✅ Updated on 06.03.2026
The 7 Levels of Erawan Waterfall
Erawan Waterfall has seven tiers, each located at a different level of the park. The trail starts at the first level and gradually climbs up to the seventh.
Expect a light hike of about 1–2 km. Along the way you can cool off in shallow pools, slide down natural rock formations at Level 4, swim in natural pools near the upper tiers, or have a picnic near the water at the first two levels.
There are also several cafés inside the park where you can grab a snack, coffee, smoothies, or other drinks. Prices are reasonable, so bringing your own food isn’t necessary — you’ll find everything on site.
1️⃣ First Waterfall
This level is for visitors who don’t want to hike further up the trail. It’s usually very crowded, and there isn’t much free space.
🚶♂️ My advice: keep walking. The higher levels are much more interesting and spacious.
2️⃣ Second Waterfall
The distance from the first to the second level is only about 40 meters. It’s just as busy here, but the infrastructure is better — there are stone benches and restrooms.
You can already swim here, and there’s enough room to relax. It’s a good place for a picnic, but don’t expect much privacy — this is one of the most popular spots.
3️⃣ Third Waterfall
It’s about 90 meters from the second level to the third.
Before entering this section, park staff may ask you to leave food and drinks behind or pay a 20-baht deposit per bottle. This system helps keep the park clean.
The third waterfall is noticeably taller than the previous ones, and the pool can reach about 2.5 meters deep. If you’re not confident in the water, you can rent a life jacket at the entrance for 20 baht.
4️⃣ Fourth Waterfall
After climbing another 200 meters, you’ll reach one of the most fun cascades in the park.
Here you can slide down natural rock formations straight into the water — a perfect spot for a bit of adventure.
5️⃣ Fifth Waterfall
The hike becomes longer here — about 450 meters from the fourth level.
Along the way, you’ll see a warning sign saying that visitors are not allowed to continue to levels 5, 6, and 7 after 3:30 PM, because the seventh waterfall closes at that time.
The fifth cascade is more spacious than the earlier ones, with several quiet corners and natural pools.
6️⃣ Sixth Waterfall
The exact distance from the fifth level isn’t clearly marked, but the hike felt about as long as the previous section.
You’ll start to notice less water here, especially outside the rainy season. Still, the sixth level has a beautiful natural pool, making it a great place to rest and enjoy the scenery.
7️⃣ Seventh Waterfall
The final stretch to the seventh tier feels a bit easier than the climb from the fifth to the sixth.
Remember that access to the seventh level closes at 3:30 PM.
This is the tallest waterfall in the park. During the rainy season it looks especially impressive, but even at other times of the year you can still swim here.
There are usually quite a lot of tourists at the top. Personally, I prefer quieter spots — but you might enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Location and How to Get There from Bangkok
Erawan Waterfall is located inside Erawan National Park in Kanchanaburi Province. It’s about 200 km from Bangkok, which means roughly a 3-hour drive.
The park is open daily from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
🚘 By Car
I visited Erawan Waterfall by car that I rented through Local Rent. In my opinion, this is the most convenient option, because you can stop at several interesting places along the way.
Here’s the two-day route I personally followed and really enjoyed.
🚌 By Bus
You can reach Erawan Waterfall from Bangkok by bus departing from the Southern Bus Terminal.
- Ticket price: 600 baht
- Departure times: 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, and 12:00
- Travel time: 4 hours
Tickets can be purchased online via 12Go Asia.
To return to Bangkok, you can take a taxi or minivan to Kanchanaburi bus terminal, then catch a bus to Bangkok.
- Kanchanaburi → Bangkok bus ticket: about 170 baht
- Tickets can be purchased at the Kanchanaburi bus station or online via 12Go Asia.
🚉 By Train
- Bangkok departure station: Thon Buri
- Nearest station to Erawan Waterfall: Nam Tok
- Ticket price: 100 baht one way
Trains run daily, and tickets are usually purchased directly at the station.
| Train | Route | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|
| 257 | Thon Buri → Nam Tok | 7:45 | 12:05 |
| 259 | Thon Buri → Nam Tok | 13:55 | 18:15 |
| 260 | Nam Tok → Thon Buri | 5:20 | 9:35 |
| 258 | Nam Tok → Thon Buri | 13:00 | 17:40 |
From Nam Tok station, you can take a taxi to Erawan Waterfall.
💡 Interesting fact: Thailand has 156 national parks. If Erawan becomes your first one, you’ll still have 155 more to explore!
Erawan Falls Entrance Fee
To visit Erawan Waterfall, you need to buy a ticket to Erawan National Park.
- 300 baht for foreigners without a Thai ID
- 60 baht for visitors with a Thai ID
If you arrive by car, parking costs 30 baht.
Best Time to Visit Erawan Falls
If you want to see Erawan Waterfall at its most impressive, the best time to visit is September–November, during the rainy season. At this time, the waterfalls are fuller and the cascades look much more powerful.
However, there are a few downsides:
- the trail can be slippery and muddy
- the water is often less clear
I visited the waterfall on February 23, and the 6th and 7th tiers had less water than what you often see in photos online.
The best time of day to visit is in the morning or before noon. First, there are fewer tourists. Second, the 7th level closes at 3:30 PM, so it’s best to start the hike no later than 1:00 PM to have enough time to reach the top and enjoy a swim.
