Erawan Falls in Kanchanaburi

Part of the Kanchanaburi travel guide — see every topic in All Kanchanaburi Guides.

Erawan Falls is the most famous waterfall in Kanchanaburi province and one of the prettiest in Thailand. Water runs down seven tiers of limestone into clear blue-green pools. The falls are inside Erawan National Park, about 50 to 65 km northwest of Kanchanaburi town. This guide covers the trail, the swimming rules, opening times, how to get there and the best time to go.

The seven tiers

The falls climb a forested hillside in seven steps. Each tier has its own pools and small cascades. The water gets its turquoise colour from minerals in the limestone. The lower tiers are wide and easy to reach, so they are the busiest. Higher up, the pools are smaller and the setting feels wilder. The top tier is said to look like the three heads of Erawan, an elephant from Thai stories, which gives the falls their name. Small fish live in many pools and may swim close to your feet. Plan at least half a day, and a full day if you want to swim at several tiers.

The trail

A trail of about 1.5 km runs from the bottom tier to the upper tiers. The first part is a paved path and is easy. Above the middle tiers the path becomes rocky and steep, with steps, roots, ladders and wet stones. Allow about one and a half to two hours to walk up and down without long stops, and three hours or more if you swim along the way. Wear shoes with good grip, such as sport sandals or trail shoes. The rocks can be very slippery. Go slowly on the way down, and keep a hand free for the railings.

Swimming rules

You may swim only in the marked swimming areas. Wearing a life jacket is required in these areas, and you can rent one near the lower tiers. Follow the rangers, who blow whistles when people break the rules. Food is not allowed beyond the second tier. If you carry plastic bottles above that point, you pay a small deposit for each bottle at a checkpoint and get it back when you return with the empty bottle. This keeps rubbish out of the forest. Do not use soap or sun cream in the pools if you can avoid it, and never climb on the falls themselves.

Hours and getting there

The park is open daily from about 8 am to 4.30 pm. The upper tiers close earlier, around 3.30 pm, and rangers start moving people down from about 3 pm. Arrive early to reach the top. Foreign visitors pay a national park entry fee at the gate. Bus 8170 leaves Kanchanaburi bus station about every hour in the morning and takes about one and a half hours. Check the time of the last bus back before you start walking. You can also rent a scooter, hire a car with a driver, or join a tour. Bring cash for the fee.

Best time to visit

The falls are open all year, but the look changes with the season. In the rainy season, roughly June to October, the water is strong and loud, but it can turn cloudy after heavy rain. Some pools may be closed when the water is too high. In the cool, dry season, from about November to February, the water is clearer and the weather is pleasant. From March to May it is hot, and the flow is lower, but the pools are still good for a swim. Weekends and Thai holidays are crowded, so go on a weekday morning if you can.

Erawan Falls at a glance

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