Taking a visit to the Mae Klong Railway Market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is, in my opinion, one of the best things to do and see in Bangkok. These markets offer unique experiences where you can explore local markets on the train track and on the water.
I had a great time exploring these two markets on a day tour, so in this article, I will share with you my honest reviews about this day tour, and if it’s worth it taking the half day/ full day tour from Bangkok to the Railway and Floating Market.
These two markets are located in the same area, 20km away from each other, and about 80-100km from southwest of Bangkok. Lots of visitors chose to combine the visit of these two markets within one trip by using half day or full day tours.
I visited the Mae Klong and Damnoen Saduak Markets on my second last day in Bangkok after I’ve seen all Bangkok’s famous attractions like Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Terminal 21, CentralWorld, and Soi Cowboy…. I recommend putting these markets on your Bangkok itinerary.
Mae Klong Railway Market
Mae Klong Railway Market (Hoop Rom Market) is a colorful local market located along the 100m long active train track next to Mae Klong Train Station.
The train runs through the market several times a day, vendors pull back their umbrellas and goods just seconds before a train rumbles through. Once it passes, everything is set back up as if nothing happened.
Even though it is packed with tourists, it is still a good place to experience an authentic Thai market where locals sell fresh vegetables, fruits, seafood, meats, street food, and snacks. The market also offers lots of beautiful Instagram photos.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Bangkok is surrounded with water, rivers, and canals, so you can see many floating markets in and around the city. Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is one of the most famous floating markets in Thailand, and is a great place to experience local ways of trading on the water.
This market is set on a series of canals where vendors sell food, fruit, and souvenirs from wooden boats. The waterway becomes a lively maze of longtail boats, local women in wide-brimmed hats, and the scent of grilled bananas or coconut pancakes.
Similar to Mae Klong Railway Market, this market attracts lots of tourists. Though it’s somewhat touristy, it still provides a glimpse into a way of life that dates back to the Ayutthaya period.
Why book an organized tour?
I found that booking an organized tour is the easiest way to explore the railway market and the floating market. I don’t have to worry about how to get to the train/ bus station, what time the train/ bus runs, how to align time between trains, and how to reach the market when the train passes through.
The tour operator tours include round-trip transport and tours are timed to arrive just in time to witness this unique spectacle. It also includes the boat ticket at the floating market, which can be expensive if you do it yourself.
With that being said, if you are adventurous travelers and familiar with local public transportation (trains, buses, and songthaews), you can consider doing it yourself by taking public buses and trains. But for most visitors, a tour removes stress and maximizes enjoyment.
Where to book the tour to the Railway & Floating Market?
I booked my “Half-Day Railway Market and Floating Market Tour in Thailand” from Viator, but you can easily book the tour from many other Online Travel Agencies such as Klook, and Get Your Guide.
I booked a group tour that departs from Groove at Central World at 6am. This is the cheapest option, around 1000 baht. My hotel is located in Silom, which is only a short Grab Bike to the meeting point.
Here are some factors to consider when booking a tour:
1. Group vs Private. Private offers flexibility and comfort while group tours are more budget-friendly. If you choose group tours, make sure it is a small group (6-12 people) to reduce waiting time.
2. Pick‑up locations. The tour will include an option for pick up at your hotel and go to the meeting point. You will need to pay an extra around 200 baht for the pick up option. Popular meeting points are at Siam, Khao San, Old Town, Chinatown, or the Riverside area.
3. Inclusions. I recommend reading carefully to see what is included in the tour. Mine include all transportation (van + train ride + boat ride).
4. Cancellation Policy. The cancellation is also important in case you can’t make it. Cancel ≥ 24 hrs ahead for full refund on most platforms.
Detail my half day tour to the Railway & Floating Market Itinerary
Here is the detail of my half day tour to Mae Klong Railway Market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Itinerary:
5.30 am
I Ordered Grab to travel from my hotel in Silom to the meeting point at CentralWorld in Siam. It was around 10 mins ride on a motorbike scooter. The BTS skytrain Silom line connects these two areas, but it has not yet run before 6am.
6.00 am
The van departed around 6am from CentralWorld. There are around 12 people in my group in addition to a tour guide and the driver.
7.00 am
We stopped at a petrol station on Rama 2 Road for 20 minutes for breakfast. This Stop is located only 10 minutes drive from Bangsikhot Station where you catch the train late.
There are convenient stores, bakeries, and restaurants at the petrol stations so you can have something to eat or buy some snacks to bring with you. I ordered a meal from the buffet section with rice, and meats, but it was very spicy.
7.30 am
We arrived at Bangsikhot Railway Station at 7.30 am. We took some photos with the train stops and the ray while waiting for the train to come. This train line connects Ban Laem Station with Mae Klong Station and Market. The journey is around 1 hour.
If you travel from Bangkok to Mae Klong Market by train, you need to take a 1 hour train ride from Wongwian Yai Station to Maha Chai Station in Samut Sakhon, then take the cross ferries to Ban Laem Station, for another train to Mae Klong Station.
If you do it yourself, the full journey from Bangkok takes around 3 hours, plus wait and ferry time. Of course, you have to align the schedules of the two train lines well to optimize travel time.
The train ride on the ordinary train is beautiful with all the doors and windows open. You can see the beautiful countryside of Thailand with rice fields, lakes, and salt fields.
8.25 am
The train approached the market around 8.25. I saw a crowd of tourists lining along the side of the train track with the phone on their hand taking photos and videos. There are also lots of stalls selling fresh products and souvenirs just barely a meter from the train track.
The train passes slowly enough for passengers to photograph the scene while feeling the rumble of wheels inches from baskets and awnings.
8.30 am
When the train stopped at Mae Klong Station, we got off the train. The tour guide told us we have 45 minutes at the market. Within this time, we can walk around, eat, take photos, and wait for the train at 9.00 passing by the market for another experience.
I had mango smoother at the shop right next to the train station. There are lots of shops selling all kinds of things at the market including snacks, seafood, meat, vegetables, household items, and souvenirs.
Around 9am, before the train approaches, vendors retract awnings, umbrellas, and tarps that stretch over the train tracks and pull back goods sitting close to or directly on the track.
We stood at the side of the track, capturing videos and photos when the train passed the market. Once the train tail passes, vendors immediately slide their awnings back over the track. Goods are pushed out again, and customers resume shopping, within seconds, it’s as if nothing happened.
9.15 am
Our minivan driver picked us up at Mae Klong Station and we drove for 20 minutes to reach Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. At the pier, we were assigned two boats, each 6 people.
The boat man drove us around the canal, where we could see many other tourists and local boats. The local boats sell all kinds of things including tropical fruits, noodle soup, and souvenirs. There are also many shops along the banks of the canals.
If someone wants to buy something, the boatman will stop the boat for them. Be sure to bring cash and bargain for the best price.
After the boat ride, I crossed the bridge near the pier and walked along the bank of the canal. I had lunch with pad thai at one of the restaurants in this area. The price is quite good compared to central Bangkok 50 baht per dish.
11.30 am – 1.30pm
We got back to our minivan and got back to Bangkok. The traffic was very heavy in central Bangkok, but we were able to reach CentralWorld around 1.30pm. From Central World, I walked to Siam Station and took the BTS skytrain to Sala Daeng BTS Station in Silom where my hotel is located.
Is it worth it taking a day tour to the Railway & Floating market from Bangkok?
In my opinion, it is well worth it taking a day trip to the Railway & Floating market from Bangkok, especially if you have a long holiday in Bangkok. You can put it in your itinerary after you explore all major attractions in central Bangkok like Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and Grand Palace.
If you are a first-timer and have a short time in Bangkok for 2-3 days, I recommend spending your time exploring the in-city highlights and visiting these markets on your next visit.
The Railway Market is more authentic and unique, while the floating market can be seen in many other places close to central Bangkok. It is worth combining these two markets in one trip as they are located very close to the next other.
Both Mae Klong Railway Market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market are popular day trips from Bangkok. They are often packed with tourists but you can still have a glimpse of the local traditional way of trade.