Damnoen Saduak Floating Market & Ayutthaya Tour from Bangkok
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This full-day tour from Bangkok links three very different Thai landmarks — a railway-track market, a floating market, and the UNESCO ruins of Ayutthaya.
Start your adventure at the famous Maeklong Railway Market, one of the most unique markets in the world, where vendors casually pull back their awnings as the train passes right through the middle of the market!
Next, head to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, Thailand’s most iconic (though touristy) floating market. Glide through narrow canals in a traditional long-tail boat and take in the lively scene, with colorful stalls lining the water (mainly offering souvenirs for visitors).
In the afternoon, journey back in time to the majestic ruins of Ayutthaya, the former royal capital of Siam and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Strolling through these historic grounds offers a glimpse into Thailand’s rich past and architectural heritage.
With a maximum of 12 participants, the tour keeps a small-group feel while covering three of central Thailand’s most popular day-trip stops.
Itinerary
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The Mae Klong Railway Market dates back to 1905. Fishing has long been a main source of income for the local community, and the market became a key place for selling fresh catch and produce. When officials built a railway to help transport goods to other provinces, the market didn't disappear; instead, it adapted. To this day, vendors continue to sell their goods right on the tracks. Just moments before the train passes, they swiftly pull back their awnings and move their baskets and trays, only to resume business as usual once the train has passed. It’s a fascinating and truly unique sight: chaotic, impressive, and unmistakably Thai! The total duration includes travel time from Bangkok to Maeklong Market.
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We'll visit Thailand’s most famous floating market: Damnoen Saduak. Upon arrival, you'll board a traditional long-tail boat for a ride through the canals, offering a glimpse into life along the waterways. The Damnoen Saduak canal was commissioned in 1866 by King Rama IV to connect the Mae Klong and Tha Chin rivers and improve water transport between the Ratchaburi and Samut Sakhon provinces. Photographs of this colorful and bustling market are among the most widely featured in travel brochures about Thailand. While the market today caters largely to tourists, it still offers an unforgettable experience with its lively atmosphere, boats, and canal scenes. Note: Damnoen Saduak is undeniably touristy these days, and while it may not feel fully authentic anymore, it remains one of the best places to experience a floating market.
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Wat Phanan Choeng is one of Ayutthaya’s oldest and most revered temples, founded in 1324; 26 years before the city itself was officially established. The temple is renowned for its massive seated Buddha image, known as Luang Pho Tho, which stands 19 meters tall and is considered one of the most beautiful in Thailand. It’s a deeply spiritual site for many Thai Buddhists, who come to pay their respects and make merit. The temple is still actively used and offers a lively, authentic atmosphere. Entrance fee of THB 20 per person is not included and must be paid in cash on the day of the tour. The total duration includes travel time from Damnoen Saduak to Ayutthaya.
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Wat Mahathat was one of the most important temples in the Ayutthaya Kingdom, serving as the spiritual and political heart of the capital. It once housed sacred Buddha relics and was the seat of the Supreme Patriarch, making it the center of Thai Buddhism. Located near the Royal Palace, it played a key role in royal ceremonies, such as the Kathin robe offering. Though largely in ruins today, its atmosphere remains powerful. The temple’s most iconic feature is the mysterious stone Buddha head nestled in the roots of a Banyan tree, one of the most photographed and intriguing images in Ayutthaya. Visitors can stroll through crumbling chedis, ancient walls, and weathered Buddha images, all echoing centuries of devotion and history. Entrance fee of THB 80 per person is not included and must be paid in cash on the day of the tour.
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Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the most important and grandest temple in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Located within the Royal Palace complex, it served exclusively as the royal chapel, much like the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok today. Unlike other monasteries, it had no resident monks and was reserved solely for royal ceremonies, including religious rituals conducted by Ayutthaya’s kings and their families. The highlight of the temple was a 16-meter high standing Buddha covered in over 150 kilograms of gold, which was tragically melted down when the Burmese army invaded Ayutthaya in 1767. Much of the temple was destroyed during this attack, but the three iconic bell-shaped stupas, containing the ashes of three Ayutthaya kings, still stand proudly today. Entrance fee of THB 80 per person is not included and must be paid in cash on the day of the tour. The total duration includes travel time from Ayutthaya to Bangkok.
Included
- English speaking guide
- Hotel pick up and drop off (ONLY from hotels on Khao San Road and on Siam Square)
- One bottle of drinking water per person
- Transportation by airconditioned vehicle
- Long-tail boat ride at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Not Included
Personal expenses; Wat Phra Sri Sanphet; Wat Mahathat; Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan; Lunch; Snacks - soft drinks/alcoholic beverages (optional); Gratuities for driver and guide (optional)
Meeting point & area
View larger map →Meeting point: The meeting point is at our WanderSiam office in Chao Khamrop Road. Chao Khamrop Road is close to Phlapphla Chai 2 Police Station and right next to the Tai Hong Kong Shrine. (For taxi drivers: สถานีตำรวจนครบาลพลับพลาไชย).
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