This fun private day trip from Bangkok takes you southwest of the city to the highlights of Samut Songkhram and Ratchaburi province. After approximately 1½ hours driving from Bangkok we arrive at the unusual Maeklong railway market, a market situated on railway track (known as "Talad Romhoop" or "market with closed umbrellas" among the locals). Watch merchants quickly fold their stall covers and move their products away from the tracks when the train is arriving. Then, see them skillfully roll tables and baskets back into position in seconds to resume their business after the train leaves.
We then visit the popular Damnoen Saduak floating market in Ratchaburi province. This very old floating market is where villagers came to buy and sell their farm produce. It is open daily and in present days it is mainly visited by tourists, many of the boats are used to sell souvenirs. The market came about after a manmade canal was dug in the reign of King Rama IV to facilitate transportation by boats in the area. This canal was later named Damnoen Saduak, meaning "convenient travel". Highlight of this market is the variety of local snacks, tropical fruits, and the famous "boat noodles".
Along the way we visit a coconut sugar farm as well.
When possible we also visit Tha Kha floating market, one of the hidden gems around Bangkok. It is highly recommended to plan your tour for the weekend as then this market is open. An authentic floating market that has served the local community for 30 years. Originally, the market was where fishermen and farmers came to exchange their goods.
Boat tour at one floating market is included.
This private tour from Bangkok is organised exclusively for you, no others will join. You will be in trusted hands with our professional driver and English speaking licensed tour guide.
This tour is offered without a full lunch, we do include several snacks, tropical fruits, and delicious noodle soup. If you like to enjoy a nice lunch, then please have a look at our Floating markets and Bangkok tour or Markets and Tham Khao Bin cave tour.
UK Tourist –
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of the Mae Klong Railway market, Damnoen Saduak market and Tha Kha Market. This was my husband’s first time in Thailand and this tour was one of his main highlights, particularly Mae Klong and the tranquil boat ride at Damnoen Saduak. Our tour guide B was informative and friendly, walking us through all the various parts, providing delicious Thai delicacies from the market, what a treat. The Railway market was more crowded and tourist-focused than the last time I visited it which B explained was a result of the post-pandemic tourism boom. Damnoen was even better than I remembered and Tha Kha was a fun discovery though a lot more hectic. We were slightly disappointed not to visit the Coconut Farm as advertised in the package but overall still had a wonderful day.
David S –
Absolutely fabulous. Ms B and Mr A were wonderful. Answered every question and made the whole trip so enjoyable. Loved all the samples Ms B purchased for us to try. Great time!
Donna D –
We have been on this tour before, a few times, and they made the train market and floating market outstanding. Tour guide and drivers were outstanding. We had to cancel last minute on the morning of our booking, due to illness, however after talking to BKK Tours they agreed to moved it a day. This was our third time using this company and I can not say anything but good things. If you are thinking of doing a tour in Bangkok I would highly recommend this company! They are just wonderful and so so friendly.
Sara –
Great day out. Miss Air was very kind and gentle and gave us plenty of opportunities to shop if we wanted. Loved the way she interacted with the stall holders at the markets. There were plenty of opportunities to try local food and we also had a coffee stop. The van used was very comfortable and the driver was lovely.
Londonmum35 –
BKK were very professional and helpful right from the beginning. Due to our holiday dates I had wanted to visit the Damnoen Saduk floating market on a Friday, but noticed they were not offering this, only weekends. When I requested it, they explained it was because the market was not yet recovered from the pandemic closure and might be less worth it on a weekday, but they offered to hold a reservation for us and then wait and see nearer the time if it would now make a better visit. (I had contacted them a month in advance.) Ms Air, our guide, visited the market during the week just before to check, and then they advised the visit could go ahead as many more sellers were now back. I really appreciated their professionalism in this. The day itself was wonderful – an early start but worth it! After a luxury car journey, during which Ms Air told us interesting information about what we would see, we arrived first at the train market. I had specifically chosen a company that arrived by car, not train, as I wanted to watch the train arrive and leave, and had noted from reviews that Ms Air could secure a table at the cafe with a great view. In fact we were lucky enough to be at the market long enough for two trains to pass through with great views. The market was wonderful in its own right even without the train, a busy local market in which we were shown many fascinating stalls and sampled some lovely treats. And then onto the nearby floating market. We were so pleased that Ms Air felt that it seemed quite well recovered – not many tourists (which was great for us) but most sellers were back. We were gently paddled through the market in a long tail boat, enjoying the atmosphere, and felt no pressure to buy anything. We also made a stop by the coconut sweet maker, and Ms Air explained what he was doing and arranged for us to have a go too at spooning out the candy mix, which was fun. She gave us as much time as we wanted to wander through the stalls, and helped us negotiate fair prices for the things we wanted to buy. We only left once we were ready, and again on the way home she gave us great advice and suggestions for our remaining stay. Definitely one of our favourite days of the holiday!
Jeremy D –
Loved the tour and Ms Raht was an excellent guide, willing to help and answer all our questions. The best way for us to end a vacation.
John –
Our guide tour Air and our driver did an excellent job. They tailored our tour based on our preferences and their recommendations. We had a wonderful time with them in Bangkok. Thank you very much!!!
Kamran –
Another excellent tour on our itinerary. Very well organized and thought out. Ms. Onn was an outstanding guide, did a great job picking out refreshments and foods to give us a full Thai experience. She was very knowledgeable and made sure we got a good sense of some of the background behind each of the locations we visited.
Janine W –
A wonderful, fun experience! Our excellent tour guide, Nadia, made sure we got the chance to taste various fruits and front-row seats to see the train roll through the market. She even made our visit to the chaotic floating market flow easily, arranging transport and shopping and food tasting seamlessly.
SPBKK –
A morning of pure fun and amazing experiences. We loved this tour, to see the train market and the water market is like nothing we have ever seen before. Mrs Onn is super friendly, intelligent, helpful and knowledgable.
Colleen M –
I kept patting myself on my back for selecting this tour company. We just didn’t believe Damnoen Saduak could have deteriorated so badly, thank goodness we had the perspective of the Tha Kha floating market. Surprisingly, the Railway market and the food were the highlights of our tour. Air was extremely cheerful, polite, and patient. She was knowledgeable and solicitous. We have made many trips to Southeast Asia, (4 to Bangkok alone) and we have never tried the food due to fear of illness. Air encouraged us to try foods. She selected foods that would not upset our Western stomachs, and we were delighted with her choices. As we left one market, we asked what the line of people was for. They were waiting for the soup she had gotten us. She waited in that long line while we were sitting, eating another another of her food selections, then she brought us the bowls of soup. She made sure we had the best of everything. Air was friendly with many, many vendors and we received the benefit of their friendships. Air simply gave us a very happy, fun day. It could not have been better.
CP –
Ms. Nira was extremely personable, professional, and knowledgeable. Touring with her felt like a good friend taking you around town. The tour went like clock work and we never felt rushed. The floating market experience was surreal and the authentic lunch was delicious. This BKK tour is a must when visiting Bangkok!
Keri A –
This was the second time we did this tour with Air and it did not disappoint! We were picked up on time, and the journey to the markets was comfortable. Once at the markets, Air showed us around, had us try various foods and even got us a cup of tea since we hadn’t had time for one before we left! Having the delicious mango and sticky rice at the Floating Market was the highlight! Air was full of interesting information and extremely pleasant.
Marty –
Air was super friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. Very much enjoyed the walk through markets trying local delights.
Donna L –
Nadia was the best, an excellent guide. Highlight of this tour is the train coming through the Train Market.
Julie –
Day 1 of our two day tour package consisted of tours on the floating market and the Railway market. Our guide, Petch, and driver, Mr A, meet us promptly at our hotel in downtown Bangkok. The van was a brilliant set up. Better than we imagined. And, Mr A is a pro at navigating the Bangkok traffic!
Petch is very knowledgeable about Thai culture and have us excellent context along the car ride on what to expect in the floating market. We made one stop at a local farm where we got to see how coconut sugar is processed. My family loved the place…My daughter especially liked climbing the coconut tree while we shopped around. We even found a few tasty gifts to bring back to the States.
Once we arrived, it was as if Petch knew ‘everyone’ at the market which made our transition to a boat flawless. Petch masterfully balanced answering our questions on the boat and letting my family enjoy the experience. She allotted enough time after the boat to show us an opportunity to explore the market on foot. She surprised us at the end with ice cream for the kids and some traditional Thai snacks and fruit for us to enjoy at the Railway market.
Back at the van, Mr A had cold towels and water waiting for us! We were very appreciative. Petch took us straight away to a spot at the Railway market where we arrived just in time for the 11am train and had enough time to spare to wait for the 11:30am train. While waiting, Petch had prearranged a perfect spot for us to view the Train where we ate the food from the Floating Market and enjoyed cold drinks. We were able to take awesome pix and video of all the activities leading up to the Train’s arrival.
Mr A picked us up right on the spot with more cold towels and water for us! That was awesome. On the way back to the hotel, we mostly fell asleep. Petch explained to us what to expect for the next day.
Petch is so friendly and easy to talk and relate to. My family and I absolutely fell in love with her. That night, my kids (6 and 9 yrs old) continued to talk about Petch, so I know they really really liked her.
Overall Day 1 was super flawless and a great experience!!
Tera W –
The booking process was the easiest, most efficient, and most helpful that I’ve ever received! This tour was top-notch on all levels. It was a highlight to be on a boat at the Floating Market before the craziness of all the other tourists arrived. It was very special. Air was simply wonderful. She went to such lengths to teach us everything and to make us feel so welcomed and comfortable. She was the very best!
Monika –
The pick up was on time and the transport was good. The railway was a good experience. The floating market was a bit disappointing because it was a week day, not much was happening. Our guide Ms. Air was excellent. Thank you for giving us a great day.
Amanda –
Excellent service! Our guide Ms Onn was very kind and patient.
Yomama –
The BEST! Toured with Air for 4 days. Saw all the sites. Everything about BKK is excellent. Had the best time on my vacation touring with Air.