Co van Kessel: Bangkok Canals 2-Hour Longtail Boat Tour
Highlights
- Classic longtail boat through the Thonburi klongs
- Stops to explore stilt houses, temples and shops
- Small group with a local guide
- Drinks and snacks included
Description
Before the roads came, Bangkok ran on its canals, and that older city is still there on the Thonburi side of the river. On this two hour trip you board a classic longtail boat, cross the Chao Phraya and head into the klong network that gave Bangkok its Venice of the East name. For more background and practical advice, see our Thonburi & the Canals guide.
Pricing
Adult
Age 12-99
THB 1,850per person
Child
Age 3-11
THB 1,388per person
Infant
Age 0-2
Free
per person
Highlighted reviews from travelers
See all reviews →Meet at River City Bangkok
Departure times10:0014:00Meet on the ground floor outside the mall entrance, to the right of the main entrance. Tours depart at 10:00 and 14:00. It is a short walk to the pier.
Walk the few minutes from River City to the pier, board a classic wooden longtail boat and cross the Chao Phraya River to the Thonburi side, where the old canal city begins.
Cruise the klongs that once served as the streets of Bangkok, past multi-generational stilt houses, canal-side temples and small shops still oriented towards life on the water.
The boat ties up at several stops of 10 to 20 minutes each, so you can explore homes, temples and shops up close rather than only watching them slide past. Exact stops vary with the day, the routing is deliberately never set in stone.
Cruise back out of the canal system and across the river to the pier by River City Bangkok, where the tour ends after roughly two hours on the water.
Included
- Experienced local guide
- Longtail boat ride
- Small group size
- Drinks and snacks en route
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (the tour starts and ends at River City Bangkok)
- Meals (drinks and snacks are included)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Tips for the guide (optional)
- Clothing that covers shoulders (a sarong helps at temples)
- Sunglasses, hat and sunblock
- Camera or smartphone
- Copy of your passport (for insurance)
- Raincoat (optional; one is provided if needed)
This tour starts at a fixed meeting point. Please make your own way there.
River City Bangkok
River City Bangkok is the riverside complex in Si Phraya, just off Charoen Krung Road; any taxi or Grab driver knows it by name. Coming by river, get off at Si Phraya pier next to the Royal Orchid Sheraton and walk a couple of minutes, and from BTS Saphan Taksin you can pick up the Chao Phraya Express boat at Sathorn pier. Please arrive 15 to 30 minutes before your departure time (10:00 or 14:00).
This is the Co van Kessel trip without pedals: check in at River City Bangkok 15 to 30 minutes before the 10:00 or 14:00 departure and the longtail does the work from there.
What sets it apart from a standard canal cruise is that the boat stops. You climb out to look around a stilt-house neighbourhood, a temple, a canal-side shop, with the guide turning what you see into context. Getting in and out of a longtail takes a hand from the boatman and a bit of balance, nothing more.
The group stays small, drinks and snacks come aboard with you, and a sarong or covered shoulders will serve you at the temple stops. Two hours later you are back at River City.
FAQs
Please arrive 15 to 30 minutes before departure so there is time to check in before the tour heads out.
Tours run rain or shine. In light rain ponchos are handed out; in a heavy downpour the guide finds shelter and waits it out, usually no more than about 30 minutes.
Yes, children are welcome. Children under 12 join at the child price.
Light, comfortable clothing with shoulders covered works best, especially at temple stops. Closed shoes or sports sandals are safer than flip-flops.
Yes. Cancelling or moving your booking to another date is free up to 24 hours before the tour starts, and anything you have paid is refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded. If we have to cancel, for example for weather or safety, you can move to another date or take a full refund.
Group departures run with a small minimum number of guests. If your departure cannot go ahead, we will contact you to move you to another time or refund you.
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Reviews
Based on 162 reviews
- Wout Van DalenAugust 8, 20265.0
We saw everyday Thonburi life beyond the main river. A monitor lizard slipped into the water beside a wooden house. The two-hour route felt full without becoming tiring. We booked the previous evening.
- Sorcha QuinnAugust 5, 20265.0
A breezy Thonburi highlight.
- Žygimantas JankauskasJuly 24, 20265.0
The pace allowed photographs without holding up the group. Children waved from a walkway built above the canal. The sky stayed overcast all morning.
- Tuuli SalonenJuly 12, 20265.0
Our small group could hear the commentary clearly. Our best photograph came where palms reflected on still water. The afternoon departure fitted our sightseeing day perfectly.
- Itziar OtxoaJuly 11, 20265.0
The two-hour route felt full without becoming tiring. The return skyline made a strong contrast with the residential canals. We saw everyday Thonburi life beyond the main river. My parents managed the boarding with a little help from the crew. Our best photograph came where palms reflected on still water. Our hotel was across the river.