Private Tour: Floating Markets of Damnoen Saduak Cruise Day Trip from Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand

Take a private tour to get a glimpse of everyday life on the water in Thailand. Cruise along the Bangkok canals in a narrow, long-tailed motorized boat towards the Damnoen Saduak floating market, where you will see local vendors in their Thai style canoes, laden with colorful fruits, and vegetables, gently plying their way through the canals looking to sell their goods.

Bangkok, Thailand's vibrant capital is one of the world's most exotic and colorful cities, is a unique blend of the traditional and ultra-modern. As fun as the city is, it is always a great idea to head towards the country side to experience the rural Thai culture as life can be remarkably different, and interesting. A trip to the Damnoen Saduak floating markets is a must-do activity for those wanting to catch a glimpse of everyday life in Thailand.

On this privately guided day trip from Bangkok to the Damnoen Saduak floating markets, situated 64 miles (104 kilometers) southwest of Bangkok, you will take an exhilarating ride through the marshes and stilt houses of Bangkok on a narrow, long-tailed speedboat towards the markets. Once you reach the markets your local Thai guide will ensure all your questions are answered and even assist those who may wish to take a ride on a local boat (optional extra, payable direct) through the maze of Thai style canoes laden with colorful fruits, vegetables, sweets and meats.

This is a very popular day-trip for many tourists to Thailand and subsequently many of the products for sale by the local vendors at the Damnoen Saduak floating markets today may not seem so authentically Thai.

USD $68.90

Review by: Jan A	January 2012
The long boat ride was fun and shopping was great!

Review by: Alessandro G	January 2012
Nice tour, the guide was nice and informative. _br/_ The stop at the Coconut sugar farm is great and the floating market are for sure something to see. _br/_ We booked a private tour and all the trip and the driver has been very pleasant. _br/_ Must Do.

Review by: Helen H	August 2011
We had a fantastic time despite the national holiday - so many vendors were not on the water. Our guide had lovely English and pointed out so much of interest along the way (sea salt production, coconut plantation, teak carving) without any pressure to buy. The private car picked us up right on time - there is something to be said for riding in a black mercedes through the countryside. There was no pressure to get to the next stop and we had plenty of time for photographs - who needs shopping? I would probably recommend the whole day tour rather than just the half day - I feel like we missed some great opportunities to see and learn more. Our guide was very nice and answered all our questions. Once she realized I was there for the photos, she made sure that I got to see the grounds and the demonstrations to pick up the details others might not be interested in seeing. The "high speed" boat tour was fantastic - all the altars were decorated and the flowers in bloom at each home just made the trip feel special. The market was a great riot of color and several vendors actually carried larger sizes (US 14 and up) of clothing. There were not a lot of bargains to be had, but it was certainly eye candy.

Review by: Monica T	April 2011
Tami was amazing. She was so knowledgable about the market and Thai culture overall. We enjoyed the stop at the coconut farm and the salt fields. She was very sweet and helped us negotiate with some of the vendors at the market. She made it a great day.

Review by: JB	March 2011
Approximate 100kms outside Bangkok but worth the visit. Extremely busy tourist trap.

Review by: Peter W	February 2011
Guide very good and really interesting and colourful trip - enjoyed it

Review by: Robert A	December 2010
Overall a great experience! The side trips to ride elephants, visit a snake farm, and see a woodworking shop were a bit much and we felt obligated to purchase tickets for these activities. Would leave these options up to the traveler.

Review by: Anonymous, Portugal	September 2009
Nice guide and good value! The floating market is very interesting. I just didn't like stopping at some shops on the way back!

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	July 2009
Great!

Review by: Jason C, United States of America	July 2009
OK, so it was touristy, but I loved it! Loved taking the speedboat through the canals and loved the tourist shopping. Once again, our guide was wonderful.

Review by: Esther K, Canada	June 2009
Awesome. Traditional, not touristy, and so awesome care by our personal tour guide, who even gave us a Thai language tutorial! The stop at a local fishing market before the floating market is a precious memory! Going back again and bringing my mother to show off Thailand!

Review by: John B, United Kingdom	May 2009
Excellent. Wonderful experience.

Review by: David J, United Kingdom	May 2009
Great fun, great tour guide.

Review by: Maryann W	May 2009
Great fun, great tour guide.

Review by: Henry R, United States of America	August 2008
Yes, it is just for tourists but it is so unique that you must go. Our guide for the day was a blast. She soon took notice that we were game to try new things and led us on a gourmet tour of the market. We ate everything that looked good to us and none of us got sick. So go ahead and enjoy the coconut pancakes.

Review by: Sarah T, Australia	February 2008
Expensive, but was worth it when travelling in a small group.

Review by: Simmi P, United Kingdom	January 2008
Private tour of the floating markets was excellent, with own driver and guide.

Review by: Helen S, Israel	December 2007
it was very good, thanks. Helen.

Review by: Ziv K	December 2007
it was very good, thanks. Helen.

Review by: Charles A, United Arab Emirates	September 2007
I found the trip too short. We did not spend enough time in the boat touring the floating market. We were dropped off to do our own thing in the market. Also, we stopped at the orchid place which was not interesting and not mentioned as being part of the tour. We stopped also at a teak factory. While reasonably interesting, this was not expected, and we could have used more time at the floating market, which was the whole purpose of the trip. Also, the tour leader seemed unimpressed with the tip that I gave him.

Review by: CHARLES A	September 2007
I found the trip too short. We did not spend enough time in the boat touring the floating market. We were dropped off to do our own thing in the market. Also, we stopped at the orchid place which was not interesting and not mentioned as being part of the tour. We stopped also at a teak factory. While reasonably interesting, this was not expected, and we could have used more time at the floating market, which was the whole purpose of the trip. Also, the tour leader seemed unimpressed with the tip that I gave him.

Review by: Anonymous	April 2007
Too touristy, fake environment.

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	March 2007
This was a great trip. Definitely recommended.

Review by: Yohann U	March 2007
This market is only an attraction for tourists. Too many people, everybody sells exactly the same things. I recommend weekend market in Bangkok instead.

Review by: Anonymous, United Arab Emirates	November 2006
A really great tour. Floating Market was great to see and I had a great time.

Review by: Christopher C, United Kingdom	August 2006
Very good guide, very friendly and knowledgeable. An excellent and recommended tour.

Review by: Anonymous	August 2006
Very good guide, very friendly and knowledgeable. An excellent and recommended tour.

Review by: Anonymous, United Kingdom	July 2006
A unique experience! Must be done.