A Guide to Famous Maeklong Railway Market in Bangkok

7 min readOct 20, 2019

We know that many markets in Thailand look the same, at least at first glance. But the Maeklong Railway Market is one that stands out. Why? Because it has a train running several times a day through the middle of it. Right in the middle and close enough to touch In Thailand alone!

So, if you’re in Bangkok and have a whole day with no plans, go to the Maeklong Railway Market — here’s all you need to know before you visit.

Table of Contents

History

Since 1905, Maeklong Railway Market has been there. It is found in Samut Songkhram Province, located on Thailand’s Gulf. Fishing was (and still is) one of the main source of income for people who lived here, and the market was another way of selling their products. To help supply these goods to provinces across Thailand, including the capital, officials decided to build a railway.

What To Expect At Maeklong Train Market

Like all other Thai markets, this market has everything we’ve come to know and love. Stalls displays fruit, vegetables, meats, seafood, sweet snacks, clothing, and flowers.

The big difference is that trains run straight down the middle!

Just a few minutes before the train arrives, a cute little warning bell goes off over the speaker system. Within a few minutes of receiving the notice, vendors are pulling back their specially design awnings, sometimes just moments before the train arrives. That’s why the market is known locally as the “Talat Rom Hoop” that translates into “Market Umbrella Close.”

The coolest thing about this market is that as it moves along, it adjusts itself and encapsulates the train perfectly. Only as far as need the awnings are pulled back. Fruit and vegetable baskets are moved just as far as so that fruits and vegetables are not damage.

The train passes with approximately one foot to spare, both below and on the cart sides. Visitors and vendors stand very close. At least, closer than we’ve ever been around to any moving train, bus, or subway.

Once the train passed, the vendors immediately put the awnings back in their original positions, and quite nonchalantly we might say. Everyone went back to normal as if there had never been something unusual and it’s hard to believe that tons of steel just rumbled through.

What To Buy

This market’s value lies in its novelty and the train going through… not necessarily its goods. It’s here that you’ll find food for sale. While some clothes and accessories will definitely be available, the majority of this market consists of Thai sweets, meat, fish, vegetables, fruits and beverages. If you were hunting for a plethora of souvenirs, think again..

Preparation Tips for Your Visit to the Maeklong Railway Market

Whether you’re shooting videos or photos, or we dare say we’re taking selfies, here are a few things to keep in mind in order to prepare for your visit.

It’s quite shady because of a hundred or so of awnings ‘ collaborative efforts, so make sure your camera is optimized for low light.
Take some water and a fan. This market runs along the tracks in a single path, and although from time to time it splits off to the sides, there is almost no cross breeze and it gets hot.
Come early. Or at least, given enough time before the next train arrives to walk down the tracks. The advantage is that there are fewer people there, the farther you travel.
There’s a packed main entrance. Be mindful of the near-ground item and let other tourists leave the market before attempting to enter.
While this is not a fast-moving train, when the train arrives, it is a no-brainer to stay clear of the tracks. Do not stand or lean over the tracks to get “the perfect shot” or you may get smushed perfectly.
The train runs four times a day from Ban Laem Station (in Bangkok) to Maeklong Station (just up the market tracks) and four times in the return direction. And, every day there are eight chances to watch the umbrellas of the market vendor close to make space for the train to get down the tracks.

These are the times that the train is scheduled to cross the town. Of course, there might be delay of couple of minutes.

How to go to the Maeklong Railway Market

The Maeklong Railway Market is about 60 kilometers from Bangkok. It’s about a 1.5-hour drive (Kanchanaphisek) Toll Road, the outer ring road that runs around the city’s outskirts.

The most convenient way to get to the market is going with tour operator. We personally like klook.com. Klook has a range of tour options (group and private) that offer day trips to the Maeklong Train Market and floating markets nearby.

They will pick you up in a spacious air-conditioned car or Bus from your hotel or Pickup Points, treat you to lunch, and their guide will tell you where the best sightseeing spots are.

You can book a personal taxi as well. Your driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you straight to the market’s front steps, wait for you, while you’re exploring the market, and then return at the end of the day to your hotel.

We also recommend taking a public van that goes to the Maeklong Train Market several times a day from the Sai Tai Kao Pinklao Bus Station. Booking your tickets online with the form below is simple. Prices start at a rate of 90 THB per person.

Rent a car to get there if you are comfortable driving in Thailand. Use Google Maps, the car’s GPS will pick up the exact location of the Market. It’s just down the street from Maeklong Railway Station, the Maeklong Railway Line’s last stop.

Want to Ride ??

Ride the train through the Maeklong Railway Market for a totally different perspective. Then get off, watch the train leave the market as you stand on the sidelines, and later that day catch a train back to Bangkok.

The Maeklong Railway Market train Schedule in 2019 is:

Train Arrival times: 8.30 a.m., 11.10 a.m., 2.30 p.m. and 5.40 p.m.
Train Departure times: 6.20 a.m., 9.00 a.m., 11.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m

Your best option is to catch the train on the Maeklong Line from Bangkok’s Wongwian Yai Station at 6:45 a.m. From the Mahachai Pier to the Tha Chalom Pier, you can take a 1-hour trip to the Mahachai Station, get off and then cross the river on a ferry.

Get on the 8:05 am train at Ban Laem Station and you’ll pass the Maeklong Railway Market about 1 hour and 40 minutes later (arrival scheduled at 9:45 a.m.)

You can get off the train, walk into the Market, and then watch the 10:20 am departure train (the one you’ve just been on) rolling through from the side-lines. Stay for a couple of hours, take lunch, and watch the next train arrive at 1:45 pm. This is the one you will have to board to start your journey back to Bangkok. Begins at 2:30 pm from Maeklong Railway Station.

Train36.com does a great job listing description of where Bangkok’s Wongwiang Yai Station is, how to get there, rates, and train timetables for the Mae Klong Line.

This market is a one-of — a-kind place to experience. As it is close to Bangkok and is especially easy to reach. Try it out and let us know about your trip if you have a day to spare.