Co van Kessel: Bangkok Old Town 3-Hour Bicycle Tour
Highlights
- 13 km of back roads and alleyways in Rattanakosin
- Old city walls built with Ayutthaya bricks
- Local temples and the Khao San Road area
- Thai snacks and drinks at family-run shops
Description
Bangkok began in Rattanakosin over 220 years ago, and this three hour bicycle ride shows you that district the way locals know it. You cycle through back roads and alleyways, past local temples and the old fortified city walls, built with bricks brought down from Ayutthaya. For more background and practical advice, see our Bangkok Old Town guide.
Pricing
Adult
Age 12-99
THB 1,250per person
Child
Age 3-11
THB 938per person
Infant
Age 0-2
Free
per person
Highlighted reviews from travelers
See all reviews →Meet in the old town near Phra Chan pier
Departure times08:0013:00Meet at the start point on Phra Chan Alley, a 5 minute walk from Sanam Luang between the Grand Palace and Khao San Road. Tours depart at 08:00 and 13:00. You get a fitted city bike and an optional free helmet.
Ride into the back roads and narrow alleyways of Bangkok's old town, away from the traffic, passing stretches of the fortified city walls built with bricks carried down from old Ayutthaya. About 95% of the roughly 13 km route runs on backstreets, alleys and footpaths.
This is deliberately not a Grand Palace circuit. Instead the route threads the living neighbourhoods around the royal quarter, past waterways, spirit houses and everyday street life, with unhurried 10 to 20 minute stops along the way.
Visit neighbourhood temples and pull in at small family-run shops for Thai snacks and cold drinks, included in the tour. The route passes close to the Khao San Road area for a glimpse of its famous backpacker bustle.
Cycle the final stretch along the Chao Phraya riverfront back to the Phra Chan start point, where the three-hour loop ends between the Grand Palace and Khao San Road.
Included
- Experienced local guide
- Custom city bike
- Helmet (optional, free)
- Drinks and snacks en route
- Accident insurance
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (the tour starts and ends at Phra Chan Alley)
- Meals (drinks and snacks are included)
- Alcoholic drinks
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Tips for the guide (optional)
- 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.
Phra Chan Alley
Phra Chan Alley runs beside Thammasat University in the old town, a few minutes on foot from the Grand Palace. The Chao Phraya Express boat stops at Tha Chang and Tha Phra Chan right by it, and any taxi will know Thammasat University Tha Phra Chan. Please arrive 15 to 30 minutes before your departure time (08:00 or 13:00).
Note the meeting point: this ride starts from Phra Chan Alley near the Grand Palace, not the River City base used by the other Co van Kessel tours. Check-in opens 15 to 30 minutes before the 08:00 or 13:00 departure, with bike fitting first.
The 13 km through Rattanakosin ride easily: flat, unhurried and kept off the main roads the whole way. You thread through alleys and back streets past the old city walls, with snack and drink stops at family-run shops breaking up the ride.
The 08:00 departure is the cool one and has the neighbourhood markets in full morning swing; the 13:00 ride suits slower starters and ends along the riverfront. Baby seats, child seats and small bikes for ages 5 to 10 are available.
FAQs
Please arrive 15 to 30 minutes before departure so there is time to check in and get fitted to your bike.
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, all ages are welcome. Children under 12 join at the child price and infants ride free: baby seats fit little ones up to about 10 kg, child seats up to about 35 kg, and small bikes are available for ages 5 to 10. Child helmets are available on request.
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 321 reviews
- Astrid-Helene HedströmAugust 13, 20265.0
Cold water and a gentle cycling breeze made Bangkok surprisingly manageable. We tried a crisp Thai snack at a shop run by the same family for years. Waterways, spirit houses and backstreet homes kept the scenery changing. We booked the previous evening.
- Lina-SophieAugust 11, 20265.0
The 13:00 group found plenty of shade in the narrow lanes. Children waved while we crossed a narrow footpath beside a canal. Our hotel was beside Sanam Luang.
- JovitaAugust 6, 20265.0
The riverfront return gave the loop a satisfying final chapter. A cold herbal drink became the surprise favourite of the snack stop.
- Mara-Carolin FriedrichAugust 5, 20265.0
Nearly the whole ride stayed on quiet lanes, alleys and footpaths. A family home had orchids hanging above an old wooden doorway. Our hotel was beside Sanam Luang.
- Marta-Teresa IbarraJuly 31, 20265.0
Our guide signalled clearly and checked the group at every turn. A glimpse of Khao San bustle made the surrounding residential lanes feel even calmer. We joined on a quiet Monday.