Biking Around Bang Kachao Island | Bangkok, Thailand
If you’re looking for a day trip from Bangkok that isn’t too far out but involves fresh air and bike riding, this one’s for you. Feel the sense of adventure as you explore an island that isn’t mobbed by other tourists!
We visited Bang Kachao twice now and I have to clarify that I’ve been calling it an island but it is actually not an island! There are a few different spellings of it, “Bang Kachao” and “Bang Krachao”. When you look at a map of Bangkok, Bang Kachao is the section where the Chao Phraya river snakes around like a horseshoe. Bang Kachao is known as Bangkok’s “Green Lung” as its located in an area adjacent to Bangkok. It’s only a 5 minute speed boat ride across the river but it feels like you’ve traveled miles away from the city!
You can actually get to it on land, but I have to admit, taking a speed boat across the river is WAY more fun!
Getting to Bang Kachao
Admittedly, getting to the correct pier is tricky but we figured it out so you don’t have to! If you ask your taxi or tuk tuk driver to take you to Wat Klong Toey Nok, that might be the easiest thing to do since the pier is directly left of the Wat entrance (if you’re staring at the Wat entrance). There’s a quirky lady named “Mama Powder”, and she will probably approach you and give you unsolicited advice on how to get to the pier. Don’t be alarmed. It’s just Mama Powder doing Mama Powder things. She will be immensely happy if you call her that, too!
Walk all the way down until you get to the pier, and there will be a series of traditional speed boats that will take you across the river. Once you get in the boat immediately keep your arms, legs, and fingers inside. John got his finger smashed in between two boats. You don’t want that to happen! You don’t have to pay them because they all work together with the bicycle shop and you’ll pay for it all once you cross the river. Mention Pae Jeob to the skipper and he will take you there to rent your bikes for the day!
Pae Jeob Bike Hire is very well run! The staff is friendly, and for just 80 baht (about $2.39 usd) they give you a map, free water, and all day bike rental. You just have to leave ID with them. If you don’t like the bike you’re given, you can ask for another one. Some of the bikes are newer than others!
Once you have your bikes, you are ready to explore the “island”! There is so much to see on Bang Kachao. We went twice and still didn’t manage to see it all! My biggest recommendation is to get an early start, bring ponchos and umbrellas in case it rains, and to set off and just explore!
There’s so much to see on Bang Kachao but I bookmarked a few places that we really enjoyed visiting below.
Want to see what Bang Kachao is like? Watch the videos of both of our trips there!