Ayutthaya or Kanchanaburi: which place suits you?

Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi are classic day trips from Bangkok. Ayutthaya is the destroyed royal city with temple ruins; Kanchanaburi is known for the Bridge on the River Kwai and the Death Railway.

Three restored bell-shaped chedis of Wat Phra Si Sanphet in Ayutthaya in warm morning light, with lawn and old brick walls in front

AyutthayaOld royal capital on the river

The steel Bridge on the River Kwai with its curved arches over the calm river in warm evening light, green trees on the bank and mountains in the background

KanchanaburiBridge on the River Kwai and waterfalls

Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi compared

	Ayutthaya	Kanchanaburi
Region	Central	Central
Character	Old royal capital on the river	Bridge on the River Kwai and waterfalls
Best time to visit	November to February is the most pleasant.	November to February is the most pleasant.
Getting there	Local train from Bangkok Hualamphong in about 1 h 45 min, express train from Krung Thep Aphiwat in about 1 h	Two local trains daily from Bangkok Thonburi, 100 baht; at weekends an excursion train from Hualamphong
Rain over the year	JJanuary: 4 mm, dry FFebruary: 7 mm, dry MMarch: 19 mm, dry AApril: 49 mm, dry MMay: 114 mm, changeable JJune: 94 mm, changeable JJuly: 99 mm, changeable AAugust: 118 mm, changeable SSeptember: 223 mm, rainy season OOctober: 197 mm, rainy season NNovember: 44 mm, dry DDecember: 7 mm, dry Suphan Buri station, approx. 48 km away	JJanuary: 3 mm, dry FFebruary: 18 mm, dry MMarch: 29 mm, dry AApril: 78 mm, changeable MMay: 145 mm, changeable JJune: 86 mm, changeable JJuly: 103 mm, changeable AAugust: 98 mm, changeable SSeptember: 220 mm, rainy season OOctober: 209 mm, rainy season NNovember: 59 mm, dry DDecember: 6 mm, dry Kanchanaburi station
Highlights	Wat Mahathat with the Buddha head in the tree roots The three chedis of Wat Phra Si Sanphet Wat Ratchaburana with its crypt and murals	Bridge on the River Kwai, still used by trains today Kanchanaburi War Cemetery Train ride over the Wampo Viaduct to Nam Tok

dry under 60 mm
changeable 60 to 150 mm
rainy season over 150 mm

Bars: rain per month from January to December. Weather figures: Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), climate averages 1981 to 2010, rounded. All monthly figures are on the weather page: Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi.

How to decide

Choose Ayutthaya if you …

want to get there quickly and cheaply: the local train takes about 1 hour 45 minutes and costs 15 to 20 baht in 3rd class, while the express train takes about an hour.
want to see temple ruins: the Historical Park has been a World Heritage Site since 1991, and a combined ticket for six temples costs 220 baht.
want to get around by bicycle: the site is flat, and a bike costs 40 to 100 baht a day.

All about Ayutthaya →

Choose Kanchanaburi if you …

want to learn about the Second World War: the bridge, the war cemetery with 6,982 graves, the JEATH Museum and the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre are close together.
want some nature as well: Erawan Falls has seven tiers and costs 300 baht entry, and Hellfire Pass is free.
want to ride the train: beyond the bridge the line runs along the river and over the Wampo Viaduct to Nam Tok, 100 baht each way.

All about Kanchanaburi →

Frequently asked questions

Is one day enough?

Ayutthaya is one of the most popular day trips from Bangkok, but with one night you see the temples early in the morning and in the evening light. In Kanchanaburi one day is enough for the bridge and perhaps the cemetery. For Hellfire Pass and the ride to Nam Tok, you are better off staying one or two nights.

When is the best time to visit?

For both, from November to February. From March to May it is particularly hot, and the most rain falls in September and October. The waterfalls near Kanchanaburi are at their best from May to December.

How do I get there?

To Ayutthaya you take the train from Hualamphong or Krung Thep Aphiwat. To Kanchanaburi two local trains run from Thonburi station for 100 baht; by bus from the Southern Bus Terminal it takes about two hours.