Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok's 'River of Kings': ride the express boats past temples, palaces and hotels, or take an evening dinner cruise as the riverside lights up.
Sathorn pier to Nonthaburi
The commuter boats stop at piers along both banks. The orange-flag boat stops at most tourist piers, and a blue-flag tourist boat runs with commentary between Sathorn and Phra Arthit.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Tha Tien to Tha Chang
From the river you see Wat Arun's porcelain prang on one bank and the spires of the Grand Palace and Wat Pho on the other — the classic view of Bangkok.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)West bank
Long-tail boat tours go into the canals of Thonburi, past wooden stilt houses, small temples and gardens — a glimpse of the old "Venice of the East".
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)North of Phra Arthit pier
A large cable-stayed bridge with a single tower, lit up at night. The riverside park at Phra Arthit gives a good view of it.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Khlong Bangkok Noi, Thonburi
A boat shed holding the long, carved royal barges used in royal river processions, including the swan-headed Suphannahong.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Bangkok, Thailand
Hot and sour prawn soup with lemongrass, galangal, lime leaves and chilli — a standard order at riverside restaurants.
Bangkok, Thailand
Whole sea bass steamed in a sharp lime, garlic and chilli broth, a favourite at riverside and seafood restaurants.
Charoen Krung Road, south of Sathorn
A riverside night market and dining area in old warehouses with a big Ferris wheel. Free shuttle boats run from Sathorn pier in the evening.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Between Tha Chang and Tha Tien
Cafés and restaurants in the old-town shophouses look across the river towards Wat Arun.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Thonburi bank, Charoen Nakhon Road
An indoor market food hall with dishes from every region of Thailand, by the mall's own pier.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok's classic hotel strip along the Chao Phraya, next to Sathorn pier and BTS Saphan Taksin. Easy to reach the Old Town by boat and the rest of the city by Skytrain.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Bangkok, Thailand
The traveller quarter north of the Old Town, from backpacker hostels to quieter riverside hotels on Phra Athit Road. Lively at night and close to Phra Arthit pier for the river boats.
Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)The Chao Phraya has been the heart of Thai life for centuries, and many festivals happen on it. At Loy Krathong in November, people float small decorated baskets on the river to thank the water goddess. Monks have reserved seats at the back of some boats — leave them free.
The Chao Phraya has been Bangkok's main street since the city was founded — the old capitals of Ayutthaya and Thonburi were both built on it. The river still carries commuter boats, rice barges and ferries between the old town and the modern riverside.
The orange-flag Chao Phraya Express Boat is the cheapest sightseeing ride in the city, stopping near Wat Arun, Wat Pho, the Grand Palace and Chinatown.
Start at BTS Saphan Taksin and board the express boat upriver.
Get off for the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.
Cross the river from Tha Tien.
Finish with a dinner cruise or at Asiatique.
November–February; ride the boats in the morning for the temples, or around sunset for the river lights.
BTS Silom Line to Saphan Taksin, then Sathorn pier — the main pier for express boats and cruises.
The express boats are the cheapest way along the river; check the colour of the flag, as not every boat stops at every pier. Cross-river ferries link the two banks at most piers. Private long-tail boats can be hired for canal tours — agree the route and length first. Express boats stop in the evening, so plan a taxi, Grab or the BTS for late returns.
Express boats do not run late at night. Book dinner cruises in advance at weekends.
