Nonthaburi with Kids: A Practical Day Out from Bangkok

A river-side escape north of the city, with boats, a huge market and open lawns — and a clear plan for getting there and back.

Getting There Without Losing the Morning

Nonthaburi sits just north of Bangkok along the Chao Phraya, and the easiest run with children is the MRT Purple Line from Tao Poon to Nonthaburi Civic Center, roughly 20 minutes end to end. From Siam or Sukhumvit, allow 45 to 60 minutes door to door with a change at Tao Poon. A metered taxi from central Bangkok takes 30 to 50 minutes outside rush hour, longer on a weekday after 16:00. If you are staying along the river, the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Nonthaburi pier is slower but calmer, and children usually enjoy the ride more than the road.

Come on a weekday morning if you can. Weekends bring Thai families to the same spots, and the market aisles get tight for strollers. November to February is the comfortable window; March to May is hot enough that you want to be indoors or on the water by midday. Carry small notes for market stalls and boat tickets, and keep a light rain layer from May onward.

Koh Kret: The Half-Day That Works

Koh Kret, the car-free island in the river, is the single best kid-friendly stop in Nonthaburi. Cross by ferry from Wat Sanam Nuea pier, a short walk from Nonthaburi pier, and walk or rent bicycles on the island. The pottery village at Mon Ko runs along the main path, and children can usually try a turn at the wheel for a small fee at one of the workshops. The island is flat and shaded, so even small legs manage it. Allow two to three hours including the crossing and a snack.

Food on Koh Kret leans sweet: Mon-style kanom, flower-shaped desserts and cold drinks. Vendors are cash-only, so bring enough for the group. Toilets are basic and found near the pier and the temple. If you have a stroller, the paths are paved but narrow in places, and the ferry step is not step-free. Skip the island on weekend afternoons in high season if you dislike crowds, or arrive before 10:00.

Suan Somdet Phra Srinagarindra and the Riverside

Suan Somdet Phra Srinagarindra, the large public park beside the Nonthaburi civic complex, is free, flat and open, with lawns, a lake and shaded paths. It is a ten-minute walk from Nonthaburi Civic Center MRT station, which makes it the easiest add-on if the river feels like too much logistics. Mornings are coolest and quietest; late afternoons bring walkers and aerobics groups. There is a small playground area, and children can feed the fish from the lakeside if you buy food on site. Allow 60 to 90 minutes.

For a meal, the food court at Central Rattanathibet and the stalls around Nonthaburi Market are both straightforward with children: familiar dishes, seating, and no long waits. If you want to stay near the river instead, the small restaurants around Nonthaburi pier serve noodles and rice plates without fuss. Do not plan on a fine-dining stop here; this is a practical, family-paced day, and the value is in the open space and the boat crossing rather than the table.

Where to Base Yourself and What to Skip

If your Bangkok trip is mostly temples, markets and shopping in the centre, book in Siam, Sukhumvit or Riverside and treat Nonthaburi as a half-day trip; the MRT Purple Line link from Tao Poon makes that painless. If you are travelling with young children and want lower room rates than central Bangkok, staying around Nonthaburi Civic Center or Rattanathibet gives you a quieter base with malls, the park and the river within a short ride, plus a direct train into the city. Check both areas on our site before you commit, because the price difference is often real.

Skip the weekend floating-market trips that promise a boat from central Bangkok; they cost more and take longer than the public route. Skip Nonthaburi for a rushed first day after a long flight, and skip the island if you need step-free access throughout. A sensible plan: one weekday morning for Koh Kret, lunch near the pier, then the park on the way back to the MRT. That fills five to six hours without wearing anyone out.

Questions, answered

How long does it take to get to Nonthaburi from central Bangkok?

By MRT Purple Line from Tao Poon, about 20 minutes to Nonthaburi Civic Center. From Siam or Sukhumvit, allow 45 to 60 minutes with one change. A taxi takes 30 to 50 minutes outside rush hour, longer after 16:00 on weekdays.

Is Koh Kret suitable for young children?

Yes. The island is flat, car-free and shaded, and the ferry crossing is short. Paths are paved but narrow in places, and the ferry is not step-free, so a carrier works better than a stroller for toddlers. Weekday mornings are calmest.

Should I stay in Nonthaburi or central Bangkok?

Stay central for a temple-and-shopping trip, and visit Nonthaburi as a half-day. Choose Nonthaburi Civic Center or Rattanathibet if you want quieter surroundings, malls, the park and lower rates, with a direct train into the city.

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