Bangkok's Floating Markets Guide | Best Markets & Travel Tips

Bangkok’s Best Floating Markets

A Complete Guide to Exploring Bangkok’s Waterway Markets

By Travel Guide Spot 🌏

Published: 2025-03-15 | Last Update: 2025-03-30

Bangkok’s 4 Floating Markets route

There is a free electric shuttle bus, servicing the “4 Floating Market Shuttle Bus” route. This is a convenient way to explore multiple floating markets in the greater Bangkok area on weekends.

Starting Point: Bang Khun Non MRT Station (Exit 3).
Frequency: Every 20-30 min.
Operating Hours: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (Weekends Only)
You can track the bus in real-time using the Viabus app by searching: “4 Floating Market Shuttle Bus” route.

The key stops along the route include:

Song Khlong Floating Market - A small, charming local market offering fantastic traditional Thai food, desserts, as well as some handicrafts.
Taling Chan Floating Market - Being one of the most popular floating markets in Bangkok, it is famous for its fresh seafood local delicacies. There are live music performances as well.
Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market - This is a less touristy market boasting a more authentic local atmosphere. It is ideal for boat noodle soup and traditional Thai snacks.
Wat Saphan Floating Market - Located near the Wat Saphan temple, and is a hidden gem, offering a fantastic variety of traditional Thai street food.
Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market - an additional stop along the route and the city’s largest flower market. It is vibrant with colorful blooms overflowing into the walkways, especially in the early mornings or late at night.

Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market

The Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market is the biggest flower market in Thailand. This fragrant marketplace overflows with orchids, roses, jasmine, and more. Now housed in a massive indoor space, it remains a feast for the senses. Admire intricate floral arrangements and traditional garlands used for worship and decoration. It’s open 24/7 and a great area to see a more local side of Bangkok. The market is incredibly busy and can feel a bit wild at first, but that just adds to the fun of it. Wander through the seemingly endless rows of roses, orchids, and marigolds for a sensory treat. There is also a guided tour that takes you through the flower market and stops at Little India.

Khlong Lat Mayom River Market

Most tourists skip Khlong Lat Mayom. But: it’s closer to downtown than the more famous ones like Amphawa and Damnoen Saduak. It’s not over-crowded with boats, It’s more authentic and you won’t find tons of tourists there. If you want to do something different, Khlong Lat Mayom is a good pick. It’s in the Taling Chan District, but don’t mix it up with Taling Chan Floating Market.

Public Transport:

There’s a free shuttle bus that makes it quite easy to get to Khlong Lat Mayom by train. It leaves from Bang Khun Non MRT Station (Blue Line).
If you’re not on the Blue Line, you might need to switch lines or hop on the BTS Skytrain for part of the trip.

Boat Trip

In our opinion - a must thing to do at Khlong Lat Mayom is take a boat tour around the canals. They run from one to two hours and shouldn’t cost more than 100B per person. Some leave on the hour, while others will leave when they’re full. Look around and see what works best. If you don’t want to wait, you pay more for a private tour, but agree on the price first!

The routes are a bit different, but you’ll see more of the floating market. The other stops might be a temple, an orchid farm, or a local homestay. Remember to ask where you’re going before you pay!

Tip

Khlong Lat Mayom is only open on weekends and holidays, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. It can get crowded, it’s usually busy from 10 am on. so go early, Or, go around lunchtime - lots of food stalls sell great local food for cheap!
The tours are a fantastic way to see a different side of Bangkok and the canal life.
Like a lot of markets in Southeast Asia, Khlong Lat Mayom is a good spot to try local food without spending much, and they cook it right there for you.
If you want to see masses of boats and floating shops, rather look at Amphawa and Damnoen Saduak floating markets. Khlong Lat Mayom is a floating market, but you might only see 5-10 floating shops.
Khlong Lat Mayom market is easy enough to tour by yourself, but a tour can give you even more insiders experience and is hassle-free!

Taling Chan Floating Market

Bangkok has numerous floating markets, and Taling Chan is one of the biggest, right in the greater city. It’s therefore much easier to get to than the popular Amphawa and Damnoen Saduak markets, which are both situated outside Bangkok. Remember that Taling Chan doesn’t have a ton of boats like Amphawa and Damnoen Saduak markets. Some vendors sell food from boats, but most of them set up shop on land. The market is popular for its lip-smacking and cheap street food. Try out local Thai dishes from different vendors, prices are fair so arrive hungry!

Tip

Weekends only from 7:30 am - 6:00 pm (Saturday & Sunday)
Go early in the morning to miss the crowds - Since Taling Chan Floating Market is a popular spot.
You can haggle at most stalls, some might have fixed prices. If someone won’t budge on the price, just walk away they might offer a deal.
Most stalls take cash only, bring small bills and the vendors might not be able to break 1,000B bills.
You can visit on your own, although tours are available for that extra insiders experience.

Wat Saphan Floating Market

Wat Saphan Floating Market - situated in in Bangkok’s Taling Chan District is one of Bangkok’s smaller floating markets, however it feels much more like a local experience than the bigger tourist spots like Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa, which are outside the city center. It’s easy to get to by public transport, and you can also check out Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market and the Taling Chan Floating Market while you’re in the area. With the smaller markets, there aren’t a ton of boats, but you can still find fantastic local food that doesn’t cost much. Some great options are grilled seafood, boat noodles, and the amazing Thai desserts.

Tip

Open from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm.
It’s not as crowded as the bigger floating markets. If you’re also visiting Khlong Lat Mayom or Taling Chan, rather go there earlier in the day before they get too crowded and then head to Wat Saphan later.
You can also get to the market by boat from Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market for a low fee, ensure you confirm the price before.
Boat rides often stop at Wat Saphan Floating Market. Just be sure to check that before you book.
Check Out Other Markets Nearby: Wat Saphan isn’t huge, so it’s a great idea to also visit Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market and Taling Chan Floating Market. They’re both bigger and have a lot going on.
Bring Cash: Most sellers only take cash, so bring enough Thai Baht. Small bills are best because some sellers might not have change for big bills.
Bargaining: You can usually bargain at the market stalls, but some sellers have set prices. Food and drink places usually don’t bargain.

Central Bangkok Floating Markets

Khlong Bang Luang Floating Market

This quaint market in Bangkok sits right in the Phasi Charoen district, on the Khlong Bang Luang canal. It gives you a taste of old-school Thai life, with art, culture, and amazing local food all in one spot. It shows off Thailand’s past and keeps Thai art alive.

Back in the 1800s, it was a busy trading spot with sellers on boats. Later, artists arrived, making it a hub for Thai art and crafts.

See paintings and sculptures in the galleries.
Watch Thai dances and listen to music.
Try painting or pottery as there are workshops.
Savour the tasty traditional Thai food, and sweets.

Markets Outside of Central Bangkok

Before the 20th century, Bangkok’s rivers and canals were how people got around, thus earning it the nickname “Venice of the East.” Even though many canals are now covered and cars have taken over, locals still make use the waterways, and floating markets like Damnoen Saduak are still going strong.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market:

Of the many floating markets in the greater Bangkok region, one of the most attractive is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Roughly 60 miles west of Bangkok, Damnoen Saduak sits on the khlong that connects the Mae Klong and Tha Chin rivers. It was once a very busy local market but now it mainly attracts tourists, and the market is usually a bit on the touristy side. Regardless, it definitely deserves a visit if you’re in Bankok. Situated roughly an hour outside of Central Bangkok, you can book a day tour to visit and explore the market.

To make the most of it, try to get there early. Lots of tourists leave Bangkok before 6:00am to catch the market as soon it opens.

One can get there by:

Public Transport: You can take Bus #78 from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai), which takes about an 1.5 hours. The bus stop is close to a boat pier, but you can also walk to the market. Be careful of river touts telling you that the only way to the market is by boat - charging exorbitant fees. Its a scam, its only a short walk.
Tour Package: Many travel companies offer tours that include transportation as well as a guided boat ride.

At the Market:

Hop on a small wooden boat (with four passengers plus the skipper) and float through the market’s narrow waterways. The main area, Ton Khem, and nearby Talaat Hia Kui have both floating and land stalls selling all sorts of items.

Fresh Produce: Herbs, spices, and tropical fruits like durian and mangosteen.
The freshly made coconut icecream and Thai-style boat noodles is a must.
Handicrafts and Souvenirs: Many items are mass-produced, so don’t hesitate to haggle for a decent price.
Clothing: Prices are generally high compared to places like Chatuchak, so consider shopping for clothes elsewhere.

Try Local street food: Vendors serve tasty meals straight from their boats. Some favorites include:

Pad Thai
Spring rolls
Fried rice
Chinese dumplings
Fresh fruits (safe to eat after peeling)
Be sure to try the mango sticky rice, boat noodles and of course, the coconut ice cream!

Prices range from 10 to 70 baht (30 cents to $2) per dish.

Check out nearby attractions such as the Coconut Sugar Farm and learn how sugar is made from coconut sap. Then head over to Wat Rat Charoen Tham: A Buddhist temple where you can watch local religious activities and meet monks.

While Damnoen Saduak is well-known, it can be quite touristy. If you want a more authentic experience, check out the Amphawa Floating Market (only on weekends afternoons and evenings):

More local vibe
Fresh produce and traditional crafts
Less commercial than Damnoen Saduak

Amphawa Floating Market Guide

Amphawa Floating Market Located about 50 kilometers outside of the city, Amphawa Floating Market is Bangkok’s second most attractive floating market. Vibrant and colourful, most people at this market are Thai locals, giving it a much more authentic experience. You can find a wide variety of traditional Thai products, such as street food and locally-made handicrafts, selections of fresh produce available include locally-grown fruits & vegetables and an array of seafood.

Amphawa Floating Market is only 15 minutes from the busy Damnoen Saduak. The market is located in the province of Samut Songkhram, and is set on the beautiful Mae Khlong River. Although is sees its fair share of local and foreign tourists, it is definitely not as crowded as the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. It is alloted with wooden houses filled with shops, restaurants, small cafes, seafood spots, and guesthouses, giving it a charming vibe.

The market is filled with mostly souvenirs at prices that will not break the bank, unlike some other tourist traps. You can also find handicrafts made by the artisans working right at the Conservation Project.
If you’re looking for a bit of peace and quiet, head east along the southern bank where it’s less crowded.
Don’t miss the Amphawa-Chaipattana Nurak Conservation Project, which you can reach through Chanchala Coffee; it has green spaces and cultural activities.
You can learn all about it at the coconut plantation at the Conservation Project.

Food at Amphawa

Some must-try dishes include tom yum goong, garlic scallops, shrimp and corn somtum, salt-grilled fish, crab fried rice, and grilled chicken. You’ll also find mee grob all over the market, with some tasty flavors at the Conservation Project. The khanom mo gaeng and khanom tako are delicious custards that are served in ceramic dishes, while khanom leum kleung is a rare dessert that looks like little buttons in purple and white. Don’t miss out the Portuguese custard tarts - a pleasant bite that has been embraced from the Portuguese influence. Other snacks you can try include the fish cakes, quail eggs, hor mok, shumai, corn on the cob, and some fantastic icecream. Coconut sugar is a local treat sold in soft and hard forms.

As far as accommodation options go: staying at a guesthouse by the canal can offers a nice escape. Some of the good options are:

Thanicha Resort Amphawa
Baan Pitumata Amphawa

(Ensure you book ahead since it’s a popular spot on weekends)

Tour options

Day trips from Bangkok let you leave the pulsating life behind for a more quaint and serene experience. Some tours include Amphawa. Remember to pick one that has good reviews. For a combination day trip and for a full floating market experience, you can visit Damnoen Saduak in the morning and head to Amphawa in the afternoon. During the peak season in Bangkok from November to February, the weather is mild, dry and perfect for exploring, but remember that the crowds can be overwhelming to some.

Maeklong Railway Market

The Maeklong Railway Market, near Bangkok in Samut Songkhram, offers a true spectacle of a shopping experience. Built in 1905, the market is smack-dab on a working railway. Here the vendors set up right on the train tracks, no barriers at all, so one can say that this market is pretty unique. It’s an exhilarating rush when the train comes through, and before it does, you’ll see the vendors quickly folding up their stalls and umbrellas to make way for the train’s passage. That’s why they call it the umbrella pulldown market. The train chugs through at up to 30 km/h, so close you can reach your arm out and touch it, but that’s not recommended!

You can find mouth-watering seafood there (one of the biggest seafood markets in Thailand), sweets, meat, fruit, and veggies - a real market. They have a few clothes stalls, but it’s mostly about the real local food.

To get there from Bangkok, take the BTS Skytrain to Victory Monument and get a Grab/Bolt, minibus or a tour. It’s a little over an hour ride.
Make sure to arrive at least 15 minutes early if you want to catch the action.
The train schedule can be unpredictable, however, the scheduled times are: Daily at 8:30 am, 11:10 am, 2:30 pm, and 5:40 pm, and heads out at 6:20 am, 9:00 am, 11:30 am, and 3:30 pm.