Discover Kanchanaburi and the beautiful River Kwai during a private day trip from Bangkok. I'll be your local insider who can tell you all about the history of the places we visit. I'll also share local insights with you during our visit to this must-see ancient town!
Destination
Bangkok, Thailand
Category
Day Trips
Duration
10 hours
Transport mode
Car
Available languages
English, ไทย
Included
Entrance tickets
Private guide
Driver
A/C Car
Pick-up Included
Excluded
Meal can be purchased at spot
6 reasons to book this tour
Visit Kanchanaburi with a private guide
Walk across the River Kwai bridge
Learn all about the WWII period in Thailand
Private driver & A/C van included
Enjoy lunch with an awesome view
100% customized around your wishes
What you can expect
Escape the hustle and the bustle of Bangkok to the city and province of Kanchanaburi, where you'll be surrounded by beautiful tropical nature!
During this private day trip from Bangkok, I will show you around Kanchanaburi and River Kwai, where you can learn more about the local history. After I pick you up from your hotel, we'll head towards Kanchanaburi by A/C van with a private driver.
Enjoy the ride through the beautiful scenery and listen to stories I have prepared for you. Our first visit will be to the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery and the Death WWII War Museum. Here you can understand more about the history of the region and of the construction of the railway and the bridge that you will see later.
We'll continue our way towards River Kwai - get a chance to cross the famous bridge, which many locals visit. Right across the bridge, we'll find a colorful Chinese temple where we can have a walk and get a great view of the train crossing the bridge. We'll continue to follow the tracks the river and the railway where we can enjoy a delicious local lunch with a fantastic view of the river. Marvel at impressive cliffs and the railway that passes through. After lunch, let's talk a stroll along the railway, for more stories, more views and a hidden temple in a cave!
On the way back to the city, enjoy more of the local nature - and perhaps you'd care to stop to visit the monkeys? Want to change something to the tour? That's always possible! Feel free to contact me for a personalized offer if you have any other wishes or preferences. Let me take you through the history of this strategic town and its relevance through its timeline. Looking forward to meeting you in beautiful Bangkok soon!
This is the plan
Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with Artty.
Meeting point
You will be picked up anywhere in Bangkok. Your local host will contact you regarding the exact pickup point.
Itinerary
This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.
Memorial Cemetery
Get an intro to WWII history while walking through the cemetery dedicated to Australian and Dutch soldiers
WWII War Museum
Displaying trains, Japanese motorcycles, anchors and old helmets. The museum has a great view of the Death Railway Bridge
Across the Bridge
Wander across the Railway track bridge over River Kwai
Lunch Time
Enjoy a local lunch on the riverside, with a fantastic view
Railway Stroll
Take a walk along the train tracks, admire the cliffs, views and even a hidden cave!
Finish up good bye
We'll wrap up your experience and I'll drop you off at your accommodation in Bangkok
Make it yours
Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.
Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.
Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.
I can personalize this tour for you
I can personalize this tour for you
Tell me your preferred date and group size
Tell me your preferences and wishes so I can customize the tour for you
Wait for my personal offer in your inbox!
Flexible cancellation policy
Feel confident booking
Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.
Change of plans?
Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.
Loved by travelers worldwide
Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.
Reviews from guests
Victoria🇺🇸 United States
20 May 2025
From start to finish the day trip with Artty was fun and effortless! He scheduled a pickup time based on our hotel location, knowing what challenges traffic might pose, so that we could time our arrival to the cemetery, museum, and train. He provided so much information about sites we passed during the drive as well as additional information to what was included in the museum. His tour was so much better than riding the train as we got to see and explore the tracks and surrounding sites, which included older train cars and a meditation cave. The lunch spot he picked out was phenomenal as well - gorgeous views of the river and we even saw some elephants go down to enjoy the water!
When there were some sites we had questions about during the drive, he even made a detour to show us an additional stop on the train line and an old temple-turned-animal-sanctuary.
Would recommend this trip to anyone looking to see outside of Bangkok and learn about a very interesting part of the area’s history for a day!Fantastic Day Trip
Scott
23 March 2025
Artty took us to the Burmese railway and the bridge over the river Kwai. It was a fabulous trip and he was incredibly informative with interesting stories and facts. He really knows his history! After a great day, we went to lunch at a wonderful little place in the countryside with authentic Thai food. Incredible! If you’re ever looking for a great guide experience, higherArtty!Hire thus guy!
p966wrwfcg
16 March 2025
We had another trip with Artty, this time to the bridge over the river Kwai.
The whole day was wonderful for a number of different reasons; the visit to the war cemetery was a very moving experience, followed by a visit to the war museum which was so interesting, we walked across the bridge over the river Kwai which was very humbling undertaking what it cost all the soldiers.
Artty is knowledgeable and passionate about his subject, he’s also a very professional and amicable person. I would highly recommend booking this tour with Artty.
Oh and he took us to have jungle curry, which was THE best jungle curry I’ve ever had , thank you Artty.Fantastic bridge over the river Kwai trip
LeeLee🇺🇸 United States
16 January 2025
I booked this your for my family at the request of my dad who was very interested in the history of the bridge. We had a couple members drop out of the tour at the last minute and Artty was unphased and very accommodating. He gave us the option of two museums to visit in Kanchanaburi and recommended we visit the one that was more focused on the history of the bridge and it's construction, which was both fascinating and sobering to learn about. He took us to two viewing spots on the railroad and explained more about it's significance and continued use today. He also took us to lunch at a great local restaurant which both my dad and brother considered to be one of the best meals they had on our trip. I would highly recommend this tour with Artty if you're looking for to escape the hustle of Bangkok for a day and also soak up some local history!Great day with Artty!
Matt🇨🇦 Canada
20 December 2024
It was my final day on my Southeast Asia trip and Artty made the experience a great time. Him and his driver, Louis Vuitton, are super funny and have some of the best comedic banter with one another too. Artty is also very knoweldgable about the River Kwai and was able to answer any and all questions I had during the tour. He also took me out for Jungle Curry at lunch and I was able to impress the locals with my insanely high spice tolerance which was a blast! Overall, I had an amazing experience and would reccomend Artty to all my friends and family looking for an insightful and humorous day tour guide in and around the Bangkok area. Great Last Day in Thailand Memories
Gelske🇺🇸 United States
18 December 2024
Arrty was a great guide. We wanted to add Hellfire pass to our 1-day trip and although Arrty was reluctant at first, we agreed on a price and early departure and it was well worth it. His english is very good and he’s knowledgeable about the sites visited.Daytrip Kanchanaburi with hellfire pass
Isaac🇬🇧 United Kingdom
20 November 2024
Arty was great for our trip to the death railway, a deeply moving trip but the absolute best way to have done it. Was made even better seeing the group tours and realising how much longer everything would have taken had we done that. Got to see more stops and back home hours earlier still. A sobering but incredible trip
Alison🇦🇺 Australia
10 November 2024
Arrty is a fantastic and very experienced guide. Nothing is too much trouble and the day is truly yours!
His knowledge of the war cemetery, museum, history of the railway and the surrounding areas as well as the countryside you travel through, really added to our experience.
He knows all the best places, so not only did we get the tour we wanted, we got some bonus shopping in as well and a superb lunch!
Our driver was also excellent and his knowledge of the roads, enabling us to avoid the worst of the traffic was appreciated. His car was very comfortable and he was extremely prompt each time he was requested.Treated like Royalty!
Davida🇦🇺 Australia
19 August 2024
Our tour with Artty to Kanchanaburi was a truly moving experience. Artty’s deep knowledge of the history of the Death Railway, combined with his ability to tell the story in a compelling and respectful manner, made the day both informative and emotionally resonant.
Walking along the train tracks where countless lives were lost was a profound experience, and visiting the cemetery was a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made. Artty’s insights into the historical context added depth to our understanding of this sad time.
Beyond the historical aspects, Artty also proved to be a wonderful guide to the local area. His recommendations for lunch, coffee shops and hidden gems in Bangkok were spot on. We had a fantastic day filled with learning, reflection, and exploration, all thanks to Artty’s expertise and engaging personality. We highly recommend him as a tour guide!A Day of Discovery with Artty
Stuart🇬🇧 United Kingdom
22 July 2024
We had a brilliant trip to the floating markets, Kanchanaburi and the death railway with Artty. From our initial contact online, he kindly built an itinerary that worked for us and maximised our limited time in the Bangkok area. The early start and long day did nothing to dampen his spirits, he had many interesting stories to tell and when time allowed added in a couple of extra stops. The primary purpose of our trip was to visit the grave of a relative in Kanchanaburi cemetery and he was very respectful during our time there and gave us the space to grieve - for this I am very grateful.
Additionally, we asked for some guidance on airport transfers and he not only advised but also organised transport for us - staying in touch to ensure all was going to plan - outstanding hospitality. Spend a day with Artty - you'll not regret it. Awesome Day Out
Jenna 🇺🇸 United States
30 June 2024
Artty was the highlight of our entire trip! He made our excursions better than we ever could’ve imagined! We learned about Thai history and culture and tried local foods. Because of his knowledge and teaching to us, we want to come back to Thailand again and again. I would recommend as many tours with Artty as you can squeeze into your trip. Anytime we go back to Thailand, we will try every tour he has to offer! Artty made our entire trip!
Helen🇬🇧 United Kingdom
30 April 2024
We booked a private tour with Artty. We were picked up from our hotel in a very comfortable car. Artty was able to tell us more about Bangkok and the places we passed. He was well informed, interesting and was able to pitch it all just right. We loved our Bridge over the River Kwai tour - we saw and did everything we wanted at our pace. Had lunch in a less touristy spot over looking the river too. Fantastic! I would definitely recommend this trip to complement a tour of the old town Bangkok. It gave us a different perspective. Thank you Artty for giving us special memories.A brilliant tour!
Scott🇬🇧 United Kingdom
10 March 2024
I had arrty for a personal tour to the death railway.
Got picked up from hotel in a lovely car and had a nice chat to destination.
Nothing was to much trouble for arrty and and I never felt hurried the whole day,he’s very knowledgeable and I highly recommend. 🙂Great day out
Alida
5 September 2023
het zoeken naar een goede gids met kennis en een die er niet op uit is om jou veel geld afhandig te maken is moelijk te vinden
deze gevonden dus via de locals
vandaag ook de 9 echt een topper die veel uitlegt geeft .gevoel voor humor wat het altijd goed doet dus een echte aanraderbezoek Birma spoorlijn
Emma 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
22 March 2023
Artty is a lovely guy, very friendly, knowledgeable and funny. We really enjoyed the trip. A great trip
ST🇸🇬 Singapore
5 May 2022
Artty is a great guide to have. He is knowledgeable, humorous, and articulate the history well. He is thoughtful and observant, taking care of the minute details.
Many thanks again for making the trip so enjoyable. Thank you Artty for the womderful trip!
Bev
20 January 2020
When we met Artty it was like had known him a long time. He was quite pleasant and easy to connect with. Artty was an immediate connection
and great listening skills to hear our questions and needs. He is quite experienced and knows where we get the best view and photos. We took the Tour to River Kwai and it was 10 hour day. Rode in a nice air conditioned car which was quite a pleasant ride. When we arrived in Bangkok we searched the internet for the right tour guide that would adjust the tour according to our needs and With Locals was the one we picked. Artty is smart, humble, informative, and
accomodating. You will not be disappointed in selecting Artty. I noticed he quite attentive to details and makes sure his attention is placed on both my husband and I. He would outline the various museums and let us select. We had a wonderful luncheon buffet which had the best view of the train, bridge, and river. Artty would track when the train would come so we can be prepared to take our photos. We invited Artty to join us for lunch at our table as we continued to just hear more about this location. We recommend the museum with the artifacts, well displayed and with Artty sharing the background made the whole visit worth it. My husband and I both agree we were so fortunate to have Artty be present to share the info, otherwise we would not fully understand what we were seeing. This is quite a tour and so glad we took it. Artty you are the man! Well Done! Aloha!Met and felt we known him a long time!
Kate🇬🇧 United Kingdom
7 January 2020
We had a wonderful day with Artty, visiting the bridge of the River Kwai and walking the railways tracks.
We knew very little about this conflict and Artty was very knowledgable and great.
Lunch was lovely with a great view of the train on the tracks we had just walked along.
It’s a long drive but we’ll worth it.Great Day Trip from Bangkok
David🇬🇧 United Kingdom
27 October 2019
We had two excellent days with Artty, one to Ayutthaya and one to the bridge over river kwai. Artty is a great, knowledgable guide and he made the tours enjoyable, tailoring to our needs to suit three generations of our family. We would highly recommend Artty and his team to make the most of a trip to Bangkok. Thanks again, Artty. David.Ayutthaya and river kwai
Thomas🇨🇭 Switzerland
5 June 2025
we did a cycling tour with Artty and he was great: knowledgeable, sympathetic, entertaining cand professionalCharming and entertaining
Unknown
31 May 2025
Thank you Artty for the tour in Bangkok. It was fun , informative and one of the highlights of my trip to Thailand. Amazing guide
Unknown
28 May 2025
Andrew🇦🇺 Australia
26 May 2025
Booked for locals tour with Artty and wow what a gentleman. From introducing himself online at time of booking 2 weeks out and then helping us find him once we were there.
The 3 hours flew past. There was so much information to absorb, Artty knows his town. It was a a privilege to have him share some of the places that are very personal touch him. It was definitely a Locals tour. We saw his old school and places he played as a kid. Just that alone was insanely awesome.
We definitely didn't walk as fast as him 😂and we was very good with slowing down to our pace. Thank you for keeping us hydrated as well 🙏.
We learnt so much and are so thankful to have been able to see this authentic glimpse into Bangkok, the now and the past.
The authentic Bangkok tour.
Vanessa🇳🇱 Netherlands
6 May 2025
We had a great time with Arrty! He was very quick with responding to messages and knew a lot to tell about Thailand and it’s history. Also our kids had a lot of fun during the trip and he explained everyting very well for them. Great guide!
Joy🇺🇸 United States
3 May 2025
I can’t give Artty enough kudos. He’s very knowledgeable about history, current culture, and so much more! He gave us a ton of information in a way that was fun, informative and interesting. He also was very accommodating to our requests to stop to try various foods and shop for souvenirs that caught our eye. Artty’s English is amazing and his personality is bright, engaging, and funny. I hope to be lucky enough to return to Bangkok and I’m definitely booking Artty again when I do. Choose Artty, you’ll have a wonderful experience!Highly recommend! Best guide ever!
Stephanie🇺🇸 United States
2 May 2025
Artty was a terrific truly local guide. We immediately started off walking down alleys and seeing sights that my husband and I would have had no idea about. It definitely felt like we were on a hidden tour. Once you have seen the amazing tourist spots, this type of tour to go see more local things is really special. Artty grew up in the area we walked and he appeared to know everyone. We really cannot recommend this tour enough - you will not be disappointed. Wonderful tour of hidden gems!
Stephen🇨🇭 Switzerland
28 April 2025
Not the typical food and temple tour you can get in Bangkok. Artty will show you sides of the city you would normally never see and does it with such charm and humour. Can highly recommend this three hour ramble through the city. A fun, different type of tour
Unknown
28 April 2025
Artty was one of the best guides we ever had! He gave us a deep dive into Thai culture and heritage and we were able to see a lot of real local sites off the usual tourist tracks!
Having real Thai lunch with the locals at a tiny restaurant, seeing a beautiful temple where locals pray and experiencing some traditional rituals. Not to forget the many markets and trying some specialties you wouldn’t otherwise find. Artty was informative, a real pool of knowledge and super funny! Knowing how to tell the history in a way that sticks!
He provided his contact details in advance and was easy to find at the meeting spot - which he adjusted according to our needs.
An overall great experience!
Very Bangkok, Very Local, Very Special
bas🇳🇱 Netherlands
28 April 2025
Lara🇺🇸 United States
26 April 2025
I booked Artty six years ago when traveling with a girlfriend. I booked him again when traveling with my three sons (ages 17, 21 and 24). As expected, they loved Artty! We had him for a half day walking tour and a half day biking tour. His demeanor is the perfect blend of laid-back, funny and talkative, and he’s knowledgeable, interesting and adventurous too. Thank you, Artty!! See you again soon! Second time with Artty
Marie🇬🇧 United Kingdom
22 April 2025
The whole day was a wonderful adventure that we will remember for years to come. Artty was a fantastic guide with a great sense of humour! Communication with him from the beginning was fabulous and he allowed us to add a couple of things to the tour schedule without any bother. He was brilliant with my two children and made on the spot changes to the itinerary to tailor it towards what he thought would interest them most. A special mention must go to our driver for the day as well who was amazing and looked after us all so well. If you are looking to book a tour whilst you’re in Bangkok I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Artty and if we were to visit Bangkok again, which I hope we do, we would certainly book him again.An Amazing Adventure!
mark🇺🇸 United States
21 April 2025
Artty was a pure joy to be with since he related so well to both my wife and I. . He was so entertaining telling enthusiastic stories of Bangkok and its history. He went out of his way to adjust the tour to our desires and make it super efficient. He also took us to a spectacular riverside lunch place that only locals frequent. After the tour he made sure that we were at wonderful dinner spots and knew where the good spa was located for a late evening massage. Don’t miss out on a tour with Artty!!!Great Entertainer! 10/10
Christian
21 April 2025
We, couple with a thirteen year old son can 100% recommend Arrty as your tour guide; he taught us very insightful about Thai/ Bangkok habits and made our journey individually unforgettable; specifically the bike tour around small ways through temples , animals and the like was amazing. Arrty is also very good with teenagers , our son was so happy and curious !!
Arrty thank you! A phenomenal tour with Artty
Jennifer
19 April 2025
So let’s start with he talked to our cab driver to help us get to him for the tour. We had the meeting point address wrong and the traffic makes Los Angeles lot tame😮💨
But we got there and we were not disappointed. We started with a stop at a traditional Chinese medicine cart and had drinks to help deal with the heat and health. Tasted horrible but I like living well :)
We learned about the history and art of this beautiful country but also about the people, customs and ethos. To say I respect Artty as a man and as a proud Thai person would be an understatement.
We didn’t just enjoy our tour, it was exciting , interesting and thought provoking. Being in the middle of all the major world religions and hearing about how the live, work, play & worship in harmony was just beautiful.
Let’s just say a second home in Thailand was a topic of conversation after the first hour of the tour! The culture is based on respect. Come here respecting the country and its people and you will be wondering how to make this place your 2nd and maybe even first home too!
Artty is FABULOUS!!!!
Sören🇩🇪 Germany
16 April 2025
Artty was the perfect guide and this tour was the perfect thing to do on our layover. We saw so many incredible temples and interesting parts of the city, and within just a few hours Artty taught us so much about Thai culture and religion.
The car was comfortable and had a good AC, and we constantly got fresh cold water bottles, which was very much needed due to the heat and humidity.Great time
Jodi🇨🇦 Canada
15 April 2025
I’m had reached to Arty to arrange a customized tour and he was very quick to respond. He listened to what we wanted to do and see and made our day super enjoyable. We saw soooo many things and learned so much about the places in and around Bangkok, the Thai people and Thai culture. Arty was happy to answer my endless questions. It was also the little things he did which made the tour so worthwhile. He and the driver he arranged, Louie, were prompt in picking us up from our hotel. They always opened the doors for us and there was always cold waters and refreshing towels waiting for us. I cannot recommend these 2 people enough to show you the authentic Bangkok! You will be guaranteed an unforgettable experience with Arty. Thanks so much! Jodi and LouAwesome Day Visiting Bangkok
Rachel
12 April 2025
Artty (and Louis our driver) were great. Artty adjusted the tour to our interests and attention span. He shared lots of interesting history and information. Loved the tour of the flower market and china town. Highly recommend!Great 5hour Layover tour
Matt🇬🇧 United Kingdom
9 April 2025
We really got to make sense of a small part of Bangkok from Artty's tour. He's so knowledgeable and as a history buff, I loved hearing about old Siam and Artty's own background. He really brought things to life and even our children found it fascinating!A wealth of stories and history
Timen
5 April 2025
We had the absolute pleasure of having Artty as our tour guide in Bangkok, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. From the moment we met, Artty’s energy, knowledge, and sense of humor made the entire day feel like an adventure with a good friend.
He shared fascinating insights about Thai culture, history, and everyday life, always making sure we were comfortable and engaged. Artty was also incredibly flexible and attentive—adjusting the pace to suit us.
Thanks to Artty, we not only saw the highlights of Bangkok but also discovered hidden gems we never would’ve found on our own. If you’re looking for a guide who is passionate, fun, and truly cares about giving you a memorable experience, Artty is the one. Highly recommend!
Genevieve🇨🇦 Canada
3 April 2025
We had a wonderful time with Artty. He is passionate, funny and engaging. We have learned so much of the daily life in Bangkok, the mix of cultures, the food, the history. HIGHLY recommend Best tour ever
Katja🇦🇹 Austria
1 April 2025
It was my second time in Bangkok and also 5 years later I wanted to get more insides concerning the city from Artty. He is such a nice, positive person who can tell you much history and also local details you may miss without someone else. Biggest Kudos to Artty who still does his tours with all of his heart. Thank you!Bangkoks finest
Francois-Yves🇨🇦 Canada
30 March 2025
We had such a great time wandering the streets of Bangkok with Artty! His insights on the city, its culture and varying neighborhoods were extremely informative. We had the pleasure to sample some street food, shop a little and had a wonderful lunch with him in a very local spot! The food was amazing.
If you’re looking for a great guide, you found him!Such a great tour and guide!
Don
22 March 2025
Artty was terrific! Great personality, looked out for our safety and was extremely informative!Terrific experience! fun & informative!
Michael
13 March 2025
Met Arty at agreed location. He was in fact early but we walked past him to grab a coffee. Arty is a knowledgable friendly chap and a pleasure to spend 3 hours with, thoroughly enjoyed our tour.
Arty also showed consideration for our safety when crossing roads. Arty is fab
Jenniffer
12 March 2025
The tour with Artty was a fantastic experience. The tour was perfectly organized, and we had a wonderful day. Artty was truly lovely and attentive to our needs. The day with Artty was so fulfilling.Great!
Cerri🇬🇧 United Kingdom
12 March 2025
Great tour very informative and interesting. Artty was a great tour guide making sure we did what we wanted to do and making sure we were ok and enjoying everything.
We had a great time and are looking forward to our next tour with Artty.Excellent tour and tour guide
Jen
12 March 2025
We had a wonderful day with Artty. He answered all out questions and was very knowledgeable about temples, Thailand etc… he even passed on great recommendations for the rest of our time in Bangkok. Fantastic tour
Chris
11 March 2025
Our excursion was fantastic, Artty was great, he’s extremely knowledgeable and very charismatic.
He took us on a city tour through the various markets , talking about their history and their evolution. He also took us to three temples where his passion for their history shone through.
I can highly recommend Artty as a guide.Fantastic excursion woth Artty
Christian
9 March 2025
Absolut perfekte Bangkok Tour. Artty ist ein wundervoller und unglaublich aufmerksamer Guide. Wir fühlten uns wie unter Freunden. Er hat uns unvergessliche Momente in Bangkok bereitet. Bei unserem nächsten Bangkoktrip werden wir sicherlich wieder eine Tour mit ihm buchen !!!Absolut Perfekt
482qdrvbzk
9 March 2025
We had a great day with Artty discovering Bangkok. Artty is really keen to share and discover his culture with us and to adapt to our preferences. Thank you!A perfect day
Withlocals experiences
are always
Private & personalizedNo strangers, just you. Fully customize your trip to your needs.
With a local expertFrom historical facts to the most up-to-date health regulations.
Without the crowdsExperiences designed to take you away from the crowds towards authentic local spots.
More about me
I'm a Thai man who lived abroad for a long time but came back home for the love to my country! I want to show my country to the world. Thailand is the best place in world you. You must experience it and especially Bangkok.