BANGKOK CANAL TOUR: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW 2024
There is a different perspective of Bangkok while riding a long tail boat as the local people do and trust me it is one of the best and more relaxed ways to experience this Asian city.
During my first visit to Bangkok on the very first day I took a Bangkok canal long tail boat tour to experience the city, and I think it is the best way to get introduced to the city. As the boat slides through the canals (Khlongs, คลอง) you will be able to experience the water local life and see some of the most famous attractions from the water, the some times called “Venice of East”.
Indulging in a Bangkok canal tour should be a must do in your Bangkok visit. I have taken several long tail boat tours in Bangkok and also used the water transport system and I am sharing my experience here with you to help you planning your Bangkok canal tour.
TIP: I recommend you this Bangkok long tail canal boat tour with an experienced tour guide that you can customize at your own choice. I recommend you to book in advance to avoid wasting time walking around.
You can also check other great options as there are many canal boat tours available and some of them even combine it with other activities in the city. It is much easier to book in advance that just waste some of your precious time in the city searching for your boat trip in the city chaotic piers.
ABOUT BANGKOK CANALS
The Bangkok’s canals, known locally as “khlongs,” have been a very important part of the city’s hitstory, culture and transportation system since they were built by King Rama I in the 18th century. They were initially vital arteries in the city for commerce, facilitating the movelemtn of goods and people and being a vital part for Bangkok’s economic development.
In the 19th century, Bangkok had an extensive canal network spanning hundreds of Km. earning the city of the name of the “Venice of the East.”
In more recent times some canals were filled and became roads that became the primary mode of transportaion. Nowadays there is still a network of canals remaining and they are one of Bangkok’s more popular attractions. Today there are conservation efforts made to preserve this rich heritage of Thailand history. Transportations along the canals is also an eco friendly alternative to the motorbikes and tuk tuk in the city center.
Bangkok canals are one of most iconic parts of the city identity and a visit to Bankok will not be complete without taking a Bangkok canal boat tour.
BANGKOK CANALS MAP
In check out this map of Bangkok canals, from the Bangkok Maps website where you can appreciate the distribution of canals along the main areas of the city:
WHERE TO DO MY CANAL BOAT TOUR IN BANGKOK
If you were to explore the whole of Bangkok canals it will take you days if not weeks as there are hundreds of Kilometers of canals in the city. So you will get a different taste of the city depending on the
As mentioned, Bangkok has hundreds of kilometers of canals. So your experience will probably differ depending on which canal you explore.
Two of the most famous canals in Bangkok are:
Khlong Saen Saeb: This canal was built during King Rama III ruling during a period of conflict between Siam and Annam over Cambodia. This canal has a very important place in Bangkok’s history and as it used to facilitate water transport for soldiers ans weaponry, providing a historical advantage during times of military tension.
The canal is located in the city center and it is crossed but a public mortorboat line that you can take to explore the different stops along the way. There are a lots of things to do in the area, such as street markets, shopping areas and some good cafes and restaurants.
Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem: This canal was built in 1851 to expand the city boundaries from Rattanakosin Island to the North and East. The canal was a crucial element in the urban development of the city, providing with strategic and practival benefits.
There is a beautiful floating market in this canal and you can take a a shuttle service that runs along this canal. Do not miss this canal trip if you would like to observe the local life.
However the best area to get to know the city by boat is the Thonburi area, as you will be able to see some of the most iconic city attractions such as the Wat Arun, Temple of The Dawn from the boat.
Most tours start around the Grand Palace however your can discuss with your tour guide your pick up point so that is convenient for your Bangkok itinerary.
MY BANGKOK CANAL TOUR IN THE THONBURI AREA
My Bangkok canal tour start in the phra arthit pier, that is the closer to Kao Shan road where I was usually stay when I visit Bangkok. The my boat rider took me along the river and some secondary canals and it ended it up in the Wat Arun temple.
My tour took around one hour and a half and what it stroke me the most the first time I did this tour, that was also my first visit of many to Thailand, as the contrasts along the way. Some very modern a luxurious buildings close to some very poor and humble houses, as well as some people taking swims in the river, that to my tasted was not really clean for a swim.
There are many different combinations and itinerary for the tours and this can be usually discussed and customized for your personal situation. Somme of the most popular stops are the Khlong Bang Luang Artist House and the Baan Sillapin artist village which will immerse you on a cultural journer along the canal. The Wat Pak Nam area that will surprise you with its giant temple. There is also the option to visit the Taling Chan floating market and some other attractions. The tours are usually very flexible if you chose for a customizable tour.
Once you leave the river and enter the intricate canal network the watter level decreases and it will be seeing a different part of Bangkok that is a truly off the beaten path experience.
The local life here is much more hamble than in the other parts of the city and this is the place where I had the certainty that Asia is the place of contrasts. The atmosphere here is much more peaceful but you can see how the people who live in these areas are much more poor than in the busy center.
The wooden constructions standing on stitls above the water reminded me of the floating houes in the Inle lake, in Myanmar, or the humble houses in the Tonle Sap lake in Siem Reap.
It is striking how luxury and high end mansions stand close to very shabby contructions and impressive temples as opposite to other places in the world where the areas where the rich and the poor live are clearly divided.
There is also some much wildlife that lives in the canals and in general in Bangkok. But in this area as it is more quiet and there is no a lot of motor transport you will get the chance to get close to it. My boat driver stopped a few times for me to observer some big monitor lizards roaming around or to observe and listen to some birds.
You will see all kinds of local life in the porch of the more humble houses, such as children playing and jumping into the river for a swim, women doing laundry and people fishing. There will be some boats along the way selling all kind of goods.
The boat ride around these canals is really peaceful and shows you a part of Bangkok that you will not be able to see otherwise. Local people were usually very friendly greeting me as the boat pass by with that famous Thai smile.
HOW TO ORGANIZE A BANGKOK CANAL TOUR
Technically you could organize your Bangkok canal tour just by walking around the piers and asking around to find a private long tail boat. But, trust me, this is no easy as it seems. The piers are usually very crowded as local people and tourists used them to take their daily commute to work or for traveling around the big metropolis.
The best way is to get an organized tour or hire a private boat with a local guide.
There are several tours available that offer fixed itineraries or customized options.
BANGKOK CANAL TOUR FAQs
IS THE BANGKOK CANAL TOUR WORTH IT?
Yes, the Bangkok Canal tour is really worth and it should be a must do, during your visit to Bangkok. You will experience another face of Bangkok that you will not be able to see otherwise and it will also be a very relaxing experience.
HOW MUCH IS THE BOAT TOUR IN THE BANGKOK CANAL?
Pricing ranges vary for canal transportation options. Commuter canal taxis are available for as low as 9 THB (US$ 0.30) to 19 THB (US$ 0.50). Meanwhile, for a two-hour tour along the canals, longtail tourist boats typically charge around 1,500 THB (US$ 42).
HOW MANY CANALS ARE THERE IN BANGKOK?
While the exact number is not well known and fluctuates due to various reason the number of canals in Bangkok is approximately 1682.
WHERE CAN I TAKE THE LONG TAIL BOAT IN BANGKOK?
Long-tail boats, ferries, and river taxis are readily available at numerous floating docks lining the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. Among these, the Phra Arthit pier, situated near Khao San Road, stands out as an ideal starting and ending point for river excursions, offering convenient access to a variety of waterborne transportation options.
BANGKOK CANAL TOUR FINAL THOUGHTS
You can see a different part of a city on foot, boat, motorbike or any kind of transport and in Bangkok the most special way to discover the local life is by boat.
You will not only have the chance to see some iconic landmarks but to observe local life scenes that you will not see otherwise, while enjoying a relaxing boat ride in this vibrant city full of secrets.
Adding a canal boat tour to your Bangkok itinerary should is must do and trust me you will not regret and will have one of the most rewarding experiences in this amazing city.
MORE BANGKOK AND THAILAND GUIDES
I have been several in Bangkok and have spent in total months there during several stays in the city arriving from Europe or just on the way to other several destination in Thailand. Check here some more Bangkok guides;
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