Damnoen Saduak floating market is the most popular one in Bangkok. It is a perfect place for capturing colorful photos, trying authentic Thai delicacies, and immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the past. There are many other floatings markets in Bangkok and nearby areas.
Plan your visit to Damnoen Saduak early in the morning, before the onset of the heat and crowds of tourists.
Getting to Damnoen Saduak floating market from Bangkok is most convenient as part of the day tour. The journey will take about an hour.
Check this ultimate first timers guide to Damnoen Saduak floating market in Bangkok and get up-to-date information about best time to visit, how to get there, what you can buy, entrance fees and working hours.
General Info
- Location: 51 Damnoen Saduak, Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi 70130, Thailand
- Working Hours: Daily, 8 a.m – 4 p.m
- Phone: +66 85 222 7470
- Entrance Fee: You don’t need to buy tickets or pay any fees to visit the floating market
- Damnoen Saduak Market map tag: link
Damnoen Saduak market consists of three smaller markets: Ton Khem, Hia Kui and Khun Phitak. Ton Khem is the biggest of them all.
Hia Kui is a great place to shop for souvenirs. Khun Phitak is located 2 km south of Hia Kui and is the smallest market and therefore freer from tourists. You can also visit other river markets located rather close to Damnoen Saduak: Amphawa (14km) and Tha Kha (10.7km).
Things to Do and See at Damnoen Saduak
Shopping for fruits and souvenirs
At Damnoen Saduak, you can find almost everything sold at Chatuchak Market. Variety of souvenirs like elephants form statues, T-shirts with signatures “I was here”, tiger balm and many other. Most of products are made in China and they are usually overpriced. Feel free to bargain for better prices.
At first glance, it may seem that the market has lost its original appearance and now serves as an attraction for tourists. But do not rush to be disappointed and move deeper into the market.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is a perfect place to buy the freshest fruits from local farmers rowing their boats here. They sell exotic types of fruits that you are unlikely to find in shops and markets in the center of Bangkok.
Tasting local food
Here you can find absolutely everything from coconut fritters to an alligator in batter. The first thing to try out at Damnoen Saduak is noodles: spicy broth, shrimps, other fresh seafood. It will be difficult to find something so delicious in Bangkok.
When you’re looking for dessert, the most popular one is coconut ice cream. How about an interesting combination of mango and rice. Meal prices vary from 10 BHT to 70 BHT.
You can order food right from boats or visit food court, where you can order full course lunch.
We named just a few delicacies for you to enjoy, but make sure to try as many as possible.
Add a portion of emotions to your day by visiting Buddhist temple Wat Mahathat, which is only 35 minutes driving.
Popular Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Tours
Damnoen Saduak floating market and Maeklong Railway Market day tour. If you stay somewhere in Bangkok center, it can take about two hours to reach the place. By joining this tour, no need to worry about switching from one transport to another.
This tour includes the pickup option, check the locations included on the tour page. There is a transfer to the hotel. Follow the link to check the details and make your booking.
Damnoen Saduak Market and its surroundings day tour. Except of the floating market, you’ll learn a lot about coconut sugar producing industry (20 minutes stop). It’s amazing how many uses the coconut tree has, and there is also small production right at the place. Young shoots are used to make palm sugar, oil is prepared from coconut, lampshades and stairs are made.
Literally a 10-minute drive from this place, there is a pier, near which longtails – traditional Thai long-tailed boats – await you. They are the ones who will take you to the Damnoen Saduak floating market.
The wooden boat will carry you along a narrow canal; here and there you can see small wooden houses on stilts on the bank. The journey takes about 20 minutes along the winding paths of the canal. Do not miss this unique opportunity to watch those who live in houses right on the water along the way. Click here to reserve your seat.
Damnoen Floating Market, Maeklong railway market, Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Day full of adventure and exploration awaits those, joining this tour. You’ll visit two authentic markets, former royal residence and one of the beautiful temples in Bangkok.
Guide and transfer options are available. You can make booking here.
How to get there
Damnoen Saduak floating market is located about 100 km far from Bangkok. So it can take about two hours to travel to the place by car. You can choose train, taxi, shuttle bus, public bus or private van.
Join Group Tour
If you’re looking for the most convenient way to explore the market with transfers, the best option for you is to join the tour offered by GetYourGuide platform (click here to book). This way, you will travel to the destination place with comfort, just wait at the hotel lobby for the shuttle bus.
By Train
If you’re looking for more authentic experience getting around Bangkok then choose the train, that runs twice a day. You have to arrive to Bang Bamru station, train tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the office.
Train tickets price is about 28USD. Go by train to Ratchaburi station, from there you need to take a taxi to reach the floating market. Price for taxi is about 7USD.
Public Transportation
If you’re on a budget and not limited in time you can get to Damnoen Saduak floating market by public bus. From Democracy Monument in the city center of Bangkok take a bus 511 or 79 and go to Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal, you’ll arrive there in 20 minutes, ticket price is only 1USD.
Mentioned buses go every 10 min. From Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal take a public bus that goes to Damnoen Saduak. Travel time is 2 hours, tickets price is 2USD.
Minivan
Another option for those who would like to save is to use minivan. Arrive to bus station Wat Ratcha Natda Ram and take a bus 509 that goes every 30 minutes.
Enjoy your 30-min ride and take off at Mochit 2 Bus Depot station. From Bangkok Mochit New Van Terminal take another bus that goes to floating market. The journey will take about 2 hours.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Visiting Tips
Visit to this “real Thai style” market can become great and memorable experience. To make your trip safer, follow these simple rules.
Buy and eat food that has been prepared before your eyes and the freshness of which cannot be doubted.
Be sure to bring sunscreen, a panama or hat, and plenty of drinking water. If you decide to take a boat ride at Damnoen Saduak floating market and hit the rush hour, you will spend enough time in the open sun. It is unlikely that you want to get sunstroke or sunburn.
Do not hold on to the sides of the boat. The channels through which boats move are quite narrow, and side collisions are common.
History of Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
The canal on which vibrant floating market is located is the direct and longest in Bangkok. It was built on the initiative of King Rama IV, who wanted to connect it to the Mekong River and the Chinese trade routes.
It took 2 years to dig the canal, the construction was completed during the reign of King Rama V, the canal is 32 km long, the market remained active until 1967, when the roads were built.
In 1971, the floating market was approved as one of the attractions. The canal’s popularity increased in 1971-1973, when farmers from nearby lands began to sell their goods on this market.
You always have the opportunity to visit other floating markets in Bangkok , read more in our article.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Walkthrough Video
FAQ
The best way to explore the place is by participating in group tour. Usually visit to the floating market is combined with other destinations.
13.5168° N, 99.9541° E
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Yes, you can enjoy it unique atmosphere every day from 8am till 4 pm.
Once became one of the must-visit tourist places, Damnoen Saduak offers a great variety of Thai souvenirs you can buy for yourself and loved ones.
Yes, this is very popular place among locals and tourists as well. There you’ll find plenty of delicious Thai fruits and delicacies, shopping opportunities. But, as this market is the most popular one, its usually very crowded.
As the popularity of this place is really high among many people, fruit sellers come here on boats loaded with goods. Maneuvering through narrow channels they create perfect conditions for cool pictures. If you’re looking for the best photo location, then move to the end of floating market where the short bridge is located.
It is located in Thailand, near Bangkok.
