Floating market - in Thailand!!!!
Have you ever wanted to do grocery shopping on a boat....in Thailand!?!? About 10 years ago, I saw a show about these floating markets on Food Network and have been wanting to go ever since. I guess you can say dreams do eventually come true!!!
My family and I planned a trip to Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia for January of 2018 (more posts about the other countries to come soon). Our first stop was Bangkok, and my first priority was the floating markets. The markets are about an hour and a half away from the main metropolitan city of Bangkok.
My brother and I did a ton of research before heading to the markets to make sure we experienced it to its maximum potential and for the best possible price. These markets are a HUGE attraction in Bangkok, so it can be a dangerous tourist trap if it isn’t done properly.
Now, I want everyone to be able to experience these beautiful markets, so I have compiled the tips that we learned from for your reference.
Don’t book a tour guide - it’s extremely expensive and they cut you short on the time spent in the market.
Get a driver from your hotel to drop you directly at the market - our driver took us to the pier (he got commission) but it was $60 a person. We had to convince him to take us to the market to get a cheap price.
Go directly to the market - get a paddle boat - not a steam boat - from the market, and it should be $5 a person.
Go early - go before 9 or 10am. We got there at 8:30, and the market wasn’t fully opened but it was peaceful and not too crowded. On our way back, it took us 20 minutes to move a few feet because the canal was so crowded. The tourists had arrived!
Get the coconut ice cream and pad Thai - absolutely delicious and just $1 or $2. The coconut ice cream is served in a freshly cut coconut. The pad Thai is made right in front of you, to your liking and is phenomenal .
- Don’t buy too much from the shops - the shops have great handmade artifacts, BUT, you can get them for way cheaper at night markets in the city. If you do buy, make sure you bargain to drop the price.
- All of the markets will be the same, no matter which you go to - we went to Damnoen Saduak market, which is apparently the original.
Overall, these floating markets are a great time, regardless of how touristy it has become. The right way to do it is to just avoid the tourist traps, and it will still be an authentic and entertaining experience for a very affordable price.
Has anyone else been to these markets? Or, anyone interested in going? I can answer more questions if you have them!
Much love everyone.
Disclaimer: copied from my post on 