The ultimate guide and itinerary to taking the Chao Phraya river boats in Bangkok.

Considering how often I’m in the city of Bangkok, it’s almost criminal that I’ve never been on a Chao Phraya river boat ride till recently. Some of Bangkok’s notable sights, such as the Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Wat Pho, are easily accessible on the river. If you have little time in Bangkok and want to cover most of the must-sees attractions, it’s easy to do so on the river. And also it’s incredibly fun.

There are two different types of boats on the Chao Phraya – the cheaper Chao Phraya Express Boat, and the Tourist Boats.

Express Boats

The Express Boats would be the local public transportation. The fare is incredibly cheap – depending on distance, it ranges 10 to 30 Baht per ride.

I’ve only ever taken the Express Boats once. It was from a pier near where I was staying (Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel) to the Pak Khlong Talad Flower Market. Buying tickets were easy – go up to a small counter, tell them where you’re going, pay and get the tiniest ticket stub.

There are four different ferry lines and getting on to the right one may not be the easiest process. Not all the ferries are well-marked, although on my ride, there were helpful locals who shouted out the ferry line and destination. Not too sure if this was the case for other stops.

They have a comprehensive website in English with full time tables here, if you’d like to attempt the Express Boats.

Tourist Boats

The Tourist Boat, as its name suggests is a ferry service specifically for foreign visitors. If you’re planning to do the bulk of your sightseeing on the boat, I suggest getting the Tourist Boat option at 200 Baht for a day pass. This gives you unlimited access to get on and off the boats. It’s a lot less crowded and confusing as well, compared to the Express boats.

The Tourist Boat starts operating at 9.30am and ends at 7pm.

My Ideal Itinerary on the Tourist Boat

Suggested Itinerary #1

The timings here are approximate, and not true to the minute. As a general rule, the boats depart at 30 minute intervals, making it easy enough to gauge timing. I would plan in 30-minute or hourly blocks.

9.00am: Most would start here, at Sathorn pier. This is where the Saphan Taksin BTS station is at.

9.30am: Head to the Grand Palace first thing. Explore before tourist groups arrive. Be sure to explore Wat Phra Kaew or Temple of the Emerald Buddha. I would spend about one to two hours exploring here, perhaps three, if you include lunch.

12.00pm: Move along to Wat Arun. Wat Arun is a smaller temple compared to the rest, most can be done here in half an hour.

1.00pm: At the Wat Arun stop, head over to a well-indicated pier to get on the boat to ferry you to the other side for Wat Pho. Look out for this sign:

You can be done at Wat Pho in an hour, but I found myself roaming about the compound longer than that. Wat Pho has famous massage school that might be worth trying out as well.

3.00pm: Take the ferry to Pak Khlong Tad Flower Market. Though it’s not as happening as in the early morning, it was a nice change to walk through a floral market. Visit the beautiful Floral Café @ Napasorn. This gorgeous café constantly changes up its décor according to season. Oh, the coffee is bloody good.

5.00pm: Whenever you’re ready, get back to the pier and go one stop down to Chinatown for the rest of your exploration and perhaps dinner. Another option is to end your ferry trip at the Asiatique Night Market. After 4pm, the ferry extends its route from Saphan Taksin to Asiatique.

Suggested Itinerary #2 

This itinerary includes a visit to Khao San Road.

9.00am: Start at Saphan Taksin station.

9.30am: Stop at Chinatown, and explore. Perhaps grab a good breakfast/brunch here.

10.30am: You can actually walk to Pak Khlong Tad Flower Market from Chinatown pretty easily. But if you’re close to the ferry pier then, why waste the energy.

12.00pm: Move along to Wat Arun.

1.00pm: At the Wat Arun stop, head over to Pier 4 to get on the boat to ferry you to the other side for Wat Pho.

3.00pm: Head to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew or Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

5.00pm: Whenever you’re ready, get back to the pier and go one stop down to Phra Artit for some Khao San nightlife. The last ferry leaving Phra Arthit for Saphan Taksin leaves at 8.30pm, if you’re still game to take public transportation back.