While you can find biking tours in most bigger cities worldwide, even in South East Asia, the Bangkok bike tour may be the last thing that comes to mind – at least it was for us. We just couldn’t imagine biking through a city like Bangkok.
But a cycling tour in Bangkok is the most authentic and fun way to experience a different side of this vibrant city.
We were looking for a unique and less touristy activity in Bangkok, and joining the biking tour definitely exceeded our expectations.
We joined a fantastically organized Co Van Kessel biking tour in Bangkok. If numerous great reviews are not enough, read along to see why a Co Van Kessel biking tour in Bangkok is worth your money!
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Should you book the Bangkok bike tour in advance?
Yes, booking a Bangkok biking tour in advance is advisable, as these tours operate with small groups and limited spots. Reserve your spot now!
Are cycling tours a safe way of exploring Bangkok?
Biking tours in Bangkok are very safe. The routes usually avoid main roads and heavy traffic and often go off-the-beaten path through small alleys, roads, and trails.
On the Bangkok biking tour with Co Van Kessel, we had two guides: one in the front leading the group and one at the end. They ensured we were all together and nobody got lost. They also helped stop traffic in situations where it was required.
They also offer helmets for extra protection, but it’s up to you whether you want to wear one. Since the cycling speed is generally not that great, we were fine without one.
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Cycling in Bangkok Tour itinerary
The Bangkok cycling tour begins at their office near Chinatown and the Chao Phraya River. There, you are introduced to your guides, learn some basic rules, adjust your bikes, and are ready to go.
We will outline the 5-hour Bangkok biking tour itinerary, as that’s what we did. However, the 3-hour tour is quite similar, except that it doesn’t include the part with the boat ride.
1. Cycling through Chinatown
The first part of the Bangkok bike tour route took us through the heart of Chinatown, through narrow alleys full of street art, busy morning markets and food stalls, and some beautiful temples.
While we had already explored the top sights in Chinatown in Bangkok, this was an absolutely different experience.
We stopped at a few spots, where our guide told us more about Thai culture and the things we had seen during the bike tour in Bangkok so far.
2. Temple visit
We stopped at one of the temples just outside Chinatown, a lesser-known temple in Bangkok, where we could learn more about Buddhist culture.
The temple visit was one of the highlights of our Bangkok cycling tour. We also got to try our luck by shaking the fortune sticks, a practice called Kau Chim, and seeing the result.
Must read: Best Temples To Visit in Bangkok
TRAVEL TIP
Bring a sarong or similar piece of clothing to cover your legs and shoulders while visiting the temples in Bangkok.
Our guides had extra sarongs for all the participants, but Arijana always has one with us – very useful in Thailand! 😀
3. Boat ride through Bangkok’s Khlongs
After a few short stops and some more biking, it was time to explore Bangkok’s canals in a traditional long-tail boat. This was a lovely addition to our Bangkok bike trip.
Read next: Our complete travel guide to Phuket
Fun fact: All the bikes during the Bangkok bike tour go in the boat with you!
4. Cycling through rural Bangkok
The second part of our Bangkok cycling tour route was absolutely amazing! It passes through a peaceful and lush area of Bangkok—the complete opposite of Chinatown.
There are still many narrow alleys and paths, just this time full of greenery, plantations, and fields.
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Our favorite part was high-fiving local kids (and adults! 😁) we met on the way! 🙂
At one point, we were even riding along an active railway when the train swooshed straight next to us. Such a cool experience!
- Read our Hanoi Train Street Complete Guide
5. Thai-style lunch in a peaceful setting
We arrived at a local restaurant at the end of our Bangkok cycling tour, where a family prepared a delicious Thai meal.
Tip: If you’re vegetarian or vegan, let them know in advance so they can prepare a special meal for you!
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6. Last cycling
After a delicious lunch and break, it was time to head back. And we didn’t take the same route back, which was amazing!
7. Boat ride back
To finish the Bangkok cycling tour, we went on another boat ride, passing by the Big Buddha temple of Wat Paknam Bhasi Charoen in another lesser-visited area of Bangkok.
The canals soon ended, and the boat entered the big Chao Phraya River. After that, we cruised upstream for another 10 minutes while observing the interesting riverside on each side.
Are Co Van Kessel’s biking tours in Bangkok worth it?
The Bangkok biking tour exceeded our expectations. The guides were fun and taught us more about Thai culture and traditions. We also got excellent exercise while admiring the beauty of Bangkok.
Biking tours by Co Van Kessel in Bangkok offer a fun and unique way to explore authentic Bangkok. They are definitely worth it and should be added to your Bangkok bucket list.
About Co Van Kessel
Co Van Kessel is a 30+ years old bike tour company in Bangkok and Chiang Mai known for its authentic experiences.
Focusing on eco-friendly tourism, Co Van Kessel specializes in unique bike tours that allow visitors to explore the city’s hidden gems and local communities.
They are now a top choice for tourists looking to immerse themselves in the vibrant city of Bangkok.
While their most popular tour is the 3-hour Classical Bicycle Tour that goes through Chinatown, we opted for a 5-hour tour combining a boat ride in Bangkok’s channels (Klongs).
And they even have a Bangkok by Night Cycling Tour, which is an excellent option for a bit different experience.
Co Van Kessel’s Sustainability efforts
The best thing about Co Van Kessel biking tours is their social responsibility and sustainability efforts. From their early beginnings, they have strived to give back and support the local communities they pass through on their tours.
For example, the lunch on our tour was organized in a local family restaurant, the water provided during the tour was bought at local stores instead of big chains, and similar. We often forget how big of an effect such “small” things have on the people and economy around us.
They also regularly donate money to local communities and organizations and are part of many projects, such as the “Cycle to School” project, where they donate bikes to local kids in rural areas.
What to wear for cycling around Bangkok
While you can generally wear whatever you want while biking around Bangkok, wearing comfortable and breathable clothes is recommended. And definitely don’t come in flip-flops, but rather sneakers or sandals.
Consider covering up your shoulders as you’ll be in the sun often and visit a temple or two.
We can recommend Unbound Merino clothes. Their shirts were great, as they dried super fast after getting sweaty (which you will). Unlike other clothes, they don’t stink up after one wear, so you can reuse them a lot.
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Where to stay in Bangkok
Overall, Bangkok’s diverse range of accommodation options caters to all types of travelers – from budget-conscious backpackers to luxury-seeking tourists.
Whether you prefer staying in lively areas like Khao San Road, opting for upscale comfort along Sukhumvit Road, or indulging yourself in a 5-star hotel experience, Bangkok has it all!
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Conclusion
We hope we inspired you to go on a cycling tour with Co Van Kessel in Bangkok. And we’re sure it will be one of your Bangkok’s highlights!
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