For the hardy adventurer or for those who just wish to extend their bicycle tour experience a bit more. Join us for an all day exploration that will take us to the outskirts of Bangkok by way of classic railway and other local modes of transport . In between, pedal-power and longtail boats will bring us into a world of fascination far removed from central Bangkok and her traditional tourist sites.
We start with an immersion in the vibrant heart of the city, soaking in the rhythm of its vibrant streets before catching a local train that takes us to the quieter, more serene edges of the city. Here, amidst small pockets of greenery that provide a refreshing escape, we cycle through charming neighborhoods, where the pace slows and the essence of local life comes alive. Along the way, we stop at a family-run restaurant, where the rich flavors of authentic Thai cuisine invite you to savor the hospitality of the suburbs.
Experience the harmonious coexistence of Bangkok's Buddhist and Muslim communities, whose traditions have shaped these neighborhoods for generations. These communities thrive side by side, with their rich cultural heritage woven into the fabric of the city. Amidst the quiet streets, you’ll discover a fascinating blend of the old and new, as long-standing traditions flourish alongside emerging developments.
For our return to the city, we embrace the romance of local transport. Drift along the river on an authentic longtail boat and glide above it all on the modern skytrain, offering a stunning bird’s-eye view of Bangkok’s ever-changing skyline. Each mode of transport reveals a different perspective, capturing the timeless beauty and vibrant evolution of this extraordinary city that is always in motion.
Most importantly, you have seen the many faces of Bangkok as few else have and in a way you will not soon forget.
During the day, we will have a meal at a local-style 'restaurant'. Vegetarian and dietary options are also available, just notify your guide before the start of the tour.
We pride ourselves in being an alternative to the standard tourist experience by taking our customers "off the beaten path" to show them the REAL Bangkok, away from Bangkok’s typical mass tourism attractions (Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Wat Pho etc). We go behind the scenes into the local communities to places that are typically inaccessible to the average traveler, where our individual fascinations emerge.
Due to the ever changing cityscape, festivals and overall dynamic character of Bangkok we don't have a pre-defined routing that is "set in stone" making each day a new adventure for all of us.All our tours are run at a leisurely pace and typically have several short (10-20 minutes) stops for drinks, snacks and/or sights.
Our mission is to offer a travel experience that is both meaningful and memorable. Every tour draws on Co’s deep knowledge of the city and his instinct for the unseen. We don’t overload you with endless commentary—instead, we let the journey speak for itself. Sharing stories only where they enrich the experience with glimpses into everyday Thai life, told from the heart by local Thai guides, in English.
Along the way, you may be accompanied by one of our junior guides—local talent whom we proudly train and mentor on the job. It’s part of our commitment to giving back, creating opportunities, and growing a new generation of storytellers who love and understand their city as deeply as we do.
By design, our tours do not contain much talking. Our philosophy is to focus more on the interactive experience of cycling within the local community rather than presentations about facts, figures, or history. In that respect, language does not play a large factor in your tour experience, and it is unlikely that you will feel like you've missed out on anything by not having a native language guide
On our tours we are guests at local and more conservative communities, including temples. Please allow us to ask you to dress more conservatively out of respect for the local community. A top that covers the shoulders and a sarong for covering the legs in a temple is always appreciated in Thai culture.
We recommend you wear light, comfortable clothing with a hat to keep the sun off your head. For footwear, we recommend closed shoes or sports sandals for maximum protection and control during your tour. For your own safety, we discourage the use of ‘flip flops’ as they often compromise the ability of the rider to control his/her bicycle on the tour. The liberal use of sunscreen is also highly encouraged.
Our tours are on an all-in basis and there is no need to bring any food or drinks. You may however want to think consider bringing the following:
We have designed our own custom yellow Co van Kessel city bikes to give our guests the ultimate local Bangkok experience. This means our bicycles are comfortable delivering a straight-up position to look around, open frame to easily step on/off,
All of our bikes are adjustable in size and we have bikes suitable for people of all sizes.
Regular bikes
suitable for heights of+/- 156 - 210 cm
Small bikes
Suitable for heights of +/- 120 -155 cm
Child seats
Kids untill +/- 35 kg
Baby seats
Kids untill +/- 10 kg
For children bicycles and more information on children on our bike tours, please read our dedicated blog posts about kids.
On our tours we do NOT cycle on main roads with traffic and are hence as safe as it gets. Following our concept we go off the beaten path, use back roads, alleyways and footpaths (for nearly 95% of the tour).
We cycle at a leisurely pace and make frequent stops at local, interesting destinations along the way. Children as young as five years and seniors as old as 80 years have joined our tour with no issues.
That being said, we do cycle through narrow alleyways and upon raised footpaths over water, so a certain level of balance and comfort on a bike is required.
For your comfort and safety, helmets for adults and children are readily available free of charge and optional; please feel free to take one if you wish.
Joining one of our bicycle tours in Bangkok is a surprisingly refreshing adventure year round as most cycling is taking place in shadowed places. The activity of cycling (as opposed to walking), will always create a breeze to help cool you down. We are also aided by the fact that Bangkok terrain is inherently very flat and we cycle at a leisurely pace. In addition, plenty of cold drinks and rest stops along the way will keep you refreshed for the journey.
The weather in Bangkok is unpredictable and rain can occur at any time, especially during the rainy season of July-September. Rain is also a very localized phenomenon, happening in small pockets in places while being completely dry only a few kilometers away. In our vast experience doing the tours, we know that heavy rains rarely last more than 30 minutes and our guides know very well where to take our customers for cover during the deluge.
From the beginning (early 1990’s) we have made a conscious decision to support the communities we cycle through and base our decisions upon this philosophy. ‘Sharing is caring’ is embedded in Thai culture and Buddhist beliefs.
“We cycle with our heart, not our feet.”
Chanmanee Phonphakdee
Co-Founder
Chief Happiness Officer & Community Manager
We accept all international payment methods (Credit Card, iDeal, Sofort etc) on our website. For cash payments at our office please select ‘’booking inquiry only’’ on the booking form. Cancelations up to 24 hours before departing time receive a 100% refund.
Children under the age of 12 years old receive a 25% discount on the adult price. Kids joining in a baby- or child-seat are joining free of charge.
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Co van Kessel Bangkok tours operates this experience from our office at River City Bangkok. We are located on the ground floor (outside mall entrance) to the right of the main mall entrance.
We are conveniently located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and near Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong train- and MRT subway station.
Read more detailed directions on how to reach us on our 'how-to-find-us-page'.
Co van Kessel Bangkok tours operates this tour from our Tha Phra Chan office at Bangkok's old town Rattanakosin. Located in the Phra Chan pier only 5 minutes walk from the Royal Field (Sanam Luang) between the Grand Palace and Khao San Road.
Read more detailed directions on how to reach us on our 'how-to-find-us-page'.