The 13 Best Canal Tours in Bangkok

1.Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,909 reviews · from $37Our pick

Meet near Wat Pho, cross the Chao Phraya by traditional longtail boat, and cruise Thonburi’s canals with an English-speaking guide. You’ll visit Baan Silapin, pass Wat Paknam’s giant Buddha, and spend about two hours on the water. Morning and afternoon departures are available.

“The cruise through the canal was lovely and I enjoyed seeing Bangkok from the water but our guide kind of ruined the experience. His english was very poor and would just say random english words when he started to struggle. We tried to have a lot of patience with him but due to his struggles and his elderly age, we found him impossible to understand properly. And then he whipped out a microphone/speaker which had such loud feedback and crackle it made it worse. We were sat right in front of him too, so what I thought was going to be a relaxing cruise through the canal ended up being…”

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2.Longtail Boat Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 4,076 reviews · 2 hours · from $36

Ride Bangkok’s canals with an English-speaking guide, passing Wat Arun and Wat Paknam’s giant Buddha before exploring Khlong Bang Luang and the 200-year-old Artist’s House. Guides such as Ken, Bella, Pam, and Neo add local stories, humor, and practical help along the way.

“Details of the meeting point were clear and easy to find. We liked that the group was small. Great introduction to canal life and its attractions.”

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3.Temples, Canals & Local Life Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 3,511 reviews · 3 hours · from $24

Ride 15 km through Thonburi with guides such as Coco, Dan, and Philip, passing canals, markets, wooden homes, and local temples. The pace is easy, but narrow lanes, uneven pavement, and busy road crossings require basic cycling confidence. Bikes, water, and a guide are included.

“Really enjoyed our afternoon tour today with Mr Philip and our group from England, Netherlands and Germany. I am by no means fit, but the pace was easy and considering it was 35c yesterday, not difficult to do. It was a good alternative to other tours in Bangkok and our first city bike tour. Mr Philip explained a lot at the stops we make at temples and markets and was friendly and enthusiastic.”

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4.2-Hour Canal Tour by Teak Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 2,212 reviews · 2 hours · from $22Best value

Set out from River City Bangkok with an English-speaking guide such as Mindy, Nui, or Bobo. This two-hour teak-boat ride follows the Chao Phraya River and Daokanong Canal, passing Wat Arun, stilt houses, temples, local homes, and sometimes monitor lizards.

“Mindy was an excellent tour guide. She was very knowledgeable and attentive to our needs and questions. The float down the river for an hour and a half was thoroughly enjoyable. We saw lots of locals homes and a lot of the landmarks and temples that make Bangkok famous. An excellent tour and well worth the money. Highly recommended!!! Great way to see lots of Bangkok”

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5.Hidden Bangkok Longtail Boat Tour to Big Buddha&Canal Life 2hrs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,404 reviews · from $35Top rated

Spend two hours on a Bangkok longtail boat through Thonburi’s canals, passing stilt houses, the Artist House, Wat Paknam’s Big Buddha, and Wat Arun. English-speaking guides such as Yoyo, Pear, Wai, and Fluke explain local life. The ride ends at Tha Tien Pier near Wat Pho.

“Wai was a GREAT tour guide. Would recommend this to get a great idea of the canals throughout Bangkok. Enjoyed the stops that let us see a few places along the canal.”

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6.Bike and Canal Boat Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,350 reviews · 3h 30m · from $47

Ride quiet Thonburi lanes with guides such as Otto, Bo, Jobe, and Morty, stopping at temples, markets, Wat Paknam’s giant Buddha, and a canal-side lunch. Your bikes then board a traditional long-tail boat for a 50-minute look at Bangkok’s waterside communities.

“Today I did an absolutely amazing bike tour. Five hours of exploring Bangkok, including a beautiful boat ride across the river in a longtail boat. Along the way you really see everything: rich and poor side by side, stunning buildings, and even monitor lizards resting in the water along the banks. After that we enjoyed an authentic Thai lunch — and I mean real Thai style: seriously spicy 🔥 We got back on our bikes, covered several highlights, and ended at the Big Buddha. So impressive and overwhelming, it truly leaves you speechless. I can highly recommend Otto — go explore the city with him and you’re guaranteed an unforgettable…”

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7.Longtail Boat Canal Tour to Wat Arun

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 438 reviews · 3 hours · from $28

Start at Tha Tian Pier for a three-hour small-group boat tour through Bangkok’s klongs. Visit Wat Paknam’s emerald pagoda and Giant Golden Buddha, then see Wat Arun from the river. Guides such as Jack, Nancy, and Mr. Thai add useful cultural context.

“Jack our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. It was really nice driving through the canals and seeing all the houses. He kept pointing things out on the boat for us to photograph like monitor lizards sunbathing. Lovely chilled afternoon.”

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8.Canal Boat Tour, Big Buddha & Artist’s House

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 332 reviews · 2 hours · from $40

Take a two-hour longtail boat ride through Bangkok’s working canals with an English-speaking guide such as Net or Jib. See stilt houses, temples, monitor lizards, and the giant seated Buddha, then stop at the 100-year-old Artist’s House to browse, feed fish, and take photos.

“Net was a fantastic guide. So bubbly and helpful. A must see tour to see a bit of the real Bangkok.”

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9.Thai Tour Guide : PRIVATE Highlight of Bangkok + Canal Tour + Simple Thai Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 213 reviews · from $130

Spend about seven hours with a private Thai guide exploring Wat Pho, the Grand Palace, the Amulet Market, Bangkok’s canals, Wat Arun, and Pak Khlong Flower Market. George and Pe Pe are among the named guides. Transport, a simple Thai lunch, water, admissions, and hotel pickup are included.

“We learnt so much about Bangkok and really enjoyed the canal trip. The food was simple but quite good. The palace was interesting.”

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10.Bangkok Long Boat Canal a Big Buddha & Culture Markets Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 137 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $44

Cruise Thonburi’s old canals by long-tail boat, view Wat Paknam’s Big Buddha from the water, then walk through Khlong Bang Luang village and its small floating market. English-speaking guides such as Elena, Enjoy, and Joker are praised for lively stories and local insight.

“Was a great tour and activity. Our guide was very informative and made for a great experience!”

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11.Private ‘Breeze & Pleased’ Canal Boat Ride – 2hrs (self-guided)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · from $52

Spend two relaxed hours on Bangkok’s canals with a self-guided boat ride from Wat Mai Yai Nui. You’ll pass waterside homes, spot monitor lizards and catfish, visit an orchid farm, and feed fish at a temple. The boat holds no more than five people, but hotel transfers and a guide are not included.

“If your even hesitating for a second, don't…book this tour!! Today Annie & Mikey took us around to see authentic and true Thailand food and culture. The food was amazing and we left stuffed! These guides gave us such rich history and really Read more”

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12.Bangkok 3-in-1 Tour: Longtail Boat,TukTuk & Street Food Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 73 reviews · from $68

Begin with a one-hour longtail boat ride through Bangkokyai canals, stop for local food at Talad Plu, then tour Old Town by tuk-tuk before ending in Chinatown. Guides such as Siri, Pear, Oil, and Jazzy are praised for clear explanations and kind help.

“We booked this tour last minute on our first day in the city and so glad we did! Luke was our guide and he was amazing. When you read the tour descriptions on viator it’s hard to know what you are getting- but this hidden Bangkok was really the perfect all rounder. We started with a canal boat ride, then saw some local beautiful temples, switched to tuk tuk. Luke had planned authentic Thai food along the way. It is enough food to feed 10 people!! We ended in Chinatown for a nice walk thru the neighborhood. Highly recommend- also to get to tour- Grab drops u right at entrance…”

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13.Private tour to Wat Pho,Wat Arun, Canal Tour,Flower Market

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · from $159

Explore Bangkok by private car and boat on a 4 to 5 hour tour with an English-speaking guide. Cruise past canal homes, visit Wat Arun and Wat Pho, cross by ferry, and finish at Pak Khlong Talad flower market. Hotel pickup is offered in central Bangkok.

“We had a wonderful time on the 8 pm dinner cruise! It is worth paying more for the upper level if offered. Staff was great and food amazing!”

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