Know Before You Go: Visiting Bangkok’s Floating Markets

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is undoubtedly the best known in Thailand—and it’s also one of the country's largest. It’s colorful and chaotic and draws the largest crowds looking to sample fresh fruit and sweets—you’ll find hundreds of tours of this floating market, typically including a boat ride around the vendors. Another popular option is the Amphawa Floating Market, a smaller and arguably more authentic alternative to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. It’s most famous for its seafood, which you can buy freshly grilled from one of the boats.

Insider tip: While some of Amphawa Floating Market is water-based, much of the market is on the ground. Be sure to explore the canals and the surrounding streets, as you’ll often find the best deals from stalls there.

While Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is Bangkok’s most famous floating market, it’s definitely not the closest—in fact, it’s more than 60 miles (100 kilometers) from the capital. Closer options include Taling Chan Floating Market, which is only 7 miles (12 kilometers) away, and Bang Nam Pheung Floating Market, which is tiny but only 12 miles (20 kilometers) away. At 46 miles (75 kilometers away), Ayothaya Floating Market is closer to Bangkok and often combined with the UNESCO-listed Ayuttaya on day trips.

If you’re looking for a less crowded and more authentic experience than [Damnoen Saduak Floating Market]https://www.viator.com/Bangkok-attractions/Damnoen-Saduak-Floating-Market/overview/d343-a2604#overview) and Amphawa Floating Market, opt for Taling Chan Floating Market. While much smaller than the bigger names, it offers a selection of boats selling local produce and stays open much later, well into the afternoon. Another off-the-beaten-path option is Khlong Mat Mayom, where you’ll likely be the only non-Thai person. Some tours combine these two hidden gems.

Undoubtedly, the best time to visit a Bangkok floating market is in the morning. This is when you’ll find the most vendors and boats selling their wares; the markets tend to close in the afternoon. Be aware that it’ll be more crowded the earlier you go, so keep a close eye on your belongings. Most markets, including Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, are open from 6am until midday. Plus, the earlier you go, the cooler the temperatures will be.

Tours of Damnoen Saduak Floating Market typically include convenient round-trip transport from Bangkok and a cruise around the surrounding canals in a traditional Thai longtail boat. They help you navigate the bustle of the market on both foot and from the water. Most Damnoen Saduak Floating Market tours also visit the famous Maeklong Railway Market, where stalls line the sides of the railway. The vendors must pack up their stalls and take cover as soon as a passenger train starts to travel through (which they do regularly).

Bangkok floating markets are packed full of souvenirs. You can take your pick from keepsakes such as keyrings, t-shirts, and hats; handcrafted Buddha statues and woodwork; paintings of famous Bangkok sites such as the Grand Palace; plus a fragrant array of classic Thai food. Most vendors only accept cash, so make sure you have plenty of Thai baht in smaller notes.

Insider tip: Bartering and haggling are expected parts of your experience at a Bangkok floating market. Vendors will often give an inflated price as the first offer, so be sure to counter with a reasonable price that doesn’t offend the craftmanship and occupation of the seller.

Bangkok floating markets are an ideal place to sample Thai street food, which spans a delicious spectrum of sweet to savory. You’ll find plenty of seafood in the form of juicy king prawn pad thais and even crispy oyster omelets, plus more traditional picks such as som tam (spicy dried shrimp and papaya salad), banana fritters, and mango sticky rice. You can also expect plenty of fresh juices and iced whole coconuts, perfect for cooling down in the heat.

Insider tip: Even if you like it hot in your home country, Thai food will likely be spicy, even for veterans of the Scoville scale. While your stomach and palate are getting used to the heat, it’s wise not to ask for anything “extra spicy.”

What should I wear to a Bangkok floating market? Bangkok will likely be hot no matter what time of year you visit. Wear cool summer clothing but take layers to put on during the journey there, as air-conditioning is often strong. You’ll likely be climbing in and out of boats, so shorts and trainers are a good option.

Is it free to enter a Bangkok floating market? Most floating markets surrounding Bangkok are free to enter—but you must pay to take a boat ride around the stalls and on the canals. If you’re just looking to explore on foot, they’ll be free.

Are Bangkok floating markets accessible? Unfortunately, Bangkok floating markets are challenging to explore if you’re of limited mobility. There are generally lots of steps and uneven surfaces, and the longtail boats are difficult to access if you’re in a wheelchair.

What days of the week are Bangkok floating markets open? Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is open Monday through Friday, from morning until afternoon. However, this isn’t the case for the other Bangkok floating markets—even larger ones, such as Amphawa Floating Market, are only open from Friday through Sunday, so be sure to time your Thailand vacation over the weekend if you’d like to visit one.