Start daily at: 8:00 & 9:30 & 11:00 & 12:30 & 14:00 & 15:30 & 16:30 hrs.
Leave the busy streets behind and step into a world of wooden houses, smiling locals, and timeless traditions along Bangkok’s canals.
Hop aboard a traditional Thai long-tail boat and set off on a relaxing journey through Thonburi, the historic part of Bangkok. This area retains a slower pace of life, offering a fascinating contrast to the city’s modern skyscrapers and bustling streets.
During this (approx.) 2-hour canal adventure, you’ll catch glimpses of local life along the waterways.
Bangkok is a city of contrasts. Beyond its glittering temples and luxurious neighborhoods, the city also has areas of poverty and simple canal-side communities. On our tour, you’ll pass some older, more fragile houses that are at the mercy of floods during the rainy season. We want to show travelers a more authentic side of Bangkok, one that reflects local life beyond the postcard-perfect sights. It’s a perspective that many find eye-opening and enriching.
One of the highlights is Khlong Bang Luang, a riverside community dating back to the Ayutthaya period. Lined with old wooden houses and family-run shops, it offers a glimpse of traditional canal-side life. At its heart is Baan Silapin (The Artist’s House), a beautifully restored 200-year-old home serving as a creative space for local artists. A wooden walkway invites a quiet stroll along the canal, making this a true hidden gem.
As the boat continues, you’ll pass Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, an important temple built during the mid-Ayutthaya period. Your boat will pause so you can admire and photograph the enormous golden Buddha from the water, soaring nearly 70 meters high (please note that we do not disembark at this temple).
This tour offers a unique way to explore Bangkok, combining the charm of its canals, the vibrancy of local life, and glimpses of iconic landmarks, all from the comfort of your boat. It’s perfect for travelers seeking a traditional, intimate, and photogenic side of the Thai capital.
Important notes:
- Please note that during the tour, we may experience a wait at one of the water locks, which regulate canal levels. These operate on no fixed schedule and are beyond our control, but they are part of the authentic canal experience.
Meeting point:
The meeting point is at the bus stop directly opposite Elefin Coffee and Bangkok Bank on Maha Rat Road, just south of Wat Pho.
The easiest way to reach the meeting point (and to avoid Bangkok’s heavy road traffic) is by taking the MRT (metro) to Sanam Chai Station. From there, use the 'Museum Siam' exit. The meeting point is just a short 5-minute walk away.
For the location on Google Maps, please click HERE.
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1,668 Comments
5
Lovely afternoon canal ride!
This canal tour and our lovely guide Joyce was such a wonderful few hours in the afternoon! Joyce was kind and informative, answered all our questions, pointed out small little interesting things we wouldn’t have noticed, and gave recommendations. Seeing the Big Buddha, the artists house, and especially just cruising along the canals was such a lovely experience.
4
Disappointing
A little disappointing. It’s interesting to see Thonburi from the canal, but the tour description says ‘At Baan Silapin (The Artist’s House), you’ll have enough time to walk around the historic and restored wooden house and learn more about Thai culture’. However, that did not happen. The boat stopped on the water outside the house and we fed the fish, but we did not get off and did not walk around the house.
5
Great service and experience!
Such a great tour! Joyce was an absolute charm. We only had a few hours in Bangkok and loved what we got to see from this tour.
5
Bangkok Longtail Boat Tour Feb 2024
Hi, we took the Longtail Boat Tour which meets outside of a specific Elefin Coffee shop. We walked down an alley and along a raised platform to the dock where the boat was. We went down canals and saw a variety of homes, empty land or businesses along the canals. We also stopped at a temple with the largest Buddha in Thailand and another stop where you could shop, get a snack or use the restroom, and feed the fish. Then back to the original starting point.
Notes: I would not recommend this if you are physically challenged since you will have to get on and off the boat 3 times. Also would not be good for small children unless you are helping/watching them constantly.
Stop 2: There are no rails to protect people from falling in the canal at the very small shops there. Basically it is wooden walkways then a fall into the water if you are not paying attention. If you walk farther down, there is a bridge that goes over the canal. You can get some nice photos from here. Be careful since motorized two wheeled vehicles zip up either side. You should be on the stairs side of this not very wide bridge. There are a lot of fish in the water and you can buy fish food from the vendors.
The tour itself is highly recommended since it is inexpensive, you get to ride a Longtail, see a side of life which can’t be seen from land and guided by friendly locals.
We sat very close to the front and the boat can bounce in the water when hitting bigger waves from other boats so you could get very lightly wet or sprayed but it’s Bangkok so it might feel good. When going down the canals and encountering other boats, the boats would slow down to minimize bouncing.
One other thing, after exiting the boat at the end, we had to leave the area by going over a gate. The gate is about the height of straddling a bike or a little less. I can understand having a gate to keep small children from the water but couldn’t it have been opened and people can walk out. This definitely would rule out people with disabilities or limitations. Also, why was there a raised walkway on the the way in/out towards the boat dock. On the way out, we just walked on the ground next to it.
Anyways, I really liked the tour and recommend it for capable people.
5
Great trip
A great day out for me and my family. A stunning ride along the river and a stop at a local market. Our guide was very friendly and helpful, giving us plenty of facts and information about bangkok and Thailand.