What are the most popular tours from Bangkok?
Discovering Tours in Bangkok and nearby offers an exciting mix of temples, markets, food and more. The city has been Asia’s top holiday destination for years, drawing millions of visitors yearly thanks to its energy, street life, and river views. Whether exploring historic sights like the Grand Palace, trying spicy street food in Chinatown, or cruising the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok has something for every traveller.
Join walking tours to hidden local spots, jump on a bike through quiet old neighbourhoods, or visit rooftop bars for spectacular panoramic sunset views. For shopping, Chatuchak Market is ideal for bargains and local crafts. Experiences range from hands-on cooking classes with market visits to night tours by tuk-tuk or longtail boat rides through waterways.
Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun Temple Tour
This comprehensive walking tour covers Bangkok’s three most celebrated temples in one trip. Start at the Grand Palace complex, a sprawling royal compound built in 1782, where you’ll see the Emerald Buddha inside Wat Phra Kaew, Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist statue carved from a single jade stone.
Walk to nearby Wat Pho to view the magnificent 46-metre-long Reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf, with mother-of-pearl inlaid feet. The temple also houses Thailand’s first public university and birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Cross the Chao Phraya River by ferry to Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, famous for its 70-metre spire decorated with colourful Chinese porcelain and seashells. Most tours last three to four hours and require modest dress with covered shoulders and knees.
Bangkok Canal Tour by Longtail Boat
Experience Bangkok’s historic waterways on a traditional longtail boat through Thonburi’s canal network, often called the “Venice of the East”. The two-hour journey takes you through narrow klongs lined with wooden stilt houses, tropical gardens, and local temples, offering glimpses of traditional Thai canal life that has existed for generations. Pass residents fishing, children playing, and large water monitor lizards basking on the banks.
Most tours stop at Baan Silapin (Artist’s House), a restored wooden structure hosting traditional Thai puppet shows and art galleries. You’ll also see Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen’s massive 69-metre Buddha statue from the water. Tours depart from various piers near Wat Pho, with morning departures offering cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.
Bangkok Street Food Tour in Yaowarat
Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chinatown, hosts the largest overseas Chinese community globally and serves authentic Thai-Chinese fusion cuisine passed down through generations. Evening walking tours led by local chef guides take you through narrow alleyways and backstreets to sample 15-plus dishes at hidden street stalls and family-run restaurants.
Try specialities like khao kha moo (braised pork leg with peanuts), kua gai (coal-roasted chicken noodles), Chinese chive cakes, satay skewers marinated in turmeric and pineapple vinegar, and patongo (Thai-Chinese doughnuts) with pandan custard. Tours typically last four hours and include stops at century-old vendors, wholesale markets, and Michelin-recommended eateries. Guides explain the cultural significance of each dish and the Thai-Chinese immigrant history that shaped Bangkok’s culinary landscape.
Chao Phraya River Cruise Tour
Two-hour evening dinner cruises glide past Bangkok’s illuminated riverside landmarks, including Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, Rama VIII Bridge, and Icon Siam. Board at major piers like River City, Asiatique, or Icon Siam between 7 pm and 8 pm for departures. Most boats feature air-conditioned dining rooms on lower decks and open-air rooftop decks for panoramic views.
Unlimited Thai and international buffets include fresh seafood, pad Thai, curries, salads, and desserts, with coffee and tea provided. Live entertainment includes Thai classical dance performances, cabaret shows, and live bands playing throwback hits from the 1980s and 1990s. Prices range from 950 to 1,400 Baht per adult, depending on the vessel and seating location. Welcome drinks greet passengers upon boarding, creating a festive atmosphere perfect for families, couples, and groups.
Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour
Half-day cooking classes start with guided visits to local fresh markets where instructors explain Thai ingredients, spices, herbs, and seasonal produce. Learn to identify different types of eggplants, basil varieties, curry pastes, and watch fresh coconut milk being pressed. Return to the cooking school’s equipped kitchen to prepare four to five authentic dishes such as pad Thai, green curry, tom yum soup, massaman curry, and mango sticky rice.
Each student cooks at their own station with hands-on guidance, learning to pound curry paste in traditional stone mortars and master wok techniques over high heat. Classes run three to four hours in morning or afternoon sessions, available in multiple languages including English, Thai, French, and Chinese. Take home recipe booklets, certificates, and the confidence to recreate Thai dishes at home.
Bangkok Bike Tour Through Old City
Three-hour guided cycling tours explore Bangkok’s quieter backstreets, traditional neighbourhoods, and hidden communities away from tourist crowds. Pedal through narrow alleyways in Chinatown, cross the Chao Phraya River to Thonburi’s canal-side communities, and visit local temples and markets inaccessible by car or bus. Routes showcase Bangkok’s transformation from canal-based transport to modern roads, passing wooden shophouses, fresh produce markets, and residential areas where locals still live traditional lifestyles. Tours operate in the morning or afternoon, covering approximately 15 kilometres on comfortable bikes through flat terrain suitable for all fitness levels. Small group sizes of 10 to 15 participants ensure personalised attention from English-speaking guides who share stories about Bangkok’s history, architecture, and daily life. Stop for refreshments and photo opportunities along the way.
Bangkok Night Tour by Tuk-Tuk
Evening tuk-tuk tours combine temple visits, markets, street food, and rooftop bars into one exciting nighttime adventure. Start with sunset visits to Wat Pho and Wat Arun when crowds have dispersed and monuments are beautifully lit. Ride through Pak Khlong Talat, Bangkok’s 24-hour flower market, where vendors arrange orchids, roses, and marigolds used in ceremonies and offerings. Continue to Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road for street food tastings at famous stalls serving dumplings, noodles, and grilled seafood. Tours typically last three to four hours and include stops at two to three rooftop bars for cocktails and city skyline views. The open-air tuk-tuk ride itself becomes part of the experience, weaving through Bangkok’s traffic and narrow lanes. Small groups of six to ten participants ensure everyone gets personalised attention from knowledgeable local guides.
Chinatown Walking Tour
Two-hour walking tours navigate the maze of narrow alleyways, hidden shrines, and traditional shophouses in Bangkok’s historic Yaowarat district. Explore backstreets where Thai-Chinese families have operated businesses for generations, selling gold, herbs, dried seafood, and textiles. Visit century-old temples tucked between modern buildings, see calligraphers practising traditional arts, and learn about the immigrant community that arrived in the 1800s.
Tours operate morning or evening, with evening departures offering the liveliest atmosphere when Yaowarat Road transforms into a glowing street food paradise. Stop at family-run stalls for tastings of Thai-Chinese specialities and traditional desserts. Small group sizes allow easy navigation through crowded passages and time for questions with English-speaking guides who grew up in the neighbourhood. Tours start near the MRT Hua Lamphong station or the riverside piers.
Club Hopping Tour
Evening bar-hopping tours visit three different venues across Bangkok to experience the city’s diverse nightlife scene. Start at sunset rooftop bars on high-rise buildings for panoramic city views and craft cocktails, then move to trendy neighbourhoods like Thonglor or RCA for nightclubs and live music venues. Most tours last four to five hours and include skip-the-line entry, welcome drinks at each location, and transport between venues. English-speaking guides introduce you to Bangkok’s nightlife culture, from sophisticated sky bars frequented by expats to underground clubs playing electronic music and Thai pop. Tours typically visit venues on different floors and styles, from the open-air Moon Bar to dance clubs and speakeasy-style cocktail bars. Small groups of 10 to 15 participants create a social atmosphere perfect for solo travellers, couples, and friend groups wanting to safely explore Bangkok’s night scene without planning logistics.
Chatuchak Weekend Market Shopping Tour
Half-day guided tours of Chatuchak Weekend Market help navigate the world’s largest weekend market, covering 35 acres with over 15,000 stalls across 27 sections. Operating Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 6 pm, the market sells clothing, handicrafts, antiques, plants, pets, furniture, art, and street food. Tours typically last three to four hours, with morning starts recommended to avoid afternoon heat and the biggest crowds.
English-speaking guides lead you through specific sections based on your interests, whether vintage clothing, Thai handicrafts, home decor, or local snacks. Learn bargaining techniques, discover hidden sections tourists usually miss, and understand fair pricing for souvenirs and gifts. Tours include breaks for refreshments like fresh coconut water, mango smoothies, and famous coconut ice cream. Small group sizes allow flexibility to spend more time in preferred sections whilst ensuring no one gets lost in the maze-like layout.
