Season 1 · Leg 9
Let's Drop 108 Coins in Bangkok and Climb to a Cave Temple in Krabi
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The route map
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Pins are approximate and show the on-the-ground route in Thailand. Download the KML for Google My Maps / Google Earth
Why go here?
This leg runs from Bangkok's golden temples to the jungle temples of Krabi, with a stop at the River Kwai in between. You get gilded Buddhas, a famous bridge, a turquoise waterfall and a staircase that will humble you. It's Thailand's greatest hits in about four days.
Getting there: LA to Bangkok, home from Krabi
I checked SNA and LGB, but LAX has the deals to Thailand.
| Flight | Fare | Source |
|---|---|---|
| LAX to Bangkok | $387, China Southern | Google Flights |
| Bangkok to Krabi | about $33, Thai Lion Air from Don Mueang | Trip.com |
| Krabi to LAX | $496 | momondo |
Total cost for flights: about $916 per adult (fares seen Oct 2026; they change daily)
Where we're staying
- Sourire at Rattanakosin Island, Bangkok. Walkable to Wat Pho, with a Family Studio that sleeps four, from about $37–48 (Trivago).
- Hykyo River Kwai Hotel, Kanchanaburi. On the river, with two pools and a free water park, for ฿2,396 a night (Hotels.com).
- Holiday Ao Nang Beach Resort, Krabi. Family rooms from about ฿2,450 (Holiday Ao Nang).
Total cost for 3 nights: about $96 per adult, two sharing (Sourire $48 + Hykyo ฿2,396 + Holiday Ao Nang ฿2,450, about $192 total)
Stop 1: Wat Pho and the 108 bowls (the Fast Forward)
The season's last Fast Forward had teams drop one coin in each of the 108 bowls beside the Reclining Buddha. We can do that too. Entry is ฿300, and a bowl of coins is about ฿20. Drop them slowly and make a wish with each one.
Running cost: about $10 per adult
Stop 2: Wat Arun
The rest of the teams went across the river to Wat Arun. It's ฿200, paid in cash at the gate (Wat Arun Guide). Take the cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier right by Wat Pho.
Running cost: about $16 per adult
Stop 3: The Detour, Public or Private to Kanchanaburi
Teams took a public bus or hunted for a private car. We're taking the public route. Kanchanaburi Express minivans leave from the Southern Bus Terminal for about ฿110–130 and take 2 to 2.5 hours (Kanchanaburi Express). We'll do the same back to Bangkok for the flight to Krabi.
Running cost: about $24 per adult (round trip at ฿130)
Stop 4: Erawan Falls (in place of the Roadblock)
The Roadblock was at the Tiger Temple, which closed in 2016, and we wouldn't go even if it hadn't. So I'd swap in Erawan National Park, with seven tiers of turquoise pools you can swim in. It's ฿300 for foreign adults (Asia Roamer). While you're in town, walk across the Bridge over the River Kwai, which is free.
Running cost: about $33 per adult
The Pit Stop: Tiger Cave Temple, Krabi
After the short flight to Krabi, we head to Wat Tham Suea, the Tiger Cave Temple. It's about 1,260 steps to the Buddha at the top, and there's no charge to climb. Go early, carry water, and keep your snacks hidden from the monkeys. When you reach the top, take in the view over the jungle and limestone towers. That's where we'd meet Phil!
Running cost: about $33 per adult
Total cost of this leg for Pit Stop Passport racers: about $1,045 per adult (estimate, two adults sharing rooms: flights $916 + hotels $96 + activities and buses $33. It doesn't include airport transfers, taxis, meals or tips. Prices checked Oct 2026, at $1 ≈ ฿33.65, and they will change.)
Family Pit Crew
Thailand is easy with kids. I'd do the temples first thing in the morning and then let everyone cool off in a pool, because the afternoons are hot.
Age rules, stop by stop
| Stop | What the rules say |
|---|---|
| Wat Pho | Kids under 120 cm get in free. |
| Wat Arun | Ask at the gate about kids' entry. Cash only (Wat Arun Guide). |
| Erawan National Park | ฿150 for foreign children, free under 3 (Asia Roamer). |
| Tiger Cave Temple | Free, but it's about 1,260 steep steps. Best for kids who love a big climb. |
What I'd skip with kids. I'd skip the full Tiger Cave climb with little ones and explore the cave temple at the bottom instead. I'd also skip the upper tiers at Erawan and spend the time swimming in the lower pools.
Family-friendly places to stay
- Hykyo River Kwai Hotel, Kanchanaburi. Two pools and a free water park (Hotels.com).
- Holiday Ao Nang Beach Resort, Krabi. A kids' club for ages 7–12, a children's pool and a waterslide (Holiday Ao Nang kids club).
- Sourire at Rattanakosin Island, Bangkok (budget pick). The Family Studio sleeps four, from about $37–48 (Trivago).
Total cost for the Family Pit Crew: about $3,946 (estimate for two adults and two kids: four sets of flights at $916 with kids at the adult fare = $3,664; Sourire = $48; and in baht: Wat Pho for two adults ฿600 with kids under 120 cm free, coin bowls for four ฿80, Wat Arun for two adults ฿400, minivans for four both ways ฿1,040, Hykyo ฿2,396, Erawan for two adults and two kids ฿900, Holiday Ao Nang ฿2,450. That's ฿7,866, about $234. It excludes transfers, meals and tips. Prices checked Oct 2026.)