Erawan
เอราวัณ · Kanchanaburi Province
Best Season
November to January (pleasant weather, emerald pools, good water flow)
Score
7.5 / 10
Elevation
200 m
Area
550 km²
About Erawan
Erawan National Park features Thailand's most famous waterfall: seven tiers of limestone cascades with pools of surreal emerald-green water where hundreds of fish will nibble at your skin if you sit still. The seventh tier is said to resemble Erawan, the three-headed elephant of Hindu mythology.
The lower tiers (1-3) are easy to reach and perfect for swimming. The upper tiers (5-7) require moderate fitness with rope-assisted steep sections. The park requires visitors to leave ID at a checkpoint to go above tier 4, ensuring everyone returns before closing. The total trail is about 2 km one way.
The park sits in Kanchanaburi province, which offers rich WWII history. The Bridge over the River Kwai, the Death Railway, and Hellfire Pass Memorial are all within day-trip range. Kanchanaburi town makes the ideal base with raft house guesthouses floating on the River Kwai, night markets, and a relaxed riverside atmosphere. Most visitors base in Kanchanaburi and day-trip to Erawan, though camping inside the park lets you enjoy the falls after day-trippers leave.
Historical Note
The park was established in 1975 and named after the Hindu mythological three-headed elephant. Kanchanaburi province is known for its WWII history related to the Burma-Thailand Death Railway, built by forced labor in 1942-1943.
Best time to visit: November to January (pleasant weather, emerald pools, good water flow)
At a Glance
Thai Name
เอราวัณ
Province
Kanchanaburi
Region
Western
Area
550 km²
Elevation
200 m
Established
1975
Costs
Typical prices you'll encounter when visiting Erawan. Grouped by category.
entertainment
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Park entrance (foreigner) | 300 | 300 |
| Tent rental at campsite | 150 | 225 |
| Death Railway train ride | 100 | 100 |
accommodation
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Park camping (per person) | 30 | 30 |
| Park bungalow | 800 | 2,000 |
| Kanchanaburi raft house | 300 | 1,500 |
| Kanchanaburi mid-range hotel | 1,000 | 3,000 |
food
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Local meal (Kanchanaburi) | 40 | 100 |
| Tourist restaurant (riverside) | 150 | 400 |
| Park food stalls | 50 | 100 |
transport
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Minivan Kanchanaburi to Erawan | 50 | 50 |
| Motorbike rental (day) | 200 | 300 |
| Tour from Kanchanaburi | 800 | 1,500 |
| Bus Bangkok to Kanchanaburi | 100 | 150 |
utilities
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Parking at park | 30 | 30 |
Weather & Climate
November to January for pleasant weather and emerald pools. Rainy season (June to October) has the most dramatic water flow but upper tiers may close. March to May is extremely hot with reduced water flow.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain (mm) | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33 | 18 | 5 | 55% |
| Feb | 35 | 20 | 15 | 52% |
| Mar | 37 | 23 | 30 | 55% |
| Apr | 38 | 25 | 60 | 60% |
| May | 35 | 25 | 140 | 72% |
| Jun | 33 | 24 | 120 | 72% |
| Jul | 33 | 24 | 130 | 72% |
| Aug | 33 | 24 | 160 | 75% |
| Sep | 32 | 24 | 210 | 78% |
| Oct | 32 | 23 | 160 | 75% |
| Nov | 32 | 20 | 30 | 60% |
| Dec | 32 | 18 | 5 | 55% |
Things to Do
Erawan Waterfall (7 Tiers)
น้ำตกเอราวัณ
Seven-tier limestone cascade with emerald pools. Lower tiers are easy, upper tiers require fitness. Fish nibble your skin in the pools.
Bridge over the River Kwai
สะพานข้ามแม่น้ำแคว
The famous WWII bridge in Kanchanaburi. Walk across it and visit the small museum nearby.
Death Railway Train Ride
ทางรถไฟสายมรณะ
Ride the train along the cliff-hugging route over the famous wooden viaduct at Tham Krasae Bridge.
Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum
Deeply moving WWII memorial about POW laborers who built the Death Railway. Walk the old railway cutting. Free entry.
Kanchanaburi Night Market
Affordable Thai food, grilled meats, som tam, and mango sticky rice in the town center.
Tham Phra That Cave
ถ้ำพระธาตุ
Stalactite cave 12 km northwest of the waterfall inside the park. Bring a flashlight.
Food Nearby
ปลาน้ำจืด
Freshwater Fish
Tilapia and snakehead fish from local rivers, grilled or in spicy soup. A Kanchanaburi specialty.
80-200
Floating restaurants on the River Kwai
ขนมจีน
Kanom Jeen
Rice noodles with curry sauce, a popular breakfast in Kanchanaburi's morning markets.
30-50
Kanchanaburi morning market
-
Kanchanaburi Night Market Food
Grilled meats, som tam, pad thai, and mango sticky rice at very affordable prices.
40-80
Kanchanaburi night market
-
River Kwai Floating Restaurant Fare
Thai curries and stir-fries served on floating platforms over the river. Scenic dining.
100-300
Floating restaurants near the Bridge
Night Markets
- Kanchanaburi Night Market
Food Streets
- River Kwai floating restaurants
Where to Stay
Hostel Dorm
200 - 500
THB / night
Budget Hotel
300 - 800
THB / night
Mid-Range
1,000 - 2,500
THB / night
Luxury
3,000 - 8,000
THB / night
Best Areas to Base Yourself
Booking Tip
Raft house guesthouses on the River Kwai are the iconic stay. Bring mosquito nets. Book park bungalows via nps.dnp.go.th in advance for weekends.
Getting There from Bangkok
Bus from Southern Terminal
2.5 hours
100-150 THB
Train from Thonburi
3 hours
100 THB
Self-drive
2.5-3 hours
Fuel + tolls THB
Festivals & Events
River Kwai Bridge Week
งานสัปดาห์สะพานข้ามแม่น้ำแคว
Sound and light show at the Bridge with historical commemorations. Kanchanaburi gets very busy.
Cool Season Peak
Best weather for visiting the waterfall. Weekends are very crowded. Arrive at 8 AM opening.
Practical Info
Hospital
Kanchanaburi Hospital (1.5 hours from park)
Best SIM Provider
AIS
ATM Availability
Common
Language Tip
Basic English at tourist areas in Kanchanaburi. Very little at the park itself.
Drinking Water
Drink bottled water only. No food above tier 1 to prevent monkey problems.
Tipping Culture
Not expected locally
7-Eleven Density
Common
Emergency Numbers
Tourist police 1155, Emergency 191
Nearby Attractions
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tiers should I aim for?
Tiers 1-3 are easy and stunning. Tier 7 is rewarding but requires moderate fitness and 3-4 hours round trip. Most visitors stop at tier 3 or 4.
Can I do Erawan as a day trip from Bangkok?
Yes, a common day trip. Leave by 6 AM, return by 7 PM. But staying in Kanchanaburi overnight lets you arrive early and combine with WWII sites.
Is the fish nibbling uncomfortable?
It tickles for the first 30 seconds then you get used to it. Not painful. The fish are small and gentle. Children usually love it.
Why do I need to leave my passport?
To ensure all visitors return from upper tiers before the park closes at 16:30. You get it back when you return. Bring a photocopy as backup ID.
Is it worth visiting in rainy season?
The waterfalls are most powerful June to October, but upper tiers may close and trails are slippery. Lower tiers can be spectacular.
How does Erawan compare to Huai Mae Khamin?
Erawan is more famous, accessible, and crowded. Huai Mae Khamin is harder to reach (3 hours from Kanchanaburi) but nearly as beautiful with far fewer visitors.