Wat Arun in a nutshell
Wat Arun Ratchawararam, known as the Temple of Dawn, is a royal Buddhist temple on the west bank of the Chao Phraya. It lies in the Bangkok Yai district on the Thonburi side, directly across the river from the area of Wat Pho and the Tha Tien pier. Its landmark is the central prang, a tower decorated with shells and pieces of porcelain.
This guide covers the temple and what surrounds it: tickets and opening hours, the dress code, the prang, Wat Arun at night, its history, the ways to get there, temple tours, river cruises, canal tours, Wat Pho and the Grand Palace next door, the best time to visit and where to stay. Prices are in Thai baht (THB) for 2026, and they change.
Our picks: Wat Arun tours
The guided temple tour suits most visitors: palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun in one outing, with admission bought separately. Take the private tour if you want hotel transfer and palace admission included, and the dinner cruise if you would rather spend the evening on the river than inside temples.
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.
Private Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun tour
- Return hotel transfer
- Private guide
- Palace and Emerald Buddha entry
Wat Pho and Wat Arun, with entry, are only part of the tour if you choose that option.
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Chao Phraya dinner cruise with live music
- International buffet
- Live music and Thai dance
- Soft drinks, tea and coffee
Dinner on the Chao Phraya, with a vegetarian menu on request.
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Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun guided tour
- English-speaking guide
- Priority entry
- Boat ride
All three sights in one guided outing. Admission fees are extra and bought at the official ticket counters.
Check availability →Wat Arun tours and Chao Phraya trips
Temple circuits with Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, canal tours through Thonburi and river cruises, with live prices and availability.
Plan your visit
Start with tickets and the dress code, then see the tower, the history and the lights.
Entry fee and opening hours
THB 200 for foreign visitors in 2026, open daily 08:00 to 18:00.
Wat Arun tours compared
Three-temple circuits, canal boats and dinner cruises with prices in baht.
What to wear
Covered shoulders and knees, shoes and rented cover-ups.
The central prang
Decoration, height figures and the terrace you can use.
Wat Arun at night
The lights, the view from across the river and when the temple closes.
History of Wat Arun
From the Ayutthaya period to the work of Rama II and Rama III.
Getting around and next door
The river is the way in, and two famous sites sit on the opposite bank.
Ferry, express boat and MRT
The routes to Tha Tien and across the river.
Chao Phraya river cruises
Day boats and dinner cruises, with prices and what to check.
Bangkok canal tours
Longtail boats through the canals on the west bank.
Wat Pho
The reclining Buddha, entry at THB 300 and the way from Wat Arun.
The Grand Palace
Entry, hours and dress code at the palace next to Wat Pho.
Ideas, seasons and where to sleep
Beyond the temple: what else to do, when to go and which area suits you.
A few things to know before you go
The points visitors most often ask about.
Entry is THB 200 for foreign visitors
If you see THB 100 quoted elsewhere, plan for THB 200 and carry it in cash. Thai citizens enter free, and the temple is open 08:00 to 18:00.
Tickets and hours →The prang has no climb to the top
Height figures for the prang run from 66.8 m to 81.85 m. Visitors can use the lower terrace only, and the upper steps are closed.
The central prang →Check which pier your boat uses
Chao Phraya express boat fares apply from 6 October 2026, and the orange line is THB 19. Boats stop at Tha Tien, from where the ferry crosses to the temple. Some tourist boats stop at the temple pier directly.
Getting there →The neighbours have their own tickets
Wat Pho is THB 300 for foreign visitors and the Grand Palace is THB 500. The palace closes ticket sales at 15:30, much earlier than Wat Arun.
Wat Pho →Wat Arun: frequently asked questions
How much does Wat Arun cost and when is it open?
Entry is THB 200 for foreign visitors in 2026, and Thai citizens enter free. The temple is open every day from 08:00 to 18:00. See the tickets page.
Can I visit Wat Arun at night?
You can see it lit in the evening, from the riverbank, but the paid area closes at 18:00. The lights are best seen from across the river. See Wat Arun at night.
Can I climb the prang?
Only the lower terrace is open to visitors. The upper steps are closed, so do not plan a climb to the top. See the central prang.
What should I wear?
Cover your shoulders and knees, and skip shorts, sleeveless tops and flip-flops. Cover-ups can be rented or borrowed for a small fee. See the dress code.
Do I need a visa for Thailand?
German, Austrian and Swiss citizens with an ordinary passport can stay visa-free for 30 days since 15 September 2026. Arriving foreigners also fill in a free digital arrival card, the TDAC, up to 3 days before arrival, which is not a visa. Check your government's travel advice before you go.
Is wat-arun.org the official website of the temple?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no connection to the temple, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the city of Bangkok or any tour operator.