10 Best Boat Tours and Cruises in Bangkok

To see Bangkok in a different way, take a cruise to enjoy the sights of the city. Here are some options for this experience.
10 Best Boat Tours and Cruises in Bangkok

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During a cruise around Bangkok, you can visit some of the city's most famous sights, including the Grand Palace, Wat Arun and the Temple of Dawn. The best thing about this type of cruise is that you can also enjoy traditional Thai cuisine and great entertainment on board.

This is undoubtedly one of the best things to see and do in Bangkok, as you can sail through different river areas of the city, including the Chao Phraya River, where you can see the Bangkok skyline and the surrounding countryside. I also recommend signing up for a cruise through the canals that cross the city, known as khlongs, where you can see the local neighbourhoods and floating markets up close.

1. Cruise on the Chao Phraya River

Chao Phraya river seen|©Tomorn Boonnok
Chao Phraya river seen|©Tomorn Boonnok

During this cruise on the Chao Phraya River, you will have an incredible experience where you will have the opportunity to take photos of the panoramic views of the city and also see some temples and tourist attractions within the city.

This cruise on the Chao Phraya River is one of the most popular activities in Bangkok, because on board you can enjoy good Thai food, whether you decide to have lunch or dinner on the boat.

In the middle of this tour, you will have the opportunity to see traditional Thai cultural shows. As you see all the temples and other places of interest while sailing along the river, the tour guide will tell you everything you need to know about each one.

This is undoubtedly one of the best cruises in Bangkok because you can see the city from a different perspective, and it is also an activity that you should include if you are visiting Bangkok for two days or less, thanks to its great tourist appeal.

Details of interest

  • Price: The price may vary depending on the time you decide to take the cruise, the amenities offered, among other things, but at a minimum, you will have to pay around £37 per person for this cruise.
  • Duration: This cruise usually lasts around two hours from departure in Bangkok until you return.
  • Means of transport: The entire trip is made on a tourist boat with enclosed cabins and air conditioning inside, although you will have to make your own way to the meeting point with your tour guide.

Book a dinner cruise in Bangkok

2. Cruise to Koh Kret Island

Path on Koh Kret Island|©Uwe Schwarzbach
Path on Koh Kret Island|©Uwe Schwarzbach

Another incredible place to visit in Bangkok with the help of a cruise is undoubtedly Koh Kret, a charming island located approximately 20 kilometres from the centre of Bangkok on the Chao Phraya River. This island is special thanks to its slow and relaxed pace of life , compared to the bustling city, so it is definitely a good place for a day trip or at least a half-day excursion from Bangkok.

During the trip , you will have the opportunity to see all the tourist attractions that Bangkok has to offer, such as its temples and other tourist sites, viewed from the sea. Once you arrive on Koh Kret Island, you will have the opportunity to learn about its culture, pottery and unique architecture. You can also sample some traditional Thai dishes and buy handmade crafts.

Details of interest

  • Price: To board a cruise of this type, you will have to pay around £100 per person, depending on the different services offered and the duration of the excursion.
  • Duration: These cruises are usually half-day trips, so you will complete the tour in approximately 4 hours on average.
  • Means of transport: The entire trip is completed by boat and in small groups, although you will have to make your own way from your accommodation.

Book a tourist boat trip in Bangkok

3. River cruise to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market|©Colin Tsoi
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market|©Colin Tsoi

On this tour, you will visit the traditional floating market located in the suburbs of Bangkok. This type of cruise will take you through the city's river canals to the market , where you can explore the food stalls and view local art in the authentic and vibrant atmosphere that characterises Bangkok.

On this tour to the floating market and back, you will be accompanied by a tour guide who will tell you all about this famous place. You can also choose to leave Bangkok very early in the morning to visit the market before the crowds arrive.

Details of interest

  • Price: The trip to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market costs approximately £18 to £26 per person, although these prices may vary depending on the specific characteristics of each trip.
  • Duration: The trip takes around 6 hours to complete.
  • Means of transport: The entire tour is done by rowboat, and part of it by private car.

Book a river excursion to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

4. Cruise on the Mae Klong River

Mae Klong|©Wisawin Chewangkul
Mae Klong|©Wisawin Chewangkul

On this tour of the Mae Klong River, you will enjoy a unique experience, as the trip is surrounded by tropical forests and a unique natural landscape that you will love to photograph. Rice fields and traditional Thai villages are some of the landscapes you can enjoy during this cruise on the Mae Klong River.

You will also discover some of the most popular tourist attractions in the area, including the Amphawa floating market and Wat Bang Kung temple. During this type of cruise, you can also enjoy traditional Thai food and drinks while enjoying the ride on board the cruise ship, allowing you to sample some Thai cuisine before going on a food tour in Bangkok.

Details of interest

  • Price: To enjoy this trip, you will need to pay around £65 per person.
  • Duration: This tour can last around 9 hours, as it is a full-day tour. The time may also vary depending on the stops you make along the way.
  • Transportation: The entire tour is completed by boat, and another part by private vehicle with all amenities.

Book a tourist boat trip around Bangkok

5. Cruise on the Gulf of Thailand

Gulf of Thailand|©nuielo
Gulf of Thailand|©nuielo

On this trip, you will discover the beautiful landscapes of Thailand's east coast. During the cruise, you will have the opportunity to visit and admire the pristine beaches of the Thai coast, as well as see and photograph its mountains covered in tropical forests and even charming seaside villages.

During this type of cruise around the gulf, you will be able to sample some traditional Thai dishes, but you will also have the opportunity to take part in one of the best cooking classes in Bangkok while enjoying the trip on board. In addition, during this tour you will be able to go diving in bright and colourful reefs, all while the guide explains everything you need to know about the gulf and its characteristics.

Details of interest

  • Price: To enjoy this cruise, you will need to pay around £120 per person.
  • Duration: This experience takes around 8 hours to complete.
  • Means of transport: The entire tour is completed by boat, and another part by private car with all amenities.

Book a cooking class in Bangkok

6. Cruise to Koh Samui Island

Koh Samui|©Barbara
Koh Samui|©Barbara

Another incredible island to visit during your trip to Bangkok is undoubtedly Koh Samui. On this cruise, you will board a boat to the popular tourist island located in the Gulf of Thailand.

This is a great trip to take if you are visiting Bangkok with children, as the island is a peaceful and beautiful place to have fun and, above all, appreciate its natural beauty. It is also a perfect activity to do after participating in a tour of Bangkok to see other landscapes.

The cruise makes its way through the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean until it reaches the crystal clear waters of Koh Samui. During the tour, you will have the opportunity to enjoy incredible seascapes, and you can also sail through the canals between the Thai islands.

Details of interest

  • Price: This type of cruise usually costs around £125 per person.
  • Duration: This tour takes around 8 hours to complete.
  • Means of transport: The entire tour is completed by boat, and another part by car with all amenities.

7. Cruise on the River Kwai

Cruise on the River Kwai|©Miguel Discart
Cruise on the River Kwai|©Miguel Discart

You will undoubtedly love this exploration of the River Kwai and its surroundings, as you will be able to visit and photograph the famous bridge over the river. The bridge is located in Thailand, in the province of Kanchanaburi, and visiting it will not only be great fun, but also a great dose of history. The famous bridge over the River Kwai houses the remains of the railway built during World War II by Japanese prisoners of war.

During this tour of the River Kwai Bridge, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the lush landscape around the river while listening to all the interesting details provided by the guide. You will love seeing the landscapes made up of green mountains and open fields. You can also visit the local Buddhist caves to see ancient hand-painted paintings. This cruise will undoubtedly give you an insight into the ancient Thai culture.

Interesting details

  • Price: This tour costs approximately £50 per person.
  • Duration: This experience takes approximately half a day to complete, around 5 hours.
  • Transportation: The entire tour is completed by boat, although you will have to make your own way to the departure point.

Book a tour of the River Kwai Bridge

8. Ayutthaya bus tour with cruise

Ayutthaya|©randmname
Ayutthaya|©randmname

On this tour, you will visit the ancient city of Ayutthaya and sail along the river from Bangkok, discovering and enjoying the incredible landscapes along the way. On this tour, one of the best excursions to the temples of Ayutthaya, you will not only enjoy the atmosphere on the cruise, but also the history and culture hidden in this town.

During the tour, you will discover the ancient capital of Siam, but first you will have the opportunity to visit a couple of temples, such as Wat Lokayasutharam, which is renowned for its giant reclining Buddha. You will also have the chance to photograph the entire landscape while enjoying a variety of traditional Asian dishes, in this case, Thai cuisine.

Interesting details

  • Price: You will need to pay around £65 per person to enjoy this tour.
  • Duration: The tour lasts around nine hours, making it a full-day trip.
  • Transportation: The entire tour is conducted by boat and private car with all amenities.

Book an excursion to Ayutthaya from Bangkok

9. Candlelight dinner cruise

Bangkok River Cruise|©Kalboz
Bangkok River Cruise|©Kalboz

On this night tour of the Chao Phraya River, you will have the opportunity to see all of Bangkok's most important temples and attractions from a different perspective after the sun goes down , making this one of the best things to see and do in Bangkok at night.

This is undoubtedly a trip where you will not only enjoy an incredible evening, but also learn about Thai culture along the way. During the tour, you will be able to enjoy different traditional Thai dishes while listening to good music on board and taking incredible photos in the night light and with all the city lights.

Details of interest

  • Price: These types of tours can cost around £50 per person.
  • Duration: This trip takes around two hours to complete.
  • Means of transport: The entire tour is by cruise, although you will have to make your own way to the departure point.

Book a tourist boat trip in Bangkok

10. Cruise to Ang Thong National Park

Ang Thong National Marine Park|©jelinley
Ang Thong National Marine Park|©jelinley

If there's one cruise you're going to love, it's the one that takes you to discover the natural beauty of Thailand, in this case Ang Thong National Park. This national park is located in the Andaman Sea and offers breathtaking panoramic views, beautiful coastal landscapes and crystal-clear waters. During this cruise to this place, the tour guide will tell you all about Thailand's coastal landscapes, but at the same time, they will tell you everything you want to know about its culture.

As for fun during the tour, you should know that your guide will give you the opportunity to explore the cays and small islands located in the national park, but you can also go and discover its deserted white beaches. You'll even have the opportunity to get off and enjoy a private beach, right after swimming or diving among the reefs full of colourful marine life. This is definitely an excursion you should do if you're spending 7 days or more in Bangkok.

Details of interest

  • Price: This tour costs approximately £95 per person.
  • Duration: This experience takes around 12 hours to complete.
  • Means of transport: The entire tour is completed by boat, and another part by car with all amenities.

Book a tourist boat trip around Bangkok

What are the advantages of taking a guided cruise in Bangkok vs renting a boat on my own?

A dinner cruise on the river in Bangkok|©eGuide Travel
A dinner cruise on the river in Bangkok|©eGuide Travel
  • Guided tour
  • You'll be guaranteed entertainment.
  • You will have a tour guide who will tell you about Thai culture.
  • You can sample Thai cuisine on board.
  • You will have a planned route with the best sights to see.
  • Rented boat
  • You will have to hire entertainment individually
  • You will not have a guide to tell you about Thai culture
  • You will not be able to eat Thai food; you will have to bring your own food.
  • You will not know exactly which places to visit for a good tour.

Reviews from other travellers

4.7
· 11470 Reviews
  • N
    N. A.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    The excursion to the markets was a unique experience, but I think it would benefit from more free time to explore on your own.
  • D
    D. I.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The private excursion to the floating markets and the train market was a unique experience, highly recommended to understand the local culture.
  • V
    V. A.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    I visited on my last trip and loved the unique experience of exploring the floating markets. The guide was very friendly and taught me a lot about the local culture.
  • Y
    Y. F.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    The tour was great, we saw unique markets and learned a lot, highly recommended, don't miss it!
  • P
    P. B.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The excursion to the floating markets offers a unique and colourful experience, although more time to explore on your own would be ideal.