Is Erawan Falls worth it?
Worth it, with conditions. 4.6 on Google from 16,700+ reviews; the pools look like the photos in the wet season, less so in the late dry season.
Been to Erawan Falls? Was it worth it?
One tap. No account. Your vote moves the Reality score.Is it worth it for you?
The scramble to tier 7 with swims along the way is the most fun short hike within reach of Bangkok.
Why Reality is 65
What people loved
Genuinely beautiful turquoise pools you can swim in at every tierShort, well-marked trail: tiers 1–3 are family-easy, tiers 4–7 a fun scrambleCrowds thin out above tier 3, so the effort is rewarded with quieter poolsClean park with toilets, showers, food stalls and riverside camping with tent rentalWhat wore them down
Tiers 1–3 get packed, especially weekends and when tour groups arrive late morningLong way from Bangkok: about 3 hours each way by public transportForeigners pay three times the Thai price (฿300 vs ฿100)Low water in the late dry season makes some tiers underwhelmingParking & getting there
Driving is possibleDriving works well: there's a large car park by the visitor center, a 300–400 m walk (or golf-cart ride) from tier 1. Arrive early: the lower tiers get crowded once tour groups arrive.
- Erawan National Park Parking Lotlot · about 1 min walk · ★ 4 (7)Price not publishedMap
- Erawan Waterfall car park (ที่จอดรถน้ำตกเอราวัณ)lot · about 1 min walk · ★ 5 (1)Price not publishedMap
- Vehicle entry is charged at the park gate on top of the per-person fee (guides report ฿30 car, ฿20 motorbike) thelostpassport.com
- Park closes 16:30; plan to be back at the car before then yourthaiguide.com
Without a car: Van from Bangkok (Mo Chit) to Kanchanaburi (~2 h), then the hourly local bus to the park (~1 h, ฿45)
Driving rules in Bangkok
For sights inside Bangkok, don't drive. Traffic is among the world's worst, the old town (Rattanakosin) and Chinatown have only small private lots, and the BTS, MRT, river boats and cheap taxis/Grab reach almost everything. A car (left-hand traffic) only pays off for day trips such as Ayutthaya, Damnoen Saduak, Maeklong, the Ancient City or Safari World; if you must come into the centre, park at a mall or an MRT Park & Ride and take the train.
- Driving licence for visitors. Foreign tourists can drive on an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention, or on a licence from another ASEAN country. If your licence isn't accepted, a 30-day temporary licence is available from the Provincial Land Transport Office in your province of entry. It costs ฿205 plus ฿100 for the card, and you need a medical certificate, a translated licence, a fitness test and a one-hour training session. thailand.go.th
- Carry IDP, passport and home licence. Thai law requires an international driving licence to drive a car or motorcycle. Police can ask to see it together with your passport and national licence; a non-English home licence needs an embassy-attested English or Thai translation. hague.thaiembassy.org
- MRT Park & Ride. MRT car parks (e.g. Lat Phrao, Ratchadaphisek, Thailand Cultural Centre, Queen Sirikit Convention Centre, Sam Yan) open 5:00 a.m.–1:00 a.m. Cars pay ฿10 per 2 hours if you ride the MRT and ฿20 per hour if you don't. Overnight parking is not allowed and is fined (฿400–500 per car); parking in a prohibited area can get the car clamped plus a ฿1,000 fine. The operator's page is dated, so confirm rates on site. metro.bemplc.co.th
Know before you go
See something out of date? Fix it right here.Booking: No booking; pay at the gate and keep the paper ticket with you on the trail.
Opening hours (Google)
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
In their words
“There are 7 tiers in total, but levels 1-3 are super crowded.”
“Tiers 1 to 3 are easy to reach and great for families.”
“Inside the park, there's a good (not too strenuous) hike that takes you up alongside its waterfalls, seven in total.”
“Arrive early to avoid the crowds and enjoy this stunning national park at its best.”
Tips from people who went
No tips yet. Be the first to share one.
Questions people ask
How much does Erawan Falls cost for foreigners?
฿300 per adult (about $9) and ฿200 per child; Thai nationals pay ฿100. Cars are ฿30 and motorbikes ฿20.
How long is the hike to the 7th tier of Erawan Falls?
About 1.5 km one way from the visitor center. It takes 30–60 minutes each way without stops; allow around 3 hours with swimming.
Can you swim at Erawan Falls?
Yes, the pools at each tier are open for swimming. Small doctor fish nibble at your feet.
Can you bring food up Erawan Falls?
No food is allowed beyond the lowest tiers, and a deposit is charged on plastic bottles to stop littering.
How do you get to Erawan Falls from Bangkok?
Take a van from Mo Chit to Kanchanaburi (about 2 hours), then the hourly local bus to the park (about 1 hour, ฿45), or book a day tour.
Better fits, according to people who went
Sources
- The Lost Passport – Erawan National Park guide (fees, bus, rules)
- Your Thai Guide – Erawan Waterfall (2026 fees, hours)
- Wikipedia – Erawan National Park
- Google Maps – Erawan National Park