Cycling in Bang Krachao, the green lung of Bangkok
Cycling at Bang Krachao in Bangkok
Cycling in Bangkok is one of the most appreciated and popular excursions. But if you don't feel like going out with a group of tourists, you can also make this fun trip on your own. In this video you can see how.
Bang Krachao and the Phra Pradaeng area are known as the green lung of Bangkok. The area is just across the river from Bangkok city, but it's a world of difference. You will be surprised that this is also Bangkok, because you will find beautiful green spaces with trees, low-rise buildings, a network of canals and elevated walking / cycling paths. The perfect environment for a relaxing bike ride in the green jungle.
The first step to get to Bang Krachao is to take a taxi to Wat Khlong Toei Nok temple along the Chao Phraya River. For just 10 baht you can then board a small boat that will take you across the Chao Phraya. You are then directly in Bang Krachao, a whole new world.
Once you have arrived at Bang Krachao, you can rent a bike there. The rental bikes cost 50 baht per hour or 100 baht per day. Choose the whole day because you will notice that time flies.
From there you can cycle to the park at Bang Krachao in 10 minutes. The park is nicely maintained and there is a large lake in the middle. Then explore the area. It is great fun to cycle on raised concrete paths. Along the way you will encounter many beautiful temples that you can photograph or visit. There are also plenty of nice restaurants in the area where you can eat or drink something.
Video: Cycling at Bang Krachao in Bangkok
Watch the video here:
This bike tour is highly recommended. We did this under Dutch supervision. Went smoothly, but you have to concentrate cycling because the concrete paths are narrow and some corners at right angles. So definitely pay attention. The bike ride through Bangkok to get there is also an experience in itself with many surprising views of another Bagkok.
eric
An absolute must if you want to cycle a bit during your stay in BKK. I myself live 100 m from Wat NOK and use the island for my daily bicycle tour, and with me many Thai people who come by car, park in front of my door, unload their (folding) bicycles and get ready dressed as a 2nd Zoetmelk/Terpstra for their cycling adventure.
As an alternative to a taxi you can also take the BTS to the BEARING terminus and from there a mototaxi to the ferry (end of Saphawut rd)
You then have 2 options:
a the bigger ferry (blue) for 5 bht (right next to the temple) or,
b a smaller boat for 20 bht, (it moors at the floating pier right in line with Sanphawut rd)
After both crossings, bicycles can be rented on the island, although you should not imagine too much.
Follow the directional signs of the bicycle route on the island.
On Saturdays and Sundays it is definitely worth visiting the floating market (until 17.00 p.m.)
If you have your own bicycle, then drive north after the park towards the river, where there are also 2 different options to cross with your bicycle. You will then arrive (with the bicycle wobbling on the front deck) at the entrance gate of the harbor approximately at the level of RAMA 4 (Tesco Lotus/Big C)
I will wave to you from my balcony!!
Lots of (cycling/boating) fun.
STEVEN
Made this trip today! With the Sukhumvit line of the Skytrain to Bang Na - the second
last station, caught a taxi there that dropped me off at the meter at the ferry for 45 baht.
The larger - blue - boat that also carries bicycles and motorcycles was not there, but the smaller longtail boat. It took me to the other side for 8 baht, but ends up at a different jetty than the 'big' – everything is relative – boat. The latter crosses diagonally to the right, 'my' boat diagonally to the left. On the other side I turned out not to be able to rent a bicycle and I had to take a motorcycle taxi to Bang Nam Phueng, for a paltry 15 baht. Bike turned out to cost 20 baht per hour or 100 for a whole day. followed the brown bicycle signs, but here and there also explored the - often very narrow - side paths, of course. Obviously stopped for coffee and some food. Drinking enough is recommended, my consumption was more than 2 liters of water in about four hours………….
At one point I had apparently missed a sign somewhere, it was also getting busier and I got the feeling that I was completely wrong. Asking didn't help much, a somewhat English-speaking Thai didn't understand where I wanted to go and he wasn't the only one: at that time I didn't know the name of the town where I rented the bike, and the hope that the rental bike there would be an indication of the origin turned out to be vain………….
Suddenly it dawned on me that I could also use the iPad, which I had brought with me next to my camera. On Google Maps I could see where I was, and it turned out that I was leaving the 'island' – peninsula actually – unnoticed. Then I knew I had to turn around, and after a few kilometers I was fortunately able to pick up the route signs that would take me back to my starting point. After returning the bike – 80 baht for 4 hours – I was transported to the waterfront again with a motor taxi, but this time I was dropped off at the 'big' boat. For the amount of 4 baht I was transferred. Now transport to Bang Na Skytrain station, because that is an awfully long walk at 31 degrees………….. There were only a few motorcycle taxis, but 'Skytrain' and 'Bang Na station' said nothing to the drivers. When I made it clear in sign language that my destination was high in the sky, the baht dropped and with a big grin I was invited to get on the back. 20 baht was the bill……………
All in all great to do, a day of cycling in Bangkok!
Hello Steve
What are the accommodation options?
I have Saturday couchsurfing once a month is that
Bicycle trip done a must
This is the couchsurf link
https://www.couchsurfing.com/events/monthly-cycling-at-bangkrachao-on-18th-aug-18
This is the face book link
m.facebook.com/groups/448983695248648?multi_permalinks=1042025769277768¬if_t=group_activity¬if_id=1531587770829639&ref=m_notif
Some of my cycling trips with photos on the island. It is busier on Sunday because many Thai come to the weekly market.
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/13633092
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/13759706
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/13517146 the park
https://www.flickr.com/photos/adriaan-cas/sets/72157665597587347/
After crossing you can immediately rent bicycles, but this is also possible further on.
Bikes are OK, but no information whatsoever. You could photograph a simple card.
Because we wanted to go to the floating market, it turned out to be straight ahead according to the map.
The lady who sold the bicycles seemed OK with that too.
You will mainly arrive on a highway, where cycling is absolutely not fun.
So… go to the left as much as possible from the bike rental and then follow some cycle route signs, and that's beautiful.
Because a sign was missing here and there, we only found the floating market after 3 o'clock and that was too late. Even Google Maps was upset and showed us we could drive the same route several times.