Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Thailand (Guide & Review)

Floating markets are popular places to visit in Southeast Asia to gain an insight into an almost lost tradition. Our first time at a floating market was in the deep south of Vietnam, at the Nga Nam Floating Market, about two hours south of Can Tho in the Mekong Delta.

Since then, we have been on many more, but mainly around the floating markets of Bangkok, including the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, which we describe and review in this guide.

The area around Bangkok is known for its bustling canals filled with vendors selling fresh produce, local treats, and handmade crafts, offering an authentic glimpse into traditional Thai life. Whether you’re a foodie, a culture enthusiast, or an adventurer, visiting markets like the one at Damnoen Saduak promises a great experience.

• Also read: Best Things To Do in Bangkok

About Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Nestled in the heart of Thailand, the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is a treat for all your senses. Vibrant colors, lively sounds, and a flight of tastes – it has it all!

The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi Province of Thailand dates back to the Ayutthaya Period, but a version of it has existed throughout Thailand’s history. In the past, people in this area conducted transport and daily commerce mostly along rivers, waterways, and canals, also known as khlongs. That’s how large floating markets like the one at Damnoen Saduak came to be.

This over 100-year-old market is one of Thailand’s oldest remaining and most popular floating markets. It has long been teeming with farmers selling their goods on their long-tail Thai boats. Even today, the water network, which is over 32 kilometers long with more than 200 branches and canals, is busy with locals and tourists.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market has three different parts/markets (Ton Khem, Hia Kui, and Khun Phitak), but the largest part is at Ton Khem, the closest and most visited one.

Why is Damnoen Saduak Floating Market so famous?

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market has been a long-standing institution in the country, so much so that it’s almost synonymous with Thailand. Its popularity rose significantly after the 1970s when new roads made it even more accessible.

The floating market at Damnoen Saduak is famous for its long-tail and row boats, which comfortably seat at least 4 to 6 people and slowly glide along while conducting trade. It’s the perfect way to get close to an almost lost tradition in Thailand.

• Also read: Maeklong Railway Market (Thailand Train Market)

But it’s not only the most popular floating market in Thailand but likely also in Southeast Asia.

While the Damnoen Saduak Market is the first choice for most tourists, we also have a list of other floating markets in Bangkok worth checking out if you don’t want to go to the most famous one.

At all those markets, Thai locals and foreign tourists visit the area to purchase goods and souvenirs, try local Thai delicacies, and immerse themselves in floating market culture.

While tourism is the focus and where the majority of sales come for most vendors of this floating market, locals still visit it, much like all floating markets in Bangkok.

When we visited the Khlong Lat Mayom floating market, much closer to Bangkok, it was bustling, with locals doing their daily shopping. While it’s true that they were mainly at the market part, not on the river but right next to it, they still buy things from vendors selling things off their boats. For example, we saw a Thai gentleman buy bananas and other fruit from a lady in a rowboat.

What to expect at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

When visiting the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Thailand, expect sensory overload. It’s lively, it’s vibrant, there are different smells, and it’s a shopping adventure like no other. You’re on a boat, which you can shop off. You simply purchase your food and souvenirs while you travel along the waters.

• Recommended: Thailand Travel Guides

Please note that the market will be jam-packed with other tourists if you come at peak times.

But that is not to say you shouldn’t jump off your boat and explore. With a little walk, you can check the other side, where there could be fewer tourists, fewer boats, and arguably more different stalls and vendors.

• Also read: How to visit Bangkok Chinatown

Check our hand-picked tours:

• Floating Market & Maeklong Railway Market Tour – check availability here
• Ayutthaya, Maeklong Railway Market & Floating Market Tour – check availability here

Things to do at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Some of our favorite things to do at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market are:

• Purchasing Thai gifts and souvenirs
• Exploring the market area itself
• Visiting nearby attractions
• Going on “food ventures” – definitely try mango sticky rice, homemade coconut ice cream, banana pancakes, and fresh local fruits like pineapple, bananas, and durian (for more adventurous foodies)

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market boat ride price

The price for a Damnoen Saduak Floating Market boat ride can range anywhere from 200-800 baht (6 to 20 USD), depending on the boat you plan on taking around. Cheap traditional rowboat rides cost around 200-300 baht (6 – 8 USD), and motorboat rides go from 600-800 baht (15 – 20 USD).

The boat tour around Damnoen Saduak Floating Market lasts about one hour, enough time to see everything.

• This top-rated Damnoen Saduak Tour includes transport there, a boat ride, plus a visit to the famous train market and a coconut sugar farm.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market opening hours

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market’s opening hours are from 7 a.m. to about 4 p.m., but it’s really open longer, as some vendors arrive at 6 a.m. and only leave until about 5 p.m.

The best time to visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is super early or a bit later in the afternoon when most tour buses and groups are gone. The busiest time is between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. when most tour groups are at the market.

• Also read: Best Time To Visit Thailand

How to get to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

To get to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, you can drive, book an organized tour, take a taxi, or take a bus. The floating market is about an hour’s drive from Bangkok, but depending on your chosen method, total travel time may be up to 2 hours.

If you’re taking a taxi, know precisely where you want to be dropped off. Most drivers tend to bring visitors to local gift shops in the area, where they can earn commissions from your purchases. A great alternative is a private tour with a driver.

If you’re taking the public bus, you can ride from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai), where a bus (number 78) leaves for Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi, every 60 minutes. Tickets are cheap at about 2 USD, and you can ride a bus as early as 6 in the morning.

• Also read: Best Things To Do in Bangkok

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Tours

While it’s convenient to get to the market by yourself, we suggest booking a combo tour that visits both the Damnoen Saduak Market and Maeklong Railway Market.

Some tours visit even more spots, like the Amphawa Floating Market located in Samut Songkhram near the train market. This top-rated Damnoen Saduak Tour also visits a Coconut Sugar Farm and Salt Farm.

Our hand-picked tours

• Tour with Maeklong Railway Market – check tour availability
• Tour with Railway Market and Ayutthaya – check tour availability
• Tour with Coconut Sugar Farm and Salt Farm – check tour availability

Where to stay near Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Opting to stay overnight near the floating market is a great idea if you plan to visit more nearby spots like the Amphawa Floating Market and Maeklong Railway Market.

We hand-picked a great selection of hotels:

• Mid-range – Khum Damnoen Resort

• Budget – Baan Klong Resort | Reuan Vilawan

Final thoughts – Is it worth visiting?

While many call Damnoen Saduak Floating Market a tourist trap, we still think it’s worth visiting. It offers a chance to experience something unique and traditional in these parts of Thailand.

Is it extremely touristy? Yes. Is it overpriced? Yes. But is it an unmissable thing while in Bangkok? Also, yes.

We loved visiting the floating markets in Bangkok and are always happy to return because of the great atmosphere, delicious food, and friendly people in a nice environment.

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