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Home > Bangkok > Floating Markets and Bridge on River Kwai Tour from Bangkok
Floating Markets and Bridge on River Kwai Tour from Bangkok
USD $73.00

Floating Markets and Bridge on River Kwai Tour from Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand

Combine a cruise through the Floating Markets with a visit to Bridge on the River Kwai on this full-day guided tour from Bangkok. With the knowledge of your local guide, this is a wonderful way to maximize your time and delve deeper in the Thailand's Kanchanaburi region.

Your journey commences with a leisurely drive from Bangkok, passing through salt fields and rice paddies before embarking aboard your long tail speed-boat on your journey to the Damnern Saduak floating markets. The floating markets are a fascinating experience, a complete contrast to how we shop for food in the west, and are made up of Thai style canoes laden with colorful and succulent fruits, vegetables, sweets and meats - gently plying their way through the canal, selling as they go. It is one of most popular Thai sightseeing experiences and not to be missed. If you want to take a closer look your local Thai guide will help you organize a local boat ride through the markets (optional extra).

You will then board your coach for the journey west to Kanchanaburi, home to the River Kwai and it's infamous bridge. The building of the bridge in 1943 was part of a wartime project to link existing Thai and Burmese railway lines to create a direct route from Bangkok, Thailand to Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar) in an effort to support the Japanese occupation of Burma. Over 100,000 conscripted laborers and 12,000 prisoners of war died during the whole project.

Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant before visiting the bridge after visiting the JEATH war museum, which houses pictures and paintings from this period. Combining the two attractions unfortunately means there is not enough time to take a train ride, before your journey back to Bangkok and your hotel.

USD $73.00
Traveler Reviews
Review by:   Rusty,    May 2018 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
An early start, the minibus arrived at our hotel on time. After pickups at 2 more hotels we arrived at the main departure point and transferred to a coach. There were only 9 of us on the tour so plenty of space. The floating market was excellent although it was very busy. We then had a reasonably long journey to Kanchanaburi for the JEATH war museum, a very good lunch, the immaculate war cemetery and bridge of the river Kwai. The trip was well worth the long journey home and long day. 2 trips in 1. Highly recommended if your time in Thailand is limited.
 

Review by:   Susan D,    May 2018 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
We had a great day on our tour. The whole day was well paced. My only advice to future travellers is do not buy at the floating markets. It's horribly overpriced. Everything I bought there was a fraction of the price at other markets I visited. Overall though, a day well spent.
 

Review by:   Neil J,    May 2018 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Tour was excellent and our guide was informative. The floating markets were very interesting and we had time on our own to shop. Bridge on the River Kwai is a long bus ride from Bangkok and was a little disappointing. Important to know the history before going as the current bridge is just a modern train bridge.
 

Review by:   Magdalena S,    March 2018 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Everything was well organised, we enjoyed the trip, we would definitely recommend that trip.
 

Review by:   TIM E,    February 2018 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Fantastic ! We worth the trip
 

Review by:   Jonathan G,    February 2018 Review: 1 star rating: I do not recommend this
This tour promised a lot and failed to deliver. 2 extra stops to “orchid farm” and “elephant farm” were terrible and unwanted. Gift shops and abused animals. Disgusting. Market was just more gift stalls. All the same. Not a real market at all. Guide really pushy about extras such as boat rides.
 

Review by:   Leonard D,    February 2018 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
The floating markets were awesome. Our tour guide Nikko was beyond great. Very knowledgeable, informative and kind. He took his time to explain the history of the land and to show us certain key things._br/_ I wish we had more time at the floating markets and that it wsnt so crowded, but besides that, it was great. I would definitely recommend it along with Nikko as the tour guide!
 

Review by:   Nelli A,    February 2018 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
great day, great guide Miss Yelli, confy bus with good air con, long day but still comfortable
 

Review by:   William F,    February 2018 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Wonderful tour. So interesting to see the floating market. The long boat boat ride was really fun through the canals to the market. Great guide. Really enjoyed the time at River Kwai I like history Plenty of time to enjoy.
 

Review by:   George G,    February 2018 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Not the floating market I remember from my visit in 1973 - much more on shore than floating, but still worth the trip.
 

Review by:   raymond g,    January 2018 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Great trip - highly recommend
 

Review by:   satishchandra9,    January 2018 Review: 2 star rating: It was OK, but could have been better
The place was too crowded with boats at Floating market. The boats couldnt move, hence waste of time._br/_ River Kwai was Ok but a long way too see the place.
 

Review by:   Elizabeth S,    January 2018 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
This was a wonderful day, with lots of shopping, history and getting to see some of Thailand outside of Bangkok. Definitely pay the extra 150 baht for the smaller canoe tour- that's about 4USD and absolutely worth it!
 

Review by:   Cromaris,    December 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Nice trip with amazing experience.
 

Review by:   MR EAMONN H,    December 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
FAB DAY OUT
 

Review by:   Michael D,    December 2017 Review: 2 star rating: It was OK, but could have been better
Was not much of a tour - mostly driving. Also, despite no mention of it, there were two up charges for basic activities. This was driving to the market for a half hour ride on a boat (tourist trap) then driving to take a look at a cemetery, a mediocre museum and a bridge. Little commentary.
 

Review by:   Bruce H,    December 2017 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
This would be a 5 star except for the travel time. Not the tour operator problem, just a reality of distance from Bangkok. I would, however, suggest taking this tour rather than doing both destinations separately. There is more than adequate time on this tour at each destination and we didnt feel rushed._br/_ The Floating Market is extremely crowded but it is an experience and we recommend taking the optional smaller boat tour at nominal cost. It is the only way to get a really good feel for the place._br/_ We visited the museum, the cemetery and the bridge itself on the River Kwai plus having a good lunch on a floating restaurant. _br/_ Overall, the trip met all my expectations and I would recommend if one has a full day to spare.
 

Review by:   Michelle M,    December 2017 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Great tour, we learnt about the history of Bangkok and the war. Had a lovely lunch at a floating restaurant and were cared for by our guide Suki and driver. Floating market was chaotic but fun take your face masks and the bridge was great. The trip was timed nicely with a train on the bridge.
 

Review by:   Tyler E,    December 2017 Review: 1 star rating: I do not recommend this
The problem i had with this and all tours on Viator is when you book to see something, there is always other things they take you to see that you were not part of tge toir!In a 10 hour tour we had only 1 hour at the floating market. That is one of the things i paid to see and one hour was not enough
 

Review by:   Jane S,    November 2017 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Great experience and worth doing the trip. The guide a little hard to understand and had to pay extra for our boat as there was only 3 instead of six
 

Review by:   Amber M,    November 2017 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Spent a shorter amount of time than anticipated at the floating markets, but still a wonderful tour. Must have the coconut ice cream while in the markets! YUM! The visit to the Bridge on the River Kwai was very informative. Overall great experience!
 

Review by:   gloria P,    November 2017 Review: 1 star rating: I do not recommend this
I think this tour is overrated
 

Review by:   Bev_hansford,    November 2017 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Early start as it's a very long day in a small business, although it does have air-conditioning Floating markets are a great experience, we got there early so we're able to have a good look around. The lunch included was very nice but be aware you have to buy your own drinks. Tour guide could of been better, very hard to understand and all he kept telling us was that we had to hurry as we had a long journey back. _br/_ Tip... avoid Fridays as the traffic is even worse
 

Review by:   Michael F,    October 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
From pick-up to drop off we had a great day. Our knowledgeable and articulate tour guide Miss Luck was able to inform us of history and local culture as well as answering our questions. Visiting a country and staying in your hotel is not tourism. We were delighted to get out and see the countryside as well as two significant destinations. The bustling floating markets are quite unique and representative of the Thai culture and economy being based on rivers and canal systems whilst the Bridge on the River Kwai and the Khochanburi cemetery and museum were a sobering reminder of the war and its cost. A great tour, highly recommended.
 

Review by:   Michael N,    October 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Very interesting and informative trip. Family of 42 teenagers enjoyed it thoroughly . Floating markets and longboat ride were very enjoyable and our guide Peter made the whole experience great. The morning is broken up by coffe stop en route to the floating market and the Jeath museum before a buffet lunch which was very good. Visit to the graveyard and river Kwai in the afternoon before the long 3hours plus trip back to Bangkok but well worth it.
 

Review by:   carolinewill64,    October 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
This tour is must._br/_ Definitely recommend
 

Review by:   Sonu A,    October 2017 Review: 2 star rating: It was OK, but could have been better
The overall tour was ok, however, the floating market part was very overcrowded, polluted, and more of souvenir place than an actual floating market. Also, the lunch buffet was not terrible, make sure pack snacks.
 

Review by:   Jim D,    October 2017 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
Unless you really like markets I'd suggest only doing the Bridge on River Kwai element. My view however may be coloured by the fact my wife had her phone stolen at the Floating Market, so one piece of advice would be to really look after your valuables. That said the tour guide was very helpful in getting the police involved and manged to bridge the language barrier. It is a long day, nearly 12 hours, so if you area't a good traveller or don't want to be shut up in a mini-bus for a large part of the day then it may not be the trip for you
 

Review by:   graham b,    October 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Amazing trip. Money well spent. The guide was fantastic and the whole day was an experience that everyone should have. Would recommend the trip and would do it again . Thank you.
 

Review by:   martin_j_holmes,    September 2017 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
The floating markets is fantastically mad, although the tourists float about rather than the market, which is different from the brochure pictures, but still great fun. The time we spent at the bridge was too short and it would have been better if the cemetery or museum were omitted to allow this additional time. Also if we had spent less time at the floating market we could have fitted in the Maeklong Railway Market, which would have been really cool.
 

Review by:   martin_j_holmes,    September 2017 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
The floating market was fantastically mad. The tourists float around rather than the market, which is different to the brochure pictures, but is still great fun. We had little time at the bridge which was a shame. If the museum or cemetery had been omitted then we could have had more time. Also if less time had been spent at the floating market then the Maeklong Railway Market might have been possible. Worth doing but some better organisation could have made this trip ever better.
 

Review by:   Robert L,    September 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Although we did not book a private tour there was only our party of four on board the mini bus plus a young 28 year old German girl who was really lovely. The tour guide was very informative and friendly, at the end of the day we all felt like old friends. The trip was very interesting and we were very lucky with the weather. We all enjoyed the day immensely and have many fond memories of the trip.
 

Review by:   Ahmed I,    August 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
A must do trip
 

Review by:   Madelaine,    July 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Excellent. Tour guides were wonderfully knowledgeable. Seamless. Wold recommend to all.
 

Review by:   Sibele C,    June 2017 Review: 2 star rating: It was OK, but could have been better
The floating market experience is really a must. However, the tour could've taken us there directly, without stopping by a coconut farm and the worst! a sort of adventure park offering CRUEL AND OFFENSIVE activities involving animals. That was not part of the tour description and came as a total and awful surprise. The whole group felt it was such a stupid thing and a horrible place to be that we all got back to the bus as soon as the tour guide finished her explanations about the place. Honestly, that was just bad practice. The guide was not knowledgeable at all and did not tell us much about the places we were visiting. It was a very, very long day and it could have been much more fun and interesting had the guide been better prepared. The River Kwai Bridge is interesting, but really far away frontier with Myanmar, so just take the tour there if you are absolutely interested in its sad history.
 

Review by:   Lynne S,    June 2017 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
This tour was very interesting. However the trip on the boat at the floating markets should have been included in the price we were told to pay extra for the row. boat as not motorised boats allowed most of the boats were motorised. Disappointing to see no fruits and vegetables being sold very small amount very commercial all about selling at inflated prices. Also the visit to the farms on the way were rather disappointing as they were very commercial products to sell rather than vey informative about a gamers way of life and how things are farmed. Also do not agree with elaphant rides. Would rather see an elephant sanctuary the elephant farm was all about buying a ride. The visit to the museum was interesting, the cemetery and the bridge over the river kwai.
 

Review by:   kgcoomber,    June 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Absolutely fantastic day, the floating makes are a must and the River Kwai, well, very emotional and thought provoking. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the history aspect. Was very hot so take plenty of water!!
 

Review by:   TheGrandSteward,    June 2017 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
Was a good tour, visited some nice spots and got to see the bridge. Bit of somber trip considering the subject material.
 

Review by:   CHERYL M,    May 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Although there was a hiccup with our booking, where we weren't advised the night before of our pick-up time from our hotel and had to try and locate someone who could advise us late on the Saturday night what time we were being collected the following morning, we thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Pick up from our hotel was 6.10am and we didn't arrive back until after 7pm in the evening. Our guide was very knowledgable and spoke relatively good English. The floating markets were very interesting to see, although a number of guests were delayed by a traffic jam on the canals when in the candle boats which meant they missed out on making purchases and were late back to the tour bus. The buffet lunch provided at a river side restaurant was very nice. The War Cemetery and Bridge on River Kwai were highlights of the day. Even though our bus had a mishap with a blown tyre during the day this was repaired quickly en-route and we would definitely recommend this trip.
 

Review by:   Louis,    April 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
Long day was very well orgainsed and time was well planned. Day was full of positive surprises and we learned a lot, for example, that the film and the reality of the Bridge on River Kwai were not the same! The Floating Market was great too!
 

Review by:   tiagosagan,    March 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
The floating market experience is so unique, it is a must when visiting Tailand. Also the Bridge on the River Kwai was very touching for knowing the history behind that.
 

Review by:   Pamela G,    March 2017 Review: 4 star rating: Recommended
The Floating Markets is not to be missed. It was a real treat that, on this tour, we took a long-tailed boat to the market. The long-tailed boat ride was peaceful and enjoyable. When we got to the Floating Market it was hectic, and very busy. It was great fun. We got into an even smaller boat and went around the market. It was so crowded, it was like being in bumper cars, and we loved it. An experience not to be missed. Our guide had told us that the market was 90 tourist, I would say it is 100 tourist. I believe it used to be that people went around the market and bought their fruits and vegetables, but no more. My husband, who has trouble walking, was able to get into both boats which made us very happy!
 

Review by:   Lynette G,    March 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
This was an outstanding tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed the visit to the coconut factory and the trip on the long tailed boat to the Floating Market. The market is very colourful and busy. It did sadden me to see local people with three little slow lorises, creatures that should be in the wild. I found the Bridge on River Kwai Tour poignant but interesting.
 

Review by:   JR,    March 2017 Review: 5 star rating: Highly Recommended
You really must go to these markets. The hustle and bustle is well worth the amazing sights._br/_ We did a full day tour Floating Markets and Bridge over River Kwai approx 11-12hrs _br/_ We were also running ahead of time so the tour guide and driver also took us for a quick tour of the Train markets as well. _br/_ So much to see and do on this tour. Well worth the time and cost involved. Highly recommended
 

Review by:   Dat Trung Hieu N,    March 2017 Review: 2 star rating: It was OK, but could have been better
It's not that great. We came in with a pretty open mind but it was a disappointing tour - the drive was quite long to the market, and in between you stop at a very uninteresting coconut sugar plant. The river markets themselves aren't as bustling as you think they are, as it's not really a true market for locals - simply tourists. We were only at the markets for about an hour before another long drive to the bridge, where you take a few photos, have lunch and that's about it. Unfortunately, on this tour I felt we were in the car more often than not and the sights and activities themselves were not as great to justify it. Stick away.
 

Review by:   Jurriën W,    February 2017 Review: 2 star rating: It was OK, but could have been better
The trip was well organized. We were picked up by taxi and brough to a hotel, from where a touring car departed to the Floating markets and River Kwai. The Floating Markets were quite disappointing: tourists are dropped off by the dozen, put into long tail boats towards the market. A typical tourist trap.
 

Review by:   Helen S,    February 2017 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
Be prepared for a long drive, only 4 of us on trip and guide didnt chat on way at all. Could have found out as much visiting on our own. Floating markets were manic but fun. It was pouring when we visited so umbrellas added to the confusion. Boat ride to markets was good and enjoyable. Museum before Bridge on Kwai just a copy of shed where they were housed, moving but only took 10 minutes to walk through. Bridge has usual market stalls nearby, but still impressive. Cemetery immaculate and very poignant. 3 hour drive back to bangkok.
 

Review by:   BobH,    January 2017 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
It's a long day and I'm not sure the visit to the floating markets is worth the bother. Your romantic idea of what it looks like is not realistic. You pay extra to sit in a small boat surrounded by many other small boats also full of tourists, the riverbank is full of tourist tat that you can get anywhere and nothing of the local culture. Quite a disappointment. I would honestly just go to the river kwai and take a trip on the train.
 

Review by:   Eric C,    January 2017 Review: 3 star rating: Worth doing
This was a long day - up at 6am and after other hotel drop off, didn't get back a until 7pm. Good to get away from the hectic pace of Bangkok for a day but the coach was 'tired', seats kept slipping into full recline etc. As a seasoned traveler I was expecting more from this trip. The first stop was pathetic roadside shed showing how they made coco sugar and oil but with the inevitable souvenir stalls. The market is no longer a fruit and veg market - nothing but tacky souvenir stalls everywhere. The only thing to say about it is that the long tail bait ride to the market was fun but to go on the 'paddle' boat to see the market up close was now thing more than chaos with a hundred other boats battling for a way through._br/_ Lunch was ok and relaxing by the river on a floating restaurant._br/_ The bridge was an experience. From the film, I expected it to be a deeper ravine and more in the jungle but it was a sobering visit. Then a 3 hr coach ride back to Bangkok.
 

Review by:   Christina G,    January 2017 Review: 2 star rating: It was OK, but could have been better
The guide was mostly interested in taking us to the attractions that he would get a slice of money from (markets, elephant ride).Our group did not pay the extra money so he became borderline rude.We enjoyed seeing the historical sites,but he was impatient with us.He also slept in the van A LOT!
 

All Traveler Reviews...

USD $73.00
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