The Grand Palace at a glance
The Grand Palace complex lies on the east bank of the Chao Phraya, next to Wat Pho. Inside is Wat Phra Kaew, the temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Emerald Buddha was kept at Wat Arun for a time under King Taksin and moved to Wat Phra Kaew after the Chakri dynasty took over, so the two sites share a piece of history.
From Wat Arun you cross the river by ferry to the Tha Tien pier and continue on foot. Tha Tien is pier N8, the pier to use when arriving by boat. The palace has its own ticket, its own hours and a stricter dress code than the temples around it.
If you want a guide who handles tickets and transport, compare the Wat Arun and Grand Palace tours. A combined temple tour of about four hours costs THB 1,750 per person in a group, for ages 10 and up, with entry included.
Ticket, hours and booking
What applies in 2026.
| Item | Grand Palace | Wat Arun, for comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Entry, foreign visitors | THB 500 | THB 200 |
| What the ticket covers | Palace grounds, Wat Phra Kaew and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles | The temple grounds |
| Thais | Free with ID | Free |
| Children | Free below 120 cm | – |
| Hours | 08:30–15:30 | 08:00–18:00 |
You can buy tickets on the day or online up to one month ahead. Ticket sales end at 15:30. The complex itself can stay open until 16:30, but treat 15:30 as the time to be at the gate and do not arrive in the last hour. Hours can change for ceremonies, so check the current timetable the day before.
Visitor routes were updated in February 2026. The general visit runs through the Mani Nopparat gate, with a security check at the entrance. The Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall is closed to general visits.
For most visitors coming from Wat Arun, the simplest order is Wat Pho first, then the palace, since the two stand next to each other.
Our picks: Grand Palace tours
All three are guided visits of the palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun, with admission extra. The first adds priority entry, the second an amulet market and an audio guide in 41 languages, and the half-day tour also takes in Wat Phra Kaew.
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.
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 →
Half-day Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun tour
- Licensed English-speaking guide
- Return ferry
- Bottle of water
Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho and Wat Arun are all visited, but admission to each one is extra.
Check availability →Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun with audio guide
- Licensed English-speaking guide
- Amulet market visit
- Audio guide in 41 languages
You travel between the sights by public boat and ferry; admission to the palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun is extra.
Check availability →Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun tours
Combined temple tours, river cruises and canal trips with live prices and availability.
Dress code
Stricter than at Wat Arun, and checked at the gate.
Not allowed: sleeveless, short or see-through tops; shorts, torn or tight trousers, cycling shorts and miniskirts; and sleepwear. A scarf over bare shoulders is not enough at the palace. Wear a top with sleeves and long trousers or a long skirt.
The Wat Arun dress code page lists the rules for the temple across the river.
The closed-today scam
A known line near the gates.
A person near the palace says it is closed today and offers a cheap tuk-tuk ride to other sights, which often end at shops. The same closure claim is used around Wat Arun. Walk to the gate and ask at the ticket office yourself before you accept a ride.
From Wat Arun to the Grand Palace
One ferry, then a walk.
Ferry to Tha Tien
The cross-river ferry runs about every 10 minutes from around 05:00 to around 19:00. The fare is between THB 5 and THB 7, paid in cash.
On foot to the gate
From the pier you continue on foot toward the palace and Wat Pho. Head for the Mani Nopparat gate.
By MRT
Sanam Chai station (BL31, Blue Line) serves the east bank. Exit 1 leads toward the Tha Tien ferry.
More routes are on the getting to Wat Arun page. Next door, Wat Pho has the 46 m reclining Buddha and its own THB 300 ticket.
Grand Palace: frequently asked questions
How much is the Grand Palace?
Entry for foreign visitors is THB 500 in 2026, including Wat Phra Kaew and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. Thais with ID enter free, and children below 120 cm are free.
What are the Grand Palace opening hours?
Daily 08:30–15:30 for the general visit, with ticket sales until 15:30. The complex can stay open until 16:30. Plan to enter well before 15:30.
Can I wear a scarf instead of covering up?
No. Sleeveless, short and see-through tops, shorts, torn or tight trousers, cycling shorts, miniskirts and sleepwear are not allowed. A scarf alone does not solve that.
Someone says the Grand Palace is closed today. Is that true?
It is a known scam line, usually followed by an offer of a cheap tuk-tuk ride. Walk to the gate and check with the ticket office yourself.
Can I buy tickets online?
Yes, up to one month ahead. You can also buy on the day at the ticket office.
Is this site the official Grand Palace website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not connected to the palace, to Wat Phra Kaew, to the tourism authority or to any tour provider.