A bicycle lets you see a Thai city up close: you move slowly enough to notice small temples, markets and quiet lanes, and you can stop wherever you like. This guide covers bike tours in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, plus rental, safety and trains.
Why See a Thai City by Bicycle
- You reach places cars cannot. Narrow lanes and park paths are open to a bike but not to a taxi.
- You see daily life. You pass homes, food stalls and temples instead of looking at them through a window.
- It suits beginners in the right places, such as Bang Krachao in Bangkok and the historical parks of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai.
The heat is the main challenge. Many bike tours start early in the morning to avoid the heat and the traffic; do the same when you ride on your own.
Guided Bike Tours in Bangkok
Bangkok traffic is heavy, so a first ride is easier with a guide who knows the quiet routes.
Co van Kessel
Co van Kessel runs bike tours in Bangkok and Chiang Mai and holds a licence from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT licence 11/10279). Three-hour tours start from about 1,250 THB, and a five-hour combination tour costs about 2,500 THB. Tours start from Tha Phra Chan or from River City. The Bangkok office is in River City Bangkok, room 164, 23 Charoen Krung Soi 24. Phone: +66 2 639 7351. Co van Kessel website.
ABC Amazing Bangkok Cyclists
ABC Amazing Bangkok Cyclists (ABC) is part of Real Asia and has been running since 1989. It offers small-group tours, and its tours include the green island of Bang Krachao. Phone: +66 81 812 9641. ABC Amazing Bangkok Cyclists website.
Bangkok Bike Tour Prices
| Company | Tour | Approximate price |
|---|---|---|
| Co van Kessel | 3-hour tour | from 1,250 THB |
| Co van Kessel | 5-hour combination tour | 2,500 THB |
| ABC | Morning or afternoon tour | 1,300 THB per person |
| ABC | City tour | 1,500 THB per person |
| ABC | Day tour | 1,800 THB per person |
| ABC | Weekend tour with a local floating market | 2,400 THB per person |
| ABC | Private tour | from 1,600 THB per person |
Prices were checked in September 2026 and can change. Confirm the price, the meeting point and what is included with the company when you book.
Bang Krachao: Bangkok's Green Island
Bang Krachao is often called "Bangkok's green lung". It lies across the Chao Phraya River from central Bangkok, in Phra Pradaeng district of Samut Prakan province, and covers about 16 square kilometres. It is the best place in Bangkok for easy, flat riding away from heavy traffic.
The main place for cycling and birdwatching is the Si Nakhon Khuean Khan Park and Botanical Garden, in the north of Bang Krachao. It is the usual stop on a ride.
The simplest way to ride there is on a guided tour, such as an ABC tour.
Cycling in Chiang Mai
Co van Kessel also runs bike tours in Chiang Mai; ask the company for current tours and prices.
To see Chiang Mai by car instead, Smile Taxi Service runs a private Chiang Mai + Doi Tour. It lasts up to 10 hours and costs 3,300 THB by sedan, 3,500 THB by SUV, 4,000 THB by van or 4,500 THB by VIP van, per vehicle. See the tours and day trips page.
To travel north, a private transfer from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Chiang Mai with Smile Taxi Service costs 7,500 THB by sedan, 8,500 THB by SUV or 10,000 THB by van: book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi to Chiang Mai. All the options are compared in How to Get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
Cycling the Historical Parks: Ayutthaya and Sukhothai
Cycling is the most popular way to see the historical parks of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, and organised bike tours run in both places.
Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya is 71 km from Bangkok by rail, so it works as a day trip. The local train takes about 1 hour 45 minutes and costs about 20 THB in 3rd class; tickets are bought at the station on the day, with no reservation. Some local trains to Ayutthaya still leave from Hua Lamphong station.
A private transfer from Bangkok to Ayutthaya with Smile Taxi Service costs 1,500 THB by sedan, 1,700 THB by SUV or 2,000 THB by van. The return from Ayutthaya to Bangkok costs 1,200 THB by sedan, 1,500 THB by SUV or 2,000 THB by van. Book a sedan from Bangkok to Ayutthaya or book a sedan from Ayutthaya to Bangkok. All the options are compared in How to Get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya.
Sukhothai
The ways to get from Bangkok to Sukhothai are compared in How to Get from Bangkok to Sukhothai. Smile Taxi Service has no fixed fare for this route; for a private car, ask for a quote on WhatsApp or LINE.
Multi-Day Bike Tours
Some companies organise guided tours that last several days:
- Grasshopper Adventures lists an 8-day guided "Journey Bangkok to Phuket" that combines cycling and paddling, from USD 2,109, with a maximum of 16 guests (as of September 2026; check the details with the company). Grasshopper Adventures website.
- SpiceRoads offers touring, road and gravel bike tours in Thailand, from short city rides to multi-day trips. Prices are on request. SpiceRoads website.
Renting a Bike: What to Check
Rental prices differ from shop to shop, so agree the price first. Before you ride away:
- Test the brakes, the gears and the tyres.
- Ask for a helmet, and for a lock if you plan to leave the bike during stops.
- Take a photo of the bike so that there is no argument about existing damage when you return it.
The UK government advises visitors not to leave their passport as a deposit with motorbike or jet-ski renters. The same caution makes sense when you rent a bicycle: offer a copy of your passport instead.
Safety on Thai Roads
- Ride on the left. Traffic in Thailand drives on the left.
- Watch for motorbikes. Check behind you before you turn or change position.
- Wear a helmet and bright clothing, and use lights if you are still riding near dusk.
- Carry water and take breaks in the shade.
- Save your hotel's address in Thai script on your phone.
If you take a motorbike taxi to the start of a tour, wear the helmet the rider gives you. Helmets are compulsory for motorbike riders and passengers, and since 1 June 2025 the police enforce this with fines of up to 2,000 THB.
Save these numbers before you ride: Tourist Police 1155 (24 hours), police 191, ambulance 1669 and Highway Police 1193 (24 hours).
Taking Your Own Bike on a Train
Bicycles travel on most Thai trains as cargo, for about 90–130 THB. Ask at the station for a cargo ticket before you board, and allow extra time to hand the bike over.
Getting to the Start by Private Car
Many tours start early, so arrive in Bangkok the day before. A Smile Taxi Service transfer from Suvarnabhumi to your Bangkok hotel costs 600 THB by sedan, 800 THB by SUV or 1,100 THB by van: book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok. From Don Mueang it costs 600 THB by sedan, 800 THB by SUV or 1,000 THB by van: book a sedan from Don Mueang to Bangkok.
Fares are fixed, per vehicle (not per person) and one way, with expressway tolls included. A sedan takes up to 3 passengers and 2 bags, an SUV up to 5 and 4, and a van up to 7 and 5. Airport pickups include 60 minutes of free waiting, counted from the actual landing time. You pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip; if you can only pay by card, message the team for a PayPal payment link (a 5% fee is added). Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup. After that, a cancellation or change costs 25% (less than 24 h), 35% (less than 12 h) or 50% (less than 2 h) of the price, and a no-show 100%, also when you pay the driver in cash (details). An English-speaking driver can be requested when booking, subject to availability. If you travel with your own bike, message the team before you book to check which vehicle it fits in. All routes are on the price list.
Useful Thai Phrases on a Bike
| English | Thai | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Go to... | ไป... | pai... |
| Go straight | ตรงไป | trong pai |
| Turn left | เลี้ยวซ้าย | líao sáai |
| Turn right | เลี้ยวขวา | líao khwǎa |
| Is it far? | ไกลไหม | glai mái |
| Stop here | จอดตรงนี้ | jòt trong níi |
Near (ใกล้, glâi) and far (ไกล, glai) differ only by tone. Add ครับ (khráp) if you are a man or ค่ะ (khâ) if you are a woman to sound polite.
FAQ
How much is a guided bike tour in Bangkok? About 1,250–2,500 THB with Co van Kessel and about 1,300–2,400 THB per person with ABC Amazing Bangkok Cyclists, depending on the tour (September 2026).
Where can I cycle away from traffic in Bangkok? In Bang Krachao, the green island across the river. Its Si Nakhon Khuean Khan Park and Botanical Garden is the main place for cycling.
Can I take my bike on a Thai train? Yes, on most trains, as cargo for about 90–130 THB. Ask for a cargo ticket at the station.
Do I need a helmet? On a bicycle, wearing one is strongly advised. On a motorbike taxi a helmet is compulsory for the passenger, with fines of up to 2,000 THB.
To reach your ride by private car, book your transfer or message Smile Taxi Service on WhatsApp or LINE.