I have been to the Bridge over River Kwai many times during my 30 years in Chon Buri. I never made the trip for a day. Over the years I have stretched out the length of my stay as there is too much to see, even for a brief overview of the place. However, born in 1941 and an Air Force retiree, I visit with a different interest. Moreover, just the travel time to the area is a 5+ hour trip from Chon Buri, and not much quicker from quicker. Think of doing Westminster Abby in 3 hours! Or The Tower, etc. There are no cautions to avoid certain tour companies. If they are not good, they fail after few customers.

You shouldn't have any problem. If we made it without any problems I'm sure you will be able. No need to walk all the way over the bridge. Hope you appreciate it as much as these two grey surfers.

Hi Esther I can’t help I’m afraid as I took a small tour. It was fantastic though as it included the Jeath War Museum, a train ride and a boat trip on the Mekong. You see a lot of the country this way. I’m sure you could book a return taxi in advance if you wish. Enjoy your trip Elaine

The train was fairly empty when we traveled in early January. There are a couple of travel times, we missed our original mid-afternoon schedule due to traffic so took the last one for the day. No problem exchanging the tickets. BTW - this is a train used by locals so there are a lot of stops. We spent 35 minutes at one point waiting for a freight train (they have priority on line). However, worth the inconvenience, loved the views along the Kwai and traveling over the bridge to awaiting cheers was quite an experience.

You can get a train from Hatyai to Bangkok. Second class sleeper is OK, but take some snacks for the journey. You can get a train from Thonburi ( other side of the river from the rest of Bangkok and these trains go to Kanchanaburi. Or you can get a bus from Sai Tai, the Southern bus terminal in Bangkok to Kanchanaburi for about 200 baht.

Go straight to Ko Chang, it's everything you were hoping thailand would be, and its about 10 years behind in the huge tourism wave.

Definitely book locally. Not sure what level of disability you need to cater for but if trains are manageable then it’s dead easy to do the trip yourself rather than take a tour. The train runs from Bangkok Hua Lamphong railway station to Kancnanaburi for only a couple of £ per person each way. On weekends there is a special tourist train that is slightly more expensive but makes a couple of other stops en-route. Check out “The Man in Seat 61” website for details.

Dear Judith, By far the best experience against the lowest cost is to take the train ( 3rd class no air-con, from Thonburi Station ( other side of the Chao Phraya river). There are only 2 trains a day. One at 7;45 am the other at 1:45 pm. The cost is Bht 100.-- regardless the distance you are traveling on that track. The train goes through villages, rice padies and gives a real view of the Thai countryside. Travelling by car or bus is by far less interesting. Do not lean out of the window and do not rest your arm on the open window because on the first part the train travels at only 20 cm. from the roofs of the buildings. You can get off the train at Kanchanaburi main station or at the bridge . Take at least one overnight there and go on with the train to Nam Tok and back. There are onbly 2 trains a day back to Bangkok. Do not take an organised tour from Bangkok as they ask a lot of money for it. Depending on your budget I can recommend the Royal River Kwai Resort about 8 km. north of Kanchanaburi. It's situated along the river with a nice terrace, a huge swimming-pool and good food and service. Rent a bike and tour the surroundings.

From Tuesday, November 28, 2017 -To Sunday, January 7, 2018

you are not going to be comfortable with small children on that bridge. Me personally, no I would not let them walk on it however you can take the train. I still don't think that it is something that the children would really enjoy or appreciate.