Tara Raft Kanchanaburi was the last accommodation we booked as we decided to stay overnight in Kanchanaburi just a few days before my boyfriend and I flew to Bangkok earlier this year. Situated on the River Kwai, we decided to book Tara Raft Guesthouse in Kanchanaburi as our accommodation during our stay in this small city.
Compared to our other accommodations during our last Thailand trip, Tara Raft Kanchanaburi is the most budget-friendly as we booked it last minute. Despite that, the guesthouse got everything we needed during our short stay in Kanchanaburi. From comfy bed to strategic location, here's my review from our stay at Tara Raft Guesthouse in Kanchanaburi!
Initially, my boyfriend and I planned to have a day trip from Bangkok to join the Death Railway tour to Kanchanaburi. However, after a few considerations as we're both history buffs, we decided to extend our stay in Kanchanaburi just so we didn't have to wake up early to join the tour. As a bonus, we figured we would also get a chance to explore more of Kanchanaburi than the short day trip tour from Bangkok so then we decided to book another accommodation for our Kanchanaburi trip.
We booked Tara Raft Kanchanaburi as it was one of the cheapest accommodation options on the list when we booked it. We were also interested in the fact that it's more like a raft than a regular hotel, so we figured we could stay there for the sake of novelty for both of us.
Tara Raft Guesthouse in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
As it turned out, Tara Raft Guesthouse in Kanchanaburi has a strategic location as it's situated not too far from Kanchanaburi train station.
We stopped there when we took the afternoon train from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi, and it was only around 5 minutes walk from the train station. The famous Kanchanaburi War Cemetery is only around 3 minutes walk from the guesthouse, so its location is great for accommodation in Kanchanaburi.
As the city of Kanchanaburi is mostly known for the heritage sites of the Death Railway, it's also a bonus that Tara Raft Guesthouse is a floating accommodation located on the River Kwai. Although you can't see the famous bridge of the River Kwai from your room, you can hang out and see the city view or the city lights at night from your balcony.
Review: Tara Raft Kanchanaburi
After deciding to have a stopover in Kanchanaburi, we booked a 2-night stay at Tara Raft Guesthouse through Agoda. We paid IDR 730,276 (around $49 USD) for our stay in the Superior Room with a double bed and river view.
I have to say, our first impression wasn't that good as the entrance of Tara Raft Kanchanaburi looked quite shady. Plus, there was no one at the receptionist desk when we arrived so we had to knock on a door near the desk to see if someone was there. Apparently, the staff was waiting in that room so a guy was out to assist us and check us in.
While the check-in process was quite straightforward, one thing you need to expect if you consider staying at Tara Raft Guesthouse in Kanchanaburi is that you'll expect no one at the receptionist desk at all times. They weren't there when we wanted to ask for the wifi password, and neither were they when we were about to check out and leave.
Location
If you're planning to go to Kanchanaburi by train, Tara Raft Guesthouse has a great location as it's only 5 minutes walking from the train station. There's also a night bazaar every day around the train station, so you'll never run out of options to do around the area.
However, if you're looking for accommodation near the bridge of the River Kwai, Tara Raft Kanchanaburi may not be the best option since it's located around 2 (two) kilometers from the bridge. If you're not in the mood to walk that far to the bridge, the easiest way to get there is by booking a Grabcar from the guesthouse. Near the train station, you'll also find tuk-tuks but beware of getting scammed since they tend to overcharge you once they find out you're a tourist!
Another downside is that while Tara Raft Guesthouse is relatively close to the train station in Kanchanaburi, there are some spots with a lot of stray dogs not too far from the guesthouse on the way to the train station. The dogs were super aggressive when we were there that when we headed back to the guesthouse from the night bazaar, we decided to take a tuk-tuk for our safety.
Superior Room with River View at Tara Raft Kanchanaburi
The Superior room was actually pretty cramped, but it has everything we need for accommodation. The double bed was quite comfy, and the air conditioner worked perfectly that we had a really good sleep during our stay in Kanchanaburi. The room also got a TV and a refrigerator, which was good as we had some snacks to put in the fridge for our breakfast snack.
The balcony with the river view was quite small, and it's definitely not kid-friendly so I wouldn't recommend staying at this accommodation if you're a family traveling with kids. Although the river view was quite nice and even romantic, when we got to the balcony, it kinda stank so I've got a mixed opinion when it comes to that.
Superior room with river view at Tara Raft Guesthouse in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
There are two small chairs on the balcony, so you can definitely hang out by the river. Just not too long since it stank, but it was quite nice to have the option to stay out when needed.
It also comes with a small desk suitable for a workspace, which I needed since I still had to work at night. Overall, it was definitely the kind of accommodation that wasn't that fancy, but it had everything I needed for my stay.
Although the signal in the room isn't full (only 3 out of 4 bars or something), but it worked just find on both my phone and computer so I could also recommend it if you still have to get online during your stay at Tara Raft Guesthouse in Kanchanaburi.
Amenities for Superior Room at Tara Raft Kanchanaburi
Despite providing a teapot to heat the water in the room, they only provide a cup and no coffee or tea. However, for the bathroom section they provide a big bottle of 2-in-1 shower gel and shampoo along with two packs of dental kit with a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste.
The bathroom was pretty small with a pretty odd design, but it also had everything we needed, from some complimentary toiletries to hot water. There's also a small mirror in the bathroom, which was quite useful since there was no mirror inside the bedroom.
It's definitely not a luxury accommodation, but for under $25 a night, the room and the facilities provided at Tara Raft Guesthouse weren't that bad. In fact, they were quite great!
FAQ About Short Stay in Kanchanaburi
Most people only go to Kanchanaburi on a day trip from Bangkok, and they won't even consider booking accommodation in the city. However, I think Kanchanaburi is worth visiting for a couple of days, and here are the answers to some FAQs I've found on the internet based on my firsthand experience of staying at Kanchanaburi for 3 days and 2 nights!
Is it worth visiting Kanchanaburi?
Absolutely! While the city may not be as vibrant as Bangkok, it's worth visiting Kanchanaburi for a couple of days. Not only can you continue your trip all the way to Nam Tok to complete the Death Railway tour from Kanchanaburi, but the city also has a really great night bazaar with a lot of food options you can find!
Although the night bazaar may not be as big as those in bigger cities like Bangkok or Chiang Mai, it's still quite fun to explore during the night. Plus, you may find some stuff cheaper than those in the big city!
How can I spend my trip in Kanchanaburi?
Most travelers coming to Kanchanaburi usually do tours related to the Death Railway, including visiting the bridge on the River Kwai, stopping by JEATH Museum, and paying respect to the lost lives at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.
If you decide to stay a little bit longer in Kanchanaburi, you can also plan a day trip to the Hellfire Pass by taking a train from Kanchanaburi to Nam Tok.
On top of that, Kanchanaburi is also a great starting point if you want to explore some natural sites in the area, such as Erawan National Park or Sai Yok National Park. For this route, the cheapest way to do it is to rent a motorbike to explore the region of Thailand on your own. Otherwise, you can also take a minivan from the Kanchanaburi bus station or rent a private car with a driver.
Is 2 days enough to explore Kanchanaburi?
Yes, 2 days is the perfect amount of time to explore Kanchanaburi to the fullest. You can plan a trip to Nam Tok and Erawan National Park on the first day, and stay in the city to explore all the must-visit places in Kanchanaburi which consists of historical sites like the bridge on the River Kwai.
Final Verdict: Staying at Tara Raft Kanchanaburi
Based on my experience of staying at Tara Raft Kanchanaburi, I would say it was 7 out of 10. You don't expect any luxury treatment when you stay at this budget-friendly accommodation on the River Kwai, but it's not a bad choice if you are looking for a place to stay in Kanchanaburi either.
The location is top-notch, as it's close to some minimarkets, cafes, and bars by the river. But there are some other things that they can definitely improve to enhance the experience of staying at Tara Raft Guesthouse in Kanchanaburi.
The night view from the balcony at Tara Raft Guesthouse in Kanchanaburi.
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Tara Raft Guesthouse is located not too far from Kanchanaburi train station, making it a great accommodation option especially if you travel to Kanchanaburi by train.
The night rate is quite affordable, and the accommodation has everything we need for under $25 a night.
The bed is surprisingly comfy for budget-friendly accommodation.
It's close to the night bazaar, minimarket, and some cafes and bars.
The wifi connection worked well with a small workspace, which was suitable for remote workers.
The view from the balcony was really nice, in fact it was quite romantic for a place to stay if you're traveling with your partner.
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There were some groups of aggressive stray dogs in the alley on the way to Tara Raft Guesthouse, which could be a problem if you're afraid of dogs.
The staff should be more attentive to the guests, at least there should be someone at the receptionist's desk who could assist guests when they need something.
The entrance looked quite dodgy.
The balcony didn't seem secure, I wouldn't recommend this accommodation if you're traveling with your family, especially with young children.
There's a smell coming from the river.
Overall, I found Tara Raft Kanchanaburi value for the money we spent on the accommodation. If we ever go back to Kanchanaburi, I would definitely consider staying here again although I might want to see some other accommodation options in Kanchanaburi to see if there's a better option.
So, have you ever been to Kanchanaburi? Got any accommodation recommendations in the city? Share in the comment below, and cheerio! 🙂
Marya The BeauTraveler
I am the founder and main editor at The BeauTraveler. I spent 4 years working in the aviation industry but ironically got to travel more right after quitting the industry in 2015. Born and raised in Indonesia, I started working remotely in 2017, and while I stay at home most of the time, I also regularly spend 2-3 months living a semi-digital nomad life elsewhere every year.
