TripGuru · MBK Center or hotel pickup
A late-starting day from Bangkok: watch the train pass at Mae Klong, see Wat Bang Kung inside its tree roots, eat your way along the Amphawa canal, then take a boat out at dusk to look for fireflies. Pick it if you would rather skip the early start and Damnoen Saduak and end the day on the river.
This tour runs Friday to Sunday only, because Amphawa is a weekend market (TAT lists it on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays). You either meet at the MBK Center ground floor entrance, next to The Beef Master, where the guide holds a TripGuru sign, or pick the hotel pickup option. The team emails the evening before with your exact time, and wants you ready ten minutes early. The day runs 8.5 to 11.5 hours depending on the option.
At the railway market you watch the train pass rather than ride it, and you get about 1.5 hours there. The listing does not name the train. The day ends with a boat at dusk, so the market stop falls in the afternoon, when the State Railway of Thailand timetable has a train arriving at 14:30 and one leaving at 15:30. Guests say the guide finds a good spot by the rails, which matters: each pass lasts a few minutes.
Then about an hour at Wat Bang Kung, the temple hall wrapped in tree roots, and two hours at Amphawa for the canal food stalls. The last part is a 1.5-hour firefly boat on the Mae Klong River, included in the price. Fireflies are easiest to see from May to October, the rainy season, according to Wikipedia; in the cool months you see fewer, and the boat ride is still the calmest hour of the day. Meals and drinks other than the glass bottle of water are not included. Some stops enforce a dress code: no bare shoulders, underarms, back or knees.
The guide meets you at the MBK Center ground floor entrance with a TripGuru sign, or a van collects you from your hotel. Times come by email the evening before.
An air-conditioned van heads southwest out of Bangkok to Samut Songkhram province.
Walk the stalls, then stand by the rails as the bell rings and the awnings come down for the train. Your guide picks the spot.
A small Ayutthaya-era hall almost swallowed by tree roots, on the site of an 18th-century army camp. Cover shoulders and knees here.
Canal-side shophouses and boats selling grilled seafood and sweets. Dinner is at your own cost and good value.
A boat on the Mae Klong River at dusk to look for fireflies in the riverside trees, then about 80 minutes by van back to Bangkok.
★★★★★We have a great time. The tour is fun and Eddy is very good. [...] The railway market is very special and Eddy reserved a great spot for us to experience that. The boat trip was very good as well. We saw the fireflies glowing on the tree like a Christmas. We highly recommend this tour.
★★★★★Strongly recommended. You will see a lot of fireflies during the rain season. The guide and the driver are super nice.
★★★★★We are delighted with the experience!! Our live guide, Tank, was always very attentive. He gave us great recommendations, offered advice, and always respected our wishes/needs. [...] Timing is strictly adhered to! We highly recommend!
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Friday to Sunday only, per the listing. Amphawa Floating Market itself opens on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, according to TAT.
No, you watch it pass through the market, with about 1.5 hours there. The day ends at dusk, so the stop falls in the afternoon; the State Railway of Thailand timetable has trains at 14:30 (arriving) and 15:30 (leaving).
Most easily from May to October, the rainy season. The firefly boat is included all year, and in the drier months you see fewer.
Cover your shoulders, underarms, back and knees. The listing says the dress code may be strict and suggests a sarong, scarf or sweater to cover up.
Ready to book
The train, the banyan temple, Amphawa and fireflies at dusk, Friday to Sunday. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
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