Getting to Wat Arun at a glance
Wat Arun is on the west bank of the Chao Phraya in Bangkok Yai, at 34 Arunamarin Road, Bangkok 10600. The Grand Palace and Wat Pho are on the opposite bank. The standard way across is the small ferry that runs between Tha Tien pier on the east bank and the temple pier.
There are three practical routes. You can take the MRT Blue Line to Sanam Chai and walk to Tha Tien. You can take a Chao Phraya express boat to Tha Tien. Or you can take the MRT to Itsaraphap on the temple side and walk. Each route ends at the same place, so pick the one that starts nearest to you.
Once you are there, entry is paid at the gate, and the temple is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00. See Wat Arun tickets and opening hours for the details. If you would rather arrive on a guided trip, look at the river cruise options.
The three main routes
All of them cross the river by ferry unless you start on the temple side.
MRT to Sanam Chai, then ferry
The Blue Line station BL31 Sanam Chai is on the east bank. Take exit 1, walk to Tha Tien pier and board the ferry to Wat Arun. The station exit faces the Museum Siam, so it is easy to spot.
Express boat to Tha Tien, then ferry
The Chao Phraya express boat runs along the river and stops at Tha Tien, pier code N8. Cross by ferry from there. Whether a boat also calls at the Wat Arun pier itself depends on the boat, so watch the pier names on board and get off at Tha Tien if unsure.
MRT to Itsaraphap, then walk
The Blue Line station BL32 Itsaraphap is on the temple side. From there it is roughly a 12 to 15 minute walk to the land-side entrance. This route avoids the river crossing.
Car and taxi
There is a car park in front of the temple. Ask about parking fees when you arrive. In traffic a boat or the MRT is usually the less stressful option.
Our pick: ferry included
The ferry between Tha Tien and Wat Arun is part of this tour, so you do not have to work out the crossing yourself.
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.
Boat trips and tours to Wat Arun
River cruises, canal tours and temple tours that include Wat Arun, with live prices and availability.
The cross-river ferry
The short crossing between Tha Tien and Wat Arun.
The ferry runs about every 10 minutes from 05:00 to 19:00. Some sailings run until about 19:30 or later, so do not plan a late return. Fares are between THB 5 and THB 7 per person one way, paid in cash. A bicycle or a pushchair costs THB 15.
The crossing itself is short. Keep small notes and coins ready, since fares are paid in cash. Because fares change, treat the amounts as a guide for 2026 and not as a fixed price.
If someone near a pier or on the street tells you that the temple is closed and offers another trip, ignore it and check at the gate.
Express boat fares from 6 October 2026
Fares valid from 6 October 2026.
| Line | Fare (2026) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Orange flag | THB 19, flat | Runs from Nonthaburi to Rajsingkorn |
| Yellow flag | THB 24, flat | Runs as far as Sathorn |
| Green and yellow flag | THB 17, THB 24 or THB 36 | Pak Kret to Nonthaburi, Nonthaburi to Sathorn or the whole route |
| Red flag | THB 33 | Discounted from THB 50 |
Check the service days for your line before you go. The operator gives Monday to Sunday and public holidays for the service overall, but Monday to Friday for the individual lines, so assume weekdays until you have confirmed otherwise. Oriental Pier (N1) is closed for renovation with no reopening date, so do not plan a stop there.
Route comparison
Which way suits you.
| Route | Cost (2026) | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRT Sanam Chai and ferry | MRT fare plus ferry THB 5 to 7 | Visitors starting on the Blue Line | Walk from the station to Tha Tien |
| Express boat to Tha Tien and ferry | THB 17 to 36 plus ferry | Visitors on the river or near an express pier | Check the days your line runs |
| MRT Itsaraphap and walk | MRT fare | Staying on the temple side | About 12 to 15 minutes on foot |
| Tourist boat | See the cruise page | Hop-on, hop-off trips with a stop at Wat Arun | A separate service, not valid on express boats |
For most visitors the simplest way is the MRT to Sanam Chai or an express boat to Tha Tien, followed by the ferry. If you stay on the temple side, the Itsaraphap route needs no boat at all.
Make the trip easier
Small points that save time.
Start early. The temple opens at 08:00, and the ferry runs from 05:00, so you have time for the crossing and a calm first hour. Combine Wat Arun with Wat Pho and the Grand Palace on the same day, since all three sit within a short walk and ferry hop of each other.
Bring cash for the ferry and the gate. Dress for a temple, as covered on the dress code page. Take a look at the Wat Pho page and the Grand Palace page if you plan a full day.
Plan the rest of your visit
Pages that fit a day at Wat Arun.
Getting to Wat Arun: frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to get to Wat Arun?
Take the MRT Blue Line to Sanam Chai or an express boat to Tha Tien, then cross the river on the short ferry. If you are already on the temple side, the MRT station Itsaraphap is within a 12 to 15 minute walk.
How much is the ferry to Wat Arun?
Fares are between THB 5 and THB 7 per person one way in 2026, paid in cash. A bicycle or a pushchair costs THB 15.
When does the ferry run?
About every 10 minutes from 05:00 to 19:00. Some sailings run until about 19:30, so do not plan a late return crossing.
Do express boats stop at Wat Arun?
Express boats stop at Tha Tien, pier N8. Whether a boat also calls at the Wat Arun pier depends on the boat, so check the pier name on board and use Tha Tien with the ferry if unsure.
How much is the express boat in 2026?
From 6 October 2026 the orange line costs THB 19 and the yellow line THB 24. The green and yellow line is THB 17, THB 24 or THB 36 depending on the section, and the red line is THB 33.
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.