The Best of Maeklong & Damnoen Saduak: Railway & Floating Market

What a beautiful memorable experience. We were a group of friends and our kids the boat experience and floating through various shops along the market was absolutely enjoyable. Also loved the temple visit as well as elephant rides.

Perfect floating market experience, especially since most aren’t open during the week. Also stopped at a coconut palm farm which was very interesting & well done. Great value for the $$.

Be careful with this visit. There are many scam stories of how tourists are scammed. I/We were nearly scammed ourselves. The usual going rate to bring a group of tourist there will be 4000baht - 6000baht for a bigger group, inclusive of railway market as a day trip package. But i happened to get a taxi driver outside our hotel at a much much cheap rate the day before. I got the taxi driver's number and watsapped him the night before and agreed that we will NOT take any boat rides - that's how they will charge exorbitant rates to the tourists!! In exchange, when the driver picked us up the following morning, we agreed to go to one of his 'sponsors' - a beehive farm which turned out to be a pleasant visit in itself and quite informative. During the drive there, we agreed that if all goes well, we would like to help him by visiting another of his 'sponsor' on our trip back, and immediately his face lited up. ::))

Tourist trap for sure. Be sure and bargain for items. Offer a 60% discount on their asking price and many times it is accepted. These businesses expect you to bargain according to our tour guide. Food in the restaurants are pretty basic but very tasty.

We booked a half day tour to damnoen floating market and managed to witness the old and newly built floating market. Our guide, Pam, was awesome and helpful. She shared some story of thai culture, how the floating market came about and great information throughout the day. Not only that, she also showed us which area has the best boat noodles, mango sticky rice, coconut water, coconut pancake and more! The overall experience is great and chill. We also had the 30 minute paddle boat ride which was fun. Can’t wait to go back again!!

My recent visit to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market was an enjoyable experience, thanks to our knowledgeable and friendly guide, Pang. Her warm and welcoming demeanor set the tone for the day, and she made sure we felt comfortable and engaged throughout the trip. Starting with the markets themselves, I have to admit that they felt somewhat touristy and lacking the authentic local charm that I had anticipated. While the bustling atmosphere was interesting to witness, it didn't quite provide the genuine snapshot of local life I had hoped for. However, the visit to the coconut plantation was a definite highlight. It was both educational and entertaining, giving us valuable insights into the process of coconut production and adding a touch of excitement to the day. After the boat trip, I found myself less interested in shopping, and unfortunately, there was a bit of waiting involved before the van departed. However, the fortunate part was sharing the experience with a group of lovely people, which made the day more enjoyable. The camaraderie and positive atmosphere compensated for the downtime. As for the pricing, I do believe that for what was offered, the experience could have been better. While the guide and the coconut plantation added value, the overall tour could have been enhanced with more immersive and authentic experiences at the floating markets. On the other hand, another reviewer mentioned their fantastic guide, "Boeing," who truly made their trip memorable. Along with the "2nd best driver," Boeing provided exceptional service and showcased a wealth of knowledge. Their welcoming and humorous nature added a layer of enjoyment to the journey, and their expertise was evident throughout. Similar to my experience, the visit to the family coconut plantation added an intriguing dimension to the trip. It was not only informative but also enjoyable and interactive. The floating markets, although commercialized, still held interest, especially with the historical context and insight into the local trade and commerce. Although the journey to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market can be quite lengthy due to traffic, the excellent guidance and entertaining nature of the guide made the travel time hardly noticeable. Their efforts in spoiling the group with local delicacies and treats further demonstrated their commitment to ensuring a pleasurable experience for everyone. In conclusion, while the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market might not fully capture the essence of authentic local life, the visit can still be an enjoyable and informative experience. The presence of a knowledgeable guide like Pang or Boeing significantly enhances the trip, making it more engaging and entertaining. With some improvements to the overall itinerary and offerings, this excursion has the potential to be an even more remarkable adventure for visitors.

Our guide Pang was lovely, warm and friendly...the markets aren't anything more than a tourist trap, not a snap shot of local life at all. The coconut plantation however was so interesting and a highlight. We all weren't interested in shopping after the boat trip, so our time was spent just waiting for the van to leave. We were lucky enough to share the experience with lovely people so the day was great. For the price...it could have been better.

What a fun adventure! We enjoyed seeing a different part of Thailand and a different way of life. Our guide, Natty, was knowledgeable, flexible, personable and fun.

Our guide, Boeing was wonderful, knowledgeable and fun. At the local market he got us samples of everything.

Great day out. This is a must for all visitors. We took ate 8 and 11 year old. The guide Kiwi was fantastic. Highly recommend.