Chao Phraya boats at a glance
Boats on the Chao Phraya are not one product. There are scheduled Express Boats that work like river buses, a Tourist Boat that you can hop on and off, a short ferry across the river and dinner cruises in the evening. Their prices and purposes differ, and a line ticket does not replace a dinner cruise ticket.
For the Grand Palace, the stop to know is Tha Chang, pier N9. You can reach it by orange line boat from Sathorn Pier, which connects to the BTS at Saphan Taksin. Prices below are in baht and apply in 2026.
Our picks: on the Chao Phraya
Both dinner cruises include a buffet and a show; the ICONSIAM one is longer. The longtail ride is the short daytime option through the canals.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Chao Phraya dinner cruise with buffet
- International buffet
- Soft drinks
- Live music and Thai dance
A two-hour cruise with an international buffet, soft drinks, live music and Thai dance.
Check availability →
Dinner cruise from ICONSIAM with a show
- 2.5 hours on the river
- Buffet
- Thai dance and live band
Two and a half hours on the river with a buffet, soft drinks, Thai dance and a live band.
Check availability →
Longtail canal ride past Wat Arun
- Longtail boat ride
- Guide
A guided longtail boat ride through the canals with views of Wat Arun, starting near Wat Pho.
Check availability →Chao Phraya cruises and temple tours
River cruises and tours that combine boats with the Grand Palace and temples, with live prices and availability.
Chao Phraya boat options compared
Prices in baht, 2026. Check the current timetable before you go.
| Option | Suits | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange line Express Boat | Getting to Tha Chang by day | THB 19 flat | Weekdays, check weekends |
| Yellow, green-yellow and red lines | Other stretches of the river | THB 24, THB 17/24/36 by section, THB 33 | Check which piers each line serves |
| Tourist Boat, hop-on | Sightseeing with several stops | About THB 40 a ride or THB 150 a day | A different product from the line boats |
| Ferry from Tha Tien to Wat Arun | Crossing to Wat Arun | – | Short crossing, ask for the fare at the pier |
| Dinner cruise | An evening on the river | About THB 990 to 2,000 per adult | Meal, deck, drinks and transfers change the price |
For most visitors, the orange line to Tha Chang is the simple choice for reaching the palace by day. Add a dinner cruise only if an evening on the water is the point of the trip.
The boat types in detail
What each one is for.
Express Boat to the palace
The orange line runs from Nonthaburi to Rajsingkorn and charges a flat THB 19. Board at Sathorn Pier and get off at Tha Chang. The line runs on weekdays, so check the timetable if you travel at a weekend. Piers can close for works, which is another reason to look at the current timetable.
All ways to reach the palace →Other line boats
The yellow line costs THB 24, the green-yellow line THB 17, 24 or 36 depending on the section, and the red line THB 33. They do not replace the orange line at every palace pier, so check the stops first.
Tourist Boat
This hop-on service costs about THB 40 for a single ride or THB 150 for a day pass. It suits a slow day along the river. It is a separate product from the line boats, with its own tickets.
The ferry to Wat Arun
A short ferry links the Tha Tien pier near Wat Pho with the temple on the opposite bank. The crossing takes a few minutes and departs often during the day. Wat Arun has its own river guide.
Dinner cruises
Evening cruises cost about THB 990 to 2,000 per adult in 2026. Special events, deck level, drinks and transfers can change the price. Look at what the ticket includes and whether the price is per person or for a table.
Seeing Wat Arun from the water
The river gives a good view of Wat Arun, the temple on the Thonburi bank. By day you see its central prang from the boat. After dark the temple is lit. The guide to Wat Arun at night has more.
A sunset trip also gives you a different view of the city than a day at the palace. If you plan both in one day, keep the palace for the morning and the boat for the evening.
Plan the rest of your day
The palace and its surroundings.
Chao Phraya river cruise: frequently asked questions
How much is the boat to the Grand Palace?
The orange line Express Boat costs a flat THB 19 in 2026. Get off at Tha Chang, pier N9, which is the stop for the palace.
Which pier do I use for the Grand Palace?
Tha Chang, pier N9. From the BTS, take Saphan Taksin exit 2 to Sathorn Pier and board the orange line.
Is a dinner cruise priced per person?
Prices are per adult, from about THB 990 to 2,000 in 2026. Check whether your offer is per person or per table and what the price includes.
Does the Express Boat run at weekends?
The orange line runs on weekdays, and weekend service is not certain. Check the current timetable before you plan a weekend trip.
Is this the official Chao Phraya boat website?
No. This is an independent visitor guide. It is not run by a boat operator, the Grand Palace, the Bureau of the Royal Household or the Tourism Authority of Thailand.