Bangkok: Maeklong Railway Market & Floating Market Boat Tour

4.8 (11,979 verified reviews)

Overhead view of tourist boats under rainbow umbrellas crowding the canal at Damnoen Saduak

Red and yellow SRT train edging past stalls and photographers at Maeklong Railway Market

Visitors filming the train as it approaches between clothing stalls on the Maeklong tracks

Guide in a purple shirt waving as the train comes down the tracks past crowds

Vendors in straw hats selling fruit and cooked dishes from boats to visitors in a canal

About This Experience

Monkey Travel's tour is the low-price way to do both markets with a train ride and a motorboat. From $12 per person on the shared tour from Khao San, it holds 4.8 from 11,738 reviews.

After about 1.5 hours on the road, you board a long-tail motorboat for around 40 minutes through village canals into Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, then explore the canal-side lanes on foot. A 20-minute drive takes you to a station for a train ride of about 30 minutes into Maeklong, where you walk the market and watch the train pass inches from the stalls. The order can switch to fit the train times, and the drive back takes about 1.5 hours.

Pick the departure carefully. The 7:00am tour skips the train ride, so on that one you only watch the train at Maeklong, and it may finish at Swensen's Banglamphu or the Grand Palace. The guide speaks English, and an audio guide in 41 languages plays through a QR code on your own phone with your own earphones.

Shared groups go up to 42 people, and the most common complaints are big groups, tight minivan seats, a hot, crowded train and short free time at each market. Both markets are touristy. It suits budget travelers who want the train and the boat in one day. Damnoen Saduak and Maeklong were flood-affected in October 2026, so check current conditions with the operator before you go.

Highlights

A 40-minute long-tail motorboat ride through village canals into Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Time on foot along the floating market's canal-side lanes after the boat ride
A roughly 30-minute train ride into Maeklong on most departures (not the 7:00am one)
Watching the train pass just inches from the stalls at Maeklong Railway Market
About 1.5 hours by coach each way from Bangkok
Live guide in English, with an optional audio guide in 41 languages

What's Included

✓ Round-trip air-conditioned transport from Bangkok
✓ Long-tail motorboat ride through Damnoen Saduak and the surrounding canals
✓ Train ride through Maeklong Railway Market and the countryside (not on the 7:00am departure)
✓ Licensed English-speaking guide
✓ Audio guide in 41 languages
✓ One-way hotel transfer, if selected, and mandatory insurance

Not Included

Food and drinks
Earphones for the audio guide
A separate boat for guests over 100 kg or taller than 185 cm (250 baht)
Personal expenses

What to Bring

Passport or ID card
Cash in Thai baht for snacks and souvenirs
Your own headphones for the audio guide
Sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat
Insect repellent
Comfortable shoes and light clothes

Good to Know & Caveats

The $12 price is for the shared tour from the Khao San meeting point; check the meeting point for the option you book.
The 7:00am departure does not include the train ride, and it may end at Swensen's Banglamphu or the Grand Palace.
Shared groups go up to 42 people, and several guests mention a big group, cramped minivan seats and little free time at each market. Small and private options are available.
The order of Damnoen Saduak and Maeklong can switch to fit the train times.
Arrive at least 15 minutes early; late arrivals cannot join, be refunded or be rescheduled. The operator advises against booking on a day you have a flight.
Damnoen Saduak 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 mobility impairments

Meeting Point

The shared tour meets at a Khao San meeting point; hotel transfer and other meeting points depend on the option you book.

What Travelers Say

Rated 4.8/5 by 11,979 verified GetYourGuide travelers.

great day ,Sam our guide was brilliant making sure everyone was looked after.giving many tips and pointers to make the day as good as possible.
— , 2026-10

The tour was incredible; the guide was super friendly and attentive, accompanying us the entire way and providing all the necessary explanations. The time spent at each stop was just right, the food was very good—everything was excellent.
— , 2026-10

The guide was super interesting and informative, very friendly and professional woman. She gave so much great facts about everything and also was very helpful and inthusiastic. Thank you so much !!!
— , 2026-10

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every departure include the Maeklong train ride?

No. The 7:00am departure does not include the train ride through the countryside and Maeklong market. On that one you watch the train pass from beside the tracks. The other departures include a train ride of about 30 minutes, so check the time before you book if riding the train matters to you.

What boat do you use at Damnoen Saduak?

A long-tail motorboat, included in the price, for about 40 minutes through the village canals into the floating market. Guests over 100 kg or taller than 185 cm cannot ride in the standard boat, and a separate boat costs an extra 250 baht. After the ride you explore the market on foot.

How big are the groups?

The shared group tour takes up to 42 people, split across vehicles. Several guests mention waiting for latecomers and having little free time at each market because of group size. Small-group and private options are also listed if you prefer a quieter day; check their price and pickup before booking.

Where does the tour start and end?

The $12 shared tour starts from a Khao San meeting point, and other options include a one-way hotel transfer. The 7:00am departure may end at Swensen's Banglamphu or the Grand Palace. Arrive at least 15 minutes early, since late arrivals cannot join or be refunded.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so bring cash in baht for snacks at both markets. Maeklong has fruit, seafood and Thai snacks along the tracks, and Damnoen Saduak sells snacks from boats and canal-side stalls. Prices at Damnoen are set for visitors.

Can I cancel or will floods affect the tour?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start. Damnoen Saduak and Maeklong were flood-affected in October 2026, so check current conditions with the operator before you travel. The order of the two markets can also change to fit the train times.