Damnoen Saduak Floating Market: An Honest Longtail Boat Ride Review

So, you’re thinking about checking out Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and hopping on a longtail boat, right? Maybe you’ve seen pictures or videos and you are thinking “Wow, that really looks kind of interesting!” Well, I get it! The place looks super colorful and seems like an authentic Thailand experience. Is that what you think too? This review gives you the real deal, from what it’s like to actually get there to whether that boat ride is really all it is cracked up to be.

First Impressions: Getting to the Market

The trip there from Bangkok is, almost, the beginning of the adventure, really. Very often, that can be part of what makes something so memorable, am I right? Expect a drive of about 1.5 to 2 hours, that is, assuming traffic is being somewhat kind. As a matter of fact, many tours include transportation, and that’s what I would probably suggest if you’re not very keen on tackling it by yourself. Actually, you can grab a taxi, too, but settling on a price beforehand is what you will want to do so that you aren’t shocked later on. The route is more or less straightforward, but sitting back and letting someone else handle it can make things more relaxing, wouldn’t you say?

Now, when you get close, you are dropped off a little bit away from the market itself. It’s like, maybe a five or ten-minute walk? Very, very quickly you will realize the entire area really caters, basically, to tourists. This means that there are lots of shops selling souvenirs, clothes, and local snacks all along the way. Many of the other tourist markets I’ve seen are just, well, full of all of the same stuff, right? But the atmosphere kind of gets you pumped for what’s ahead!

The Longtail Boat Experience: What It’s Really Like

Alright, here comes what you probably came for: that famous longtail boat ride. In fact, it looks cool, but is, sort of, a mixed bag. Once you are in the boat, you’re sped out onto the canals. It gets really narrow pretty quickly. All of the boats are kind of crammed together. Your driver does his very best to scoot through without bumping into others. The noise can get loud, because all of those engines really echo in the narrow waterways, like your ears are trying to enjoy the ride! What you will notice is that it’s crowded. Then, it hits you like a wave, the entire place is a tourist hotspot. So it goes. As I was saying, if you were thinking about a peaceful, authentic Thai experience? This might be a bit much. But don’t lose hope, because there is stuff to like here!

You’ll glide past vendors selling everything, frankly, from food and drinks to handicrafts and souvenirs. I think that you get to see all kinds of unusual items here. Whether that is really worth it is for you to say, very. Trying some local snacks from a boat is quite a novel thing to do. I have found out you can get everything like fresh fruit, grilled meats, and that mango sticky rice that everyone goes crazy for. It can be fun bartering for things, or at least trying to get a reasonable price. Actually, remember that vendors often start with a higher price, so offering a lower price isn’t insulting at all.

Navigating the Crowds: Tips for a Better Visit

Seriously, if you are thinking about going to Damnoen Saduak, try to get there early. Maybe way early? Tours from Bangkok generally leave early and arrive before all of the massive crowds show up, so I think you should too. Getting there before 9 AM is, arguably, a good idea. That is, of course, if you’re into beating the worst of the tourist rush. Similarly, wear comfortable shoes, that is if you will be walking around the market area a bit. Plus, carrying some Thai baht in cash makes paying those boat vendors way easier. Haggling is very accepted, too. By the way, do it politely. Smiles actually go a long way. Seriously, be ready to say “no thank you” sometimes, you know, because vendors can be very persistent. So that’s what I recommend to you, be prepared!

When it really gets packed in, your boat will kind of inch along, like cars in rush hour. Actually, at some points, things may pretty much stop entirely. Then, vendors try to sell things to the boats around them. I’m telling you this, because knowing ahead of time helps to keep you from getting surprised and stressed. Seeing the reality versus what you expect from the ads makes it all much better.

Food, Shopping, and Other Things to Do

One of the highlights really is trying all the local eats right from the boat vendors. Oh my gosh, what could be more delicious? Many people sell mango sticky rice and it seems very worth it, really, especially since you’re in Thailand! Fresh coconut ice cream can be the best snack on a hot day, by the way. Just be cautious with anything that has ice, but it might be, you know, perfectly alright, because usually it is!

Aside from that food, the shopping might be very hit-or-miss. What I mean is that, well, it depends what you’re expecting. I see tons of the typical tourist souvenirs, such as t-shirts, little elephant trinkets, and things of that sort. So too it’s almost, kind of, stuff you could find at any of the other tourist spots. That said, it can be fun looking. Likewise, haggling is really part of the experience, so don’t accept that initial price right away. The other parts around the market itself include some interesting temples and local artisan shops, as a matter of fact. If you want, actually, you can stretch your legs a bit and see what you could find just off of the main canal.

Is It Worth It? Weighing the Pros and Cons

Honestly, if you go in knowing it is very touristy, the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market might be, seemingly, worth a visit. Plus, it might also depend on how much time you will have in Thailand. If your trip is pretty short, so I guess you would want to make certain you prioritize what is most exciting to you, actually. Getting to see the canals and activity from that longtail boat is quite the experience. By the way, I just hope I am being honest with you. So that is to say, there might be, like, better floating markets close by to Bangkok.

Actually, I would mention Amphawa Floating Market. Seriously, it’s very popular among locals. Amphawa offers almost more of a genuine feel, actually. And I believe it just gets very busy in the evenings and on weekends. If a less crowded, more authentic vibe is more your style, I think that you would be looking into markets that are less on the mainstream tourist path. In some respects, these options often provide a much more relaxed experience. At the end of the day, I mean, that choice really depends on what is important to you.