Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride

Overview

Available languages

Thai

English

2 hours

Mobile ticket

Step aboard for an approximately 2-hour long-tail boat tour through the canals of Thonburi; Bangkok’s lesser-known, but deeply authentic side. Cruise past stilt houses, waving locals, and hidden temples, and make a stop at the charming riverside community of Khlong Bang Luang, home to the Artist’s House. Along the way, we pass the largest Buddha in Bangkok at Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen.

This tour shows a different side of Bangkok, far from the glossy tourist spots. You’ll see humble wooden homes perched above the water, revealing the city’s contrasts and the realities of local life.

Please note that during the tour, we may experience a wait at one of the water locks, which regulate canal levels. These operate on no fixed schedule and are beyond our control, but they are part of the authentic canal experience.

For a glimpse into Bangkok’s quieter, more traditional side, this canal tour offers an eye-opening journey through the city’s history and local life.

Maximum 12 people per boat.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Our Bangkok canal tour operates rain or shine. Therefore, cancellations due to weather are not eligible for a refund.

Bangkok’s traffic is notorious, so we kindly ask all participants to arrive at the meeting point on time. As our tours operate on a group basis, we cannot delay departure. If you’re unable to make it on time, please inform us before the tour starts. If possible, we’ll do our best to reschedule you for the next available time slot or day. Please note that a rescheduling fee will apply.

The most convenient way to reach the meeting point, and avoid Bangkok’s often congested road traffic, is by taking the MRT (metro) to Sanam Chai Station. From there, take the 'Museum Siam' exit. The meeting point is just a short 5-minute walk from the station.

The guide can only wait for a MAXIMUM of 10 minutes after the set meeting time. After the 10 minutes grace period, the guide will start with the tour.

Not recommended for travelers with mobility issues, as boarding and disembarking the boat may be difficult due to the lack of stairs at the piers.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

English speaking guide

One bottle of drinking water per person

Long-tail boat & boat driver

Gratuities for the boat driver and guide (optional)

What To Expect

Temple Of Dawn (Wat Arun)

As we cross the Chao Phraya River on our way to Thonburi, you’ll catch a beautiful glimpse of Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn. This iconic riverside temple is one of Bangkok’s most famous landmarks, with its central Khmer-style prang (tower) rising elegantly above the water, adorned with intricate porcelain mosaics that shimmer in the sunlight. ***** Please note that we will NOT get off at Wat Arun. You will only see it from the river while on our way to Thonburi. *****

Admission Not Applicable

Baan Silapin

Tucked away along the peaceful banks of Khlong Bang Luang (Bang Luang Canal) on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River lies one of Bangkok’s hidden gems: a charming riverside community where time seems to slow down. This historic neighborhood is made up of traditional wooden houses, small local shops, and family-run galleries connected by a wooden walkway that follows the edge of the canal. It offers a rare glimpse into what everyday life in Bangkok used to be like, long before the city’s skyline was dominated by concrete and glass. At the heart of the community is Baan Silapin, or The Artist’s House, a beautifully restored wooden home over 200 years old. Dedicated to preserving and celebrating Thai culture, this house functions as a small art center where visitors can enjoy rotating art exhibitions and handmade crafts. Wandering through the area, you’ll find small shops, cozy riverside cafés, and friendly locals who’ve lived here for generations. Duration of stop 30-40 minutes.

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride

Reviews

4.69

5,427 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

4510

484

207

116

110

Bangkok Longtail Boat ride
deearebee29,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A longtail boat ride is a must do experience. Our tour guide Paul was great, and even when it rained he was upbeat and engaging tell us that the "show must go on". Definitely worth doing when in Bangkok.
Great experience
Q1468GNchrisr,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great experience and great tour guide. Thank you Tommy. Great experience and great tour guide. Thank you Tommy. ......
Great tour
Inspire09052354578,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The tour was amazing. Tommy was an amazing guide. Very knowledgeable and friendly! The tour exceeded my expectations.
2 hr longboat review
K4853YOjohnb,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was a gem specially since it was hot and we didn't want to do an 8 hour tour, maybe a 3 hour tour would be perfect but Pommy was very welcoming and made the experience great.
Ken Superman!
Y1542MW ukaszw,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Ken was very kind and friendly. It was a pleasure to trip with him. It was very interesting travel. I Think I will join next trip, but it will be longer.
Great tour!
Stephanie J,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Fantastic tour! Our tour guide Bella was very insightful & a pleasure to be around. We were able to experience a lot away from the tourist area that you would not normally be able to see. We were provided with bottled water & food to feed the fish.
BK Long Tail Boat Ride
Bassam K,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
The boat ride was very nice—a different way to see the city. The guide was very knowledgeable, helpful, and kind.
An excellent two hours, highly recommended.
BobtheBrit,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I’d booked the two hour boat trip through TripAdvisor as this was to be my wife’s first visit to Bangkok and I wanted her to experience some of the life experiences in the back waters. Joining instructions were clear, and cognisant of the Bangkok traffic we arrived at the specified location with plenty of time to spare. We weren’t alone in our caution, several other couples were enjoying excellent coffee in the ‘Elefin’ coffee bar. Our tour guide identified his group - there were seven of us - and led us to the boat. It was a little precarious clambering into the boat, but we each donned our life jackets. From the dock we whizzed across the Chaopraya river and lined up to get through the watergate. Each watergate takes up to six long-tail speedboats each with thundering truck engines mounted at the rear. Once through we saw the reality of life ‘on the river’ with houses often only a foot or so above the river. We saw wild birds and huge basking monitor lizards. At the Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen temple complex, we stopped to see the massive golden Buddha statue that towers benignly over its host temple. It stands (or rather sits meditatively) 69 metres tall, and was completed in 2021. From there we sped to the ‘artist house’ complex, where we spent half an hour stretching our legs, feeding the fish that thrive in the canal, and avoiding the inevitable tourist tat on sale. Then back to the watergates, across the Chaopraya river and to the dock where we’d boarded. The whole trip took a little over two hours and was really enjoyable, despite the somewhat overcast and threatening weather. An excellent two hours, highly recommended.
Best canal tour
570lilyl,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Bella was great! She was very knowledgeable and gave us great recommendations on what to do after the tour and at the market we stopped at.
Great experience in Bangkok
jozawaou,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great tour of Bangkok canals in traditional long tail boat. Leaded by Ken, we had a great time and learnt a lot. Highly recommended.