Your Travel Guide to Thailand
All information & tips to prepare your trip in Thailand
Chao Phraya Express boats in Bangkok
The Chao Phraya Express boats
Tickets can be bought at the pier or on board from the conductor, who announces himself by rattling the small metal tube holding his change. There is a flat fare of 17 baht on the orange line and 24 baht on the yellow line (whatever your destination). These are the two most useful lines for tourists, as they serve the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, as well as Wat Pho, the temple of the Reclining Buddha in Bangkok. Otherwise, fares can go up to 35 baht for longer journeys (for example with the Green Flag boats, which only run on weekdays and go as far as Pak Kret, near Koh Kret island). The boats get very crowded, so if you board along the way, especially near Bangkok's main sights, you'll have little chance of getting a seat.
The most important stops are Sathorn, connected with the BTS (Skytrain), Tha Tien, close to Wat Pho, and Tha Chang, close to Bangkok's Grand Palace. Arriving at these monuments by river gives you a great overview before visiting them in detail, and you also pass Wat Arun, on the opposite bank from Wat Pho.
The Chao Phraya Express connects with the BTS Skytrain at Saphan Taksin station.
Chao Phraya Express timetable
Practical information
Chao Phraya Express boats run from 6 am to 6 or 7 pm on weekdays and from 7:30 am to around 5 pm on weekends, depending on the color of the line's flag (see the timetable above).Chao Phraya Express Hotline: 02 623 6001
Website: www.chaophrayaexpressboat.com
Other public transport in Bangkok
Bangkok Skytrain
Bangkok's Skytrain is called the BTS. Its air-conditioned trains glide above the capital's heavy traffic. It doesn't go everywhere, but combined with the Chao Phraya Express boats, it takes you to Bangkok's major temples.
Bangkok metro
Bangkok's subway is called the MRT. It only covers part of the city, but combined with the BTS it opens up many more options. It is very clean, air-conditioned and especially convenient to get to Hua Lamphong station.
Bangkok bus lines
The bus is clearly neither the easiest nor the fastest way for a foreign tourist to get around Bangkok, but it is the cheapest. The network is huge and you can go almost anywhere – you just need to be patient.
Transport in Bangkok
So far the only Thai city with a metro (a project is planned in Phuket), Bangkok offers the widest choice of public and private transport in Thailand (metro, buses, boats, tuk-tuks...). No, there's more than tuk-tuks and pink taxis to get around Bangkok!
