Are you wondering how to get to Maeklong Railway Market from Bangkok? There are several ways to travel on this route, but for the most local experience, you can travel from Bangkok to Maeklong Railway Market by train and arrive at Maeklong Station. It might not be fast and easy but is definitely fun and cheap.
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Bangkok to Maeklong Railway Market
There are a number of options available when considering transportation from Bangkok to Maeklong Railway Market (Talad Rom Hub), as you can take a minivan from Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal, join the tour, take a taxi, or get there by local commuter train.
Train from Bangkok to Maeklong Railway Market
Getting to Maeklong Railway Market from Bangkok by local commuter train is not the fastest option, but it’s definitely the cheapest and most enjoyable way to travel for an adventurous person.
The main reason for choosing this kind of transportation was the chance to experience Maeklong Railway Market in both ways – crossing the market on the train by ourselves and watching the train going through Maeklong Railway Market from the market. A big bonus was the experience of local traveling along the way from Bangkok to Maeklong Railway Market.
1. Wongwian Yai Railway Station - Maha Chai Railway Station
The easiest way to get to Wongwian Yai Railway Station is to take BTS SkyTrain to Wongwian Yai BTS Station on the Silom Line. When leaving Wongwian Yai BTS Station, take Exit 1 and walk towards the Taksin Intersection. At the intersection, turn right onto Somdet Phrachao Taksin Road and walk for about 500 meters until you see the train station on the left side.
The schedule of the Maeklong Line train running between Wongwian Yai Railway Station and Maha Chai Railway Station is listed in the table below.
As you can see, there are many trains departing from Wongwian Yai Railway Station roughly every hour, with the first train leaving at 5:30. All the trains on this line are 3rd-class, which means there’s no air-con. The fare is 10 THB per person for a one-way ticket. The tickets can be purchased at the station before boarding the train. The journey from Wongwian Yai Railway Station to Maha Chai Railway Station takes approximately 1 hour.
2. Maha Chai Railway Station - Maha Chai Pier
Maha Chai is a small town located in the Samut Sakhon province, which is passed on the way to Maeklong Railway Market from Bangkok. The town is well-known in Thailand for having one of the largest seafood markets in the country. Once you walk out from Maha Chai Railway Station, don’t be surprised to find many vendors selling fresh seafood, dried fish, vegetables, and fruits for a very reasonable price at Maha Chai Market.
When going out from the train station, turn right and walk straight through the market. At the end of the market, turn left and head to Maha Chai Pier (see below).
You will also see several seafood restaurants on both sides of the road leading to the pier.
3. Maha Chai Pier - Tha Chalom Pier
Maha Chai Pier is an important pier for locals who use it to travel between the 2 sides of the river. There is a ferry crossing between Maha Chai and Tha Chalom piers. The ferry is used to transfer passengers and motorbikes. It takes just a few minutes to cross over the Tha Chin River. The fare is 3 THB per person.
4. Tha Chalom Pier - Ban Laem Railway Station
To finish your trip from Bangkok to Maeklong Railway Market, you need to take one more train. When going from Tha Chalom Pier to Ban Laem Railway Station to take your next train, you need to walk to the main road, which is just at the exit of the pier. On the road, turn right and walk directly for about 450 meters. On your way to Ban Laem Railway Station, you will pass the school and a Buddhist temple. If walking half a kilometer seems like too much of a challenge, you can get on Sam Lor (tricycle), as they are serving the route between the pier and the train station.
5. Ban Laem Railway Station - Maeklong Station
The train from Ban Laem Railway Station to Maeklong Station, where Maeklong Railway Market is located, departs at 7:30, 10:10, 13:30, and 16:40. The fare is 10 THB per person for a one-way ticket. The journey by train between Ban Laem Railway Station and Maeklong Station takes approximately 1 hour.
Important Note
If you wish to make a day trip by local train to Maeklong Railway Market (Talad Rom Hub), you need to allow yourself enough time. It is better to check the train schedule between Ban Laem Railway Station and Maeklong Railway Station and plan accordingly. Trains to Maeklong Station run only 4 times a day and depart every three hours. In case you miss it, you will have to wait long in the middle of nowhere. Of course, you will find drinks, food, and other facilities in Ban Laem, but 3 hours might be just too much in a small town like this.
Day Trip to Maeklong Railway Market from Bangkok
If you have limited time but still want to experience Maeklong Railway Market, you can actually visit Maeklong in half-day without the need of taking a train or van from Southern Bus Terminal that are both time consuming. Instead, you can join this guided Maeklong Railway Market 5-hour tour that takes you from the centrally located River City Bangkok at 8:00, brings you to explore Maeklong Railway Market for 1.5 hours, and then returns you to MBK Mall in Bangkok center at around 13:00.
In case you have plenty of time, combining a trip to Maeklong Railway Market with a visit to the floating market is definitely recommended, as Thailand's two most famous floating markets are located not far from Maeklong.
When traveling on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, you can combine Maeklong Railway Market with Amphawa Floating Market into one day trip. You can experience the energy of the vendors at the Maeklong railway and the bustling Amphawa Floating Market on this tour from Bangkok before ending the day with a magical boat tour to an area with fireflies.
If you want to travel independently and need tips on planning your one-day trip to Maeklong Railway Market and Amphawa Floating Market by train, check our detailed Maeklong Railway Market & Amphawa Day Trip Itinerary.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is the most famous floating market in Thailand that is open daily. As it is also located not that far away from the railway market, a combined visit to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Maeklong Railway Market is one of the most popular day trips from Bangkok.
You can choose from either a shared group or private guided experience to see 2 iconic markets on this day trip from Bangkok. See a market located on the railway tracks, the Maeklong Railway Market, and a market that floats on the canals at the Damnoen Saduak Market.
Minivan to Maeklong Railway Market from Bangkok
There are minivans departing from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal to Samut Songkhram every hour from 05:00 to 19:00. The journey to the city of the famous Maeklong Railway Market takes about 2 hours. Tickets can be purchased at the minivan platform of the bus station.
The minibuses also make a stop at Maha Chai in Samut Sakhon.
Maeklong Railway Market by Taxi or Private Car
Maeklong Railway Market is located about 1.5 hours drive away from Bangkok, so you can get there by Bangkok taxi. Most taxi drivers will be happy to bring you there, but in most cases, they will ask for a fixed fare. Therefore, booking a taxi online for such a trip is recommended. You can choose from different types of vehicles and book the most suitable option for your group here: Taxi to Maeklong Railway Market.
Another popular option is chartering a private car with a driver, which gives you the flexibility to explore the bustling city of Bangkok and its surroundings the way you wish.
Tips
Maeklong Railway Market is just one of the interesting markets that can be visited from Bangkok. An extended list of great local shopping venues in the city and around it can be found here: Best Markets in Bangkok.
