Bangkok is mostly renowned for its delicious cuisine and awe-striking temples, but it also features beautiful canals, floating markets, and a river that are the perfect setting for a relaxing cruise.
You can explore Thailand’s capital city in a completely new way by jumping into the River of Kings (not literally, though!).
You’ll be taking a boat and marveling at the scenic landscape and popular landmarks from the water. I highly recommend including it in your Bangkok itinerary!
Whether you’d like to visit the famous temples, shop at the unique markets, or dine with views of the glimmering skyline, you can do it all by boat!
Check out the best Bangkok boat tours and river cruises available, and take your pick!
Why should you trust me? I’ve visited Bangkok more times than I could count, and I even lived in the city for a few months, so I’m very familiar with all its attractions and activities…including boat trips!
On top of that, I’ve been in the travel industry for more than ten years, and I’ve developed a knack for identifying extraordinary experiences. I hand-picked all the tours below to ensure they’re high-quality, offer incredible value, and are led by professionals.
I usually use Viator and Get Your Guide to book my tours, and I especially recommend them for their incredible cancellation policy. If your travel plans change, you can get a full refund canceling most experiences up to 24 hours in advance.
Limited time? These are the top tours:
| THE BEST TOUR | Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride |
| FLOATING MARKET TOUR | Damnoen Saduak Market and Maeklong Railway Market |
| DINNER CRUISE | River Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess |
| PRIVATE TOUR | Customized Private Long-Tail Boat Hire |
OUR PICK: The BEST Bangkok Boat Tour
The Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride takes you on a scenic ride through the charming Thonburi district aboard a traditional longtail boat, getting to explore a quieter, more authentic side of Bangkok.
You’ll meet your guide near Wat Pho Temple, and then cruise across the Chao Phraya River, catching glimpses of the iconic Wat Arun temple as you glide, making your way to the peaceful canals of the district, known as klongs.
Witness how the locals live as you sail along canal-side stilted wooden houses and temples, and wave back at the friendly, smiling children who’ll probably be thrilled to see you. You’ll stop at the 200-year-old Baan Silapin, also known as the Artist’s House, as it’s been converted into an art space, and get to explore the riverside community.
A photo stop at the golden Buddha of Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen is included.
The tour, which lasts only two hours, offers flexible departure times and operates with small groups to ensure an enjoyable, personalized experience.
Why is this the top tour? This boat trip combines incredible sightseeing with cultural visits, and offers a fascinating glimpse into the most authentic side of Bangkok: its local communities, living traditional lives by the canals. Plus, it allows you to choose between a wide array of departure times to best suit your schedule.
Read what the reviews say:
“An excellent way to spend a morning! Dragged our teens along early morning for this one and they loved it! 🙂 A great combination of fun on the boat with some chilled out time at the artists house which is a lovely little bohemian spot with an authentic Thai feel. We fed the fish, saw huge monitor lizards, golden Buddhas, and our tour guide was friendly, informative, and relaxed. My daughter said it was her best activity so far!”
Estelle – Read more reviews
This tour includes: A guide, a longtail boat tour, and bottled water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Other Great River Cruises To Consider
▶️ This Discover Bangkok’s Temples and Travel by Longtail Boat on River of Kings is a great activity. It combines a cruise along the River of Kings and gorgeous Bangkok canals, with a visit to some of the most popular temples in the city.
You’ll get to see the famous Emerald Buddha and Reclining Buddha statues at their temples, learning about Buddhism from your guide. To get to these sights, you’ll glide on the waterways on a beautiful boat.
This tour includes: Entrance fees, a local guide, and a boat ride. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ This Bangkok: 2-Hour Canal Tour by Teak Boat is a fantastic experience, ideal for those with little time. It allows you to glide along the city’s beautiful and narrow canals on a beautiful boat.
You’ll get to see Wat Arun from the water, and learn about Thailand’s rich history and customs from your knowledgeable guide. Drinking water will be provided to fight off the Bangkok heat!
This tour includes: A boat tour, a guide, and drinking water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Choose the Bangkok: Yodsiam Sightseeing Cruise Snacks & Unlimited Beer for a lively evening in the water, admiring Bangkok’s shimmering skyline as the day comes to an end.
You’ll hop aboard a spacious boat, and cruise along the Chao Phraya River for an hour, enjoying great music, live dance performances, and unbeatable views from the boat’s deck.
You’ll cruise past some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Grand Palace and Wat Arun, and sip on unlimited beer and soft drinks. Tasty snacks and fruits are also included, served by the friendly crew.
This tour includes: A cruise, snacks, fruits, unlimited beer, soft drinks, and live performances. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Bangkok Canal Tour by Boat and Bike
This Bangkok Canal Tour by Boat and Bike is a very fun activity, especially ideal for families as it also caters to small children. The experience lasts six hours, and it starts with a bike ride through central Bangkok, following a local guide.
Reach the Chao Phraya River, and change the bikes for a boat, cruising along the river and into the smaller canals known as klongs. Admire the Grand Palace and Wat Arun from the water, and disembark in Bang Luang Canal, where you’ll pick up your bike to ride around historic temples before stopping at a restaurant for lunch.
Spend the afternoon exploring a market, and then ride through the Old City and the Rattanakosin Island, passing by iconic landmarks.
This bike tour includes: A guide, bike and helmet rental, a cruise, and lunch with drinks. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Floating Market & Boat Tour from Bangkok
This Bangkok: Damnoen Saduak Market and Maeklong Railway Market is an incredible excursion that I personally went on recently. It’s a top-rated tour that takes you to two of the most iconic markets in Thailand, with hassle-free transfers and a professional guide.
You’ll start with a train ride on an actual train to Maeklong Railway Market, where vendors set up their goods directly on the tracks, and pull everything back in seconds when the train approaches. It’s exhilarating!
Then, travel to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where you’ll hop on a boat and glide through the bustling canals, passing vendors selling fruit, street food, and souvenirs.
This tour includes: Roundtrip transfers, a guide, water, a visit to both markets, and a paddle boat ride. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ I wrote a full post about the best Floating Market tours, so check it out for more options!
Dinner Cruises in Bangkok
▶️ The Bangkok: River Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess takes place aboard a luxurious cruise ship, the Chao Phraya Princess. You’ll get to witness Bangkok’s skyline as it lights up at dusk, and enjoy the live entertainment and fantastic views from the open-air deck.
There’s an international buffet with a wide variety of dishes for dinner, and both indoor and outdoor seating areas.
This tour includes: A welcome drink, live music, an international buffet, and transfers from selected locations. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Saffron Luxury Bangkok River Dinner Cruise takes place on the Chao Phraya River, and it’s a luxurious evening boat ride. It offers live entertainment, a 4-course meal, and astounding views of the city as you glide past it.
You’ll get to spot several temples and other illuminated landmarks, and sit down for a scrumptious dinner in the cruise’s elegant dining room.
This tour includes: A cruise, a four-course dinner, and a welcome cocktail. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
➤ If you want more options, I wrote a full post about the best dinner cruises in Bangkok.
Private Boat Tour in Bangkok
Looking for a private experience? This Bangkok: Customized Private Long-Tail Boat Hire with a Guide allows you to choose the duration of your trip, either 1, 1.5, or 2 hours.
You’ll be joined by an expert guide who’ll take you along the Chao Phraya River, pointing out landmarks as you pass them by.
The itinerary of your trip is completely customizable, so it will be up to you which sights to include.
This tour includes: A long-tail boat trip, a private guide, and insurance. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Ayutthaya Tour by Boat
The Ayutthaya Temples and River Cruise from Bangkok is a full-day excursion. You’ll travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle to the UNESCO-listed city of Ayutthaya, one of the most important historical places in Thailand.
You’ll explore the fascinating temples and ruins that remain, discovering their history from an expert guide. Then, return to Bangkok by boat.
You’ll ride along the glorious Chao Phraya River, also known as River of Kings, and indulge in a buffet lunch onboard.
This tour includes: Hotel pick-up and drop-off, admission fees, a guide, a buffet lunch, and a riverboat trip. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
