Private Tour: Journey Through the Thai-Burma Death Railway Bridge on the River Kwai
4.4
162 Ratings
Kanchanaburi
Embark on a private tour from Bangkok to visit the historic Bridge on the River Kwai. Explore the JEATH War Museum, Allied War Grave, and take a boat ride on the river. Experience the picturesque nature sceneries and ride a train on the tracks built by prisoners of World War II. Enjoy a local lunch included in the tour.
Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Kanchanaburi War Cemetery - The Kanchanaburi War Cemetery is the main prisoner of war cemetery for victims of Japanese imprisonment while building the Burma Railway during the 2nd World War.

  • JEATH War Museum - Visit the Jeath War Museum. Dive into the history of the construction of the Death Railway and how it was built by the prisoners of war during World War 2.

  • River Kwai - Take a long Tail Boat and cruise under the River Kwai Bridge

  • Bridge Over the River Kwai - Fascinating, nostalgic and memorable sums up this full day tour to Kanchanaburi, 80 miles (130 kilometers) west of Bangkok. The province itself is an agricultural area with sugar cane, rice paddies and pineapple plantations all forming significant portions of the stunning Thai rural landscape. Whether a war buff or rail enthusiast, everyone has a different reason to see this symbolic bridge.

The famous bridge and the beginning of the ‘Death Railway’, which lies 1 mile outside the town of Kanchanaburi, is a poignant reminder of the thousands of POW’s and forced laborers who lost their lives in the Second World War. The building of the bridge in 1943 was one part of a huge Japanese wartime project to link existing Thai and Burmese railway lines to create a direct route from Bangkok, Thailand to Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar) in an effort to support the Japanese occupation of Burma. Thousands of POW’s and laborers died in the process. During your tour a visit will be made to one of the Allied War Grave cemeteries (often an emotional experience) before visiting the JEATH war museum, which houses pictures and paintings from this period.

An exhilarating long tailed speed boat ride will then take you down river to the famous bridge itself where you have ample time to explore at your own leisure. A ride on a local train is also included before returning to Bangkok city.

  • Burma-Thai Railway - Hop on a train which will make you discover the jungle of this region while Riding the Death Railway. After finishing the train ride, your guide will accompany you to your restaurant where you will be able to enjoy Thai Local Food.
  • Tour East - Tour East
What's Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop off (selected hotels only)
  • Bottled water
  • Private Local English Speaking Guide
  • Lunch
  • Admission fees
  • Train ride along The Death Railway
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Visit the Bridge on the River Kwai on this thorough private tour from Bangkok. The beginning of the Death Railway (also known as the Burma Railway), the famous bridge that spans Thailand’s River Kwai is a poignant reminder of the thousands of prisoners of war and forced laborers who lost their lives during the construction of the railway in World War Two. With a private guide, discover the bridge, the JEATH War Museum and Allied War Grave, and take a long-tailed boat ride on the river before sightseeing the picturesque nature sceneries on board a train riding on the tracks built by the prisoners of World War II. Local Lunch in a restaurant is included.

  • Boat ride is not wheelchair accessible
Location
Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
284/66 Sangchuto Rd,
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.4
(162 Ratings)
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Davendeb222
Mar 15, 2024
Must see - It was great to visit and we got to walk over the bridge, also went on a long boat ride which was a bit of fun, there is lots of food stalls and a market near by, when we were there around the 9th of march 2024 it was very hot and humid, so take or buy plenty of water
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Danai_a
Dec 30, 2023
Great experience - Exemplary organisation and lovely guide! Made the whole trip so joyfull! The itinerary was as per deaceiption and she was super accomodating. Would strongly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Ano_s
Dec 4, 2023
Wonderfull trip,... - Wonderfull trip, absolutely super and worth of money. The guide Luk and the driver were best of the best. Everything was great👌👍. Ano&Anne🇫🇮
Review provided by Viator
Annika_s
Sep 17, 2023
Great Day - We had a fabulous day. Excellent guide and driver. Our guide was lovely, very knowledgeable about the places we visited.
Review provided by Viator
Steve_t
Apr 30, 2020
River Kwai - A must see for the bucket list - We chose the private tour for 4 couples, and were completely satisfied with the experience. Picked up from our hotel drove and to the War memorial park, museum and then to the river for a boat ride to the bridge, followed by a train ride across the bridge along the river to a Thai lunch. We had comfort stops when required due to the distance travelled and our guide provided a very informative commentary all the way. We then were driven back to our hotel completing a 9+ hour trip. Would recommend this private tour for small groups.
Review provided by Viator
David_w
Feb 29, 2020
Bridge over Kwai - It was a great day, the guide and driver were early. There is very little traffic early in the morning. We visited the Memorial, museum and then went on a boat ride up to see the bridge. Walking the bridge was nice along with riding the train. For me, it was a great day and experience.
Review provided by Viator
Barbara_s
Feb 26, 2020
Looking for William Holden - We were picked up at our hotel by the guide as well as the driver this is a really great tour we got there fairly quickly traffic is really bad in Bangkok and getting out of Bangkok prove to be easy with a very good driver when we got to the bridge we were given all the history it was left up to us to just wander and do our thing how we wanted to while we were there it was really a great experience it was well worth the money I would never try to drive in Thailand so enjoy
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Beverley
Feb 7, 2020
In loving memory of Dad - A trip we had been waiting to experience and was very emotional, especially walking the hell fire pass where the majority of POW where sent to work. They were all so brave and strong.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
David_g
Dec 12, 2023
Long interesting trip - We were picked up as planned in a fairly comfortable van, the driver was safe and certainly knew his way around, the guide had good English and was very knowledgeable although we thought he could have given us more interaction on the train. The visit was very interesting although extremely sad when you realise the shear waste of life by extreme cruelty. Food was excellent and dietary needs catered for. Trip was very long 0630 with 5hr return drive back due partly to traffic so dropped off at 1700 but worth it.
Review provided by Viator
Steven_o
Mar 2, 2024
Distinctly average - Whilst we visited everything listed on this tour, we felt that the "English speaking local guide" was not a correct description. Her English was not good and difficult to understand. It felt like she was a 'carer' rather than a guide. The lengthy car journey from and to Bangkok was largely in silence. She was talking to the driver in her own language which was uncomfortable. She could have spent this time pointing out places of interest en route. The description of the tour mentioned bottled water provided, but this was never offered. The whole experience could have been so much better.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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