Floating Market Bangkok

Explore Amphawa Floating Market in Bangkok | Highlights, Visitor’s Guide & More

Discover the Amphawa Floating Market, nestled along the Mae Klong River, a charming and understated market in bustling Bangkok. As the sun sets, the market glows with lantern light, while firefly boat tours add a touch of magic to this authentic riverside escape. Learn all about the Amphawa Floating Market in this guide before planning your visit.

What is the Amphawa Floating Market?

Picture a charming canal lined with wooden houses, bustling with vendors selling everything from sizzling seafood to handmade crafts—all from their boats! Unlike its tourist-heavy counterparts, Amphawa retains an authentic, laid-back vibe that’s perfect for soaking in local life. As dusk falls, the market transforms into a magical scene with flickering lights and firefly boat tours. Whether you're savoring grilled river prawns, shopping for quirky souvenirs, or cruising through firefly-lit canals, Amphawa is where you should be!

Plan Your Visit to Amphawa Floating Market

Address: Amphawa, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram 75110, Thailand.

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Amphawa Floating Market is located in the Samut Songkhram Province, about 80 kilometers southwest of Bangkok. Popular landmarks near the floating market include Tham Khao Luang Caves, King Rama II Memorial Park, and Tha Kha Floating Market.

The Damnoen Saduak Floating Marker is around 14 km from Amphawa Floating Market and takes about 20 minutes by car. Meanwhile, the Maeklong Railway Market is 7.4 km away and can be reached in 15 minutes by car.

Amphawa Floating Market operates only on the weekends (from Friday to Sunday) and from 2 pm to 9 pm.

The best time to visit the floating market is around 2 pm, as it is less crowded. However, if you wish to go on the firefly boat ride, arrive at the market by 5 pm to explore it for a while before going on the boat ride. The ideal season to visit Amphawa Floating Market is the cool, dry season between November and February.

  • By bus: Take bus 127 from Wongwian Yai bus stop in Bangkok and get down at Samut Sankhon bus stop. After that, take a minivan on line 481 and reach Samut Songkhram, which is 1.2 km from Maeklong Railway Market. A bus can be taken from Maeklong Railway Market to reach Amphawa Floating Market, which is 15 minutes away. 
  • By train: Take train 169 from Bang Bamru Station in Bangkok and reach Park Tho Starion. The Amphawa Floating Market is 18.9 km from and you can take a taxi to reach it in around 23 minutes. 
  • By car: You can drive to Amphawa Floating Market from Bangkok and the journey would take around 75 minutes. 
  • By taxi: Private taxis from Bangkok will take you to Amphawa Floating Market in around 75 minutes, depending on the traffic.

What to do in Amphawa Floating Market

Firefly boat ride

Hop on a boat along the Mae Klong River as the sun winds down. You will encounter thousands of glowing fireflies accompanying you for an hour-long boat ride creating an otherworldly, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Explore the market on a boat

Float down the canals of the Amphawa Floating Market and treat all your senses to the colorful produce, flowers, and handicrafts on the boats. Whether you want to shop for souvenirs or simply enjoy the ride, you can do it all here!

Shop for handicrafts and fresh produce

The Amphawa Floating Market is a shopping haven and you can buy a variety of things – from locally made handbags to traditional clothes. Shop for travel-friendly souvenirs like fridge magnets, keychains, mini elephant figurines, and other trinkets to always carry a piece of Amphawa with you.

Taste local street food

Amphawa Floating Market is a haven for food lovers, offering an array of mouthwatering Thai street food. Taste fresh fruits like mangosteen, rambutans, custard apples, dragonfruit, and others unique to the region. Do not miss out on savory delicacies like stir-fried noodles, often called ‘boat noodles’, chicken skewers, and grilled seafood. End your food adventure on a sweet note with the classic Thai dessert – mango sticky rice.

History of Amphawa Floating Market in a Nutshell

The origins of the Amphawa Floating Market date back to the 17th-century Ayyuthya Kingdom. Amphawa was a fertile pocket of land and farmers used the floating market to sell their wares. The canals comprising the floating market were called klongs by the local population and the name continues to be in use today. The popularity of the floating market rose in the 2000s when it was revived by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Since then, the Amphawa Floating Market has been a favorite destination for tourists from all over the world, especially for the firefly boat rides after the sun falls.

Frequently Asked Questions about Amphawa Floating Market

What are the opening hours of Amphawa Floating Market?

Amphawa Floating Market is open from 2 PM to 9 PM on weekends (Friday to Sunday).

How do I get to Amphawa Floating Market from Bangkok?

You can reach Amphawa by car or taxi in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, or take a bus or train from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal or Wongwian Yai Station.

Is there an entry fee for Amphawa Floating Market?

No, there is no entry fee to visit the market.

What is the best time to visit Amphawa Floating Market?

The market is most vibrant in the late afternoon and evening, particularly after 4 PM, when the boats light up and the food stalls come alive.

Can I take a boat ride at Amphawa Floating Market?

Yes, you can take a boat ride through the canals to explore the market from the water. Evening boat rides to see fireflies along the river are a popular activity. Boat rides can be booked at the market’s entrance and typically last 30 to 45 minutes. The standard price for a 45-minute boat ride is THB 600 but can be negotiated.

What can I buy at Amphawa Floating Market?

You can shop for handmade bags, triangle hats, delicious local fruits, small souvenirs like keychains, fridge magnets, and more. Traditional clothes, especially ones with elephant prints, are also popular among tourists.

Can I visit Amphawa Floating Market with children?

Yes, Amphawa Floating Market also has activities that children will enjoy like boat rides on the canal and firefly boat rides.

Is Amphawa Floating Market wheelchair accessible?

Some parts of Amphawa Floating Market are accessible by wheelchair but due to the narrow and uneven lanes of the market, it might be difficult for people with mobility problems to visit the floating market.

Are there vegetarian food options at Amphawa Floating Market?

Yes, you’ll find a variety of vegetarian dishes, such as stir-fried noodles, fresh fruit, and coconut-based desserts at the market.

What’s the best way to see the fireflies at Amphawa?

The fireflies boat ride is the best way to see the glowing insects along the Mae Klong River, usually offered after sunset when the fireflies are most visible.

Floating Market Bangkok
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