One of the Chao Phraya hop on hop off tourist boats on the river

Chao Phraya Tourist Boat

A fun and relaxed way to get around Bangkok, the hop on hop off tourist boat on the Chao Phraya river will get you to some of Bangkok’s best sites in a cheap and comfortable manner.

Many of Bangkok’s landmarks can be reached easily and quickly including Chinatown, the Grand Palace, Wat Arun (the temple of Dawn) and Wat Pho (the temple of the Reclining Buddha).

The sightseeing boats marked with a blue flag provide good views from both upper and lower deck.

Hop on hop off

The tourist boat is a hop on hop off service. With one ticket you have unlimited travel up and down the Chao Phraya river. Get on and off the boat as many times as you want.

Get around quickly

The sightseeing boat provides an easy way to get around on the Chao Phraya river. It is usually quicker than a taxi or tuk tuk and certainly more relaxed. Avoid the busy roads and traffic jams and enjoy the cool river breeze.

Double decker boats

Five double decker boats marked with a blue flag are in service. On the upper deck you will have great panoramic views of the river area and the sights on the river banks.

Chao Phraya tourist boat route map

Route

The Chao Phraya tourist boat runs from Sathorn in the South to Phra Arthit in the North. There are nine piers on the route.

Sathorn
ICONSIAM
Lhong 1919
Ratchawongse
Pak Khlong Talat
Wat Arun
Tha Maharaj
Thonburi Railway
Phra Arthit

Timetable

There is a boat in each direction every 30 minutes.
From Sathorn to Phra Arthit from 9 am until 8:30 pm.
From Phra Arthit to Sathorn from 9:30 am until 8:30 pm.

Attractions along the route

Many of Bangkok’s historic and modern landmarks are located on the banks of the Chao Phraya river, also known as the River of Kings. An English speaking guide announces the name of each pier and nearby attractions through a PA sound system on board.

You will also get a free map with your ticket that shows the most famous sites on the route and the piers where to get off the boat.

Sathorn pier
Wat Yannawa
Also known as “The Boat Temple”, a temple built during the Ayutthaya era. The viharn is constructed in the shape of an old Chinese sailing ship to serve as a memorial to the many junk vessels that came from China to trade with Siam.
BTS Sky Train Station Saphan Taksin
Sky Train station on the Silom line connecting the Chao Phraya river with downtown Bangkok.
ICONSIAM pier
ICONSIAM Shopping Mall
ICONSIAM is a recently opened development with Bangkok’s most high end shopping mall, a Major Cineplex cinema, an indoor floating market, hundreds of stores, over a hundred restaurants, a park and riverside walkway.
Ratchawongse pier
Chinatown
An area with narrow alleys with countless restaurants, gold shops and many outdoor markets, Chinatown is a good place to try Thai and Chinese street food.
Wat Mangkon Kamalawat
The largest Buddhist Chinese temple in Bangkok that was completed around 1850. It’s about a 10 minutes walk from the pier through Chinatown. Opening hours daily from 6 am until 6 pm.
Pak Khlong Talat pier
Pak Khlong Talat flower market
The largest flower market in Bangkok with a huge variety of scents and colors of many different flowers.
Wat Arun pier
Wat Arun

The temple of Dawn standing on the banks of the Chao Phraya river.
Wat Pho
The temple of the Reclining Buddha.
Tha Maharaj pier
Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
The Grand Palace, Bangkok’s most famous tourist attraction. On the grounds is the Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the temple of the Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s most highly revered Buddha image.
Tha Maharaj
A mall and restaurants with great views of the River of Kings in walking distance from the Grand Palace.
Thonburi Railway pier
Royal Barges Museum
At the Royal Barges Museum you can see a number of very ornately decorated barges used in Royal Barges Processions.
Phra Arthit pier
Khaosan road
One of Bangkok’s most popular tourist areas and center for backpackers with countless restaurants, bars and street food. It’s about a 10 minutes walk from the pier.

A Chao Phraya tourist boat on the river
Floating past the Grand Palace

Getting to the pier

If you are close to a BTS Sky Train station, it is easiest to start at Sathorn pier. Take a train on the Silom line and get off at BTS Sky Train station Saphan Taksin (S6). Take exit 2, go down the stairs and walk to Sathorn pier.

Get there by Sky Train.

Getting around Bangkok: BTS Sky Train, river boat, MRT Subway, Taxi, Tuk Tuk & river ferry.