I If you’re planning to visit the famous Maeklong Railway Market near Bangkok, I highly recommend taking the local train instead of a tourist bus.
The journey itself is part of the experience, allowing you to enjoy the ride and see a side of everyday Thai life that many visitors miss. I’ve done this trip twice, and it remains one of my favorite day trips from Bangkok.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to get to Maeklong Railway Market by local train.
Table of Contents
Quick Overview
Route: Wongwian Yai → Maha Chai → Ferry → Ban Laem → Maeklong
Cost to reach Maeklong Railway Market: around 55 THB
Return by minivan: around 150 THB
Travel time: around 3–4 hours one way
Recommended train: 10:10 AM from Ban Laem
Planning Your Journey
There is no direct train from Bangkok to Maeklong Railway Market. To get there by local train, you’ll need to take two trains and one ferry:
Wongwian Yai Railway Station (Bangkok)
↓ Train (about 1 hour)
Maha Chai Station
↓ Walk + Ferry
Ban Laem Station
↓ Train (about 1 hour)
Maeklong Railway Station
The main thing to keep in mind is that there are only two trains a day from Ban Laem to Maeklong Railway Market. When I visited in 2023, the departures were at 10:10 AM and 1:30 PM.
Also, getting from Wongwian Yai Station to Ban Laem Station takes around two hours in total, including the train ride, ferry crossing, and walking time.
Because missing the train from Ban Laem could mean waiting for several hours, I recommend planning your departure time carefully and allowing plenty of extra time for transfers.
(Train schedules and departure times may change, so always check the latest timetable before your trip.)
Step 1 – Take the Train from Wongwian Yai
Start your journey at Wongwian Yai Railway Station in Bangkok. You can get there by Grab, taxi, or public transport.
Buy a ticket to Maha Chai Station. When I visited in 2023, the ticket cost only 15 THB. Prices may have changed since then.
The journey takes around one hour and offers a great glimpse into local Thai life outside Bangkok.
Step 2 – Cross the River by Ferry
Once you arrive at Maha Chai Station, walk about three minutes to the Mahachai–Tha Chalom Ferry Pier. The ferry crossing only takes a few minutes. When I visited in 2023, the ferry cost 20 THB. Prices may have changed since then.
Step 3 – Walk to Ban Laem Station
After leaving the ferry, turn right and keep walking until you can’t go any further. You’ll eventually arrive at Ban Laem Railway Station.
Buy a ticket to Maeklong Railway Station. When I visited in 2023, the ticket cost 20 THB. Prices may have changed since then.
The station feels hidden away, and very few international tourists seem to know about it.
Step 4 – Ride to Maeklong Railway Market
When you arrive at Ban Laem Station, a train coming from Maeklong Railway Market will arrive shortly after. This train will change direction at Ban Laem and return to Maeklong, so you can board the same train.
When boarding, I recommend choosing the first carriage. Since the train changes direction at Ban Laem Station, this carriage will become the last carriage when heading to Maeklong.
After getting on, move to the very back seat of the carriage. This is the best spot to film the moment when the train enters Maeklong Railway Market. This spot is also popular with tour groups, so if you want a good view, try to secure your position early.
My Best Tip for the Perfect Video
After the ticket inspector checks your ticket, politely ask the conductor:
“Would it be possible to stand by the open door to take some photos or videos when we arrive at Maeklong Railway Market?”
Most of the time, they will kindly allow you to do so. Just to be safe, it’s a good idea to remind the conductor again when the train gets close to the market.
However, the area near the train doors is also a popular filming spot for tour groups. Asking early and securing your position gives you a better chance of capturing the perfect moment when the train enters Maeklong Railway Market.
Why This Route Is Better Than a Tour
Most visitors arrive by tourist bus and wait beside the tracks for the train to pass. However, experiencing the market from inside the train is completely different from watching it from the ground.
As the train slowly enters the market, vendors calmly fold away their awnings. Once the train has passed, they all reopen them almost at the same time. It feels as though a giant carpet is being rolled out across the entire market.
Being able to experience this incredible moment from inside the train is, in my opinion, the biggest reason to visit Maeklong Railway Market by local train.
Step 5 – How to Get Back to Bangkok
After exploring the market, you have two options.
Option 1 – Return by Train
You can simply retrace your steps by taking the train back to Ban Laem, crossing the ferry again, and then taking another train from Maha Chai to Wongwian Yai. If you enjoy local train journeys, this is a great option. However, after a full day, it can feel quite long and tiring.
Option 2 – Take a Minivan (My Recommendation)
If you’d rather have a quicker and more comfortable journey back to Bangkok, walk about 5–10 minutes to Mae Klong Transport Station. Shared minivans leave for Bangkok approximately every hour. When I visited in 2023, the ticket cost 150 THB. Prices may have changed since then.
After spending the day exploring the market, this is the option I chose, and I found it much easier than taking all the trains back.
Budget (2023 Prices)
To reach Maeklong Railway Market:
- Train: Wongwian Yai → Maha Chai — 15 THB
- Ferry: Maha Chai → Ban Laem — 20 THB
- Train: Ban Laem → Maeklong — 20 THB
Total: around 55 THB
Return option:
- Minivan: Maeklong → Bangkok — 150 THB
Final Thoughts
If you want to truly experience Maeklong Railway Market, don’t just visit it — arrive by train. The journey is just as memorable as the destination. Take your time, enjoy the local atmosphere, and don’t be afraid to ask the conductor if you can stand near the open door for the final approach.
