Most people know of Thailand’s famous floating markets, but have you ever thought of visiting the Maeklong Railway Market?
Located in the Samut Songkhram province, just an hour outside Bangkok, lies the natural successor to Thailand’s floating markets—the Maeklong Railway Market.
What is the Maeklong Railway Market?
The Maeklong Railway Market, also known as Talad Rom Hub is famous for its integration with a functioning railway track. It offers an experience unlike any other, and if I’m being honest, I thought this was far cooler than the floating markets.
Now when I say the Maeklong Railway Market sits directly on top of an active railway line, I mean it.
As the train approaches, vendors quickly pull back their awnings and move their goods to clear the tracks, only to return to their stalls as soon as the train passes.
It’s a unique sight to behold and a testament to the resilience and adaptability of a market to survive, even when the world changes around it.
What makes visiting the Maeklong Railway Market even more unique when comparing it to most of Thailand’s floating markets is that this market has always existed as is. It’s not like Damnoen Saduak Floating Market which was built specifically with tourists in mind.
What to Expect At The Maeklong Train Market
When you step into the Maeklong Railway Market, you’re greeted with a sensory overload that is both exhilarating and immersive.
It’s cramped, busy, outdated, low tech, but also bright and colorful with the chatter of people doing business.
It’s everything it should be.
The narrow lanes are lined with an array of goods, from fresh seafood, fruits, and vegetables to dried herbs, snacks, and local delicacies. The market is an explosion of colors and scents, with everything from fragrant spices to the not-so-pleasant (opinions may differ on this) odor of fish and seafood.
Unlike the more touristy floating markets, since the Maeklong Train Market is an actual working market, you’ll see everything here.
Famed for its fresh seafood and produce, the vendors sell foodstuff ranging from fish and prawns, to every sort of fruit and vegetable that can be found in Thailand.
While you’re here, be sure to sample some local delicacies. Street food stalls offer a range of Thai specialties, including pad Thai, coconut pancakes, and freshly squeezed juices.
Timing Your Visit
As a fully functioning local market, visiting the Maeklong Railway Market can be done seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. This stands in contrast to the floating markets which are often only open on the weekends.
While it may be open 11 hours per day, visiting the Maeklong Railway Market is best done when the train schedules align with market activity.
The current train timetable for Maeklong Railway Market Train (As of 2024)
Trains arrive at Mae Klong station at the following times: 08:30 am, 11:10 am, 2:30 pm, 5:40 pm.
The train departs from Mae Klong station at 06:20 am, 09:00 am, 11:30 am, 3:30 pm.
The final arrival/departure times don’t make sense to me, but that’s what’s listed on the official timetable.
Where is the Maeklong Railway Market?
For starters, the physical address is:
CX4X+XCC, Mae Klong, Mueang Samut Songkhram District, Samut Songkhram 75000, Thailand
If you’re planning on visiting the Maeklong Railway Market, Bangkok is your most likely starting location which is about 50 miles away (80km). It will take you a little over an hour to get there.
At first glance upon arrival, you might find yourself wondering where exactly the market is since it isn’t immediately obvious.
Well, all you need to do is follow the train tracks! Walk along them and the market will abruptly appear before you.
Here are several options on how you can easily get to the Maeklong Railway Market:
Taxi: Probably the most practical way. Taxis in Thailand are extremely cheap and they’re more comfortable than some of the other options like the bus or a van service. I took a taxi.
Private Driver: These can be booked for the whole day and offer the comfort of a taxi with added flexibility. A good idea is to pair this with a trip to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market which is only 12 miles away.
This can be done with a Taxi as well, just be sure to have them wait for you while you’re at Damnoen Saduak as finding transportation there can be difficult.
Guided Tour: Various tour operators in Bangkok offer day trips to the Maeklong Railway Market. These can often be done in combination with a visit to the nearby Damnoen Saduak floating market.
Train: Yes! You can ride the Maeklong Train! I’d consider this to be the most authentic way to reach the market. Just know that it’s going to be the slowest option. You take the train from Wongwian Yai Station in Bangkok to Mahachai Station.
From there, you ride to Ban Laem to catch the connecting train to Maeklong. You’ll then have to wait for another train to witness it pass through the market, and then wait for another to get back to Bangkok.
Minivan: There are minivan services from various points in Bangkok, such as the Victory Monument Station or the Mo Chit Bus Terminal, which run directly to Maeklong. They’re easy to spot once there.
Bus: The most complex would be to take a bus from the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) in Bangkok to Samut Songkhram. You’d then need to change to a local songthaew (A local passenger vehicle in Thailand – Basically a modified pickup truck with seats in the back.) or tuk-tuk to Maeklong Railway Market. I’d recommend the tuk-tuk… I love those.
Rental Car: For those who prefer the freedom of driving themselves, renting a car is a great option. The drive from Bangkok to Maeklong takes a little over an hour. Rental places are abundant, just be sure to follow typical rental car precautions. I outline some of the common rental car scams in my post: Everything To Know About Renting A Car In Costa Rica. Unfortunately, to rent and drive a car in Thailand you will need your International Drivers License.
Tips For Seeing the Maeklong Railway Market
Be aware of the train schedule: While I have posted the current schedule, it always helps to double-check before arriving. You wouldn’t want to show up and find out that there won’t be a train to see come through.
Have your transportation wait: I mention it above, but if you’re taking a taxi, pay the extra money to have them wait. Securing transportation from these markets can be difficult.
Bring cash: Most vendors only accept cash.
Be respectful: Remember that the market is an active commercial area. While some souvenirs are sold since it’s a tourist destination, it’s still a produce market. This means that people from the surrounding neighborhood will be there doing their regular grocery shopping.
Arrive early: As per usual, you will encounter far fewer tourists the earlier in the day you go. This is a little more important here with the very limited amount of space along the tracks for when a train comes through. If you’re visiting the Maeklong Railway Market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market together, I would go to the Maeklong train market first.
Safety: While the train does move slowly given its close proximity to the railway station, it’s still a train and it is very capable of hurting you. So be careful, don’t get too close, and watch your feet.
I know you’ll want to get super close since it’s rolling to a stop, but this can make you let your guard down.
On a funny note, I have another video clip that is famed worse than this. There was someone hiding beneath the train catching a free ride so I rushed to get him on camera. Unfortunately, I wasn’t fast enough.
Remember
The Maeklong Railway Market is more than just a place to shop. It’s a look into Thai culture as it has evolved over the years.
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You’ve explained this perfectly, thanks for the insight.