Bangkok: Maeklong Railway & Amphawa Floating Market Day Trip

4.3 (756 verified reviews)

Covered boats on the Amphawa canal at dusk between wooden shophouses lit for the evening

Shoppers stepping back to the stalls as a train rolls along the tracks at Maeklong

Amphawa canal at night with lights reflecting under stilted wooden houses

Long-tail boat heading down a canal lined with wooden houses at sunset

Golden Buddha shrine inside the root-covered walls of the old hall at Wat Bang Kung

About This Experience

TripGuru's afternoon-into-evening trip runs only Friday to Sunday, the days Amphawa Floating Market opens. It pairs the canal-side food market with Maeklong Railway Market, Wat Bang Kung and a firefly boat at dusk. Groups are limited to 9, and it holds 4.3 from 749 reviews, from $44 per person.

After about 1.5 hours in the van, you spend around 1.5 hours at Maeklong Railway Market and watch the train pass through the stalls; there is no train ride. Next is Wat Bang Kung, where the old temple hall is wrapped in banyan roots, for about an hour. Then come two hours at Amphawa, where you eat your way along the canal: the food is on the banks, with only a few vendors cooking from boats.

As it gets dark you board a boat on the Maeklong River for about 1.5 hours to look for fireflies, then ride about 80 minutes back to Bangkok. Fireflies are best in the rainy months and never guaranteed, and some guests waited a long while for dark only to see a few. Bring insect repellent and something to cover shoulders and knees for the temple.

It suits travelers who prefer a food market and an evening on the water over the morning boat market at Damnoen Saduak. The most common complaints are expecting a floating market full of boats, pickup-zone changes and limited English from some guides. Amphawa and Maeklong were flood-affected in October 2026, so check current conditions with the operator before you go.

Highlights

About 1.5 hours at Maeklong Railway Market to watch the train pass through the stalls
An hour at Wat Bang Kung, a temple hall wrapped in banyan roots
Two hours at Amphawa Floating Market, a canal-side food market open Friday to Sunday
A firefly boat trip at dusk on the Maeklong River, about 1.5 hours
Small group limited to 9 participants
Guide in English, Thai or Spanish

What's Included

✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off
✓ Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
✓ Tour guide
✓ Firefly boat tour
✓ A glass bottle of drinking water
✓ Insurance

Not Included

Meals and other drinks
Food bought at Amphawa and Maeklong
Personal expenses

What to Bring

Cash in Thai baht for Amphawa's food stalls
Insect repellent for the evening boat
A sarong, scarf or light layer to cover shoulders, back and knees at the temple
Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
Comfortable shoes

Good to Know & Caveats

Runs Friday to Sunday only, matching Amphawa's market days.
Hotel pickup is included, but several guests found their hotel outside the pickup zone or had the meeting point changed. The fallback meeting point is the MBK Center G floor entrance next to The Beef Master, and the pickup time is confirmed by email the evening before.
Amphawa is a canal-side market with only a few vendor boats, and many guests expected a boat market like Damnoen Saduak.
Fireflies are best in the rainy months and never guaranteed; some guests waited a long time for dark and saw few.
Several guests found the guide's English limited.
Amphawa and Maeklong were hit by floods in October 2026. Check current conditions with the operator before you travel.
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Not Suitable For

People with back problems
People with heart problems
Wheelchair users

Meeting Point

Hotel pickup within the operator's zone, or meet the guide holding a TripGuru sign at the MBK Center G floor entrance next to The Beef Master restaurant.

What Travelers Say

Rated 4.3/5 by 756 verified GetYourGuide travelers.

Amazing! Pop the guide was really responsive and nice. We ate at a great place and cheap one and overall the experience is amazing❤️❤️
— , 2026-09

It was an amazing experience, the whole day was very well planned and we had the most amazing time with Jacky and Johny! Both have been amazing - Jacky as a tour guide and Johny as our driver - both are very friendly and told us a lot about local culture. Also, they have been very helpful with ever we needed to throughout the whole day. I would definitely recommend this to everyone visiting Thailand.
— , 2026-08

Great trip with super guide Markus and nice van + driver. Recommended! Thank you Markus!
— , 2026-07

Frequently Asked Questions

Which days does this tour run?

Friday, Saturday and Sunday only, since Amphawa Floating Market trades from afternoon into evening on those days. If you are in Bangkok midweek, a Damnoen Saduak morning tour runs daily. The meeting point option can sometimes be booked on the same day, subject to availability.

Is Amphawa a real floating market?

It is a canal-side market. Most stalls and restaurants line the banks, and only a few vendors cook from boats, such as grilled seafood. Many guests expected boats full of vendors and were disappointed. If that is what you want, Damnoen Saduak in the morning fits better.

Will we see fireflies?

Maybe. The firefly boat runs about 1.5 hours on the Maeklong River at dusk and is included. Fireflies are best in the rainy months and on dark nights, and they are never guaranteed. Some guests saw plenty, others waited for dark and saw only a few. Bring insect repellent.

Do you ride the Maeklong train?

No. You spend about 1.5 hours at Maeklong Railway Market and watch the train pass through the stalls as vendors pull back their awnings. A train ride is not included. One guest noted that the tour left just as a later train was due, so ask your guide which train you will see.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are listed as included, but several guests found their hotel was outside the pickup area or had the meeting point changed. The fallback is the MBK Center G floor entrance next to The Beef Master. The operator emails your pickup time the evening before, so read it carefully.

What is the dress code at Wat Bang Kung?

Some sites on this tour do not allow clothes that show shoulders, underarms, back or knees, and the rule may be strictly applied. Wear clothes that cover up, or bring a sarong, scarf or light sweater. You spend about an hour at the temple, where the old hall is enveloped in banyan roots.