Amphawa and Railway Markets with Boat Ride Group Tour
Traveler rating
4.0/5
Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Amphawa and Railway Markets with Boat Ride Group Tour worth booking?
Amphawa and Railway Markets with Boat Ride Group Tour is a 7.5-hour experience in Bangkok, Thailand, from $80 per person. It scores 58 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4/5 rating across 9 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 58 / 100
- Rating
- 4/5 (9)
- Duration
- 7.5 hours
- From
- $80 per person
This tour offers a rare perspective on Thailand’s famous markets as you head to Ban Kalong Station. The station sits beside traditional salt farms. You board the train here to ride directly into the Maeklong Railway Market. Offering a different angle than standing on the tracks, you see vendors snapping their awnings back just inches from the moving train. You then visit Wat Bang Kung. Roots of a massive Banyan tree hold the entire chapel together. It houses a golden Buddha image from the Ayutthaya era. The temple grounds celebrate Thai heritage with statues depicting ancient boxing stances and warriors. Your evening concludes at the Amphawa Floating Market. Merchants cook fresh seafood on rowboats right next to the canal banks. You can explore old wooden architecture and taste local fruits like pomelo. A relaxing boat trip is included, taking you along the waterways where you can enjoy the charm and atmosphere of this historic community before heading back to your hotel.
What you get
About this experience
This tour offers a rare perspective on Thailand’s famous markets as you head to Ban Kalong Station. The station sits beside traditional salt farms. You board the train here to ride directly into the Maeklong Railway Market. Offering a different angle than standing on the tracks, you see vendors snapping their awnings back just inches from the moving train. You then visit Wat Bang Kung. Roots of a massive Banyan tree hold the entire chapel together. It houses a golden Buddha image from the Ayutthaya era. The temple grounds celebrate Thai heritage with statues depicting ancient boxing stances and warriors. Your evening concludes at the Amphawa Floating Market. Merchants cook fresh seafood on rowboats right next to the canal banks. You can explore old wooden architecture and taste local fruits like pomelo. A relaxing boat trip is included, taking you along the waterways where you can enjoy the charm and atmosphere of this historic community before heading back to your hotel.
What's included
Included
- Professional Licensed English-Speaking Guide
- Shared air-conditioned vehicle
- Travel accident insurance
- Watch the train coming out from the railway market
- Boat ride at Amphawa market
Not included
- Dinner
- Hotel dropoff (The Drop off location would be at at MBK Center. )
What you'll see and do
Ban Kalong Train Station serves as the first stop of the tour where you will board the train to the Maeklong Railway Market. The station is located right next to traditional salt farms. You can enjoy the serene view of white salt fields while you wait for the train to arrive.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Mae Klong Railway Market (Hoop Rom Market)
Mae Klong Railway Market – Set directly along an active railway track, this market is famous for the dramatic scene where vendors pull back their awnings just seconds before the train passes. The area is bustling and energetic. You can experience the lively atmosphere as you navigate the narrow tracks lined with stalls selling fresh seafood, vegetables, and local goods. It offers a unique view of daily trade happening right next to moving trains.
90 minutes here
Wat Bang Kung
Wat Bang Kung is one of the most iconic attractions in the Amphawa district. The temple is famous for its roots and branches of the Banyan tree that locked the ordination hall housing the “Luang Por Nin Manee”, the golden buddha image dated back to the Ayutthaya period. In the 18th century, Wat Bang Kung is the gathering place of Thai heroic warriors so it houses many statues showing Thai boxing posture. This place is therefore a great photo-taking spot for foreign travelers.
30 minutes here
Amphawa Floating Market
Amphawa Floating Market is a popular evening market situated along the canal. It provides a lively atmosphere with old wooden shophouses lining the water's edge. The market is a great destination for food, offering a wide selection of Thai seafood, snacks, and traditional desserts. You will see vendors cooking on small boats and selling grilled river prawns, squid, and shellfish. Visitors can sit on the canal steps to eat or walk along the wooden paths to browse. The area is also surrounded by orchards, so you can find fresh seasonal fruits like lychees, coconuts, and pomelos harvested directly from local farms. To complete the experience, you will go on a boat ride to explore the waterways and view the scenery from a different perspective.
120 minutes here · Admission included
MBK Center (Ma Boon Khrong Center)
MBK center is a must-visit shopping mall for foreign tourist. You could purchase many popular Thailand items in this huge shopping mall. If you are our join tour guests, we will drop you here after the tour. MBK center is connected to BTS National Stadium. You can ride BTS skytrain to return to your hotel conveniently.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Bangkok
Meet our guide at the bus stop in front of the Innisfree cosmetic shop at BTS Siam Station. It's on the same side as Center Point of Siam Square, directly opposite Siam Paragon. Look for the green steel sign "MAR MAI Siam Soi 3."
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
Drop-off will be at MBK Center department store (near BTS National Stadium). You can conveniently take the BTS Skytrain to return to your hotel. For directions, refer to this Google Map link: https://goo.gl/maps/x6ciR7X8KsBNYdCK9
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Thailand Insight Travel
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Total duration of the tour is 7.5 hours (including the 3 hours of travel time on the road).
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 9 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
9 verified traveler reviews for Amphawa and Railway Markets with Boat Ride Group Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Not worth the drive from Bangkok and not worth the money!
The railway market is interesting but timing is important. We did experience the train passing through the market area but many shops were closed during our visit.. The Amphawa Floating Market is over rated. Vendor stalls were on land, we saw no vendors in boats except for a sort of floating kitchen from which we bought our meal…which was not great. We had much better food elsewhere. Our guide said he chose the food vendor because of the low prices…not a good choice for the guests! Bad timing could be the reason we saw no “floating vendor boats”. Tour guides must know this! I don’t think ours did. Could also be the season, although we were there at the beginning of the high season. Bad timing also meant all vendor stalls were either closed or closing during our visit which was a huge disappointment for us because my wife wanted to do some shopping but couldn’t ! The fireflies in the trees and bushes were interesting but not worth the boat ride and the 3hrs+ ride from our hotel in Bangkok, (back and forth) to see. Our tour guides was knowledgeable and friendly but should have known about the importance of good timing. We were initially informed we would be picked up at 12:00 pm, which makes sense as we would be there when everything was open. However we were then informed we would be picked up at 15:30! Which was too late. I had no idea how the bad timing would ruin our visits. To make things worse our driver got lost and we drove around for an extra 30+ minutes looking for the floating market! The tour ended up being a waste of time for us. It was our last visit after a memorable and enjoyable tour of Thailand for three weeks. A real let down and a big disappointment for us! The promotional tour description looked very interesting but the actual experience did not reflect this!
Response from the operator: Dear our valued guest, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We sincerely apologize that this tour did not fully meet your expectations. We are glad to hear that you found your guide knowledgeable and friendly. We understand your concerns about the limited number of boat vendors and the quiet market atmosphere, which is not typical during the high season. Regarding the schedule, our itinerary shows that the group tour starts at 3:30 PM, as noted on the ticket pickup details, to align with the evening firefly viewing. (We have no record of a 12:00 PM pickup time being communicated.) Thank you again for your valuable feedback. We will use your comments to improve our services. We wish you safe and enjoyable travels ahead. Kind regards, Orathai W.
via Viator
Poorly planned tour / sort of a scam?
TLDR: this market visit was one of the most expensive excursions we’ve booked so far and everything was closed by the time we arrived due to poor tour planning. Go on a day tour of the market. We were extremely disappointed with this tour. The tour was supposed to be 5 hours long and ended up being well over 8 hours, most of which was spent waiting. To begin with, it was planned to leave during rush hour traffic in Bangkok which delayed us by a couple hours in getting to our first destination. We as tourists didn’t know about the terrible traffic in Bangkok when booking the trip, but the tour operators should have factored this into their planning because once we arrived to the market (just before 7pm) we were told it had closed at 6pm. That being said, even if we had arrived on time, we still wouldn’t have been able to tour/shop the market, because it takes about an hour and a half just to get there and it was the second stop of our tour. The firefly experience was also underwhelming. We were expecting to visit a huge habitat of hundreds of fireflies, and it ended up just being a couple of trees with small groups of them. It was nice to see, but not something I would have paid $80 for or travelled so far to. We were supposed to be home by around 8pm-8:30pm and didn’t even leave the area until after then, causing us to miss an appointment we had for 9pm. Traffic was also terrible on the way back to the city, so ultimately we weren’t dropped off until around 11:45pm. This was extremely frustrating since we had to be up at 5am the next day and were losing sleep over an experience that didn’t deliver. The market seemed really cool and I would have loved to be able to explore more of it / check out the stands. I think it would be worth it to make the visit during the day when it’s still open.
Response from the operator: Dear Valued Guest, We are sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations. Unfortunately, heavy traffic in Bangkok during the round trip, which was beyond our control, affected the schedule. As an apology, we offered a complimentary round-trip pick-up and drop-off for your convenience that day. Regarding the firefly boat ride, it highlights the river’s natural habitat, and the number of fireflies can vary depending on the weather and season. We understand that a group tour may not always suit everyone’s preferences. While other travelers in your group enjoyed the tour, we truly value your feedback and will use it to improve our service. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts, and we wish you a wonderful journey ahead. Warm regards, Thailand Insight Travel Orathai W.
via Tripadvisor
Not the tour I paid for.
This was not the tour I paid for. We barely made it to see the train go through the market. That same train market was barely open. Maybe 10 stalls were left cleaning up all their goods. Then we went to the floating market and it was also shutting down. We got on a boat to see the fireflies and that kinda cool. But we were riding up and down the river for over an hour. There were some cool temples along the way but it could have been done much faster. It was getting so late. We ended up not getting back to our hotel until 11:30. I will mention that Jim was great. She is the only reason I am giving it two stars. She answered all our questions, took lots of pictures of our group, and was very informative. But over all I would not recommend. Almost 8 hours and no food was available except for the closing down markets with the food that was sitting out all day. Not everyone is comfortable eating that. Jim was the only good part of this tour. I hope it was just an off night.
Response from the operator: Dear Rachel_R, Thank you for providing your feedback. We appreciate you taking the time to highlight Jim's efforts; we are glad she was informative and helpful. We are sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations. We have looked into the details of your trip. Both the Maeklong Railway Market and the Amphawa Floating Market were open and operating, as confirmed by our tour records and the photos taken during the trip. We understand your disappointment with the late return. The Amphawa tour is an evening experience, and the firefly boat ride duration is set to maximize the chances of seeing the fireflies. The traffic returning to Bangkok that evening was unusually heavy, which unfortunately caused the delay. As it was running very late due to the traffic, we arranged for a complimentary drop off directly at your hotel for your convenience, rather than using the standard group drop off point. Since this was a group tour with seven fellow travelers, the itinerary had to proceed as scheduled. We do wish these concerns had been raised with Jim or our office during the tour itself. Our team is always on standby to assist and would have valued the opportunity to address your concerns in the moment. Warm regards, Thailand Insight Travel and Guide Jim
via Viator
Fun evening tour
This was a fun experience. The railway market was unique and the temple covered by the Banyan tree was beautiful. The floating market is more of a night market, but the boat ride to the fireflies was fun. Our only issue was the trip ran much longer than expected. But this was mainly due to traffic. Our guide Jim did a great job.
Response from the operator: Dear Geoffrey_Y, Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re happy to know you enjoyed the markets, temple, and the firefly boat ride. We appreciate your patience and understanding about the traffic delays and your kind mention of Jim’s efforts throughout the day. Warm regards, Thailand Insight Travel and guide Jim
via Viator
Tour Amphawa
Our experience on this tour was excellent. The tour was very well organized and allowed you to get up close and personal with two unique markets: the famous Maeklong Railroad Market, where we witnessed vendors pick up their stalls each time the train passes, and the Amphawa Floating Market, full of color, local food and authentic Mood. The night boat ride to see the fireflies was magical, a quiet moment after a day full of activities. Our guide Lín was friendly, very hospitable and gave us interesting information throughout the tour. Ideal for families and those looking for a different cultural experience in Thailand. ⭐ 100% recommended.
Response from the operator: Estimado/a Huésped Valorado/a, Muchas gracias por su comentario tan detallado y positivo. Nos alegra saber que disfrutaron tanto de los mercados como del paseo en barco y que la dedicación y amabilidad de Lin ayudaron a hacer la experiencia aún más especial. Sus palabras son un gran estímulo para seguir ofreciendo recuerdos únicos a cada visitante. Saludos cordiales, Thailand Insight Travel y la guía Lin --- Thank you very much for your detailed and positive feedback. We’re glad you enjoyed both the markets and the boat ride, and that Lin’s dedication and kindness made the experience even more special. Your words encourage us to keep creating unique memories for every visitor!
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Good to know
- Duration
- 7.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $80 to $5,270
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Thailand Insight Travel, who run 20 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 62.1 and 2 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Thailand Insight Travel runsWhy this scores 58
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Amphawa and Railway Markets with Boat Ride Group Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Bangkok.
How much does Amphawa and Railway Markets with Boat Ride Group Tour cost?
+
Prices start at $80 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Bangkok usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Amphawa and Railway Markets with Boat Ride Group Tour take?
+
Plan for about 7.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Bangkok is not rushed.
Is Amphawa and Railway Markets with Boat Ride Group Tour worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 58 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 9 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Bangkok, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Amphawa and Railway Markets with Boat Ride Group Tour?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Amphawa and Railway Markets with Boat Ride Group Tour suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Amphawa and Railway Markets with Boat Ride Group Tour?
+
Around 3 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Bangkok can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Bangkok and add a light layer if any part of the 7.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Amphawa and Railway Markets with Boat Ride Group Tour start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Bangkok within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Bangkok?
+
On Outty we rank every Bangkok experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Bangkok Backstreets Food Tour with 15+ Tastings, Old Siam Bangkok Food Tour with 15+ Tastings, Tingly Thai Cooking Class with Morning Market Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Bangkok?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Bangkok?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Amphawa and Railway Markets with Boat Ride Group Tour?
+
Included: Professional Licensed English-Speaking Guide; Shared air-conditioned vehicle; Travel accident insurance; Watch the train coming out from the railway market; and Boat ride at Amphawa market. Not included: Dinner; and Hotel dropoff (The Drop off location would be at at MBK Center. ). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Amphawa and Railway Markets with Boat Ride Group Tour include hotel pickup?
+
Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 416 listed pickup locations in and around Bangkok. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Amphawa and Railway Markets with Boat Ride Group Tour offered in?
+
It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Amphawa and Railway Markets with Boat Ride Group Tour?
+
Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Amphawa and Railway Markets with Boat Ride Group Tour if the weather is bad?
+
It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Bangkok. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Amphawa and Railway Markets with Boat Ride Group Tour?
+
Across 9 reviews averaging 4.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Amphawa and Railway Markets with Boat Ride Group Tour.
Pick your date
