Damnoen Saduak Floating Market & Ayutthaya Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the vibrant Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
- Discover ancient temples in Ayutthaya Historical Park
- Enjoy scenic boat rides through traditional Thai canals
- Witness the grandeur of Wat Phra Si Sanphet
- Capture stunning photos of historical ruins and architecture
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip transportation from Bangkok
- Guided tour of Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
- Visit to Ayutthaya Historical Park
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
The Mae Klong Railway Market dates back to 1905. Fishing has long been a main source of income for the local community, and the market became a key place for selling fresh catch and produce. When officials built a railway to help transport goods to other provinces, the market didn't disappear; instead, it adapted. To this day, vendors continue to sell their goods right on the tracks. Just moments before the train passes, they swiftly pull back their awnings and move their baskets and trays, only to resume business as usual once the train has passed. It’s a fascinating and truly unique sight: chaotic, impressive, and unmistakably Thai! The total duration includes travel time from Bangkok to Maeklong Market.
We'll visit Thailand’s most famous floating market: Damnoen Saduak. Upon arrival, you'll board a traditional long-tail boat for a ride through the canals, offering a glimpse into life along the waterways. The Damnoen Saduak canal was commissioned in 1866 by King Rama IV to connect the Mae Klong and Tha Chin rivers and improve water transport between the Ratchaburi and Samut Sakhon provinces. Photographs of this colorful and bustling market are among the most widely featured in travel brochures about Thailand. While the market today caters largely to tourists, it still offers an unforgettable experience with its lively atmosphere, boats, and canal scenes. Note: Damnoen Saduak is undeniably touristy these days, and while it may not feel fully authentic anymore, it remains one of the best places to experience a floating market.
Wat Phanan Choeng is one of Ayutthaya’s oldest and most revered temples, founded in 1324; 26 years before the city itself was officially established. The temple is renowned for its massive seated Buddha image, known as Luang Pho Tho, which stands 19 meters tall and is considered one of the most beautiful in Thailand. It’s a deeply spiritual site for many Thai Buddhists, who come to pay their respects and make merit. The temple is still actively used and offers a lively, authentic atmosphere. Entrance fee of THB 20 per person is not included and must be paid in cash on the day of the tour. The total duration includes travel time from Damnoen Saduak to Ayutthaya.
Wat Mahathat was one of the most important temples in the Ayutthaya Kingdom, serving as the spiritual and political heart of the capital. It once housed sacred Buddha relics and was the seat of the Supreme Patriarch, making it the center of Thai Buddhism. Located near the Royal Palace, it played a key role in royal ceremonies, such as the Kathin robe offering. Though largely in ruins today, its atmosphere remains powerful. The temple’s most iconic feature is the mysterious stone Buddha head nestled in the roots of a Banyan tree, one of the most photographed and intriguing images in Ayutthaya. Visitors can stroll through crumbling chedis, ancient walls, and weathered Buddha images, all echoing centuries of devotion and history. Entrance fee of THB 80 per person is not included and must be paid in cash on the day of the tour.
Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the most important and grandest temple in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Located within the Royal Palace complex, it served exclusively as the royal chapel, much like the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok today. Unlike other monasteries, it had no resident monks and was reserved solely for royal ceremonies, including religious rituals conducted by Ayutthaya’s kings and their families. The highlight of the temple was a 16-meter high standing Buddha covered in over 150 kilograms of gold, which was tragically melted down when the Burmese army invaded Ayutthaya in 1767. Much of the temple was destroyed during this attack, but the three iconic bell-shaped stupas, containing the ashes of three Ayutthaya kings, still stand proudly today. Entrance fee of THB 80 per person is not included and must be paid in cash on the day of the tour. The total duration includes travel time from Ayutthaya to Bangkok.
Meeting point
Start Location
WanderSiam - Tour Operator, 459/1 Thanon Chaokhamrop, Khwaeng Pom Prap, Khet Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10100, Thailand
Important information
Know before you book
- The tour operates daily with departures from central Bangkok locations.
- Group sizes may vary; private tours are available upon request.
- Please inform the operator of any dietary restrictions or special requirements in advance.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for walking and boat rides.
- Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect against the sun.
- Carry a camera to capture the picturesque scenes and historical sites.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Stroller Accessible
- Infants Required On Laps
Good to know
- We provide hotel pick-up only from accommodations located on/near Khao San Road and on Siam Square. If you are not an actual guest at one of the hotels in our pick-up list, the designated meeting point will be our office on Chao Khamrop Road in Chinatown. IMPORTANT: The exact pick-up time will be sent to you via private message on the booking platform 1 day before the tour. Depending on the number of participants, hotel pick-up will be between 6:30 – 6:50 hrs. Please check your email (including junk folder) carefully the day before your tour to avoid any delays or missed departures.
- Bangkok’s traffic can be heavily congested. As our tours run on a group basis, we can wait a maximum of 10 minutes after the scheduled meeting time. After this grace period, the guide will begin the tour. If you cannot make it on time, please let us know before the tour starts. If possible, we’ll do our best to reschedule you for the next available day, though a rescheduling fee will apply. No refund will be provided in case of late arrival.
- Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the tour start time are eligible for a full refund. For cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance or in case of no-show, no refund will be issued.
- Our tour operates rain or shine. Therefore, cancellations due to weather are not eligible for a refund.
Traveler reviews
A Perfectly Balanced Day Trip
This full-day adventure seamlessly blends ancient history with vibrant local culture. You get the thrill of watching a train squeeze through a bustling market, enjoy a colorful boat ride, and explore breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage ruins—all in a single day! Joyce, our tour guide, is the best, very friendly and respectful. He explained everything about the places we visited. Kudos to Joyce of WanderSiam Travel and Tours!
Informative and educational tour of Bangkok
This was a very informative tour complemented with our exceptional guide Joyce! Highly recommended
Skinny on the heat!
Here’s the skinny on the experience: delivered excellently and as described; if you aren’t used to a super hot climate, then you will be more than happy to take this tour- bus, lunch restaurant, tour guide “quick in and out” to save you from the stress of a heated climate and valued as - worth the money! Beware: you are headed towards places that are heavy tourist destinations- they are filled with hawkers, cheap souvenirs, and AC priced restaurants. But, the sights are that of Bond movies- exotic places- and are personally ranked as a photographer’s paradise. The tour guide (Joyce) was kind and sensible with a native’s awareness of the heat of the rainy season- moving the hottest part of the tour to the coolest part of the day (which we were thankful). A memorable and extremely comfortable tour - minus hawkers at markets (admittedly -it’s not the tour company’s fault but this visitor who detests hawkers). Additional brownie points, we asked to be let out on the way back to the drop off point (saving us grab fare / we walked to our hotel). All in all- fantastic!
A bit commercial but good value for the money
Our tour guide Joys was incredible, kind and he was taking care of everybody. However, the exclusion itself was a bit commercial, but that's normal for these kind of experiences. It's good to mark out of your list the three tourists spots
Amazing Tour. Highly Recommended.
There was not a moment of this tour wasted. There’s some time in the car but it’s all worth it to be able to see so much in one day. Joyce was full of knowledge and history. I was the only on the tour and he made it a truly memorable experience. He offered to take so many pictures for me as I’m traveling solo. He knew the best angles and where to stand or sit. I learned a lot about Ayutthaya and I’m really glad I was able to see it. But I also touched the train and floated in a boat and saw both markets there. Highly recommended. Do not miss.