How to get to the floating market near Bangkok with tips on free shuttle bus 

The best way to fully immerse yourself in the richness of culture and color of Thailand is to get close and personal to the locals by visiting one of the popular floating markets in and around Bangkok. These humble shops on boats and along the canals support the lives of thousands of people and offer visitors a kaleidoscope experience of Thai culture, and authentic Thai food.

Admittedly these floating markets can be quite a distance from central Bangkok, but with the tips in this blog, you will learn how to get to the floating market in Bangkok on free shuttle buses (for some markets) and how to get to Damnoen Saduak floating market and others.

The 4 markets offering Bangkok free shuttle bus

Earlier in 2023, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration launched the Bangkok free shuttle bus service to 4 floating markets as part of their initiative to promote tourism to the floating markets. The bus goes around in a circular route and takes you to 4 floating markets in Bangkok city, available on the weekend and holidays.

These 4 markets are closer to downtown Bangkok and are not as busy as their counterparts, the Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa floating market.

1. Song Khlong Floating Market
2. Taling Chan Floating market
3. Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market
4. Wat Saphan Floating Market

How to take the bus

The bus takes you on a circular route between the 4 floating markets and the MRT Bang Khun Non.

How do you take the bus? Easy, if you live by the MRT, you’re in luck cause you can just take the MRT to Bang Khun Non station. If you don’t live by the MRT, consider taking multiple modes of transportation like motorbike taxis or BTS. 

After arriving at the MRT Bang Khun Non station, head over to exit 3 and to street level. There you will find the BMA plate displaying the bus route.

 

Tracking bus on application

If you want to see when your next bus is coming, or if the BMA Feeder bus is available on your day of visiting, we recommend downloading the Viabus app to track buses in Bangkok. After getting the app, click the dropdown button on the top and choose BMA feeder.

 

Song Khlong floating market

Our first stop is the Song Khlong floating market. This floating market is nestled between the Chak Phra and Taling Chan temple. Serving as the community’s source of fresh produce, the Song Khlong floating market offers a less touristy version of Thailand with authentic Thai snacks and gifts. At 8 in the morning, visitors can witness the locals giving alms to monks visiting the waterfront by boat, which is a truly tranquil experience.

• Distance: 30 minutes from downtown
• Opening time: Weekend 08:00 - 15:00
• How to get there: Taking the MRT to Bang Khun Non Station and continue by BMA Feeder or taking a taxi.
  

 

Taling Chan floating market

Next, only a 7 minutes walk from Song Khlong floating market, the Taling Chan floating market offer a more lively atmosphere with tantalizing fragrance of food being grilled, and cooked on small longtail boats, locals purchasing and bargaining on their fresh produce, the Taling Chan will give you a sense of commerce, community and tradition fused together.

What’s even more special about the floating market is that it is known to have many and good massage parlors proving that you can really get a massage anywhere in Thailand!

• Distance: 30 minutes from downtown
• Opening time: Weekend 08:30 - 16:00
• How to get there: Taking the MRT to Bang Khun Non Station and continue by BMA Feeder or taking a taxi.

 

Khlong Lat Mayom floating market

Third on the list is the Khlong Lat Mayom floating market, considered popular after the Damnoen Saduak and Amphawa floating market. Upon visiting, you will notice many vendors operating from their boats making it a kitchen on the water as they whisk their spatula against the woks and serve the customers on the waterfront. Some of the best things to eat are Khanom Jeen or hoi Thod. Sit back at one of the tables or take a boat tour from Taling Chan floating market to take in the vibrancy of the local Thai culture.

• Distance: 30 minutes from downtown
• Opening time: Weekend 08:00 - 17:00
• How to get there: Taking the MRT to Bang Khun Non Station and continue by BMA Feeder or taking a taxi.

 

Wat Saphan floating market

Lastly, we have the Wat Saphan floating market as a smaller and less crowded floating market on the line. If you are looking to see a truly authentic floating market of Thailand, you can visit the Wat Saphan floating market.

It is definitely not as impressive as the other markets since there are fewer boats-stalls. We recommend visiting the Taling Chan floating market, Khlong Lat Mayom floating market, as well as the Wat Saphan floating market on your full day excursion.

• Distance: 30 minutes from downtown
• Opening time: Weekend 08:00 - 15:30
• How to get there: Taking the MRT to Bang Khun Non Station and continue by BMA Feeder or taking a taxi.

It is important to know that since the electric buses to the market are free and of small size, there will be many locals trying to get a ride as well. With bus schedules sometimes being unreliable and people scrambling to get on, don’t plan your day solely depending on the free BMA buses cause they could easily spoil your experience.

However, if a little distance does not scare you, here’s a list of the other popular and famous floating markets near Bangkok that are more lively and colorful.

 

Other floating markets in Bangkok worth a visit

 

Damnoen Saduek floating market

First and foremost, we have the Damnern Saduak floating market being the most popular floating market in Thailand famous for the many bustling floating market you see online. The market is laced with busy stalls selling foods and souvenirs to take home. There are plenty of longtail boats selling colorful fruits and vegetables guaranteed to give you amazing photographs. 

Upon arriving at the market, we highly recommend renting a private long-tail boat at Damnoen Saduak floating market to take you slowly along the canal to experience the aromatic and energetic market.

• Distance: 1h 35 minutes from Bangkok
• Opening time: Daily 08:00 - 16:00
• How to get there: Take a bus from the Southern Bus Terminal on bus number 78 or book a joined or private tour from Bangkok. (see below)

 

 

Due to the market’s distance, the best option to reach it is by joining a tour that will take you from downtown Bangkok to the market and onto a longtail boat. Below is a list of tours to Damnoen Saduak floating market that will save you a lot of navigation:

1. Joined tour to Maekhlong train market + Damnoen Saduak floating market from Bangkok

• Price 950 baht

2. Private tour to Maekhlong train market + Damnern Saduak floating market + Ayutthaya from Bangkok

• Price 5,100 baht (1-3 pax)

3. Private tour to Damnern Saduak floating market & Kanchanaburi from Bangkok

• Price 4,100 baht (minimum 2 pax)

 

Amphawa floating market

The Amphawa floating market has got to be the most beautiful floating market in Bangkok. This one's-small community sits along the Mae Khlong River and houses gorgeous cafes, and waterfront eateries.

Local visiors often come to Amphawa floating market for the sights and the seafood. Unlike most other floating markets, the Amphawa floating market is open until late and completely transforms as the sun sets, with dazzling decoration lights and colors.

• Distance: 1 hour 30 minutes from Bangkok.
• Opening time: Friday - Sunday (10:00- 21:30) 
• How to get there: First head to the Southern Bus Terminal and from there you can get a minivan to Amphawa floating market in costing about 70 baht.

 

Another market along the Maekhlong river that deserves a visit is the Talad Rom Hoop or train market where you can watch vendors put up shop on the train track and hurriedly take it down as the train comes, which can be very exciting. 

If interested, check out the private tour for Talad Rom Hoop + Amphawa + Tha Kha floating market from Bangkok. 

 

Tha Kha floating market

Tha Kha, with its serene ambiance and traditional charm, offers a glimpse into the Thailand of yesteryears. Vendors, mainly local farmers, and fishermen, ply their trade on wooden boats, providing an authentic and peaceful market experience.

Compared to the other top floating markets near Bangkok, the Tha Kha floating market gives visitors a more raw, rural and just overall a more honest feel.

• Distance: 1 hour 25 minutes from Bangkok
• Opening time: Weekend (06:00 - 14:00)
• How to get there: The best way to reach Tha Kha is by taking a Tuk Tuk or taxi, there are songthaews going by but are difficult to navigate because it is all written in Thai

We recommend booking a tour that takes you to multiple floating markets in one day.

See the private tour to Amphawa + Tha Kha + Talad Rom Hoop train market from Bangkok

 

 

Bang Nam Pheung

The next floating market is called Bang Nam Pheung floating market locating in Bang Krachao considered the most luscious green location in Bangkok.

Here you will find the local people who are majorly Thai-Mon descants. This intimate market might not offer the shops on longtail boats like other markets, but it promises delicious local food and desserts that deserve a visit.

• Distance: 1 hours 15 minutes from Bangkok
• Opening time: Weekend (07:30 - 16:00)
• How to get there: By public transport, you can take a bus number 138 from Chatuchak market to Phra Pradaeng (make sure to check with driver before hopping on). After arriving at Phra Pradaeng, you will be asked to take another bus to Phra Pradaeng pier continued by a songthaew to Bang Nam Pheung floating market.

 

 

Pattaya floating market

Further away from Bangkok, if you are ever in Pattaya, make sure you give this floating market a visit. The Pattaya floating market is a cultural center made to mimic that of a floating market.

This is perfect for those wanting to see a replication of a riverside community with beautiful wooden shop houses offering scrumptious foods, desserts, and various souvenirs.

• Distance: 2 hours from Bangkok
• Opening time: Weekend (09:00 - 18:00)
• How to get there: To get to the Pattaya floating market, we advise you to first get to Pattaya, then continue to the floating market by taxi

Get a discounted ticket to the Pattaya floating market, if you are in Pattaya and looking to visit this culture rich floating market.