Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore vibrant Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
- Experience traditional Thai long-tail boat ride
- Discover local crafts and fresh produce
- Engage with friendly local vendors
- Capture picturesque canal-side scenes
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Round-trip transportation from Bangkok
- Long-tail boat ride through the market
- Local guide services
- Meals and personal expenses
Itinerary
Maeklong Railway Market is a traditional Thai market selling fresh vegetables, food and fruit. What makes the market special is that it occupies part of a train line. A few times a day, there’s a train running directly through the market. A few minutes before the train comes, vendors lower their umbrellas and move some of their produce away from the train tracks. Some are left on the ground, with the train passing right over them. Amazingly, nothing gets damaged or broken, and as soon as the train passes, the vendors move their goods back onto the tracks and continue as normal (until the next train arrives).
Famous for its tourist-friendly floating markets, Damnoen Saduak is the one you’ll find in the tourist literature on Thailand. Bring your camera along to witness the river packed with wooden boats overflowing with fruit and vegetables, which they sell to people standing on land. The scene is colourful and loud; just as you’d expect from a Thai market. It is just 100km from Bangkok.
Meeting point
Start Location
River City Bangkok
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour operates in all weather conditions; dress appropriately for the forecasted weather.
- The market can be crowded; be prepared for a bustling environment.
- Photography is allowed; however, be respectful of local customs and ask for permission before taking photos of people.
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 waterproof bag for your belongings to protect them from water splashes.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Infants Required On Laps
Good to know
- Price for children ages 3-11 years applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults. No infant seats. Infants required to sit on adult's lap.
- Meeting Point is at the large, main entrance to the River City Shopping Mall (next to Royal Orchid Shopping Mall).
- Optional pick up from the following areas: Sathorn, Silom, Siam, Pratunam, Khao San Road, Charoenkrung Road, or the Sukhumvit area between Soi 1-39 and 2-24. Please wait in the hotel lobby 15 minutes before the scheduled pickup time. (Hotel pick up is about 30-60minutes prior tour departure time.)
- Tour ends at MBK Center
- The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
- If you have mobility problems, you may have difficulties getting into or out of the Paddle Boat. Please advise your guide of this at the commencement of the tour.
Traveler reviews
Disappointing Experience & Poor Customer Support
Unfortunately, we were very dissatisfied with both the tour operator and Viator’s handling of our situation. Our family became ill after dinner the night before our scheduled tour, and we contacted both Viator support and the tour operator as soon as possible to explain and request a reschedule. Instead of showing understanding or offering any flexibility, the operator was unhelpful and dismissive, even going so far as to blame our family for getting sick. There was no empathy, accommodation, or effort to work with us despite this being an unexpected health issue affecting multiple family members. We understand policies exist, but the lack of compassion and professionalism made this a very disappointing experience. Based on how this was handled, we would not recommend this vendor, especially for families traveling together who may need reasonable support if unforeseen circumstances arise.
Lucky was absolutely...
Lucky was absolutely fabulous, good sense of humour too which made the day quite enjoyable! The markets were bustling and busy, but she made sure we got to see what we came for and everyone was safe at the end of the day Highly recommend this tour!
So much fun!
My 14 yr old son and I had an absolute blast! I wasn’t sure what to expect but this tour exceeded all of my expectations! We made 3 stops - train market, coconut factory, and the floating market - each stop was great. Our guide was helpful, knowledgeable, and gave us insight as to how to bargain! He was patient and let us go at exactly our speed. The driver was fabulous too - with a nice and air conditioned van, my son and I both napped on the way back to Bangkok! I highly recommend this tour!
A memorable adventure at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
What a actioned packed day. The market is a must-see. The place was buzzing with energy, and the canals were packed with vendors selling all kinds of fresh fruits, snacks, and cool souvenirs. Riding a paddle boat through the market was super fun and included. It gave us an up-close look at everything, and we felt right in the middle of all the action. The vendors were really friendly and had some tasty treats for us to try, like pad thai and mango sticky rice. I highly recommend the cashew nut ice cream and the fresh mango to start off The scenery was beautiful, with traditional houses lining the canals. It was awesome to see how the locals live and shop. The whole experience was so unique and memorable. If you're in Bangkok, definitely check out the tour and a big thanks to the guide Natt who was excellent and so informative.
Amazing Experience Outside the Hustle and Bustle of Bangkok
This is a must-do especially if you're only in Bangkok during the week. We were shocked to find that the Floating Market in Bangkok is only on weekends, so this experience came in clutch as it runs all week long! You can't not go to Thailand without trying the floating market at least once and this provided that opportunity for us. The thrill of riding a boat and haggling over prices was priceless! Be sure to bargain!! We scored great deals, while having an ice cream on a coconut! Just be sure to bring cash as not all vendors accept card, and if they do, there's a charge. Fees add up and both you and vendors end up losing. I won't dock the score, but I do wish the tour was a wee bit longer as there are times where we felt rushed. But again, I can't expect too much from a half-day tour. For the price, it was all worth it. Our tour guide was helpful and knowledgeable. His name escapes me, but he even helped us ask one of the boat drivers to let us take a solo picture on the boat. The bus was also great; it was comfy and the AC was nice! A nice little bonus was the tour of the coconut plantation. It was great to see local craftspeople showing the many uses of coconut. It was also a great opportunity to see an authentic Thai household. Pro-tip: try not to buy the souvenirs at this stop as you can find many of those same things at the market and for lower price.