Kanchanaburi is just a little too stretched out to comfortably walk around. Small orange and large yellow songthaews (converted pickups) cruise up and down Saengchuto between 6am and 6pm, connecting bus station, train station and the bridge, and charge a standard 10 baht. Motorbike taxis and tuk-tuks are also available, with negotiable prices, and some guesthouses offer bicycle rental. A number of places in town (mostly along Maenam Kwai Rd) rent bicycles for 50 baht/day, or motorcycles for 150-200 baht, depending on whether it is an automatic. In the area near to budget accommodation / guesthouses such as Ploy, you can rent bicycles or motorcycles from Yanee at 197 Maenumkaew Rd. Remember to ask for a map and directions to popular sights. If you are staying near Chakkadone Pier in the south, tourist services are hard to find. Ask your hotel to call a tuk tuk for you as you will not find them on the road. Chakkadone to bus station, 60 baht; to war cemetery or River Kwai bridge, 100baht. The return ride will be cheaper. Also English is not spoken here, and all road and shop signs are in Thai. With the exception of McDonalds, and the restaurants on the pier, there are no decent eating places. It is worth walking in the street market to see the local delicacies though.
The area northwest of Kanchanaburi is dominated by the beautiful River Kwai Valleys. It is an area of great natural beauty, with a dazzling amount of waterfalls, caves, lakes and mountainous scenery. Most attractions can be visited as a day-trip from Kanchanaburi. Independent travel is possible for most attractions, but can be a hassle as local trains and buses are slow and inflexible. If you want to visit Hellfire Pass and the Erawan Falls in one day, be aware there is no public bus connection between them although there are guided tours.