Bangkok canal tours at a glance
Thonburi, on the west side of the river, is where most canal tours run. The two canals people name most often are Khlong Bangkok Noi and Khlong Bangkok Yai, along with Khlong Bang Luang. Do not assume that every tour uses both of them: each route is the operator's own.
You can book a private longtail boat or join a small group. Prices come in two shapes: one price for the whole boat, or one price per person. Compare them with care, because a per-boat price covers the group and a per-person price does not.
Our picks: Bangkok canal tours
Take the long-tail trip to Wat Arun if you want to step off at the temple, with entry paid separately. The Tha Tien trip only passes Wat Arun and shows it from the water, and the teak boat is a guided canal ride.
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.
Long-tail boat tour to Wat Arun
- English-speaking guide
- Travel insurance
Takes you to Wat Arun by water; entry to the temple is extra.
Check availability →
Canal tour by teak boat
- English-speaking guide
- Drinking water
- Life jackets
A traditional teak boat for exploring the Bangkok canals, with travel insurance covered.
Check availability →
Long-tail boat canal tour with Wat Arun views
- Guide on board
- Bottle of water each
You see Wat Arun from the water as you pass by; there is no temple visit on this tour.
Check availability →Bangkok canal tours and longtail boat trips
Longtail boats through Thonburi, with live prices and availability.
Canal tour options compared
2026 examples. Each row is one operator's product.
| Tour | Length | Price | Unit | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Waterways (Hidden Bangkok Tours) | 2 hours | THB 3,000, plus THB 500 per extra person | 1 to 6 people, per boat | Private longtail boat, English guide extra at THB 1,000 |
| Freestyle Circuit (Along The Klong) | 2 hours | From THB 2,000 | Per boat | – |
| Classic Adventure (Along The Klong) | 4 hours | From THB 1,500 | Per adult | – |
| Bangkok 2 Hours Canal Tour (Daytrips Thailand) | 2 hours | THB 1,850 | Per person | English guide, longtail ride, drinks and snacks |
For most visitors a group tour is the simplest start: a fixed price per person, set departure times and a guide. If you travel in a larger group or want your own pace, compare the per-boat price with the group price multiplied by the number of travelers.
What the tours cover
Routes, stops and timing.
Private boat, Old Waterways
The route goes along the Bangkok Yai canal, past Wat Arun as a photo point, then on toward Wat Paknam and the Artist Village. An optional stop of about 20 to 25 minutes at one of the last two is possible. The tour starts at the operator's meeting point and ends at Rajinee Pier. Wat Arun is passed on the water and not entered.
Group tour from River City
Departures are daily at 10:00 to 12:00 and at 14:00 to 16:00. You meet at River City Bangkok. The price includes an English-speaking guide, the longtail ride, and drinks and snacks. Transport to the meeting point, meals and personal spending are not included.
Freestyle and Classic
The Freestyle Circuit runs two hours from THB 2,000 per boat, and the Classic Adventure runs four hours from THB 1,500 per adult. Do not mix the two units: one is a boat price and one is a person price.
Khlong Bangkok Noi
On this canal the royal barge museum and Wat Suwannaram are possible stops. A landing is not automatic on every boat hire, so ask whether a stop is part of your trip.
Khlong Bang Luang and the Artist House
An art stop in Phasi Charoen.
The Khlong Bang Luang Artist House is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. Its address is 309 Phetkasem 28 Yak 22, Khuha Sawan, Phasi Charoen. It stands in a neighborhood of canal and market, and it can be a stop on some routes.
Do not plan around a puppet show, because performance times are not fixed. If the Artist House matters to you, tell the operator when you book and ask whether the stop is included.
Some routes pass Wat Arun. For a visit to the temple itself, see tickets and opening hours, and for how to reach it from the east bank, see getting there.
Before you book
Points that change the plan.
No standard hourly rate
There is no fixed tariff for private longtail charters, so prices differ between operators. Ask what the price covers: the boat only, a guide, drinks, a landing or a pickup.
High water and the lock
The Bang Luang lock can close when the water is very high. The operator confirms the final route closer to your date, so book with some flexibility in the plan.
Meeting points differ
River City Bangkok, the operator's own base and a pier are all used as starting points. Confirm the place and the time in your booking.
Combine with a river trip
A canal tour pairs well with a ride on the Chao Phraya. Compare the two on the river cruise page.
Chao Phraya river cruises →More from the water and the shore
Related pages.
Bangkok canal tour: frequently asked questions
How much does a Bangkok canal tour cost?
It depends on the boat and the group. In 2026 examples, a private two-hour boat is THB 3,000 for 1 to 6 people, a group tour is THB 1,850 per person, and other operators start at THB 2,000 per boat or THB 1,500 per adult.
How long is a canal tour?
Two hours is the common length, and one operator offers a four-hour tour. An optional stop adds about 20 to 25 minutes.
Do canal tours stop at Wat Arun?
Some routes pass Wat Arun as a photo point from the water. A landing at the temple is not part of these tours, so plan the visit separately.
Is a guide included?
On the group tour, yes: an English-speaking guide is included. On the private boat, an English guide costs an extra THB 1,000.
What if the water is high?
The Bang Luang lock can close at very high water, and the operator confirms the final route closer to the tour date.
Is this the official Wat Arun website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the temple, by the Tourism Authority of Thailand or by any tour operator.