Planning your trip
Introduction
How to get there?
From Kanchanaburi township, take Highway 323 to reach Sai Yok district. The Centre is approximately 80 km from town, and the drive usually takes approximately one hour.
Be sure to enter the full name ‘Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre’ in your GPS. Using other names may lead you to the wrong place.
Some parts of the drive have winding roads with steep climbs over hills and mountains.
Service stations are few and far between, so make sure your vehicle is prepared for a long drive.
Visitors can take the Kanchanaburi – Thong Pa Poom or Kanchanaburi – Sangkhlaburi public bus to reach the Centre. Both routes use large red buses that depart from the Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal.
The trip takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours due to several stops, but many find the scenic views worth it. Tickets cost approximately 60 THB and can be bought on the bus. Be sure to tell the conductor that you want to get off at Hellfire Pass or ‘Chong Khao Khad’ (ช่องเขาขาด in Thai). The bus stops at the front gate of the Thai military base, where our Centre is located.
When leaving, you can take the same bus back to Kanchanaburi by waiting at the stop on the opposite side of the main road. Buses run hourly.
Another option to reach Hellfire Pass is by taking a minivan from the Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal. These minivans travel between Kanchanaburi and Sangkhlaburi (Three Pagodas Pass) and can drop you off at the front gate if you ask.
When buying your ticket, tell the staff you want to stop at Hellfire Pass or ‘Chong Khao Khad’ (ช่องเขาขาด) in Thai. Minivan tickets cost more than the public bus, approximately 120 THB. The minivans leave from a designated area near the main building of Kanchanaburi Bus Terminal.
Please note that minivans do not pick up passengers midway, so you can’t take one back to Kanchanaburi after your visit.
Travellers can still ride the Burma-Thailand Railway on the remaining 130 km of track. The last station, Nam Tok, is approximately 20 km from the Interpretive Centre.
From Kanchanaburi station, you can take a commuter train that runs twice a day. Check the schedule on the official State Railway of Thailand website.
At Nam Tok station, you can either take a local taxi to the Centre or wait for the public bus on the main road, which runs every hour. Be sure to negotiate the taxi fare clearly with the driver and confirm what is included in the price.
Prepare for your trip
Embarking on the historic trail at Hellfire Pass is a profound experience, filled with history and memories. To ensure a safe and rewarding journey, it’s important to be well-prepared. Here are some essential tips to consider before you begin:
Wear appropriate footwear
Choose sturdy, comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots with good ankle support and slip-resistant soles to handle rocky and uneven surfaces.
Check your fitness level
The trail has steep climbs and rough terrain. Assess your physical condition, especially heart health, to ensure you can safely complete the walk.
Sun Protection and Insect Repellent
The sun can be intense. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, apply high SPF sunscreen regularly, and use UV-protective sunglasses.
Remember to bring insect repellent and apply it regularly.
Stay Hydrated
Heat and humidity can cause dehydration quickly. Bring enough water for the duration of your hike and drink regularly.
Be Mindful of Wildlife
The trail is home to various wildlife. Keep a respectful distance and avoid feeding any animals.
Plan for the Weather
Check the weather forecast before you go. Be ready for sudden changes, like rain showers, which can make the trail slippery.
By following these guidelines, you’ll ensure your visit is both memorable and safe.
Walking Trail
Walk 1
Interpretive centre to the memorial obelisk in Konyu Cutting
Centre staff can assist you to access an audio guide that allows you to better understand the construction of the railway and the experiences of those who worked on it.
Timing
Allow 40-50 minutes including the return journey.
Fitness
You should have a moderate level of fitness.
Preparation
Bring water for the return journey and wear sturdy covered shoes.
Apply sunscreen and insect repellent, as needed.
around point
Walk 2
Interpretive centre to Hintok Road
Centre staff can assist you to access an audio guide that allows you to better understand the construction of the railway and the experiences of those who worked on it.
Timing
Allow up to 3 hours for the return journey.
Fitness
You should have a high level of fitness.
Preparation
Please take water for a return journey and wear sturdy covered shoes.
Apply insect repellent as required.
Safety Radio required for Walk 2.
Warning
Please note that there is very little shelter and that the route along the walk to Hintok Road includes steep climbs and descents—even where steps have been constructed. Uneven ground and running water during the wet season may also present a hazard.
around point
Plan your visit
Group Bookings
Individuals are welcomed free of charge without bookings during opening hours.
Parking
The Interpretive Centre has three parking areas with space for over 90 vehicles. Car Park 1 can hold up to three buses, with more bus spaces available in the overflow car park.
There are also designated spots for motorcycles. All vehicles must have their engines turned off while parked.
Hellfire
Pass
Visitor Feedback
Clean modern museum about a forgotten cruel story
This place gives you a good idea of WWII at the other side of the world. Well explained combined with a nice walk. We recommend the place if you’re interested in the war and you’re in the area!
Boudewijn D., Vietnam.
Definitely worth a visit. And made better by coming on the train from Bridge over the River Kwai.
A moving worthwhile experience.
We visited from Kanchanaburi.
We rode by train along the railway to the end of the line. The train journey added to the experience – although on the way back it was hot and dusty. Here we grabbed some breakfast at a local restaurant at the train station. There was a taxi to take us the 25 mins to Hellfire pass (THB 800 return journey, we joined with another couple at the station)
We walked the longer walk and enjoyed the free audio It was a beautiful walk and very moving. The path was well maintained and informative.
The museum was well maintained by the Australians and its a humbling experience.
It was exceptionally hot when we were there – so we caught the 6.15 train at The Bridge and the 13.55 return train. We arrived at the museum about 9. So it was cool and lovely and quiet on our walk. Knowing some of the history we opted to walk first, and visit the museum after. The audio and signs offered plenty of information.
Karen B., United Kingdom
AMAZING
I would recommend to anyone this experience. Every person must know what happened in the Burma-Thai railway construction. Hellfire pass is the right place to do so.
The museum is super organised and everything is free of charge. You can visit the museum, walk in the hellfire pass, listen to audio guide, watch video and everything for free.
The museum worker ladies are very friendly and super kindly to provide informations to customers.
Simone Luciano F., Italy
If you’ve come this far, this is a MUST.
The Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre is about 100km from Kanchanaburi. We hired a car for the trip there and back for 2200 Thai Baht. Yes, it was expensive, but the car was air conditioned on a very hot and humid day and the trip direct. The road is a divided four lane road for about half the journey. It takes a little over an hour. There are turning lanes and a few traffic lights in the main villages/towns along the way. Other options include the three times daily train and connecting local bus (basically all day) for a fraction of the price, or local tours that include Hellfire Pass and other attractions such as the Erawan waterfall and other nearby attractions. We based ourselves in Kanchanaburi, but very long day tours are available daily from Bangkok.
The Interpretive Centre is modern, and includes toilets, car parking, and vending machines for drinks and snacks. The main part consists of backlit screens of text in English and Thai accompanying photos and sketches made by the POWs recounting the horrors of the building of the railway. There is a 10 minute film screened on a loop that is worth watching. The real benefit is visiting the track of the railway, a few hundred steps down from the Centre. A short walk (40-45 minutes return) or a longer track (3 hours) is available. The short walk takes you to the Australian Government official War Graves Commission Memorial. A US Memorial Plaque is set to be unveiled on 23 October 2023. The audio guide for the walk, with a 200 Baht deposit, is worth listening to, with POW survivors recounting their first-hand experiences. If you’ve come this far, you should visit the Interpretive Centre.
