotel

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for families with young kids?

Yes! Kids love the markets and waterfalls—plus strollers or infant seats are available if needed.

Can I book this tour privately or in another language?

Absolutely—you can request private tours in English, Italian, German, Spanish or French when booking.

How much walking or hiking is involved?

You’ll do some walking at markets and temples; Erawan Falls has optional hikes up to an hour if you want to reach higher pools.

Are meals included?

Breakfasts are included at hotels; lunches are provided most days (picnic style or local restaurants). Dinners are on your own so you can try local spots!

What’s included

This small-group tour covers round-trip transport from Bangkok by minivan, two nights’ hotel stays with breakfast (3* standard), guided visits to all main attractions including floating markets, Erawan National Park entry fees, most lunches (Thai-style), plus plenty of free time each evening to explore local food or relax by the river.