Updated: 9 November, 2024
Bangkok Railway Market and Floating Market 1-day trip: details on what to see, prices, and transportation alternatives.
Exploring markets is one of the most captivating experiences in Thailand that you definitely shouldn't miss. It not only offers a glimpse into the local way of life but also provides the perfect opportunity to savor the delightful Thai cuisine.
The train market and the floating market each have their unique charm.
What makes them even more appealing is their close proximity to Bangkok and the convenience of combining them into a single day trip.
If you're short on time and can't go through the entire article, you can easily book the best tour to the Bangkok Train Market and Floating Market here – it's both popular and budget-friendly.
Alternatively, if you prefer a more independent adventure, I'll outline all the transportation options below. 😉
Train Market Bangkok
This is an ancient market known as the Mae Klong Market, situated in a town 70 km from Bangkok, which you can reach with just a 1-hour drive.
The market itself spans about 200 meters and is quite unique as it sits directly on top of the train tracks.
So, when the train passes eight times a day, the vendors relocate everything to clear the way. Once the train has passed, they rearrange everything, and buyers can stroll along the train tracks again.
You might be wondering how they managed to build a market on the train tracks. Well, it happened exactly the other way around. 😅
The market existed long before they constructed that train line, which apparently began operating in the early 20th century.
When they built the railway, the merchants refused to relocate, resulting in this incredibly surreal market.
What to do at Mae Klong Train Market and its Schedules
I won't sugarcoat it; the only fascinating part of the Mae Klong Market is watching the train pass through and witnessing the vendors swiftly rearrange everything in a matter of seconds.
Apart from that, it's just like any other market.
This is a town market where the local people buys their groceries, so don't expect to find souvenirs or many tourists aside from those there to catch a glimpse of the train.
Currently, the train schedule is as follows, with four departures and four arrivals: 6:20 – 8:30 – 9:00 – 11:10 – 11:30 – 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm – 5:40 pm.
If you're exploring on your own, you can take the opportunity to see the train coming and going, in case you want to capture more photos. For this, the best timing is the 11:10 arrival which departs again at 11:30.
Since watching the train won't take up much time, it's common to use the trip to make one more visit.
In the same town, you have the Amphawa Floating Market, only open on weekends and highly popular among Bangkok locals.
However, the top choice is to combine it with the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market because it's much more picturesque and opens daily.
- Opening hours: every day from 7 am to 4 pm.
⭐ In this other article you can read more about the 7 Best Floating Markets in Bangkok.
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Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market stands out as the most beautiful, interesting, and highly visited market in all of Thailand.
During the era when Ayutthaya served as the capital of Thailand, markets of this kind gained popularity as merchants could effortlessly transport their goods along rivers and canals.
However, with the advancement of land transportation, this dynamic changed significantly, and nowadays, only a few floating markets remain.
What to do at Damnoen Saduak Market
While Damnoen Saduak Market caters mainly to tourists, it remains a captivating place where you can observe stalls set up on boats. Sometimes, the vendors even pull your boat closer for a more immersive experience. 😁 Truly a one-of-a-kind encounter!
It's a vibrant and colorful location where you can capture stunning photos and savor local delicacies such as sticky rice, noodles, or delicious mangoes.
Something quite remarkable to witness is that some boats are fully equipped for cooking (see the photo below). Essentially, they resemble street stalls but are situated on boats instead of carts on the street.
Boat Ride at the Floating Market
Since most of the market is on the water, I highly recommend taking a boat ride to make the most of your visit.
The boats usually ask between 1,000 and 2,000 bahts (25.81 and 51.62 euros / 28.17 and 56.34 USD) for the ride (entire boat). It's a good idea to aim for around 300 and 400 bahts (7.74 and 10.32 euros / 8.45 and 11.27 USD) per person.
Negotiating such a low price for just 1 or 2 people might be a bit tricky, so consider teaming up with other tourists in the area to split the cost.
Additionally, taking a leisurely stroll outside the water area and crossing the bridges over the canal provides an excellent view of the market, perfect for capturing some great photos.
While exploring, you'll encounter numerous souvenir and clothing stalls, though nothing extraordinary, and prices may be a bit higher compared to other markets in Bangkok or elsewhere.
If you're venturing on your own, early morning is the optimal time, as it tends to be less crowded with tourists.
- Opening hours: daily from 7 am to 5 pm, with some stalls possibly open as early as 6 in the morning.
How to Get to Bangkok's Floating Market and Train Market?
You can visit these markets on your own by public transportation or joining a tour to simplify the commute and avoid an early morning rush.
Public Transportation
You have two alternatives to get to the railway market, if you choose to venture on your own:
- By Bus: From Bangkok's Mo Chit station, there are buses heading to the market. The fare is 100 baht, and the journey takes just under 1 hour.
- Train: The train connection is a bit complex as it involves a taxi, train, boat, and another train to reach the train market. While it's a budget-friendly option if you negotiate the taxi fare well, the travel time exceeds 3 hours. You'll need to take a taxi to Wongwian Yai train station, then a train to Maha Chai. From there, cross by ferry to Ban Laem station, and finally, the train from Ban Laem will take you to Mae Klong. While the train journey has a romantic appeal, in this case, I personally don't recommend it.
On the other hand, to go to the Damnoen Saduak floating market by public transportation you will have to head to the southern bus terminal in Bangkok, known as Sai Tai Mai. The journey costs 50 baht.
The bus drops you about 1 km from the market, from there, you can take a taxi, walk, or opt for a boat. might be a bit expensive unless you're with a group, and the per-person cost justifies the expense, or you're skilled at negotiating.
I recommend checking this website for Thailand's public transportation schedules and prices, and you can buy the tickets right there.
Car
Getting behind the wheel offers the utmost flexibility for exploring, but in this case, it's not the best choice as navigating a city like Bangkok can be truly chaotic.
If you're not used to driving in such urban environments, I recommend avoiding it.
I have lived in Thailand for 3 years and I've always driven, except in Bangkok—this is a shared experience among many expats as the city presents challenges unlike the rest of Thailand.
If you're still considering renting a car in Bangkok, I recommend using this car rental search, searcher, where I've found cars to rent for under 20 euros / 22 USD a day.
Day Trip to the Two Markets
While I love the idea of venturing out on my own, navigating these markets is much smoother with a guided tour. They're not well-connected, and without some skilled haggling with taxis or boats, it might end up costing you more.
This is the most budget-friendly tour I've come across for both Bangkok markets, encompassing all transportation with a guide.
Below you can check availability and secure your spot because it sells out quickly.
Although the boat ride through the floating market isn't included, they manage to secure a very reasonable price with the boatman since they bring groups (for just 150 baht).
Another option is to visit these two markets and Ayutthaya, killing two birds with one stone.
✅ Friend's Tip: Don’t forget to get travel insurance for your next adventure. I recommend Heymondo,—it’s super comprehensive, and with that link, you’ll get 15% off!
Final Thoughts
Embarking on this day trip to explore Bangkok's railway market and floating market is one of the most captivating experiences. It offers a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, allowing you to uncover touristy yet authentic places.
In this guide to Thailand you can keep reading the main articles I’ve written about this beautiful country.
If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and I'll help you as much as I can. If you found the article useful, share it with other travelers. Have a good trip! 😘
More about Bangkok and Thailand
- Visit to Sukhothai: What to See and How to Get There
- 7 Best Floating Markets in Bangkok
- 6 Best Hotels in Bangkok and at a good price
- What to see in Bangkok: 15 best activities
- Comprehensive Guide to Thai Food
- Kanchanaburi and Erawan Waterfalls Tour
Hello, I’m Andrea, the creator and writer of Viajeros Activos (Active Travelers). I’m a nomad, so I consider myself a full-time traveler. I’m passionate about good food and always looking for new adventures.