When you think of a train passing through a market, you might picture the famous train street in Hanoi, Vietnam. And you’d be absolutely right—that place is special… if you’re in Vietnam. But what if we told you that you can have a more authentic, less touristy, and far less near-death experience just over an hour away from Bangkok?
Let us introduce you to the Maeklong Railway Market.
1. How to Get There
The easiest way to get there is probably to book a private tour via GetYourGuide. But that can be expensive—and honestly, anyone can do that! If you’re up for a bit more adventure and want to experience Thailand like a local, we suggest using the bus service. It’s incredibly cheap, and it’s a fun experience.
Arrive at Mo Chit Bus Terminal Building D with plenty of time. We recommend travelling in the morning, as the buses don’t run very frequently.
You’ll be greeted by a line of men and women working in various booths, all trying to get your attention. Choose one, show them where you’re heading, and ask for a return ticket (120 baht). Done!
The journey to Maeklong takes about 1.5 hours, depending on traffic. The bus driver will let you know when you’ve arrived at your destination. It’s helpful to track your journey on Google Maps so you know where you are.
The bus stop is within walking distance of the market. Unlike Train Street in Hanoi, this place isn’t set up specifically for tourists, so it might be harder to know the train schedule in advance. But hang around, take pictures, and when you see the shopkeepers packing up, you’ll know the time is near!
2. Amphawa Floating Market
There’s more to Maeklong than just a train passing through a market—it’s also home to a lesser-known floating market. To get there, get on a tuk-tuk, as Grab is unreliable this far from the city. The journey takes around 10 minutes and is a lot of fun.
Once there, find a boat and hop on! The boat taxis will take you around the market for as little as 60 baht. It’s one of the most enjoyable experiences we had—especially if you’re fortunate enough to arrive at sunset. Not only is the atmosphere made even more magical by the soft glow of the sun, but by the time the boat takes you to the back of the market along the river, you might even catch sight of fireflies!
3. How to Get Back
Do everything in reverse, right? That usually works—unless it’s a bit later in the evening. Still, trust in the locals.
Here’s what happened to us: at Bangkok South Station, we were told that the last bus back to the city would be at 7pm. However, we really wanted to stay longer and enjoy the firefly experience, so we planned to return via Grab—without realising how unreliable it is in this area.
Instead, we approached a kind tuk-tuk driver who offered to help. He took it upon himself to drive us to another bus stop, waited with us until the bus arrived (explaining that other buses were still heading to Bangkok), and waved us goodbye.
Although the experience felt a little unnerving at first, it turned out to be the best thing that could have happened. It restored our trust in humanity, helped us relax for the rest of the trip, and taught us a valuable lesson about the kindness of the Thai people.
We hope you have an amazing time exploring the Maeklong Railway Market and the Maeklong Floating Market. For more Thailand travel tips and destination guides, check out our other stories on onabreak.co.uk.
