Bangkok New Year's Eve dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River

Bangkok’s Floating and Railway Markets with local community visit

Thailand's markets are a quintessential experience, and two of the most popular ones take centre stage on this full day tour. Explore a unique market on the railway at Maeklong and be embraced by the flavours of Amphawa Floating Market. Plus, there's a taste of local life at Baan Rim Klong community. Mook, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Amphawa is one of the most traditional floating markets around Bangkok, full of locals browsing and enjoying something to eat. It's my No.1 spot for Thai street food, so make sure you come with an appetite.'First on the agenda is Maeklong Market, a rather special shopping scene set along train tracks. Dating from around 1905, this fresh produce market is one of the largest in Thailand. Feel the thrill as vendors whisk away their stock in a matter of minutes before a train approaches and passes through the middle of their stalls. After soaking up the sights and sounds at Maekong, it's time to head to a local restaurant for lunch.Slow things down a pace next at Baan Rim Klong community, where you'll meet the locals and hear about their traditions. Watch how workers impressively clamber up coconut trees and then extract sugar from the fresh fruit. You'll also learn how baskets are woven from palm leaves, before helping prepare ‘Kanom Thai' – a popular Thai dessert. Round things off with a visit to Amphawa Floating Market, where you'll have free time to browse the stalls and tuck into Thai street food while taking in views of the canals.

Meet Thai locals and tour Maeklong Railway Market with lunch

Thai railway markets are a quintessential experience, and the country's most popular one takes centre stage on this tour from Bangkok. Enjoy a unique shopping experience at Maeklong Railway Market and get a taste of local life at Baan Rim Klong community.First up is Maeklong Market, a rather special shopping scene set along train tracks. Dating back to around 1905, this seafood market is one of the largest in Thailand. Feel the thrill as vendors whisk away their stock in a matter of minutes before a train approaches and passes through the middle of their stalls.Slow things down a pace next at Baan Rim Klong community, where you'll meet the locals and hear about their traditions. Watch how workers impressively clamber up coconut trees and then extract sugar from the fresh fruit. You'll also learn how baskets are woven from palm leaves, before helping to prepare ‘Kanom Thai' - a popular Thai dessert. Round things off at a local restaurant where you'll tuck into a tasty lunch.

Wat Bang Kung temple visit and mangrove boat ride from Bangkok

Lying along the Gulf of Thailand, the province of Samut Songkhram is best known for its floating markets and swimming monkeys. This tour from Bangkok shines the spotlight on two of the area's top attractions - Wat Bang Kung Buddhist temple and Khlong Khon Mangrove Conservation Centre.While Thailand has many Buddhist temples to visit, Wat Bang Kung is one of the most iconic. Swamped by the roots and branches of a huge Banyan tree, it's like nothing you've seen before. It's believed that the ancient temple was built over 300 years ago, as it houses paintings from the late Ayutthaya period. Inside, discover the famous golden Nila Manee Buddha statue, which many locals visit daily to worship. Then take a relaxing stroll along the Mae Klong river.Up next is the Mangrove Forest Conservation Centre in the coastal village of Khlong Khon. You'll board a longtail boat and cruise through mangroves, getting up close and personal to wild monkeys that patrol the river banks. Some of the cheeky creatures may even swim up to the boat to greet you. The tour ends with a tasty seafood lunch served at a local restaurant.

Bangkok temples and shrines small group walking tour

Discovering Bangkok's temples and history is just one part of this walking tour. You'll see unexplored corners of the city and delve right into local culture as you navigate Wat Saket, Wat Suthat and the ‘Giant Swing'. Prasit, one of our local guides, says, ‘The 37 golden spires of Loha Prasat represent the 37 requisites of enlightenment. These are stages in Buddhist teachings that must be achieved before attaining enlightenment.'Kick off at the temple of Wat Ratchanatdaram, best known for Loha Prasat, one of the few bronze-roofed palaces in the world. Then you'll visit the Golden Mount, just a short walk away, where you'll find Wat Saket. Climb the 344 steps up the golden chedi for views over old Bangkok. Prasit adds, ‘Wat Saket is an important landmark that sits on the only hill in Bangkok, and it holds great significance for all followers of The Lord Buddha. The stairs are long but they take you up to the top for panoramic views of Rattanakosin Island.'Then, it's on to the Giant Swing – or Sao Ching Cha – and Wat Suthat, one of the most important temples from the Rattanakosin era. Prasit says, ‘Wat Suthat is my favourite temple. It stands out because the interior is richly decorated with murals of Thai life and faith. In the centre, above statues of praying monks, sits a giant golden Buddha.' After our visit, we'll have a coffee break before pressing on to San Chao Pho Suea, the ‘Tiger God Shrine'. And lastly, we'll walk to Ratchadamnoen Klang Road to end the tour.

Half-day guided tour of Bangkok’s canals and Chinatown district

Bangkok is famed for its skyscrapers and fast-paced way of life but on this tour you'll explore a different side to the city. You'll sail down a bustling river and quiet canals to get a feel for the traditional way of life. After cruising along, you'll end up in Bangkok's busy Chinatown for a look around.

Alternative Bangkok Small Group Tour

If you'd like to see Bangkok through the eyes of a local, then you'll be in for a treat with this small group half-day tour. Not only will you travel on foot, by underground, boat and tuk-tuk, but you'll discover places and eat snacks at spots where few tourists go. You'll visit three temples - Wat Traimit, Wat Mangkorn Kamalawat and Wat Arun – and get a real taste for the city.It all kicks off at the entrance to MRT Sukhumvit Station, where you'll board the underground to Hua Lamphong. You'll refuel with a quick snack from one of the stalls first, then set off to Wat Traimit – the Temple of the Golden Buddha – famed for its 5.5-tonne Golden Buddha statue. After walking down Yaowarat Street, you'll arrive at Wat Mangkorn Kamalawat, the Dragon Lotus Temple.Before boarding a boat, you'll get to explore part of the old market, then breeze upstream through the action to Wat Arun. Some more city discovery is on the cards now with a tuk tuk ride, then snap up panoramic views before you reach Siam station.

Evening Dinner Cruise with The Luxury White on Chao Phraya River with Transport

Float past the Grand Palace of Bangkok, lit up in all its glory, on this evening dinner cruise. As you wind your way north up the Chao Phraya River, you'll take in views of historic landmarks and golden temples left, right and centre. Then, you'll reach the Rama VII Bridge, which is a polar opposite with the modern buildings that rub shoulders with it. Its colourful lights reflect off the water at night, creating a beautiful setting for you to relax and watch the Thai cabaret show onboard as you're served a typical Thai buffet.

Bangkok by night with dinner cruise with Sawasdee Chaophraya Cruise

Settle in for a laidback night out along the Chao Phraya River. As your boat glides along the river, the city shows off its evening glow. You'll pass by important temples, bridges, and more that Bangkok has to offer. You've got a buffet included, as well, with a variety of international dishes on the menu, from seafood to easy comfort bites. Plus, you can expect music and traditional Thai performances on board. This is a really relaxed way to see Bangkok from a different angle.

Bangkok canals and flower market tour

If you're after a day in Bangkok that lets you sit back and see the city from a new perspective, without the hustle and bustle, then this is right up your street – or canal in this case.Your experienced guide will pick you up in an air-conditioned van, which will be your main mode of transport for the five-hour tour. You'll head to a pier and hop in a traditional long-tail boat – they're all the rage in Thailand – for a guided tour of part of the city's ancient canal network. Look up to take in Bangkok's skyscraper-filled skyline from the calm of the canal, and glide past intricate landmarks, like the ivory-coloured temple of Wat Arun.Then, it's time to get back on dry land as you head to one of the country's largest indoor flower markets. A carnival of colour greets you. Take a wander through the stalls and keep your camera handy for the more exotic blooms. Once you've had your fill of flowery scents and souvenir shopping, you'll return to your hotel.

Damnernsaduak Floating Market, Grand Palace and Wat Po

Dive into Bangkok's best bits with this group tour. Start the day on a sweet note at a Coconut Sugar Farm, where you'll uncover the secrets behind coconut sugar – and of course, taste some fresh samples. Next, you'll hop aboard a long-tail boat to the lively Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Imagine drifting past vibrant stalls on boats, brimming with fresh fruits, snacks, and local delights – perfect for a photo op. After a tasty local lunch, you'll explore the Royal Grand Palace – it's an oriental masterpiece featuring golden temples and lush gardens that shout royalty. Inside, you'll be amazed by the Emerald Buddha, carved from a single piece of jade – a true royal gem. To cap things off, you'll pop by a local jewellery factory where you can pick up unique handicrafts and silk at steal-worthy prices. And, don't miss Wat Pho, Bangkok's oldest temple, where the massive reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf will make your Instagram feed pop.