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Bangkok to Samut Songkhram
2 Days, 1 Night · Amphawa + Maeklong Railway Market

Samut Songkhram sits just 70–80 km from Bangkok — a little over an hour by car — but it feels like a different world. This is the land of three waters (fresh, brackish and salt), where canal-side life is still very much alive. This trip packs the highlights into a tidy 2-day, 1-night plan: the Maeklong railway market, where a train rolls right through the fresh market; Amphawa floating market, which buzzes on Friday–Sunday evenings; and a firefly boat ride after dark. Go on a Saturday–Sunday to catch everything.

🚂 Train through Maeklong market🛶 Amphawa floating market✨ Firefly boat ride
Bangkok to Samut Songkhram 2 Days, 1 Night · Amphawa + Maeklong Railway Market

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

The heart of this trip is timing — two things you need to line up: when the train passes through the Maeklong railway market, and when Amphawa floating market is actually busy (Friday–Sunday evenings). Plan it right and day one covers the railway market in the late morning, a night near Amphawa, the floating market at dusk, then a firefly boat ride — leaving the pretty temples and souvenir shopping for day two before you head home.

How to get to Samut Songkhram from Bangkok

A private car is easiest — drive from Bangkok to Maeklong along Rama II Road and it's about an hour and a half if traffic is light. But if you're not driving, there are plenty of options.

  • Minivans from Sai Tai Mai / Pinklao — there are routes both to Pom Kaeo / Maeklong and direct to Amphawa floating market. Fares run about ฿70–80, with the first vans leaving around 06.30–07.00 and running frequently all day.
  • Minivans from Victory Monument — the Bangkok–Maeklong line departs from the Phahonyothin side under the expressway. About ฿70 going out and ฿60 coming back.
  • The Mahachai–Maeklong train — the classic route for slow travellers. Catch it from Wongwian Yai to Mahachai, fare in the tens of baht, take the ferry across at Tha Chalom, then a second train stretch to Maeklong. It's slow, but you get the full atmosphere.
  • Songthaew / blue trucks in Maeklong town — from central Maeklong you can take a songthaew to Amphawa, fare in the tens of baht, a distance of about 6–9 km.

Pick your day carefully

Amphawa floating market is only in full swing on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (roughly 9.00–21.00). On weekdays it's quiet and few stalls open. The Maeklong railway market runs every day, but goods and crowds are heavier on weekends — so this trip works best on a Saturday–Sunday.

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Day 1 — Maeklong railway market + into Amphawa

Day 1

Maeklong · railway market · Amphawa floating market · firefly boat ride

07.00
Leave BangkokDrive or catch an early van so you reach Maeklong in time for a mid-morning train and dodge the late-morning traffic on Rama II.
08.45
Arrive at the Maeklong railway marketA fresh market about 500 metres long, with stalls set right over the train tracks. As the train approaches, vendors pull in their awnings and goods to let it pass, then fold everything back out as before.
09.00
Watch the train roll through the marketTrains arrive at and depart Maeklong station several times a day. The popular arrivals are around 08.30 and 11.10, with departures around 09.00 and 11.30. You can stand right up close to watch, but be careful — and double-check the times posted at the station.
10.00
Wander Maeklong market + breakfastSeafood in Maeklong is fresh and cheap. Look for the plump local short-bodied mackerel (pla thu), plus prawns, shellfish and street snacks along the way.
12.00
Check in near AmphawaThere are plenty of canal-side homestays around Amphawa, but book ahead on weekends because they fill up fast. Drop your bags and rest before the evening market.
15.30
Start exploring Amphawa floating marketThe market picks up in the late afternoon, with vendors paddling boats selling food along the canal — grilled seafood, boat noodles, fried oyster omelette, Thai sweets. Grab a seat by the water and order a plate of grilled river prawns.
18.30
Board the firefly boatBoat operators at the market piers run firefly tours after dark. It's about ฿60–80 per person, or roughly ฿600 to charter a whole boat. The fireflies cluster on the lamphu trees along the canal, and you'll see them best on moonless nights and during the rainy season.
20.00
More market browsing — back to your roomCircle back for canal-side desserts — khanom sai sai, banana cakes, old-school coffee — then fall asleep to the sound of the water.

About the fireflies

Fireflies are wild — they don't show up the same every night. On a full moon or just after the rain you may see fewer. The best viewing is in the rainy season (June–October) on moonless nights. If you go in the dry season and don't spot them, that's normal — don't expect the promo-photo version.

Day 2 — Wat Bang Kung + souvenirs for the road

Day 2

King Rama II Memorial Park · Wat Bang Kung · Maeklong souvenirs

08.00
Amphawa floating market in the morningThe market is quieter in the morning than in the evening — an easy stroll for canal-side photos and a light breakfast with coffee before you head out.
09.30
King Rama II Memorial ParkRight next to Amphawa market, this is a Thai botanical garden with a traditional teak-house museum. It's shady and pleasant to walk through, and good for photos.
10.30
Wat Bang Kung — the temple wrapped in tree rootsOne of Samut Songkhram's most unusual sights: a 200-year-old ordination hall completely encased in the roots of bodhi, banyan and fig trees. Inside is the Luang Pho Nin Mani Buddha image, and the grounds are part of the historic Bang Kung Camp from the time of King Taksin. Open roughly 08.00–16.30.
12.00
Seafood lunchAround Bang Khonthi and Amphawa there are several waterfront restaurants to choose from. Order grilled river prawns, grilled squid and fried mackerel to close out the trip.
13.30
Buy Maeklong souvenirsThe local specialities are Maeklong mackerel, coconut sugar, shrimp paste and Thai sweets. Stop at Maeklong market or a roadside souvenir shop before getting on the highway.
15.00
Head back to BangkokAvoid leaving too late on a Sunday evening — Rama II gets jammed heading back into the city. Setting off in the early afternoon is much easier.

Food you shouldn't miss

  • Grilled river prawns — the star of Amphawa: big, rich and glistening, eaten with seafood dipping sauce. The price depends on size and weight, and ordering by the kilo is better value.
  • Maeklong mackerel (pla thu) — the short, bent-faced mackerel famous for being rich and fresh. Eat it on the spot or take some home as a souvenir.
  • Grilled seafood from the boats — shellfish, squid and prawns grilled and sold from boats in the middle of the Amphawa canal. Order, then sit and eat by the water.
  • Boat noodles, fried oyster omelette, pad thai — affordable street food throughout the floating market, easy to graze on all evening.
  • Canal-side Thai sweets — khanom sai sai, banana cakes and khanom krok, made fresh in the boats and along the walkway.

Rough budget per person (2 days, 1 night)

  • Transport, round trip about ฿140–300 by minivan/train (private car means fuel + tolls on top, calculated separately)
  • Canal-side homestay about ฿600–1,500/night (split it if you're in a group)
  • Food for 2 days about ฿500–900, depending on how many river prawns you order
  • Firefly boat ride about ฿60–80/person
  • Total roughly ฿1,300–2,800/person — an affordable weekend trip

Straight talk

On long holiday weekends Amphawa gets packed — traffic backs up from the entrance, parking is hard to find, and accommodation prices climb. If you can, go on a regular Saturday–Sunday, or arrive by early afternoon to grab a spot first. The railway market is narrow and slippery when it rains too, so watch your footing — and give the train and the vendors making a living the respect they're due.

Want a hotel in the city before or after your Amphawa run?

See the Top 10 Bangkok hotels →

FAQ

What days is Amphawa floating market open?

It's fully open from the evening into the night on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, roughly 9.00–21.00. On weekdays it's quiet with very few stalls open, so go on a weekend if you want the lively atmosphere.

What time does the train pass through the Maeklong railway market?

Trains arrive at Maeklong station around 08.30, 11.10, 14.30 and 17.40, and depart around 06.20, 09.00, 11.30 and 15.30 — several times a day in total. Get there early and double-check the times posted at the station, as they can change.

Can I get to Amphawa from Bangkok without a car?

Yes. There are minivans from Sai Tai Mai (Pinklao), both to Maeklong and direct to Amphawa floating market, with fares around 70–80 baht. You can also catch the Bangkok–Maeklong line from Victory Monument. Once in Maeklong, a songthaew into Amphawa costs just tens of baht more.

How much is the Amphawa firefly boat ride, and are you guaranteed to see them?

It's about 60–80 baht per person, or roughly 600 baht to charter a whole boat, departing after dark from the market piers. But fireflies are wild — there's no guarantee you'll see them every night. They're most abundant in the rainy season on moonless nights; in the dry season or under a bright moon you may see fewer.

How many days do you need for this trip to be worth it?

2 days, 1 night is about right. Day one covers the railway market, Amphawa floating market and the firefly boat ride; day two takes in Wat Bang Kung, the King Rama II Memorial Park and souvenirs. You can do it as a single day trip — leave early, return in the evening — but you'll miss the floating market at dusk and the fireflies.

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