In this article, Stephen, our Kanchanaburi local expert, takes us through his recent visit to Sai Yok Noi Waterfall. He provides a comprehensive guide on what to expect, the best times to visit, and how to get there. Stephen’s firsthand experience make this piece an invaluable resource for anyone planning a trip to Kanchanaburi. We hope you find this article informative and that it inspires you to explore this beautiful part of Thailand.
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I just got back from a day trip to Sai Yok Noi Waterfall; it was such a fantastic day out, and I felt that I had to share it with everyone. If you’re here in Kanchanaburi for a few days, why wouldn’t you be? There’s plenty to do here; a half-day trip north to Sai Yok Noi National Park should be on your itinerary.
I’m going to tell you why it’s so great, what to do there, when to go, and how to get there.
Find more great things to do in Thailand by joining our Facebook Group Thailand Obsessed, where you can ask questions or share your own tips and love of Thailand.
About Sai Yok Waterfalls & National Park
I don’t know about you, but there’s something about waterfalls that’ll have me hiking rainforest tracks just to see one. And yes, Kanchanaburi has an epic one at Erawan National Park, but for a quick visit, with very little walking the Sai Yok Noi Waterfall, on the way to Sai Yok National Park, is your best option.
The name of the waterfall, and the park can be a little confusing. Sai Yok Noi Waterfall is outside the boundary of Sai Yok National Park, about 38km before the park entry.
The waterfall is also known locally as Tok Khao Pung, which translates to “crumbled mountain.”
The Sai Yok National Park entry is 60km north of Kanchanaburi, is home to two more spectacular waterfalls. We will get to those later.
Sai Yok Noi Waterfall
The entrance to the waterfall is right on Highway 323. It’s very easy to access, there’s a fair amount of parking available, and very little climbing is involved. In fact, you can sit and splash around at the base of the waterfall without walking up a single step.
For those who want a better experience, I recommend walking up the short flight of stairs, as the best part of the falls is on the first level.
In the picture below, you can see the kids playing on the lower level, and the group above them is on the higher level.
After you have enjoyed some time here, you may want to continue on the National Park entry where you will find two smaller waterfalls that flow into the Kwae Noi River.
The first Sai Yok Yai is by the suspension bridge near the visitor center, while Sai Yok Lek is 300 meters downstream.
Both have viewpoints accessible by a short walk from the west side of the bridge.
What’s There to Do here?
Yes, the Sai Yok Noi Waterfall is the main attraction, and going for a swim is all part of the fun. There are a ton of food stalls around, and we saw families on picnic rugs everywhere enjoying local food. The stalls will even deliver it to you wherever you are in the area.
We discovered a mysterious set of stairs to the right of the waterfall with a sign promoting a coffee shop, so being adventurous coffee lovers we headed up.
It was quite a steep climb, and I was out of breath by the time we reached the top, but it was worth it. To the left, you’re at the very top of the waterfall, and to the right is the coffee shop, complete with puppies running around. Cuteness overload!
The coffee shop has a basic menu, coffees, teas, Italian sodas and a selection of cakes of the day.
There’s also a campground there, so that’s an option for those who can’t get enough of the experience and want to stay overnight.
After drinking coffee and playing with puppies, there were nine of them; we headed back down the stairs and ventured further right to Nam Tok Sai Yok Noi train station.
This is the final stop on the journey from Kanchanaburi, which also crosses the famous River Kwae bridge. The line used to run all the way to Hellfire Pass, but now ends at the waterfall.
One of the old trains is on display at the end of the line, and you can climb into the driver seat, just like my handsome husband did:
The Sai Yok Noi waterfall and National Park are an Instagrammers dream; there are so many wonderful photo opportunities, as you can see.
The park isn’t just about waterfalls, though – it also features three limestone caves that you can explore, a river perfect for a relaxing float, and lush greenery that provides a cool escape from the heat.
When to Visit Sai Yok Noi Waterfall
Now, here’s the kicker: This is a seasonal adventure. For those who don’t know, Thailand has three seasons: winter, rainy, and summer—also known as hot, really hot, and pits of hell hot. The rainy season in Kanchanaburi runs from June to October, and that’s when the waterfall is at its best.
Outside rainy season, there could still be some splashable water at the base of the fall, but the rest will be pretty dry and still beautiful, but not like the full effect.
Our pictures were taken in the first week of October, this would be the ideal time to visit as we’ve had a week of heavy rain. Raisy season doesn’t mean days and days of torrential rain, we get short sharp showers or storms only. The day we went to Sai Yak Noi we’d had a heavy storm overnight, but the daytime was beautiful as you can see.
Ok, so now I bet you’re champing at the bit to get to the waterfall right? Here’s how to do it.
How to get to Sai Yok Noi Waterfall
Sai Yok Noi National Park and waterfall is around 60 km north of Kanchanaburi, if you have a car or a driver, it’s right on highway 323 which comes straight from the city. It’s a really easy drive with no turn-offs.
Train to Nam ToK
For those without a car, the train is your best option, there are three departures a day from Kanchanaburi station. The regular train from Kanchanaburi to Nam Tok offers a simple, authentic experience with its third-class wooden seats and large open windows.
Though lacking air conditioning, the train’s charm lies in its rustic design and stunning views of the River Kwai and lush landscapes, especially as it crosses the famous Wampo Viaduct. This journey not only immerses you in local life but also offers a window into the history and natural beauty of the region.
Kanchanaburi to Namtok timetable
| Departs Kanchanaburi | Arrives NamTok |
|---|---|
| 6:02 | 8:00 |
| 10:30 | 12:05 |
| 16:21 | 18:15 |
Namtok to Kanchanaburi:
| Departs Nam Tok | Arrives Kanchanaburi |
|---|---|
| 5:20 | 7:05 |
| 13:00 | 14:43 |
| 15:30 | 17:28 |
Getting to Sai Yok Noi by Bus
If the train times don’t match up with your schedule, there’s a bus that leaves the Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal every 30 minutes (or so) from 6 a.m. The trip is around 1.5 hours, traffic-dependent.
National Park entrance fees: 300 Baht for adults, 150 Baht for children (3-14). Thai citizens: 60 Baht for adults, 30 Baht for children. Bike entry: 20 Baht, car: 30 Baht.
When: Sai Yok National Park is open daily from 8 am to 4:30 pm, including holidays. Some caves may close during the rainy season.
Day Trip from Bangkok
For those in Bangkok who would like to take a day trip, there’s this really cool option by train. Richard Barrow highlights the journey on his website, but here it is in a nutshell: It’s a weekend-only excursion train designed to stop and let you look around various places on the way to your destination.
Depart Bangkok station (Hua Lumpong) as 6:30am. One of the first significant stops is the famous River Kwai Bridge; you’ve got 25 minutes here to look around:
Once you’re back on the train, your next stop is Sai Yok Noi Waterfall. The plan is for you to spend three hours there before making the trip home. Occasionally, the train arrives late, cutting into the time there, but that’s still plenty of time to enjoy everything there is to enjoy there.
Come and See the Spectacular Sai Yok Noi Waterfall
There you go; if you’re in Kanchanaburi for a few days and have a half day to spare, getting to Sai Yok Noi is a piece of cake.
Remember that it’s best visited in the rainy season, but if you’re here at another time of year, you can still appreciate its beauty and enjoy a picnic at the base.
Find more great things to do in Thailand by joining our Facebook Group Thailand Obsessed, where you can ask questions or share your own tips and love of Thailand.
About the author: Stephen left Australia in 2016 with a one-way ticket to Thailand
and hasn’t been back since. Seven years later, he’s “living the ex-pat dream”, married and settled down; he and his partner travel across Thailand competing in half-marathon running events and sampling coffee at cafes.