Paid Walking Tours in Bangkok
1. Bangkok Essentials Tour
This tour takes you around the cultural landmarks of Bangkok. A professional private guide picks you up from your place of stay and takes you around the city on public transport. Walking tours in Bangkok such as these make visiting all the monuments convenient for you by arranging your entry tickets.
- The first monument you will visit is the magnificent Grand Palace which was the official residence of the royals of Thailand.
- Inside the palace, you can visit the Wat Phra Kaew, a sacred temple of the much revered Emerald Buddha.
- Next, you can visit the Wat Pho, where the famous reclining Buddha resides, as it is close to the Grand Palace.
- Crossing the Chao Phraya River on a ferry, you will visit Wat Arun, which is a Buddhist temple.
- You can enjoy the breathtaking view from the temple and later will be dropped off at MBK Mall for lunch and shopping.
Local Operator: Bangkok Walking Tours.
Pickup Point: Your hotel
Tour price: 2500 THB per person (prices may vary depending upon group size)
Timings: 8:15 AM - 2:00 PM
2. Merit Making Tour
This is one of the most spiritual walking tours in Bangkok. You will visit the religious locations popular among locals and learn about Thai culture closely under the guidance of a professional guide who picks you up from your hotel and takes you to the famous temples and local markets.
- The first place you visit on this tour will be the Wat Traimit, the 13th-century temple which houses the world’s largest solid gold statue of Budhha. The statue officially known as Phra Phuttha Maha Suwana Patimakon is 3m tall, weighs 5.5 tonnes, and dates back to the Sukhothai dynasty.
- Your next stop will be for shopping at the lively Chinatown market, which is a must-do on walking tours in Bangkok.
- Next, you visit the royal temple in Bangkok's Old Town, Wat Suthat. The temple has a large prayer hall with a 13th-century bronze Buddha sculpture and intricate designs on its walls.
- Near the temple is Talad Phra Krueng, the tiny market where locals buy amulets, talismans, and other spiritual items.
- Your tour will end at Wat Saket, which is also known as the Golden Mount.
Local Operator: Bangkok Walking Tours.
Pickup Point: Your hotel
Tour price: 2100 THB per person (prices may vary depending upon group size)
Timings: 8:15 AM - 2:00 PM
3. Railway and Floating Markets Tour
The most interesting walking tours in Bangkok are those of railway and floating markets. These tours lets you shop like Thai locals and taste delicious Thai food.
- The tour begins with a hotel pick up by a local guide and a drive to Maeklong Railway Market. This unique market has a train running right through it. The vendors evacuate the tracks and pull down their awnings when the train appears but put it all up again when the train passes by. You can enjoy the thrill of a train passing right across a marketplace and shop for Thai fruits, veggies, meats, seafood, etc.
- Your tour will continue to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. This lively market in Ratchaburi is Thailand's most popular floating market. You will be taken to the market through a colourful longtail boat to shop and eat delicious Thai food along the Klong river.
- After this in-depth exploration of the Thai culture, you will be dropped at your hotel by your driver.
Local Operators: Bangkok Walking Tours.
Pickup Point: Your hotel
Tour price: 2400 THB per person (prices may vary depending upon group size)
Timings: 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM
4. Ayutthaya Tour
The Ayutthaya Tour is among the most royal and exotic walking tours in Bangkok. You will visit the ancient royal capital of Ayutthaya and enjoy a cruise on the Chao Phraya river. A private tour guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive you up North to Ayutthaya. The ancient city is a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. It has royal monuments, Buddhist temples, monasteries, and other sacred architectures.
- The tour guide will take you around the four important temples in the city - Wat Mahathat, Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Wat Chaiwattanaram, and Wat Pra Sri Sanphet.
- This walking tour in Bangkok ends on a high note as you will take a relaxing cruise back to your hotel.
- You can enjoy live music along with a delicious lunch with Thai and International dishes while cruising on the Chao Phraya river, post which you will be dropped to your hotel.
Local Operator: Bangkok Walking Tours
Pickup Point: Your hotel
Tour price: 3900 THB per person (prices may vary depending upon group size)
Timings: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Self Guided Walking Tours in Bangkok
5. Bangkok Old City Walk
You can take some self-guided walking tours in Bangkok, using a GPS enabled offline application. You can spend some time exploring the Old City (Rattanakosin), which is located north of Bangkok's Chinatown. The city is brimming with temples, historic palaces, and ancient architecture. The tour will take you to seven famous spots of Bangkok Old Town including The Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market), Bangkok Wat Sutat (Great Swing), Wat Saket (Temple of the Golden Mount), and King Prajadhipok Museum.
Operator Mobile Application: GPSmyCity (self-guided tour)
6. Wats and Temples of Bangkok
For spiritual walking tours in Bangkok, you can follow this tour to the top seven shrines in the city. In this self-guided tour, you can visit the most revered temples in Bangkok and witness the Thai religious traditions. The tour takes you to Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), Wat Ratchapradit, Wat Ratchabophit, Bangkok Wat Sutat (Great Swing), Wat Thepthidaram, and Wat Saket (Temple of the Golden Mount).
Operator Mobile Application: GPSmyCity (self-guided tour)
7. Flower Market to Chinatown
One of the best walking tours in Bangkok for those who love shopping and eating this self-guided tour from Flower Market (Pak Khlong Talat) to Chinatown lets you explore the multicultural markets full of traditional goods and food.
- The Flower Market is open round the clock and offers varieties of flowers, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices.
- You can chat with locals over a hot cup of tea and stroll around to absorb the smell of fresh flowers. You can shop for varieties of silk at the Old Siam Plaza.
- Next, you can walk around Phahurat Market, also known as Little India, because of the availability of Indian textiles and snacks in the area. You can shop for a wide variety of merchandise and binge at the eateries and snack shops here.
- Enjoy delicious dimsums and other Chinese delicacies at the Talat Kao Market before heading to Yaowarat Road, which is famous for gold ornaments.
Operator Mobile Application: GPSmyCity (self-guided tour)
8. Food Walk
Foodies who are looking for walking tours in Bangkok must add this one on their list. Eating at big cafes and restaurants is enjoyable, but to truly explore Thai flavours, one must experience the street food and local stalls.
- Start your Food Walk tour with a local breakfast at Lumphini Park Food Stalls. Make sure to reach there early as the food stalls shut down by 9:00 AM. You can take a relaxing walk in the park or workout using the exercise equipment.
- There are certain other entertaining activities in the park, such as Chinese Tai Chi, aerobics, tennis, badminton, cycling, paddleboat, etc. You can enjoy a filling breakfast with fresh juice post your park visit. This is the best place to indulge in tasty rice sweets or iced Thai coffee at the lowest possible rates.
- You can now head on to the Convent Road to relish local Thai dishes at cheap rates. The Road has a variety of food stalls and restaurants, and you can try food from the world along with delicious fusion food here. You can relish authentic Thai food at Hai Soltam, French classics at Indigo and cocktails at Eat Me Restaurant.
- You can also walk over to Sala Daeng Soi 2 for a local lunch. This street offers a large number of options for rice, noodles, curries, fish dishes, and the traditional Yen Ta Fo broth.
- You can shop at Silom Road and try some traditional street food across the Wat Khaek (Sri Maha Mariamman Hindu Temple). Enjoy Western and Asian dishes for dinner at Talingpling or hang around for late-night meals at Al Saray Silom, which serves Lebanese and Indian cuisine along with vegetarian-friendly options.
- You can also try South Indian and Persian food at the Thanon Pan, which is right across the temple. You can also take a walk down Charoen Krung Road to enjoy yummy local food along with reasonably priced English and Asian dishes. This place is a hit among locals and tourists alike for everything from breakfast to late-night supper.
Operator Mobile Application: GPSmyCity (self-guided tour)
Use our comprehensive guide of walking tours in Bangkok to explore its hidden gems while you travel, pray, eat and have fun as locals do.
Types of Walking Tours
1. Art Tour
It's often said that a city tour stands incomplete if its art galleries have not been paid a visit. Reflecting the culture and atmosphere of the city, they go on to speak volumes about it. Also known as windows to an artist’s soul, various art galleries offer an artist’s perception of the world. Organised by several tour companies, this tour can even be taken up on an individual basis. With 5 remarkable art gallery locations on your itinerary, you are bound to be left spellbound by the structure.
Price: THB 950 per head
Locations covered: Damrong Rachanupab Museum and Library, National Gallery of Thailand, Queen’s Gallery, Art and Culture Center, Silpakorn University Art Gallery
Duration: 3 hours
2. Culinary Tour
Said to be the highlight of one’s visit to any region, this tour takes you through the bylanes and several aspects of a local’s life, ranging from the workplace to the conditions they live in. Paving the way for one to taste these delectable dishes, this gastronomic journey turns out to be a melting pot of cuisines influenced by several others. Advertently, it also helps one meet local people, try out ethnic Thai cuisine and experience the diverse flavours which they have to offer. Traversing through a maze of alleys, this tour covers 5 exotic locations teeming with life and laden with finger-licking good food which will leave you in a food coma.
A local guide usually accompanies you in a group of around eight people or more.
Price: THB 1650 per head
Locations covered: Chinatown District, Asiatique Market
Duration: 4 hours
3. Chinatown Tour
A bustling locality, this is one of the most vibrant and brightest districts packed with some of the best tourist spots in Bangkok. Easily explorable on foot, this locality is marked the ceremonious Chinatown gate which welcomes tourists and stands as a symbol of undying address. Populated by cheerful and lively people, this locality is a boisterous one with plenty of things to explore. Dotted by several street vendors, things here can take a turn for the best when you get to lay your hands on some sumptuous food. All in all, one thing that you can be assured of is - several picturesque locations which are bound to garner tons of likes!!
Price: THB 1000 per head
Locations covered: Chinatown Gate, Wat Thepsirin, Jim Thompson Museum, Art and Culture Center, Ganesha Shrine
Duration: 2 hours
4. Worship Tour
Holding a prominent position in the heart of the country, Bangkok is often regarded as the spiritual capital of Thailand. Shrines dotted all over the city, an impressive facade is the least of things bound to leave you gaping in awe at their sheer magnificence. Also known as ‘wats’, these temples are places of worship for Buddha. Spanning over 7.5 kms, this tour offers one with a multitude of sights, giving one an insight on the spirituality of its citizens and the history of these structures. The grandeur of these structures are a sight to behold. Established in different eras, they offer us a glimpse into the past and allow us to peek into their times.
Price: THB 1900 per head
Locations covered: Wat Intharawihan,Wat Ratchapradit, Wat Sudat, Wat Saket, Wat Traimit, Wat Chanasongkram, Wat Ratchaphobit
Duration: 3 hours
5. Architecture Tour
Scattered along with modern age buildings are a mix of unique and unorthodox structures responsible for Bangkok’s distinctive skyline. Encompassing the traditional structures and quite a few towers, one can take in the stupendous view which Bangkok has to offer. A tour that one should certainly opt for, it spans over 8 kilometres and has 6 attractions.
Price: THB 900 per head
Locations covered: Suan Pakkad Palace, Baiyoke Tower 2, China Resources Tower, U Chu Liang Tower, Amigo Tower, Hualamphong Station
Duration: 3 hours
6. Museum Tour
Housing the remains of Bangkok’s yesterday, these museums have become a symbol of their fleeting past. Acting as beacons of Bangkok’s history, they house exhibits such as remains of war vessels, antiques, relics, precious stones and many other historically important items. This tour aids one in assisting a history fan on doing their groundwork and also serves to enthrall one with its knowledge.
Price: THB 950 per head
Locations covered: Forensic Museum, Royal Barge National Museum, National Museum of Bangkok, Silpa Bhirasri Memorial National Museum, King Prajadhipok National Museum, Damrong Rachanupab Museum and Library
Duration: 3 hours
7. Old City Tour
An ideal way to kickstart one’s tour is to experience the busiest streets and localities of a region. Seeing the morning rush, people setting up their stalls in a market, feeling the haste that everybody is in. Offered by several tour companies, this tour covers an ensemble of areas ranging from palaces to galleries to temples. Covering a distance of 6 kilometres and 11 attractions, it presents a challenged one at hand.
Price: THB 800 per headWhilst these tours can be taken by oneself, they are also offered by quite a few tour companies. Led by guides, a lot more information and history about the region is communicated systematically in the form of a narration. Apart from this, most of them provide pick up and drop services from your doorstep and back to it. They are:
Locations covered: The Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Wat Sutat, Wat Saket, King Prajadhipok Museum, Queen's Gallery, Democracy Monument, Khaosan Road, National Gallery of Thailand, National Museum
Duration: 3 hours
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