Damnoen Floating Market: DIY or Tour

Are you planning for a trip to Damnoen Saduak, Thailand's famous floating market, but is unsure whether to book a tour in Khao San or to do it yourself?

Here's a guide for you.





Tour booked in Khao San
PROS
- It would end up cheaper if you'll include the cost of the long tail boat, especially if you're traveling alone
- It's more convenient, *sometimes* they have a tour guide.
- They'll pick you up at your hotel.


CONS
- You'll arrive at the market quite late (around 10am), and market is only until 11.
- You'll only be given 20 minutes free time to go around, not enough time to eat (check out what's available here)
- Quality of tour agency is a hit or miss. Sometimes, the vans they use have defective aircons.
- There will be mandatory stops, and some are just shops where you're expected to buy.

Related post: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market: It's the ice cream, and more

Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
PROS
- You'll be there early, way before the hordes of tourists arrive from Bangkok. If you leave Bangkok at 6AM, you'll be there by 8AM with enough time to take pictures without disruptions, and it's mostly just locals in the market.
- You'll have all the time to go around.
- You'll have enough time to sample all (OK, at least most hehe) of the available food. Noodles for breakfast, then ice cream then sticky mango rice, then ice cream again. Repeat for lunch.


CONS
- It may end up expensive if you'll take the long tail boat tour on your own. The tour brings you around the community outside of the market and would show you the daily lives of the locals. 
- You may end up walking a lot if you're unwilling to pay for local transport, just like what we did.
- No opportunity to stop by the shops along the way.


Read about my DIY trip here: DIY Damnoen Saduak Flaoting Market



3 comments:

ok said...

Would like to ask if the DIY includes riding a boat? I mean not the boat a typical tour riding with?

Last Row Traveler said...

Hi Christopher! Thanks for visiting.

That's the good thing with DIY, the boat ride is optional. Going to the market, no boat ride is included but while there, you can choose to ride the long tail boat or the paddle boat.

I have another entry on a DIY Damnoen trip here:
http://travel.froilangrate.com/2012/04/diy-damnoen-saduak-floating-market.html

Last Row Traveler said...

Hi Christopher! Thanks for visiting.

That's the good thing with DIY, the boat ride is optional. Going to the market, no boat ride is included but while there, you can choose to ride the long tail boat or the paddle boat.

I have another entry on a DIY Damnoen trip here:
http://travel.froilangrate.com/2012/04/diy-damnoen-saduak-floating-market.html

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Sagada, Mountain Province

The majestic rice terraces

Zambales

The isolated Anawangin Cove is perfect for group camping

Sunrise in Calayan

Calayan is part of the Babuyan Group of Islands

Chocolate Hills

While green during the rainy season, this attraction in Bohol turns to beautiful brown in the summer.

Caramoan

This remote island in Camarines Sur was host to Survivor France

Samal Island

This Pearl Farm is a famous destination in Davao.

Snake Island

This island, which is shaped like a snake is part of the attractions in Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Guimaras

Your private island

El Nido

This island is one of the stops in this famous tourist destination in Palawan

Calle Crisologo

This famous street in Vigan, Ilocos Sur is a reminder of this town's grand history

Central Park - New York

On a clear day, New Yorkers visit the Park to take a leisurely walk, run, play a game of catch, or just relax and read a book.

Brooklyn Bridge

The bridge is picture perfect, both for photographers and soon to be newlyweds having their pre-nup shoot.

Ecuador

A typical Plaza in Quito, the country's capital

New York

The view of Manhattan from the Empire State Building

Iguazu Falls

The majestic Falls shared by Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay

Bolivia

La Paz, Bolivia's capital, at night

Lake Titicaca

Colorful houses on Bolivia's side of the Lake

Pantanal, Brazil

A spot to read a book, and just below are hundreds of Caimans (cousins of alligators)

Copacabana Beach

Rio de Janeiro's famous beach

Curitiba, Brazil

One of the sights to be visited in their hop-on, hop-off Linha de Turismo bus service