Wat Arun tours in 2026: the options
Most visitors choose one of three formats. The first is a half-day temple tour that links Wat Arun with Wat Pho and the Grand Palace. The second is a boat tour, either on the Thonburi canals or on the Chao Phraya. The third is a dinner cruise in the evening, where the temple is part of the view rather than a stop.
Prices differ because the products differ. A group tour is priced per person. A private canal boat is priced per boat. A dinner cruise is priced per person and usually bundles a meal and a show. Before you compare totals, check what each price refers to and whether the temple entry fee of THB 200 is included.
Our picks: Wat Arun tours
The half-day tour is the compact way to see the palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun. The temple tour with a boat ticket from River City suits you if you want to start at the river, and the teak-boat canal ride is for time on the water rather than in temple halls.
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 temple tour
- English-speaking guide
- Boat ticket from River City
- Return ferry to Wat Arun
Water and travel insurance are included; admission to the palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun 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 →
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 →Wat Arun tours and boat trips
Temple circuits, small-group walks, canal tours and dinner cruises, with live prices and availability. Read the included list to see whether the temple entry is covered.
Tour examples compared
Single-operator examples in 2026. Each row is one product, not a market range.
| Tour | Length | Price in 2026 | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group three-temple tour (Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun) | About 4 hours, daily | THB 1,750 per person, minimum age 10 | Guide, entry, water bottle, tour transport and insurance included. Tips and extras are not. Meets at Tha Chang; Wat Arun is the last stop after the ferry, and the order can change |
| Private version of the same tour | About 4 hours | THB 5,900 for 1 adult, 4,500 for 2, 3,800 for 3, 3,500 for 4, 3,200 for 5 and 2,950 for 6 or more | Children 5 to 12 THB 1,700, under 5 free. Confirm on the booking page what the amount refers to |
| Private canal boat through Thonburi | 2 hours | THB 3,000 for 1 to 6 people, THB 500 for each extra person | English-speaking guide THB 1,000 extra. Wat Arun is a passing photo point; an optional stop of 20–25 minutes at one of two places |
| Small-group canal tour | 2 hours, 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–16:00 | THB 1,850 per person | Meets at River City Bangkok. English-speaking guide, longtail boat, drinks and snacks. No transfer or meal |
| Canal specialist, by boat or by person | 2 or 4 hours | From THB 2,000 per boat (2 hours) or from THB 1,500 per adult (4 hours) | Do not mix the per-boat and per-person prices when you compare |
| Dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya | 2 hours, 20:00–22:00 | THB 1,550 instead of THB 2,500; children 4 to 10 THB 1,100 | Check-in 18:00–19:45 at Asiatique. High water can change the route, so the view of Wat Arun is not guaranteed |
For most first-time visitors, the group three-temple tour is the simplest choice: one price covers the guide, the entry and the transport between the sites. If you only want the river and the quiet canals, a small-group canal tour keeps the day on the water. Take the private boat if you travel as a group of three to six and want to set the pace.
What to check before you book
Five questions that settle most doubts.
Is the temple entry included?
Some tours include the fee, some leave it out and some make it an option. The temple fee is THB 200 for foreign visitors in 2026, so add it if it is missing.
Wat Arun tickets →Where does it start, and in what order?
Meeting points are often on the east bank near Tha Chang or at a pier. On temple circuits, the order of the sites can change on the day.
Getting there →Is there a minimum age?
The group temple tour above sets a minimum age of 10. The private version offers lower child prices. Read the age rules for your own group.
Will you be dressed for it?
The temples and the palace expect covered shoulders and knees. The palace is stricter than Wat Arun.
Dress code →What can change on the water?
High water can alter canal and river routes, and special events on the river can affect schedules. A royal barge procession ending at Wat Arun is announced for 6 November 2026.
On your own or with a guide
Wat Arun is easy to visit alone. You take the ferry from Tha Tien, pay at the entrance and walk the courtyard and the terraces at your own pace. A guide adds background on the architecture and the history, and a circuit tour saves you the planning when you want to see three temples in one morning.
A boat tour adds something you cannot do from the temple itself: the view from the water and a look at the canals of Thonburi. For the details, see the pages on Chao Phraya cruises and canal tours.
You do not need a tour to enter the temple. If someone near the pier tells you the temple is closed and offers another trip, check at the entrance before you agree to anything.
Wat Arun tours: frequently asked questions
How much is a Wat Arun tour in 2026?
It depends on the format. A group three-temple tour costs THB 1,750 per person, a small-group canal tour THB 1,850 per person, and a private canal boat THB 3,000 for up to six people.
Is the temple entry fee included?
Not always. Some tours include it and some do not. The fee is THB 200 for foreign visitors in 2026, so check the included list.
How long does a three-temple tour take?
The group example takes about 4 hours and runs daily. Wat Arun is the last stop, after the ferry, though the order can change.
Can children join?
It depends on the tour. The group example sets a minimum age of 10. The private version has a price for children aged 5 to 12 and free entry under 5.
Do I need a tour at all?
No. You can take the ferry from Tha Tien and pay at the entrance. A tour is a convenience, not a requirement. See tickets and hours.
Is this site run by a tour operator?
No. wat-arun.org is an independent travel guide, not the official website of the temple, and not connected to any temple or tour operator.