We show you six brilliant floating markets in Bangkok and around the city. Plus: The best Bangkok Floating Market tours.
One of the most fascinating sights in and around Bangkok are the floating markets.
They offer visitors a unique insight into Thai culture and its vibrant world of commerce.
Floating markets in Bangkok are characteristic of the capital’s waterways – here, food, crafts, specialties, and other products are sold directly from the boats.
This article will show you six brilliant floating markets in Bangkok and the surrounding area.
We also tell you how to find the best Bangkok Floating Market Tours for a full or half-day trip.
What you should know about the floating markets in Bangkok
Bangkok’s floating markets have a long history in the region and reflect the traditional way of life of the people who live along the rivers and canals.
The waterways of Bangkok are called klongs in Thailand and used to be the main routes for goods trade.
Today, they are still an important part of the culture and daily life of the locals.
At the same time, they are also among the most popular Bangkok attractions, which, over the years, have become another source of income for merchants and tour operators.
But fear not: although the floating markets are popular with tourists, they have retained much of their authenticity and still offer exciting glimpses into the lives and culture of the locals.
The best way to explore the floating markets of Bangkok is to take a boat trip.
Not only can you stock up on souvenirs and regional specialties, but you can also experience the unique atmosphere of the Klongs up close.
Bangkok Tours
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Getting there: By bus from Sai Tai Mai bus station, by cab, or as part of an organized tour.
Opening hours: Daily from 8:00 to 16:00
Admission: Free
Probably the most famous and one of the most fascinating floating markets in Bangkok is Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.
It is located about 100 kilometers west of Bangkok’s city center and attracts visitors from all over the world.
The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market offers exciting insights into traditional Thai trade, as its history dates back to the 19th century.
It was originally designed as part of a canal system for irrigation and transportation of goods.
Over the years, however, the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market developed into a lively trading center.
Today, it is one of the most popular sights in Bangkok and an important part of the city’s cultural heritage.
Shop and eat at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
On Damnoen Saduak, merchants and vendors use boats to offer their wares.
These range from fresh fruits and vegetables to spices and specialty foods to handmade products and freshly cooked dishes.
The characteristic boats shine in bright colors and are greatly decorated. The picture is perfected by colorful umbrellas protecting sellers from the sun.
Visitors can board a traditional longtail boat on site and ride along the canal to examine the various wares.
The friendly sellers mostly wear traditional clothes. They always have a smile on their face and offer you the opportunity to taste lots of regional delicacies.
The shopping experience is especially authentic in the morning when locals buy fresh ingredients for their meals or even their restaurant.
How do I get to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market?
There are several ways to get to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market:
- Organized Tour: The easiest and most comfortable way is an organized tour from Bangkok. Tours usually include travel in an air-conditioned bus, a guide, and sometimes a boat ride in the market.
- Public transportation: You can also take the bus from the southern bus station Sai Tai Mai in Bangkok to the floating market. The trip takes about two hours. Tip: Some buses stop about 1 kilometer from the center, where you will already be offered boats for the onward journey to the market. However, these are often significantly more expensive than the boats on the market itself.
- Private driver: It is also convenient to have your own driver who will pick you up from your hotel in Bangkok and take you directly to the market.
- Cab: Alternatively, you can just take a cab from Bangkok to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. But make sure that the driver turns on the taximeter or agrees on a fixed price.
Taling Chan Floating Market
Getting there: By bus number 79 from Siam Square, by cab, or as part of an organized tour.
Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 to 18:00
Admission: Free
While the other floating markets in Bangkok are located further out, the Taling Chan Floating Market is relatively close to the city center.
This makes it particularly popular with locals who do their daily shopping here – but also with tourists who want to experience traditional life on the waterfront.
The Taling Chan Floating Market is known for its relaxed and friendly atmosphere, starkly contrasting to the busy downtown streets.
It offers a great selection of fresh produce and regional delicacies and is perfect for those looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
You can also take relaxing boat rides along the Klongs at the Taling Chan Floating Market.
If you like, you can also buy the fish food offered on-site and throw it into the water. This will attract countless colorful fish of all colors and sizes within a very short time.
Shop and eat at Taling Chan Floating Market
At the Taling Chan Floating Market, vendors offer a huge selection of goods – including fresh produce such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and seafood sourced directly from local farmers and fishermen.
If you do not want to cook yourself, you can also directly taste the Thai dishes prepared on-site.
From fried seafood to hearty soups and fried rice, there’s a great selection of regional delicacies to discover here.
Meals are often served on floating platforms, making the dining atmosphere unique.
How do I get to the Taling Chan Floating Market?
There are several ways to get to the Taling Chan Floating Market:
- Organized Tour: The easiest and most comfortable way is an organized tour from Bangkok. Tours usually include travel in an air-conditioned bus, a guide, and sometimes a boat ride in the market.
- Public transport: The floating market in Bangkok can be reached by bus number 79 from Siam Square. Or you can take the Skytrain to the BTS station Wongwian Yai and then take a cab for about 20 minutes to the market.
- Private driver: It is also convenient to have your own driver who will pick you up from your hotel in Bangkok and take you directly to the market.
- Cab: Alternatively, you can just take a cab from Bangkok to Taling Chan Floating Market. But make sure that the driver turns on the taximeter or agrees on a fixed price.
Amphawa Floating Market
Getting there: By bus number 79 from Siam Square, by cab, or as part of an organized tour.
Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 to 18:00
Admission: Free
Amphawa Floating Market is one of Thailand’s most famous and picturesque floating markets.
Located in Samut Songkhram province, about 80 kilometers southwest of Bangkok, it offers deep insights into Thai rural life.
While other floating markets in Bangkok are increasingly designed for tourists, the Amphawa Floating Market is also very popular with locals and, accordingly, particularly authentic.
The market occurs along the Amphawa riverbanks and is particularly busy in the afternoon when the sun is less intense.
Merchants sell their wares on small boats along the waterways, offering everything from fresh food to handmade products and souvenirs.
Here, too, a boat trip on a traditional longtail boat is a great experience.
Via the klongs you can also reach the nearby Wat Bang Kung temple, which is grown into a banyan tree, or the floating temple Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram.
Shop and eat at the Amphawa Floating Market
The Amphawa Floating Market is especially known for its many cookshops and stalls offering fresh seafood and other regional dishes.
Here, you can try grilled fish, shrimp, mussels, and much more. So, it’s a great opportunity to experience the diversity of Thai cuisine.
How do I get to the Amphawa Floating Market?
There are several ways to get to the Amphawa Floating Market:
- Organized Tour: The easiest and most comfortable way is an organized tour from Bangkok. Tours usually include travel in an air-conditioned bus, a guide, and sometimes a boat ride in the market.
- Public transport: The floating market in Bangkok does not have a bus stop and can only be reached by public transport with several changes and additional cab rides.
- Private driver: It is also convenient to have your own driver who will pick you up from your hotel in Bangkok and take you directly to the market.
- Cab: Alternatively, you can just take a cab from Bangkok to Amphawa Floating Market. But make sure that the driver turns on the taximeter or agrees on a fixed price.
Other lesser-known floating markets in Bangkok and surrounding
Of course, there are several more floating markets in Bangkok and the surrounding area – it also feels like there are more every year. Also exciting are:
- Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market: The floating market is less touristy than the abovementioned ones. It is located about 20 kilometers west of the city center and offers great merchandise, delicious food, and boat rides along the klongs.
- Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market: The floating market in Bangkok is a hidden gem. It is located near the Bang Krachao district, often referred to as the “green lungs” of Bangkok. Visitors can buy fresh produce, local crafts, and delicious food directly from the merchants’ boats.
- Tha Kha Floating Market: A quaint and lesser-known floating market near Bangkok. Located in the Amphawa district, it offers fresh food, local produce, and handmade goods from the boats of friendly vendors.
Floating Market Bangkok Tour: Explore the markets in comfort
For visitors who want to experience authentic Bangkok, the floating markets are a must-see experience.
You can experience the waterways in a particularly relaxed and comfortable way as part of a Floating Market Bangkok tour.
Meanwhile, there are many different providers where you can book different packages for every taste and budget.
The Classic Bangkok Floating Market Tour
The tours are usually offered for Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Amphawa Floating Market.
We can recommend these classic floating market tours in Bangkok:
From Bangkok: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Tour
This Bangkok Floating Market Tour takes you to Damnoen Saduak floating market early in the morning.
On the way, you will visit a traditional Thai house before taking a boat through the narrow canals to the market.
There, you will have enough time to soak up the atmosphere and try Thai dishes like Pad Thai, Mango Sticky Rice, boat noodles, or coconut ice cream sold along the canal.
Bangkok: Private transfer to Amphawa Floating Market
This private Bangkok Floating Market tour conveniently begins with a pickup at your hotel.
We go to the floating market Amphawa – optionally with a stop at the temple Wat Bang Kung.
You can explore the market individually and at your own pace before your driver takes you back to your accommodation at the end of the tour.
Floating Market Tour Bangkok in combination with Train Market
The tours to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Amphawa Floating Market are often offered in combination with the “train market” Mae Klong Railway Market.
We can recommend these combined tours:
From Bangkok: Maeklong Railway & Amphawa Floating Market Day Trip
This Floating Market Bangkok tour has several highlights in store for you. First, you’ll explore the Maeklong Railway Market, located right next to the tracks.
Watch here as vendors routinely close and reopen their awnings as the trains pass.
Continue to Wat Bang Kung and then to the floating market Amphawa.
The last item of the program is a relaxing riverboat trip, where you can observe lots of fireflies.
From Bangkok: Damnoen Saduak Market & Mae Klong Train Market
You can book this Bangkok Floating Market Tour either as a private tour or as a tour in a group.
Here you will be picked up comfortably and then taken to Mae Klong Railway Market.
The next stop is the floating market of Damnoen Saduak. Here, you will take a boat ride and have enough time to explore the colorful market.
Frequently asked questions about floating markets in Bangkok
Finally, we answer some frequently asked questions about floating markets in Bangkok.
What exactly are floating markets in Bangkok?
Floating markets in Bangkok are traditional markets where merchants sell their goods directly from boats. They are characteristic of the waterways and klongs (canals) in and around Bangkok.
What are the most famous floating markets in Bangkok?
Bangkok’s most famous floating markets are Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Amphawa Floating Market, Taling Chan Floating Market, and Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market.
What can you buy at the floating markets in Bangkok?
Visitors can buy fresh food, local products, handmade goods, souvenirs, and traditional Thai dishes.
Are floating markets in Bangkok only for tourists?
No. While some floating markets in Bangkok are very touristy, such as Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Amphawa Floating Market. Others, however, are visited primarily by locals.
Which floating markets in Bangkok are the most authentic?
Markets like Taling Chan Floating Market or Tha Kha Floating Market are a bit more authentic and less touristy.
Which floating market is best for tourists?
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Amphawa Floating Market are popular with tourists and offer a great atmosphere.
Which floating market around Bangkok is the best?
It depends on your preferences. Are you looking for a lively atmosphere, souvenirs, and Thai food, which is especially popular among visitors? Then, floating markets in Bangkok like the Damnoen Saduak and the Amphawa are ideal. If you want to mingle with the locals, we recommend Taling Chan or Tha Kha Floating Market.
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Franzi is a long-term travel blogger, online editor, and content creator specializing in Tourism in Bangkok and Thailand.
