Bangkok’s Floating Markets

Everywhere in the world, you can find colorful, fun-filled markets brimming with local products and traditions. Some markets, though, are more unique than others. When you book cheap tickets to Bangkok, make sure you plan a visit to some of the city’s floating marketplaces. At rivers, canals, and other waterways, Thai vendors fill their rowboats with goods while tourists and locals navigate their own boats to check out all the options. Some boats even have their own mini-kitchens, serving up ultra-fresh meals and tempting snacks. Check out cheap airline flights and plan your trip to Bangkok and its amazing markets.

One of the floating markets closest to Bangkok is Taling Chan. After your flights to Bangkok, you can take one of the city buses to get here and hire a boat to let you explore both the floating mini-shops and the villages along the canals. If you want to make your stay in Bangkok more educational, stay with a Thai host family from one of these villages and immerse yourself in Thais’ daily life. The Tha Kha floating market is smaller and more secluded than most, but is worth seeing for its beautiful location under leafy canopy trees. At the Bhang Khu Wiang market, buy farm-fresh produce from local monks that pull in by boat after finishing their early morning alms round. This one is open every day, so your air flights itinerary won’t matter too much, but the market only lasts from 4:00am to 7:00am.

The Damnoen Saduak floating market is the biggest and probably the most touristy - a scene from an early James Bond movie was filmed here. Damnoen Saduak is about an hour and a half from central Bangkok. It is much livelier than some of the markets, so prepare yourself to patiently wait for space in the water. This is a good place to find souvenirs to bring on your air flights home, as vendors here will be selling everything from bamboo hats to traditional Thai puppets.

These floating markets are also an easy and fast way to try indigenous Thai dishes. Grab some pad thai served in a banana leaf bowl, barbecued chicken skewers, or some fresh coconut milk and coconut pancakes. When you purchase cheap flights to Bangkok, check out tour company packages that include a stop at a floating market. Some attractions near the Damnoen Saduak market that you might see on a package trip are the Teak Handicraft Center, to see artisans in action, and the Sugar House, where you can watch Thais make coconut sugar. Search for flight tickets from the cheapest airline now and book your flights to Bangkok for a memorable market experience.