Chao Phraya river cruises at a glance
The Chao Phraya runs past Wat Arun, Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, and a boat is one of the best ways to see them together. Three kinds of trips are common. A dinner cruise sails in the evening with a meal. The Tourist Boat is a hop-on, hop-off service with a day pass. The express boats are the public commuter boats and cost the least.
Each one is a separate product, and tickets are not interchangeable. A day pass for the Tourist Boat is not a dinner cruise ticket, and neither is valid on the express boats. Check what is included and where you board before you pay.
Our picks: Chao Phraya cruises
Both dinner cruises include a buffet and soft drinks, so choose by the show: live music with Thai dance, or dance, cabaret and a live band. If you mainly want to see Wat Arun from the water, the long-tail trip from Tha Tien does that without a dinner.
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 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.
Check availability →
Dinner cruise from ICONSIAM
- Buffet dinner
- Soft drinks, tea and coffee
- Dance, cabaret and live band
A dinner on the water: Wat Arun is passed by boat, not visited.
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 →Chao Phraya river cruises and boat tours
Dinner cruises, sightseeing boats and river trips, with live prices and availability.
Boat options compared
2026 examples. Each row is a different service.
| Option | Price | Timing | Wat Arun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist Boat, hop-on hop-off | THB 40 single, THB 150 day pass | Departures about every 30 minutes, evening extension to Asiatique | Wat Arun is a stop |
| Express boat, public line | THB 17 to THB 36, depending on the line | Timetable and fares valid from 6 October 2026 | Stops at Tha Tien, then the ferry |
| Dinner cruise from Asiatique | THB 1,550 adult, THB 1,100 for children 4 to 10 | 20:00 to 22:00, check-in 18:00 to 19:45 | Depends on the water level |
For most first-time visitors, the Tourist Boat day pass is the flexible way to see Wat Arun and the other riverside sights, and a dinner cruise is the choice for an evening with the lit skyline. The express boat is the cheapest option if you only want to get across town.
The Tourist Boat in detail
A hop-on, hop-off line with a day pass.
Stops
The boat calls at Sathorn, ICONSIAM, Wat Arun, Tha Chang, Tha Maharaj and Phra Arthit, with an evening extension to Asiatique. Tha Tien is sometimes named as a stop too, but not every pier is served on every run, so check the current map on board.
Prices
A single ride costs THB 40 and the day pass THB 150 in 2026. The day pass is for this service only and is not a combined ticket with a dinner cruise.
Times
From Phra Arthit to Sathorn the boats run from 08:30 to 19:00, and in the opposite direction from 09:00 to 19:45. The Asiatique stop runs from 12:10 to 19:40. These are end-station times, so look up the Wat Arun departure for your day.
Dinner cruises
An evening with a meal on the river.
One dinner cruise sails nightly from 20:00 to 22:00. Check-in is between 18:00 and 19:45 at Asiatique Warehouse 3, and you board at pier 2. The offer price is THB 1,550 for an adult instead of THB 2,500, and THB 1,100 for children aged 4 to 10. Children under 3 are free. For a child who is exactly 3, ask the operator before you book.
On the Chao Phraya Princess, the international buffet departs from ICONSIAM and the Indian buffet from Charoen Nakhon Pier, Soi 61. Confirmation arrives by email after payment. Online booking on the same day closes at 16:00, and this operator allows no cancellation, refund or change, so be sure of your date.
A dinner cruise is not a way to be sure of a Wat Arun view. At high water some boats cannot pass under the Memorial Bridge to reach Wat Arun and take a route to the south instead. Ask about the route for your date.
Before you book
Points that change the plan.
Royal barge procession on 6 November 2026
A royal barge procession to Wat Arun is planned for 6 November 2026. Boat trips on the river that day may be cancelled or rerouted, so check with your operator.
Oriental Pier is closed
Oriental Pier (N1) is closed for renovation with no reopening date. If your hotel or cruise names that pier, ask which pier you should use instead.
Where you board
Dinner cruises leave from different places. Asiatique, ICONSIAM and Charoen Nakhon are all in use, so confirm the pier and the check-in time in your confirmation.
Safety on the water
Life jackets are recommended on river trips. Look for them on board, and choose a licensed operator.
The ferry to the temple
If you want to enter the temple, take the short ferry from Tha Tien. It runs from 05:00 to about 19:00, so a cruise does not replace it.
Getting to Wat Arun →Plan more on the water
Related pages.
Chao Phraya river cruise: frequently asked questions
How much is a Chao Phraya river cruise?
It depends on the product. The Tourist Boat costs THB 40 single and THB 150 for a day pass, an example dinner cruise THB 1,550 for adults, and the express boats cost THB 17 to THB 36 depending on the line in 2026.
Does the Tourist Boat stop at Wat Arun?
Yes, Wat Arun is a stop. The boats run about every 30 minutes. Check the stop map on board for the current piers.
Can I see Wat Arun from a dinner cruise?
It depends on the route and the water level. At high water some boats cannot pass under the Memorial Bridge and sail south instead. Ask before you book.
Can I cancel a dinner cruise?
That depends on the operator. One operator allows no cancellation, refund or change, so read the terms before you pay.
Is a day pass valid on express boats?
No. The Tourist Boat and the express boats are separate services with their own tickets.
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.