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Bangkok Canal Tour: How To Do It & What To Expect

Bangkok Canal Tour: How To Do It & What To Expect

No visit to Bangkok would be complete without experiencing its authentic canals (khlongs). One of the best ways to do it is by taking a private long-tail boat Bangkok canal tour.

In this post, I am sharing our experience so that you know what to expect from your Bangkok canal tour.

At the end of the article, I also include some practical information to help you plan your time in Bangkok and explore the canals.

TIP: If you don’t have the time to read the entire article and are simply looking for a longtail canal tour in Bangkok, there is now this highly-rated tour that you can pre-book in advance.

There are other nice options too, often including more than just a boat tour on the canals. Whatever you choose, take my word for it, it’s a lot easier than trying to arrange it at one of the countless chaotic piers on the spot.

Bangkok river boat tour is a great way to explore the city a bit off the beaten path
A boat tour is a great way to explore Bangkok a bit off the beaten path
 

Bangkok canals – some history

Bangkok’s first canals were dug in the late 18th century when Rattanakosin (now Bangkok) became the capital of Thailand. King Rama I decided he wanted to live on an island. Rattanakosin Island, home of the Grand Palace (both built in the same period, around 1782), was created by digging a wide canal linking the Chao Phraya River.

Later, more canals followed. As the city grew, canals became more and more important not just for defense purposes, but also for irrigation, drainage, trade, and of course transportation. In the 19th century, Bangkok developed a big canal network with hundreds of kilometers of waterways. It is during this period that Bangkok became known as the Venice of the East.

In the 20th century, the city expanded further but shifted its focus to building new roads rather than canals. Some canals were filled again and turned into roads. But even though the canals are of less importance nowadays, they are such an indispensable part of Bangkok, so definitely worth a visit. Find out!

Bangkok canal tour – where to go

As mentioned, Bangkok has hundreds of kilometers of canals. So your experience will probably differ depending on which canal you explore.

Khlong Saen Saeb, for example, is a busy canal in Bangkok’s center. This canal is served by a public motorboat and if you have the time you could explore it by hopping on and off the boat. You’ll find everything here from street markets to design shopping, and from street food to modern cafes.

Since our time in Bangkok was limited, we didn’t visit this part of the city. Therefore, I cannot compare this canal to the ones that we did. From everything I read, it sounds and looks like a very different world than the canals that we visited (and recommend). Read on!

How to see Bangkok canals, Thailand
 

We took a long-tail boat on the river from a pier near the Grand Palace and explored the canals of Thonburi area.

This area, west of Chao Phraya River, is probably best known for the famous Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn. Thon Buri is the oldest area of Bangkok and exploring it is a bit like taking a journey back to Bangkok’s past.

The long-tail boat canal tour will differ a bit depending on what you agree upon and where exactly you start. We did the southern part of the neighborhood. Alternatively, we could have done the part a bit more north, but our local guide made it sound like it didn’t really matter that much – it’s still just as interesting.

Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn as seen from Chao Phraya River in Bangkok
Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn as seen from Chao Phraya River
 

Bangkok canal tour in Thonburi area – what to expect

We started our canal tour by – literally – jumping on a long-tail boat at Tha Tien pier. We then sailed Khlong Bangkok YaiKhlong Mon, and ended at Wat Arun (Khun Mae Pueak Cross River Ferry Pier) – see the image below for the exact location.

This Bangkok riverboat tour took us 55 minutes. But your Bangkok canal tour can be easily expanded by covering a bigger distance.

You could opt to visit places like the Royal Thai Barge Museum, an Orchid Farm, or – on the weekends – Taling Chan floating market. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see this market, but we were told that it’s one of the more authentic markets of Bangkok where vendors cook and serve fresh seafood directly on the boats.

Bangkok canal tour - our route map
Bangkok canal tour – our route map
 

The moment you leave the Chao Phraya River, you enter a different world. It’s even separated by a lock, since the water level of the canals is lower than in the river.

Taking a canal tour through this old part of Bangkok showed us a very different part of the city. So close and yet a world apart from the hustle and the bustle of the busy streets in the city center or the modern skyscrapers you see in the distance… This part of town had such a peaceful atmosphere. Sometimes it felt as if the time stood still here.

As we sailed Thonburi’s canals lined with trees, we couldn’t believe the huge contrast around us. Tiny teak houses built on stilts above the water and shabby constructions stand side by side with impressive private properties and beautiful ornate temples…

In most countries in the world, there is a clear separation between the areas where the rich or the poor live. Our local guide said that it’s not really the case in Thailand. We have never seen this more clearly than here, next to one of Bangkok’s oldest canals.

Wooden house built on pillars on the water along Bangkok's canals
Wooden stilt houses along the canals
Big luxury villa along Bangkok's canals
Big luxury villa stands just next to the tiny wooden houses
 

We could get a glimpse of how locals live here.

Elderly people sitting on the chairs on the wooden docks of their tiny homes overlooking the canal, women hanging laundry to dry, men fishing, children jumping into the water and swimming between the giant fish…

Local children swimming in a canal in Thonburi neighbourhood
Local children swimming in a canal in Thonburi neighborhood
Locals feeding the fish on Bangkok's canals in Thailand
Locals feeding the fish in the canals
 

We saw local vendors in their wooden boats loaded with all kinds of merchandise from fruit and vegetables to souvenirs and household appliances…

Vendor selling souvenirs from his wooden boat in Bangkok
A local vendor selling souvenirs from his wooden boat
 

We were also surprised to see so much fauna in and around the canals. From a variety of birds and fish to huge water lizards quietly lying by the water…

Take a look at one of the lizards we saw in the picture below. No way I’d dare go for a swim in those waters…

Water lizard as seen from canal tour in Bangkok
Can you spot the water lizard?
 

One of the highlights of our Bangkok canal tour was a short stop at a temple where our guide bought some freshly baked bread from the Buddhist monks. Our kids could then feed the bread to the fish. In no time our boat was surrounded by hundreds of fish and the kids had the time of their life!

Buying bread for the fish from Buddhist monks at Wat Chinorot temple along Bangkok's canals
Our guide bought some bread for the fish from Buddhist monks at Wat Chinorot temple
Kids feeding fish during Bangkok canal tour in Thonburi area
Kids had so much fun feeding the fish
 

How to do Bangkok canal tour

There are probably many ways to do a Bangkok canal tour or a river boat tour: with a local guide or on your own, with an organized tour, or by hiring a private boat.

You could potentially just go to one of the piers (e.g. Tha Chang Pier, Tha Maharaj Pier, or Tha Tien Pier, or Thonburi Railway Station Pier and inquire there), get the boat, and set on tour. However, this only sounds easy on paper.

Once you get there, you realize that it’s more complicated than that. First, the piers in central Bangkok are crowded. Second, it’s not at all clear where to go or who to ask for a private tour (everyone stands in line waiting for a public ferry to cross the river). And third, very few people speak English, so it might be tough to explain what it is that you’re looking for.

It’s not like on the islands in the South of Thailand where you just go to the beach and talk to any of the long-tail boat drivers. The river in Bangkok is so busy and there are no boats or drivers waiting by the pier. So you have to ask the right person who knows how to ‘catch’ one for you…

Colorful temple along Khlong Bangkok Yai as seen from the boat on the canal tour
Colorful temple along Khlong Bangkok Yai
 

We did this Bangkok canal tour with a local guide, as a part of a private guided day trip in Bangkok. When one of the piers couldn’t get long-tail boats to dock due to the water level, our guide took us to the next pier and arranged the long-tailed boat there. We just followed him through all the chaos, feeling thankful that we didn’t have to try to sort this out ourselves.

Exploring Bangkok with a local guide who speaks English really well makes your trip so much more comfortable! Furthermore, you get interesting insights and information about the places that you visit.

We crafted our own itinerary for a day in Bangkok with the help of a local guide. We also asked for a private minivan since our trip started and ended at the airport. This was a great way to explore Bangkok with the locals and saved us so much time!

We could have never seen so much in so little time on our own. The price you pay is for the guide for the day. Then, depending on what you want to see and do, you pay entrance fees as you go.

So, in case of this Bangkok private canal boat tour, our guide arranged a private long-tail boat for us and we paid 1,500 TBH (+-40EUR) for it. From what I understood, the price was the same for up to 8 people.

TIP: For more options and different durations, check out the GetYourGuide website. There are some really nice Bangkok canal tours available, often also including a guided visit to some local neighborhoods. Plus, you can compare itineraries, read reviews, and find a tour that best suits your interests and timing.

Private Bangkok river boat tour is the best way to explore the canals at your own pace
A private tour is the best way to explore the canals at your own pace
 

Bangkok canal tour – conclusion

If you are looking for something unique to do in Bangkok, then I really recommend a long-tail boat canal tour. It’s a wonderful way to get a bit off the beaten path, escape the crowds, and see a more authentic part of the city.

We visited Bangkok with children and they were really happy to have a break from the temples and do something different for a change. All in all, a great tour that I highly recommend to all first-time visitors to Bangkok.

READ ALSO: How to see the best of Bangkok in one day & Where to Stay in Bangkok

More tips for your trip to Thailand:

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

Bangkok canal tour is a great way to get to know a different side of Thailand's capital city
 

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Brittany

Monday 19th of September 2022

Hi, I didnt see in the article who you went with for the tour - I would like to book the same one as you. Could you please comment where you found them, if you know how I could contact them please. thank you.

Jurga

Monday 19th of September 2022

Hi Brittany, it's in there, but I guess you missed it. As said in the article, we did a canal tour as part of this day tour with a local guide. Basically, we asked them to make a personalized itinerary with things we wanted to see and do and this was one of them. You can read about all the other places we visited that day in our one-day Bangkok itinerary. Hope this helps.

Jonas Johnsson

Wednesday 28th of April 2021

Thanks for this article! Now you provoced me to arrange a canal tour by myself ;) I know there are smaller boats to get as well, because around 8 years ago I went to Koh Kret with one. My plan is to find a restaurant close to the pier, where they are not o busy and speak english, and then ask them to find me a boat and talk with the captain where I want to go and where I want him to stay. Easy!? Maybe not at all! Haha

Jurga

Friday 30th of April 2021

Good luck! It wasn't easy when we visited (and also most of the boat drivers didn't speak English), but if you have plenty of time and are persistent, I'm sure you could make it work.

Maverick

Sunday 29th of November 2020

If you are at or near Suvarnabhumi Airport with an afternoon free, go to Hua Takhe Market. There are rustic canals and charming cafes. Only 10 minutes by taxi.

Jurga

Tuesday 1st of December 2020

Thanks for sharing these suggestions close to the airport, Maverick. Hua Ta Khe Market looks like a nice, local place indeed. This would probably would fit better as a comment to our layover in Bangkok article. :)

Paula Turnnidge

Saturday 22nd of February 2020

Hello, I have enjoyed reading about your canal tour just a quick question, we are going in June with my 82year old mother, who has difficulty going up and down stairs let along getting in a boat, do you think this will be impossible? I would really like Tom do old Bangkok Thonburi canal.

Many thanks for any advise

Paula ?

Jurga

Friday 28th of February 2020

Hi Paula, I think that it will be too difficult for your mom. It's really not easy to get in and out of those boats. We had to almost jump to get into ours because it couldn't easily dock because of the waves... So maybe find an alternative way to explore Bangkok. I see that there are dinner cruises on bigger boats, like this one. Maybe that's something you could do instead... Enjoy your trip!

Carlos

Thursday 26th of December 2019

Thanks for the info

Paula Turnnidge

Friday 28th of February 2020

Thank you for helping and I agree with you but nice to have confirmation.

We have booked a river cruise so think this will be ok

Have a lovely weekend xx

Jurga

Thursday 26th of December 2019

Glad to help. Enjoy your time in Bangkok!

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