Hellfire Pass (Konyu Cutting) is the most famous—and harrowing—section of the WWII-era Thailand–Burma “Death Railway,” cut by Allied prisoners of war and Asian laborers through solid rock in the remote hills of Kanchanaburi Province, about 3 hours west of Bangkok.
Today, it is preserved as the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre and Memorial Walking Trail, a powerful indoor-outdoor experience.
Since opening in 1998, it has become a regular attraction for tourists visiting Bangkok, with about 90,000–100,000 visitors per year.
This guide covers everything you need before you go—from hours and closures to how to get there, trail options, what to wear, and nearby stops—so you can plan with confidence before arranging transport or tours.
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Where to buy tickets?
Admission is free and no ticket is required for both the Interpretive Centre and the Memorial Walking Trail at Hellfire Pass. You must simply check in at the reception desk.
But because Hellfire Pass is about 200 km (124 miles) from Bangkok, many visitors book a guided day tour to simplify logistics.
These tours typically include early hotel pickup (around 7 am), round-trip transport, and drop-off back at your hotel after the visit.
Note: Thailand uses the Thai Baht (THB). Because entry is free, you’ll only need cash for donations, snacks nearby, or onward transport.
Best tours to Hellfire Pass
In all three tours we have suggested, guests explore the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum, which “tells the stories of human suffering linked to this engineering feat.” They also walk through the Hellfire Pass itself.
From Bangkok: Death Railway & Hellfire Pass Tour with Lunch
This is a captivating one-day journey from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi, blending stunning landscapes with meaningful history. It focuses on exploring Hellfire Pass and riding the iconic Death Railway. The tour is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars based on 373 reviews.
Transportation: Hotel pickup and drop-off
Guide: An English-speaking tour guide
Meals: Lunch at a local restaurant
Activities & Admissions: Entrance fees to all attractions
Price: ฿2,350 onwards
Bangkok: 2-Day River Kwai Trip with Floating Hotel and Meals
This is a two-day excursion from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi Province, focusing on the beautiful River Kwai and significant WW2 historical sights.
On Day 1, after lunch at the floating hotel, the tour journeys downstream to Phu Takian Pier to visit the Hellfire Pass Memorial. Tourists who took this tour loved visiting the Death Railway Museum, CWGC Cemetery, and Hellfire Cutting.
A key highlight is spending a night sleeping in a floating hotel.
1-night accommodation: At River Kwai Jungle Rafts on a twin-room basis.
Meals: Dinner on Day 1, Breakfast on Day 2, and Lunch on Days 1 and 2.
Transportation: Roundtrip transportation to and from your Bangkok downtown hotel.
Guide: An English-speaking live tour guide
Activities & Admissions: Admission fees to all attractions
Price: ฿13,500
Kanchanaburi River Kwai & Hellfire Pass Private Tour
This is a private, full-day tour (11 hours) to Kanchanaburi, allowing participants to discover the province’s highlights in a day.
It includes visiting the River Kwai Bridge, riding the Death Railway, exploring Hellfire Pass & Memorial, and a stop at Saiyoke Noi waterfalls.
Due to its comprehensive coverage, this tour is excellent for “WW2 buff.”
Transportation: An air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed driver
Guide: An English-speaking guide
Meals: Lunch and bottled water
Activities & Admissions: All admission fees are covered
Price: ฿10,140 onwards
Opening hours
Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm.
While there’s no strict last-entry time, you should allow enough daylight to complete the trail—start the short loop by 3 pm and the long walk by 1 pm.
Closed on: Songkran (13–15 Apr), 5 Dec (H.M. King’s Birthday), 24–27 Dec (Christmas period), and 31 Dec–1 Jan.
Download: Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre’s Visitor Guide
Best time to visit
Least crowded: Weekday mornings right at 9 am, see far fewer tour groups at Hellfire Pass than late morning and early afternoon. Heat and humidity also build through the day, making earlier starts much more comfortable on the trail.
Time of day for atmosphere: Morning light and birdsong give the cutting a contemplative feel; late afternoon can also be serene, but leaves less buffer before finishing your trail walk.
Time of year: Cool/dry season (Nov–Feb) offers the most pleasant hiking temperatures. Wet season (May–Oct) is lush, but trails can be slick, and short tropical downpours are common.
How long does it take
For the trail walk at Hellfire Pass, you have two options – the Blue Line or the Green Line.
Walk 1 (Blue Line): Interpretive Centre → Konyu (Hellfire) Cutting memorial obelisk → return. 40–50 minutes total; moderate fitness.
Walk 2 (Green Line): Interpretive Centre → Hintok Road → return along the old rail bed, passing multiple cuttings and historic sites. Up to 3 hours; high fitness; steep sections, little shade. For safety, staff issue a two-way radio for this longer route.
Allow 90 minutes to 2 hours for the museum exhibits plus the Blue Line; half a day if you plan to undertake the long walk.
Where is the attraction & how to reach
Hellfire Pass is at 207 Moo 11, Tha Sao, Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi. It’s roughly 200 km (124 miles) from Bangkok by road, and about 80 km (50 miles) northwest of Kanchanaburi town. Get Directions
From Bangkok
- Train: State Railway of Thailand trains run from Bangkok Thon Buri to Kanchanaburi and on to Nam Tok Sai Yok Noi (end of the line). From Nam Tok, it’s ~20 km to the Centre by songthaew/taxi.
- Bus/Minivan: Frequent services from Bangkok Sai Tai Mai (Southern Bus Terminal) to Kanchanaburi, then onward bus or taxi.
- Driving: ~3 hours each way depending on traffic.
From Kanchanaburi town
- Public bus #8203 toward Sangkhlaburi stops at the Hellfire Pass entrance on Route 323 (hourly departures; very budget-friendly).
- Train to Nam Tok + local taxi/songthaew for the final 20 km.
What to see at the attraction
Here are the four key experiences at Hellfire –
The Interpretive Centre (Indoor Museum)
The Interpretive Centre is a sober, thoughtfully curated sequence of exhibits, survivor recordings, films, and personal items that frame what you’ll encounter on the trail below.
We suggest you borrow the audio guide to understand the context.
Konyu (Hellfire) Cutting & Memorial Obelisk
The deepest, most dramatic cut on this stretch—hand-hewn through rock with minimal tools.
Wreaths and plaques mark the memorial space where the ANZAC Day dawn service is held each year.
Memorial Walking Trail
Following the original rail bed, the trail passes multiple sites—including the Seven-Metre Embankment, locations of the Three-Tier and Pack-of-Cards bridges, and further cuttings toward Hintok Road—with interpretive panels along the way.
Contemplation Deck
The Contemplation Deck is an overlook above the Kwai Noi valley designed for quiet reflection. It features the Peace Vessel made by Peter Rushforth, a prisoner on the Thai-Burma Railway who trained as a potter at RMIT.
What to wear for Hellfire Pass
There’s no strict dress code, but the Hellfire Pass includes a war memorial, so visitors are expected to respect the site’s solemnity.
The experience also involves a hike through Hellfire Pass, so prepare appropriately: sturdy closed shoes, sun protection, insect repellent, and adequate water. Long sleeves and breathable fabrics are wise in the hot months.
Audio Guide at the Interactive Center
The audio guide is free, and you can borrow it from the lower hub counter. Online audio tracks and transcripts are available for download.
The audio guide is available in English. Historical documentation notes are available in Thai, Dutch, and Japanese as well.
The center team also issues two-way radios for visitors undertaking the long walk to Hintok Road.
Is the attraction worth it?
Hellfire Pass is totally worth it. Few places on earth combine a world-class interpretive museum with an in-situ trail through the exact landscape where events occurred. Standing in the cutting—after learning the names and voices behind it—creates a lasting, humbling understanding of WWII in Southeast Asia.
The experience is moving, educational, and respectful, and it pairs naturally with a ride on the surviving section of the Death Railway and other Kanchanaburi sites.
Things to know before you go
- It’s free, but check closures: Three-week maintenance closure in May every year; also closed for Songkran, Christmas period, New Year’s.
- Arrive early in the day to avoid heat and crowds; allow time to finish before closing.
- Footwear & water are essential; shade is limited on the long walk.
- Audio guide enhances both the museum and the trail; pick it up in the Centre.
- Long walk safety: staff issue a two-way radio; heed advice on weather and fitness.
- Respect the memorial: keep voices down at the contemplation areas and in the cutting.
- ANZAC Day: arrive very early; capacity inside the cutting is limited.
Where to eat?
There’s no on-site café inside the Interpretive Centre.
Along Route 323 and in Tha Sao/Sai Yok you’ll find small Thai eateries and coffee stops; if you’re visiting independently, consider bringing water and a snack.
Popular lunch options in the wider area include Tham Krasae Restaurant (dramatic river/railway views near the wooden trestle) and simple local cafés in Sai Yok.
What to see nearby
- Bridge over the River Kwai (Mae Khlong/Kwae Yai) & Kanchanaburi War Cemetery (Don Rak).
- Thailand–Burma Railway Centre (excellent companion museum in town).
- Tham Krasae/Wampo Viaduct and Krasae Cave along the live railway—ride the train for the cliff-edge views.
- Erawan National Park (Erawan Falls)—combine nature with history on the same day or as a separate trip.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some questions tourists ask before booking their tour to Hellfire Pass in Bangkok.
Do I need to buy a ticket to Hellfire Pass?
To explore the Interpretive Centre and go on the Memorial Walking Trail, you don’t need to buy a ticket. But most tourists book a tour from Bangkok or Kanchanaburi town to avoid the travel logistics.
Is there an audio guide?
Yes—free devices are issued at the Centre; audio tracks and a trail map are also downloadable.
How hard is the trail walk at Hellfire Pass?
The short route is moderate with many steps; the long route requires good fitness and up to 3 hours. Staff loan a two-way radio for the long walk.
What’s the best way to get there without a car?
From Kanchanaburi, take the local bus #8203 on Route 323 (stops at the entrance), or ride the train to Nam Tok and continue by taxi/songthaew (~20 km).
Is the Hellfire Pass child-friendly?
Yes, but supervise closely—there are steep stairs, uneven ground, and limited shade.
Can I visit Hellfire Pass at night?
Unfortunately no. You can only visit Hellfire Pass’s Interactive Center and the trail walk during the daytime because of the nature of the attraction.
In Summary
- Free, no-ticket memorial museum + walking trail at the most infamous “Death Railway” cutting.
- Open from 9 am to 4 pm daily
- Audio guide is free and highly recommended; plan 40–50 min (short walk) or up to 3 hrs (long walk).
- Hellfire Pass is far from Bangkok, so it’s best to book a tour for a seamless experience
- Pair with the Bridge over the River Kwai, War Cemetery, Railway Centre, and Erawan Falls for a full Kanchanaburi day or overnight.
