In short: the Co van Kessel bike tour is a guided cycling tour through the old neighbourhoods of Bangkok on the company’s own yellow city bikes. We did the 3-hour Co Original tour on 25 August 2023, from Talat Noi through narrow alleys to Chinatown, the flower market and over Memorial Bridge. The best part: the tiny lanes full of little shops. For us it is the perfect first thing to do when you arrive in Thailand, and for anyone who likes cycling it is a perfect way to get to know the city.
Co van Kessel Co Original tour at a glance
| Tour | Co Original, about 3 hours, with a local English-speaking guide (according to Co van Kessel) |
| When we did it | 25 August 2023, in the morning: our first photo is from 8:07 near River City, we were on Memorial Bridge at 9:20 |
| Our route | Talat Noi → Chinese shrine → Chinatown (Yaowarat) → flower market Pak Khlong Talat → Memorial Bridge and the river |
| Price | We paid 2,300 baht for the two of us (1,150 baht per person) in August 2023. Their site now lists 1,250 baht per person (October 2026). |
| Group | About 12 people, many of them Dutch |
| Included | City bike and a helmet if you want one. We got water before, during and after the tour, plus a cola, chips and a street-food snack on the way. |
| Roads | Mostly alleys, back streets and footpaths; Co van Kessel says about 95% of the tour avoids main roads |
| Start point | Ours started near River City in Talat Noi. Co van Kessel’s current description of the Co Original starts in Rattanakosin and passes the old city walls and Khaosan Road, so check the meeting point when you book. |
| Booking | On the Co van Kessel booking site, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before (checked 24 October 2026) |
| Best for | Your first days in Bangkok, anyone who likes cycling, curious travellers who want to see daily life away from the big temples |
Details about the bikes, inclusions and cancellation come from Co van Kessel’s own tour page (read 24 October 2026). Prices change, so check the current price on their booking site.
What we liked most: the narrow alleys
The small, narrow streets with all the different little shops were the highlight for us. In some lanes you get off and walk your bike, past workshops and family shops, as in the photo below. These are lanes you would not easily find on your own.
Why it is the perfect first thing to do in Thailand
Do this tour in your first days. You are immediately immersed in Bangkok and you get to know the culture, the city and its customs. And for anyone who likes cycling, it is a perfect way to get to know the city.
Our route in photos
The route changes from day to day, Co van Kessel says, so yours will differ. This is where our photos were taken, in order:
- Talat Noi (8:07–8:39): old lanes full of small car-part workshops. Talat Noi on Google Maps
- A Chinese shrine in Talat Noi: a stop with our guide in the yellow shirt. The shrine on Google Maps
- Chinatown (Yaowarat, 8:45): the main street with its big Chinese signs, and two minutes later back in the narrow market lanes. Yaowarat Road on Google Maps
- Pak Khlong Talat (9:13): the flower market, where you walk your bike between buckets of flowers. Pak Khlong Talat on Google Maps
- Memorial Bridge (9:20): across the Chao Phraya with a wide view of the river. Memorial Bridge on Google Maps
Practical tips
- Dress for temples. Covered shoulders, and Co van Kessel now asks for closed shoes or sport sandals instead of flip-flops (we wore flip-flops in 2023, as you can see in the photos).
- Bring little. Sunglasses, a cap, sunscreen and your phone. Water and snacks are included, and according to Co van Kessel they bring rain jackets for the group.
- Rain is no reason to cancel. In the rainy season (roughly July to September) showers are short, and the guides know where to shelter, according to Co van Kessel.
- Some balance needed. You ride through very narrow lanes and over raised walkways, but the city is flat. Co van Kessel has bikes for heights from about 1.20 to 2.10 m, plus child seats.
Is the Co van Kessel bike tour worth it?
Yes, especially at the start of your trip. You see a side of Bangkok you would not find yourself, in about three hours. The guides deliberately talk little, according to the company. Not for you if you are not comfortable on a bike in tight spaces, or if you mainly want to see the Grand Palace and Wat Arun: this tour is about neighbourhoods.
We booked and paid for this tour ourselves, and afterwards I gave Co van Kessel 5 stars on Google. Nobody paid for this article.
More Bangkok and Thailand: my Thailand travel guide, how to avoid scams in Thailand and a local SIM or eSIM for Thailand. I also cycled through Bangkok in 2014, a 4.5-hour tour: our first Bangkok bike tour. More city bike tours: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
FAQ
How long is the Co van Kessel Co Original tour?
About 3 hours, according to Co van Kessel. Our first photo is from 8:07 and we were on Memorial Bridge at 9:20.
Is cycling in Bangkok safe?
You ride at a slow pace behind a guide, mostly through alleys and back streets: Co van Kessel says about 95% of the route avoids main roads. In our photos we were only briefly on main roads: Yaowarat Road and Memorial Bridge.
How much does the Co van Kessel bike tour cost?
Their site lists 1,250 baht per person for the Co Original (October 2026). In August 2023 we paid 1,150 baht per person.
Can children join?
Yes. Co van Kessel has small bikes, child seats and baby seats, and says children from five years old have joined.
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