Chao Phraya tourist boat — How to getting around Bangkok by boat?

November 8, 2017

Image by: chao phraya tourist boat review blog. — Chao Phraya River, Bangkok

Bangkok has always been listed as one of the best cities to visit in the world, there are countless things to see and to do in the city of Bangkok. Have you try exploring Bangkok by waterway?. If not, let give yourself a chance to experience Bangkok in the very special way that is guaranteed a memorable trip. How to getting around Bangkok by boat? Let discover the kinds of Chao Phraya tourist boat, services, prices, piers, operating time.. with Living Nomads below.

Chao Phraya Princess River Cruise. Photo by: Chao Phraya dinner cruise reviews blog.

chao phraya bangkok itinerary what to do in bangkok for 3 days (1) — Image: chao phraya boat service blog.

To those who travel by yourself, the boat is a great choice of transportation, as the price is reasonable with great service including tour guide. To experience the boat trip, you just need to go to Sathorn Pier, just opposite BTS Saphan Taksin Skytrain Station, you will find all the options as below.

Boating in Chao Phraya River ,Bangkok — Image by: chao phraya tourist boat review blog.

1. Express Boat River Taxis

River Taxi will take you anywhere along the river of Bangkok. First of all, you have to grasp the express train, currently, they are classified into 5 groups as follows:

chao phraya tourist boat review getting around bangkok by boat — Express boat river taxis bangkok. Photo by: getting around bangkok by boat blog.

No flag (Local route)
Blue Flag Line(Tourist boat)
Orange Flag Line
Yellow Flag Line
Green Flag Line

Boats without flags (local route)

Stop at each pier. Depart every 20 minutes
Operating hour: from 09:00 to 18:30, Monday to Friday.
Fare: 10 – 20 Baht (pay on boat depend on the distance of journey)

These boats have no flag and stop at each wharf from Wat Rajsingkorn (S1) in the south and to Nonthaburi (N30) in the north. This boat operates only weekdays and departs every 20 minutes. How to get the ticket? you can buy tickets at the counter or pay directly to the staff on the boat.

Blue flag (Tourist Boat)

Stop at any time
Operating hour: from 09:00 to 18:30 daily (The boats depart every 30 minutes.)
Fare: 50 Baht / Trip or 180 Baht / One-day Pass

The boat travel between Sathorn Pier (connecting to BTS Saphan Taksin) and Phra Arthit Pier (the way to Khaosan Road). The fare is 50 baht per trip or 180 baht for the whole day with the unlimited number of trips. The staff will inform you in English when arriving at each terminal and ask the passengers if there is a need for landing. If no one land off at the terminals, the ship will not stop. When the boat moves between terminals, staffs on board will introduce the scenery along the river for passengers.

Orange flag

Stop at the main terminals
Operating hour: from 06:00 – 19:00 daily, departs every 15 minutes
Fare: 15 baht per journey

Orange ships operate between Wat Rajsinkorn (S3) and Nonthaburi (N30). The fixed fee is 15 baht per trip and the boat stops at most major piers along the route from 05:50 to 19:00.

Yellow Flag

High-speed passenger transport. Depart every 30 minutes
Operating hour: Morning 06:15 – 08:30, Afternoon 15:30 – 20:00, Monday to Friday
Fare: 20 – 29 baht

Only operate in peak times, yellow flagships are large cruise ships and also used as tourist ships. These ships can seat more passengers comfortably and move faster. Stopping at only 10 piers, this is a cruise ship designed to take passengers and commuters from the northern suburbs of Bangkok. Ticket prices range from 20 to 29 baht.

Green Flag

Express boat for passengers
Operating hour: Morning 06:15 – 08:10, Afternoon 15:50 – 18;05, Monday to Friday
Fare: 13 – 32 baht

This is a single high-speed boat that stretches to the farthest north of Bangkok (Pakkret, N33). The green flag is on the front and will stop at 13 out of 33 piers and is the fastest boat taking passengers to Koh Kret during the day. The itinerary is designed to suit the needs of guests and employees from the suburbs of Northern Bangkok.

2. Long Tail Boat

The long-tail boat is one of the traditional means of transportation in Bangkok. You can charter a long tail boat for a self-guided journey across the Chao Phraya River and around the canals on the Thonburi side of the city. Ben Sathorn Central is home to many private long-tail boats, although the scouts are scattered across major terminals such as Tha Chang, near The Grand Palace and River City Shopping Complex.

There are no fixed rates for these vessels that depend on the trip and the needs of the passenger to negotiate a reasonable price. Many travelers do not like to travel on this type of boat because prices are not very clear, but if you book your schedule, you will not have much trouble.

You need to keep in mind that scam pretends to be long-haulers, approach passengers and offer half-day tours with very cheap and attractive fares. However, these journeys are very short and only reach half a mile and require passengers to pay when getting back to the shore. Although these are rare, be careful when there are strangers who invite you to buy cheap tours, especially when they speak English very well. Again, book ahead if you want to go sightseeing here, to save money and keep yourself safe.

3. River Crossing Ferry

River Crossing Ferry helps you reach to another side shore of Bangkok

Operating at 32 separate ferry gates, these largely covered ferries carry passengers from one side of the river to the other at the very reasonable price: 3baht. The most popular river ferry is the crossing between Wat Pho and Wat Arun at Tha Tien Pier.

4. Hotel’s Shuttle Boats

Hotel’s Shuttle Boat take you to the hotels along the Chao Phraya River

All 5-star hotels along the river offer free shuttle boats to and from Sathorn Central Pier (connecting to Saphan Taksin BTS Skytrain Station) and their hotel. Convenient and very comfortable, most passengers choose this kind of transport instead of a taxi to avoid traffic jams, especially during peak hours. Even if you are not in these hotels, the boat service is also free and is ideal for a romantic riverfront meal.

5. Canal Boats

A unique way to explore the small canals in Bangkok chao phraya tourist boat review getting around bangkok by boat — A unique way to explore the small canals in Bangkok. Photo by: getting around bangkok by boat blog.

These large and noisy boats can be traced back and forth in the large canal of Bangkok – Saen Seab, which separates Bangkok from the Old Quarter in the North to Ramkamheng at the eastern end of the city. The taxi along this canal is used exclusively here, so traffic is uninterrupted and the frequency of trains varies from 5 to 20 minutes per trip throughout the day. A boat costs between 9 and 19 baht depending on the distance.

In the early morning and late afternoon, these canal boats are important means of transport for office workers moving from central Bangkok to the eastern suburbs. During peak hours, it may be difficult for you to find a seat on the canal boat but you will get 1 chance to indulge yourself in the atmosphere of daily life here.

6. River Cruises

One of the most romantic experiences in Bangkok is having dinner on the river cruise. They often operate on fixed routes, starting at River City Shopping Complex and heading back up through many of Bangkok’s famous landmarks such as The Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Santa Cruz Cathedral, these vessels operate each night from about 19:00.

Enjoy the romantic dinner on river cruise

There are a myriad of different types of experiences: from a buffet dinner with live bands and live shows on board such as Chao Phraya Princess, Grand Pearl), or delicate meal in candlelight on an old barge with Apsara, Manohra. Whatever the form, this is also a great way to enjoy the majestic beauty of the Chao Phraya River at night.

In general, the boat is a great way to explore the Chao Phraya River area with many historical sites, temples and ancient architecture. With the above information, I hope you have found our own transportation among many types of boats. To make the most of your trip to Bangkok, don’t forget to get to a boat and get around Bangkok by the waterway!

Links to buy tourist boat tickets and book dinner on cruises.

1 day in bangkok, 24 hours in bangkok, bangkok one day itinerary — Wat Arun and Chao Phraya River at dusk.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Bangkok you can refer to

royal palace bangkok — Royal palace Bangkok

Are you looking for more Bangkok travel guide and top things to do in Bangkok: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Bangkok travel blog — The fullest Bangkok travel guide blog for a budget trip to Bangkok (BKK).