Imagine shopping for fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, and snacks at a bustling market, when suddenly you hear a loud whistle and see a train approaching. You watch in awe as the vendors quickly fold their umbrellas and pull back their goods, leaving just enough space for the train to pass through the narrow gap between the stalls. This is not a scene from a movie, but a daily occurrence at the Maeklong Railway Market, one of the most unique and thrilling markets in the world.
The Maeklong Railway Market, also known as the Umbrella Market or the Folding Market, is located in Samut Songkhram province, about 80 kilometers southwest of Bangkok. The market has been operating since 1905, when the railway line was built to transport goods from the port to the city. The market vendors decided to set up their stalls along the railway tracks, taking advantage of the convenient location and the cheap rent. Over the years, the market has become a popular attraction for both locals and tourists, who come to witness the amazing spectacle of the train and the market.
In this article, we will offer you a comprehensive and practical guide to visiting the Maeklong Railway Market, covering various aspects of interest to the potential visitors. You will learn what to expect at the market, how to get there from Bangkok, and some tips and advice for enjoying the market. We will also mention some nearby attractions that you can combine with your market visit, such as the floating market and the firefly boat tour. By the end of this article, you will be ready to add the Maeklong Railway Market to your bucket list and experience it for yourself.
What to Expect at the Maeklong Railway Market
The Maeklong Railway Market is divided into two sections by the railway tracks, which run for about 300 meters through the market. The market is open every day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., but the best time to visit is between 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., or between 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., when the train passes through the market eight times a day. The train schedule is as follows:
Arrival Time Departure Time
8:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m. 10:10 a.m.
10:30 a.m. 11:10 a.m.
11:30 a.m. 11:40 a.m.
2:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m. 4:10 p.m.
4:30 p.m. 5:10 p.m.
5:30 p.m. 5:40 p.m.
At the market, you can find a variety of products, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, meat, snacks, drinks, souvenirs, and clothing. The prices are reasonable and negotiable, and the quality is high. You can sample some of the local delicacies, such as fried mussels, coconut ice cream, or salted fish. You can also enjoy the lively and colorful atmosphere of the market, which is filled with the sounds and smells of the vendors and the customers.
The main attraction of the market, however, is the train passing through the stalls. About five minutes before the train arrives, you will hear a loud whistle and an announcement, warning the people to move aside and clear the tracks. You will see the vendors swiftly fold their umbrellas and pull back their goods, leaving only a few centimeters of space between the train and the stalls. You will also see the tourists and the locals rush to find a safe spot to watch and take photos of the train. The train moves slowly and carefully through the market, honking its horn and creating a thrilling scene. As soon as the train passes, the vendors resume their normal business, unfolding their umbrellas and pushing their goods back to the tracks. The whole process takes only a few minutes, but it is a remarkable sight to behold.
How to Get to the Maeklong Railway Market from Bangkok
If you are in Bangkok and want to visit the Maeklong Railway Market, you have several options to choose from. Depending on your budget, time, and preference, you can take a train, a minibus, a taxi, or an excursion to the market. Here are the details and directions of each option:
Train
Taking a train is the cheapest and most authentic way to get to the market, but also the longest and most complicated. You have to take two trains, one from Bangkok to Maha Chai, and another from Ban Laem to Maeklong. The total cost is about 20 baht per person, and the total time is about 3 hours.
To take the train, you have to go to Wongwian Yai Railway Station in Bangkok, which is not connected to the BTS or MRT. You can take a taxi or a bus to the station, which is about 5 kilometers from the city center. The first train departs from Wongwian Yai at 5:30 a.m., and the last train departs at 5:10 p.m. The train runs every hour, and the journey takes about an hour to reach Maha Chai.
At Maha Chai, you have to get off the train and cross the Tha Chin River by ferry. The ferry costs 3 baht per person, and the ride takes about 5 minutes. The ferry terminal is right next to the train station, and the ferries run every 10 minutes. After crossing the river, you have to walk for about 10 minutes to Ban Laem Railway Station, where you can catch the second train to Maeklong.
The second train departs from Ban Laem at 7:30 a.m., and the last train departs at 4:40 p.m. The train runs every 2 hours, and the journey takes about an hour and a half to reach Maeklong. The train passes through the market, so you can get off at the market or at the station, which is a few minutes walk from the market.
To return to Bangkok, you have to take the same route in reverse. You can check the train schedule and the map of the route here .
Minibus
Taking a minibus is the fastest and most convenient way to get to the market, but also the most expensive. You can take a direct minibus from Bangkok to Maeklong, which costs about 100 baht per person, and takes about an hour and a half. The minibuses run every 30 minutes, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To take the minibus, you have to go to the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) in Bangkok, which is connected to the BTS by bus number 511. You can also take a taxi or a Grab to the terminal, which is about 10 kilometers from the city center. The minibus station is located at platform 8, and the minibuses have a sign that says “Maeklong”. You can buy the ticket at the station, or book online here .
The minibus will drop you off at the market, or at the station, depending on your request. To return to Bangkok, you can take the same minibus from the market or the station, or book online here.
Taxi
Taking a taxi is the most comfortable and flexible way to get to the market, but also the most costly. You can take a taxi from anywhere in Bangkok to Maeklong, which costs about 1000 baht per trip, and takes about an hour and a half. The taxis run 24 hours, and you can negotiate the price and the duration of the trip with the driver.
To take a taxi, you can hail one on the street, or use an app like Grab or LINE Taxi. You can also book a taxi online here . You can ask the driver to wait for you at the market, or to come back later to pick you up. You can also ask the driver to take you to other nearby attractions, such as the floating market or the firefly boat tour, for an extra fee.
The taxi will drop you off at the market, or at the station, depending on your request. To return to Bangkok, you can take the same taxi, or book online here .
Excursion
Taking an excursion is the easiest and most hassle-free way to get to the market, but also the most touristy. You can join a group tour or a private tour from Bangkok to Maeklong, which costs about 1500 baht per person, and takes about 6 hours. The tours include transportation, guide, entrance fees, and lunch. The tours run every day, and you can choose the departure and return time.
To take an excursion, you can book online here or here . You can also find many tour agencies and operators in Bangkok that offer similar tours. The tour will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel, or at a designated meeting point. The tour will also take you to other nearby attractions, such as the floating market or the firefly boat tour.
The tour will give you enough time to explore the market, and to see the train scene. You can also buy some souvenirs and snacks at the market. The tour will also provide you with some information and tips about the market and the area.
The Maeklong Railway Market is a unique and thrilling experience in Thailand, that you should not miss if you are looking for something different and adventurous. The market offers a glimpse into the local culture and lifestyle, as well as a chance to see the amazing train scene that is unlike anything else in the world.
Whether you choose to take a train, a minibus, a taxi, or an excursion, you can easily get to the market from Bangkok, and enjoy a day trip that will leave you with unforgettable memories. You can also combine your visit to the market with other nearby attractions, such as the floating market or the firefly boat tour, to make the most of your time and money.
We hope that this article has provided you with a comprehensive and practical guide to visiting the Maeklong Railway Market. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please feel free to leave them below.
If you have visited the market, please share your experience and tips with us. And if you have not visited the market yet, what are you waiting for? Book your tour now, and get ready for a unique and thrilling experience in Thailand.
