tourist boat chao phraya

The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat: Sightseeing tips for every stop [2024]

Riding the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat is one of the best ways to chase away your jetlag and get an overview of the city of Bangkok . It’s also a great way to reach some of the city’s best attractions. Thing is, if you are a first-time visitor to Bangkok and not sure of the lay of the land it’s hard to make best use of this Bangkok Tourist boat, but don’t worry, we have you covered! 

Note: This guide was based on the route operating at the beginning of 2023. In previous years, the hop off boat ran for longer hours and stopped at different piers, but things changed significantly when it restarted after the pandemic. It may also change from time to time because of the renovations currently being undertaken at over 20 piers along the river this year.

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How does the Chao Phraya Hop on Hop off ferry work?

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Snaking through the centre of Bangkok the Chao Phraya twists and turns past some of Bangkok’s most iconic buildings. Using the hop on hop off tourist boats to explore the city has many benefits over the public express boats:

• You avoid the notorious city traffic
• You don’t have to negotiate with tuk-tuk drivers
• There is usually a cool breeze out on the water
• Many landmarks are within a few minutes’ walk of the stops
• The ticket price is wallet friendly
• It only stops at piers that have attractions tourist will be interested in
• The boats, usually catamarans, offer a smoother ride
• They are easier to board especially for those with small kids, prams, older adults and wheelchair users
• It’s operated by a team of friendly staff happy to help suggest stops to suit your interests.
• There is English and Thai commentary, so you learn more about the city as you go.

I think the number one reason to choose the tourist boat over the local express boats is that the huge open top deck and smooth ride provides the perfect conditions for taking photos.

With 5 spacious double decker boats serving 11 piers, the Chao Phraya HOHO offers two types of tickets: a full day regular hop on hop off service and a ticket allowing you to ride one length of the tour or to jump off at any of the point-to-point stops. 

This wheelchair accessible service runs from Sathon Pier, also known as Central Pier, to Phra Arthit Pier near Khao San Road. It offers regular 10 stops plus late afternoon stops at Asiatique.

If you are starting at Sathorn Pier, it’s easy to get confused by the different ticket sellers. Just look for signs that say Chao Phraya tourist boat. If you are worried about this, you can pre-purchase your ticket.

There are plenty of options for buying your tourist boat ticket in Bangkok. It depends on what suits you. You can pick it up at any of the following places:

• At any of the piers that are official stops
• On the boat itself
• Online via the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat official site
• On Get Your Guide or Klook

When you get your ticket or exchange your booking voucher, they give you a brochure which shows all the stops on a map and gives some basic information on what to see at each. It’s very general, but it helps you orientate yourself.

There are two types of tickets available:

• A single ride without hopping off will cost you 30TBH
• A day pass costs 150TBH and is valid from 8.30am to 7.15pm (operating times vary – this is current as of Jan 23).

Note:  If you just want to go to one place, then it is cheaper to ride the regular express boat. 

There are currently 11 official stops, but one is closed for renovations and one only opens in the late afternoon, leaving 9 for you to visit with your day pass.

The stops that are open as of 30/12/22 include:

• Asiatique (first stop 4:10pm)
• Sathorn Pier (BTS Taksin)
• IconSiam Pier
• N5 Ratchawongse Pier
• Wat Arun Pier

Rajini Pier

• N9 Tha Chang pier
• Tha Maharaj Pier
• N11 Prannok Pier
• N13 Phra Arthit Pier

With all these stops to choose from, it’s hard to know which places to get off and explore. It can also be hard to tell from the riverfront what’s hiding in the streets behind. Therefore, we think to make the most of your time on the tourist boat you should plan your day a little.

For those who like an early start, the first boat leaves from Phra Athit Road at 8.30am or from Sathon at 9am

So first let’s look at what there is to see at each stop and how far the places are from the piers. If you prefer, you can choose from this list to plan your own day according to your interests. 

Unless you are short of time, we highly recommend you purchase a day pass and allow at least half a day to make the most of your ticket. You could easily spend the whole day riding the boat and doing the walks we recommend below. Click on any of the maps to open them in Google maps and save them to your device.

Sathorn Pier- aka Central Pier

There are not so many well-known sites around Sathorn Pier, however if you are a lover of street art and fun bars there are a few spots you might want to check out 

Sathon Canal Art – not to be confused with the Ong Ang Canal art this is a much less well-known spot that features the work of both local and international graffiti artists. With 900m of walls to see, it’s worth the short walk from the pier for art lovers. 

Bars – At opposite ends of the spectrum are two bars that we think you might enjoy. The legendary and infamous Lebua Sky Bar and the very local and much loved by those who have visited Jack’s Bar. These two spots could not be any further apart on both budget and decor, but they both offer superb views! Jacks opens at 11am and Sky Bar at 5pm.

Ratchawongse- Chinatown

It is easy to spend a couple of hours exploring the sites around Rachanwongse Pier. This is a great stop for the early afternoon or as your last stop if you plan to have dinner in the area.

• Chinatown Gate – at Odeon traffic circle, this gate marks the beginning of Chinatown, which stretches 1.5km along Yaowarat Road.
• Yaowarat Road – the beating heart of Chinatown is filled with street vendors, gold shops and traffic! Best seen in the early morning when locals are grabbing breakfast before you start your day cruising or after 4pm.

• Wat Traimit Temple – Home of the world’s most valuable pure gold Buddha. Thought to date back to the late 1700s, it was discovered in Ayutthaya covered in clay – probably the reason it has survived so long.
• Chinatown Heritage Museum – Learn about the migration of the Chinese to Thailand and how Yaowarat became their home.

• Street art mural by Belgian artist ROA – You can see this mural of two elephants from the boat but also walk past on your way to Chinatown from the pier.
• Sampeng Market – just 600m from the stop this market is very popular with locals. It has everything you can imagine and more. It’s open all day from 7am till late afternoon.

You could cover all these spots on foot on an easy 3km round trip. Follow this map and allow 2 hours if you plan on visiting inside any of the site – 60 minutes just for the stroll.

Discover more street art while you are in Bangkok on our self guided walk

A finalist in the World’s Best Shopping Centre awards ICONSIAM is no ordinary shopping centre. For a start, it’s huge, with over 7000 shops and 100 restaurants across eight floors.

From the floating market food stalls to high-end luxury goods and international brand name stores, there is enough here to keep a shopper happy for an entire day. Even if you don’t like shopping all that much, it’s an impressive complex.

Inside ICONSIAM are dining options for any budget and taste ranging from street food, celebrity chef restaurants like Blue by Alain Ducasse and local 3 Michelin Star winners. There is a rooftop Starbucks with fantastic views and a free evening light and sound fountain show.

There is not a huge amount to see surrounding ICONSIAM and personally I would probably leave this for today and take the free boat on another day. Alternatively, finish the day here and stay for dinner. 

Two sites you may choose to visit nearby are the Jam Factory and a waterfront bar/ restaurant called Be My Guest 

This pier reopened in Jan 2023 after a huge renovation. The new floating dock they have installed makes this stop wheelchair accessible and is a good sign for things to come across the rest of the Bangkok ferry system.

From Rajini Pier is also only 50 meters from the Sanam Chai MRT Station, so if you are staying nearing an MRT stop in Bangkok this could be the best place to begin your HOHO journey.

This is the best stop to choose if you want to visit the Pak Khlong Talat flower market or the Museum of Siam (closed Monday).

There is a small ferry service that stops at the next pier, At Sadang Pier, that will take you across the river to the famous Santa Cruz Portuguese Catholic church. Note the church is not always open so check before you visit.

This is also a smart ferry stop so you can jump on one of these if you miss the HOHO boat and don’t want to wait for the next one. Tickets are only 20TBH.

Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, is one of the best known sites in Bangkok. Its 70m Khmer-style tower or prang is visible across the city and is especially beautiful at night or in the very early morning. 

Decorated in stunning glass and porcelain mosaics, you can climb the steep steps and look out over the city or just pose for photos like most visitors. Along with the tower are a couple of other buildings you can explore, including the ordination hall with its golden buddha. 

The gardens are quite beautiful with bonsai and topiary. You can also choose to dress up in traditional clothes and take photos around the temple and the gardens.

The dress code is strictly enforced, so be sure to cover your shoulders and knees. Leggings are not accepted either. 

The full name of this stunning temple is Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan 

I would make this my first stop of the day and allow just 30 minutes – there is not enough to do for one hour unless you are very interested in temples, so try not to miss the next boat. The benefit of visiting early is climbing the steep stairs before the heat sets in! The temple opens at 8am and closes at 6pm.

Tha Tien Pier

While this wharf is under renovation, you can reach Wat Pho (The reclining Buddha) which is its key attraction by walking from Tha Chang the next stop, the walk will take you about 10 mins (850m). 

Tha Chang Pier

This is the stop for the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). An additional site you might like to add to your itinerary is the Queen Sirikit Museum of textiles. 

I recommend you make this your first or second stop – it’s an enormous site and in the heat of the middle of the day can be quite overwhelming. It also closes at 3:30pm, so the afternoons get really busy. Allow at least an hour – and much longer if you have a special interest in temples and Buddhism.

Visiting the Grand Palace can be a stressful experience. There are scammers and touts trying to get your attention and perhaps give you false information (the palace is closed or you must have a guide to enter). It pays to do a little reading or research before you get there. 

One way to avoid much of the drama is to pre purchase your tickets. Tickets are 500tbh and you can pay with cash or card. 

Tha Maharaj Pier

Home of a riverside shopping centre and plenty of restaurants, Tha Maharaj Pier is another good choice for when you are hungry. Head up to the second floor for good views out over the river. 

Also only 10 minutes walk way is the National Museum. It’s opened Wednesday to Sunday from 9am-4pm and entry is approx 200TBH for foreigners.

Prannok Pier

Not an essential stop and if you only have a day or this is your first time I would stay on the boat as you have plenty to see. If you have visited Bangkok before and want to see something very local then jump off for an hour. Previously known as Wang Lang Pier this stop has 3 areas of interest for visitors to Bangkok

Jump off here for Wang Lang Market only 300m from the pier. Wang Lang is a wet and dry market popular with staff from the nearby hospital, and for good reason, there is some really great food here. Not set up for tourists, this is an everyday market. Visit between 10 and noon 2-3 if you can. Lunchtime crowds can be hectic! 

Another popular spot for second time visitors perhaps is the Siriraj Medical Museum 

An interesting temple in this area is Wat Rakhang Kositaram Woramahawihan (500m) or the Temple of Five Bells.

Phra Arthit Pier

With tree-lined streets, trendy boutiques and cafes and only 10 mins or 800m to Khao San Road Phra Arthit is another popular stop.  Best visited in the afternoon or evening when activity picks up. This is another good stop to finish on with plenty of nightlife nearby. 

Two key sites within walking distance are:

• National Art Gallery (600m)
• Wat Saket Golden Mount Temple

Other place you might like to check out, especially if you are a repeat visitor and have seen the main sites include:

• Santiphap Park – Santiphap translates as peace and this park features a dove sculpture based on a drawing by Pablo Picasso near its central pond.
• Phra Sumen Fort – one of the original forts that guarded the old city.
• Banglamphu clothing market – a popular market with locals

If you are up for a bigger walk you can jump off at Ratchawong (Chinatown) and see those sites then walk along Ong Ang and past the famous restaurant Jay Fai (book if you want to eat here) then visit the Golden Mount Temple before making your way back to Phra Athit to rejoin the ferry.

After using the Chao Phraya Tourist boat several times when visiting Bangkok and we think this itinerary works well for first-time visitors to the city. 

1 . We suggest you begin at Sathaon Pier, if you are coming via BTS from other parts of the city. If you are staying nearer to another stop, obviously start there! Ride to Tha Chang Pier to visit the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha before it gets too hot.

2 . Follow this by returning to the boat and heading to Wat Arun. Allow 30 minutes to view the site or an hour if you plan on renting a traditional outfit for a photo shoot.

3 . You are likely thinking about food by now. A Thai person certainly would be 😉 Decide which stop you would like to have lunch at.

• Icon Siam might appeal if the weather is not ideal, or the heat is getting to you. Their famous floating market food court on the ground floor or one of the many the restaurants on the upper floors makes a great place to take a break.
• Sathorn works too. If you want a more local experience. Head to Jacks Bar, which is right on the riverfront. Alternatively, check out the food court at Robertson’s Department store near the pier. After lunch, you could wander past the Sathorn Canal murals a short walk away.
• Finally, Tha Maharaj offers waterfront dining with river views.

4. For your final bit of exploring today of the day pick one of the following – or perhaps both if you have made good time.

• After lunch you might like to visit the Flower Market from Rajini Pier
• Still got plenty in the tank? We recommend you get off the ferry at Phra Athit and take our suggested walk to Chinatown, stopping at the Golden Mount Temple and Ong Ang Canal along the way.

5. This itinerary will see you out of time or energy by 5pm just when Chinatown comes alive. If you have already visited Chinatown, jump back on the ferry and head to Asiatique for the night market and plenty more food!

• If you miss your ferry, don’t feel you need to wait 30 minutes for the next one.
• Ride the top deck early in the morning and take your river photos before the midday heat hits. Also, by later in the day, the boat is back to being busy since visitor numbers to Bangkok have risen again.
• The boat stops at all piers but not for long, so be ready on the lower level to exit before you reach the stop you need.
• Don’t try to do all the suggested walks above in one day. Just pick a couple that grab your interest and allow time to really enjoy them rather than rushing about trying to see it all.

We hope this helps you plan a really fun day out using the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat to explore more of Bangkok.

About the author: Paula Morgan first visited Thailand in 1999 and has been returning regularly ever since. This year she has spent 3 months discovering what’s new. She loves exploring its less visited spots, not just the iconic landmarks and historic temples, but the hidden alleys, family run cafes and food stalls and the small communities in the islands of the south and the lush forests and mountains of Thailand’s north.

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Discover Bangkok with a flexible itinerary with this hop-on hop-off boat tour. Get access to popular landmarks across the city with stops at 11 piers!

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Experience Bangkok from a fresh perspective aboard boats departing every 30 minutes, with stops at 11 piers.

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Hoho boat tour.

A HOHO boat tour along the Chao Phraya River is ideal for anyone looking to escape the frantic pace of Bangkok’s city streets. You get to hop on and off at any one of the 11 piers, as many times as you please while you discover Bangkok your own way!

First boat: 8:30am from Sathorn

Last boat: 7:15pm from Sathorn

Frequency: 30mins

Popular stops: Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Temple of Dawn

Click here for a detailed route map and boarding points.

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Facilities: Free Wi-Fi, Wheelchair accessibility, Pram/stroller accessibility, Life jackets.

The boats extend their routes from Phra Arthit to Asiatique from 4pm to 6pm and from Sathorn to Asiatique from 4:30pm to 9pm.

All boats are accessible by strollers and wheelchairs.

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Chao Phraya Tourist Boat: A Day by the River in Bangkok

I have been to Bangkok many times yet I still love the city very much. Why wouldn’t I? Bangkok has so much to offer: scrumptious food, 5-star hotels, extensive shopping, historic sites, and unique culture… all of these are accompanied by excellent services and good values.

I visited Bangkok three times this year so far in 2018 and stayed there for almost a month. One day, I was with my friends and it occurred to us that we haven’t been to the riverside of Bangkok for a long time. The riverside area is connected to neither the BTS nor subway station; besides, we have been to the classic attractions, temples, and palace once and I figured it was done;  so, we kind of stuck to the new shopping malls and tourist areas in Sian, Asok, or Silom. Little did I know there are a bunch of new landmarks and design popping up along the river – and we embarked on a rather refreshing journey of the city’s history, culture, art, great food, and shopping. 🙂 Stay with us as I have some great tips for a 1-day trip!

The Chao Phraya Tourist Hop-on-hop-off-boat

One-day River Pass: 180 Baht

Single-journey Ticket: 50 Baht

Operating hours: 9am – 6pm

Website: https://chaophrayatouristboat.com/

The Sathorn Pier is considered to be a good starting point. The pier is connected to the Taksin Bridge BTS Station and I would also suggest you kick off here for a complete experience. The boats come and go every 30 minutes and each stop is approximately 4 minutes apart. Be at the pier a few minutes early as the boat usually arrives punctually and it leaves once the passengers hop on and hop off. The nine stops are:

• Sathorn (Taksin Bridge BTS station)
• ICONSIAM (Latest addition and replaced River City!) 
• Pak Klong Taladd (Yodpiman)

The Maharaj

• Thonburi Railway

Phra Arthit

We didn’t leave our apartment “that early” and so we have limited time to cover all stops on the route. We decided to skip  Thonburi Railway Station (connected to the Siriraj Phimukhsthan Museum and Royal Barge National Museum) right away. We got off at the Maharaj pier and the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha were our first stop.

I was not at all surprised when I saw a big crowd at the ticketing office. The Grand Palace has been a classic attraction in Bangkok and many of the package group tours still keep it as a “must-see” on their itinerary. I visited the Grand Palace many years ago yet I forgot the majesty and grandeur! I felt that it was a good refreshment this time around. The Temple of Emerald Buddha (or Wat Phra Kaew), in particular, was my favorite. The Ubosot (a.k.a. the main building) of the temple is a perfect example of the Rattanakosin architectural style. The exterior of the temple is paved by golden and shiny embellishments, while the roof is covered by blue and orange mosaic tiles and pediments. I admire so much the intricacy and aesthetics, especially the line of golden Garudas and Nagas outside the Ubosot. 🙂 The frescoes on the walls are deeply impressive, too! The vivid paintings depict the life journey of the Buddha.

Once we walked through the wall we arrived at the middle court which is where the main palace complex is located. The palace had been the royal residence since the Kings of Siam in the 18th century, and in the present date, the site hosts official events. The central Prasat of the Phra Thinang Chakri Maha Prasat is obviously the most eye-catching building of the bunch, and we were right there at the middle court on time to see the changing guards!

Other Points of Interest:   The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Tha Maharaj, Bangkok National Museum, City Pillar Shrine

The Maharaj is a riverside shopping area with souvenir shops, restaurants, and cafes and stalls. We went to GRAM Café for their “interesting pancakes”. The café has a special menu of original pancakes – while some of them surprised me like Nutella crumble pancakes, banana salted caramel pancakes, Ovaltine Oreo volcano pancakes, to salted yolk lava pancakes! Besides, diners could request extra toppings like butter, honey, Nutella, salted caramel, berry jam, ice-cream and more~ I couldn’t try them all but I might go back in the future for other flavors. Their juice bar has some refreshing drinks like black tea kombucha, too!

We headed to Wat Pho afterward and this is another iconic temple in the city. The journey requires an extra boat ride back to the other side from the Wat Arun pier but we just went for it. Have you ever seen a picture of a giant reclining Buddha in a temple? It’s probably taken in Wat Pho, as the temple is classed as the highest grade of the first-class royal temples, and one of the most famous reclining Buddhas in the country. It’s hard to take a good photo with the 46-meter long Buddha, which occupied the entire room, and the tip of the Buddha’s headpiece poked into the ceiling! A reclining Buddha is an important representation in Buddhism – This is the image of Buddha in his final days, when Buddha was ill and about to enter nirvana. I love the frescoes around the temple, too. A bit different from the frescoes in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the drawings here are more colorful in red and green, which also depicts the Buddha’s life journey. One of the paintings is now the wallpaper of my iPhone, still. Behind the Buddha, grab a bowl of 108 coins (for 20 Baht) and throw them one at a time into the line of small pots on the back wall. I was told to make a wish for each coin-throw, but then it was a meditative moment for me in this sacred site.

Make Me Mango

Outside Wat Pho, we ventured into one of the alleys by the river, and Make Me Mango is a dessert café with a theme about… wait for it… MANGO. Their signature dessert includes all sorts of traditional and innovative mango desserts from sticky rice, smoothies, shaved ice, ice cream, puddings and so on. They have some other hot food and drinks like Italian soda, but Mango dishes are definitely the star of the show. The shop is quite small but it has a homey and comfortable feel to it. Since it was our first time there, we ordered the signature Mango combo and drinks, I like their sticky rice and would go back for more!

The Wat Arun, or, the Temple of Dawn, is the symbol of Bangkok. The majestic Khmer style pagoda looked quite different from the Other temples that we have just seen. The temple dates back to the 17 th century in the reign of King Rama II and once housed the Emerald Buddha.

The 76-meter tall building is a manifestation of aesthetics, covered by thousands of seashells, and pieces of Chinese porcelain. Although Arun means “morning”, the temple is a perfect spot to view not only during sunrise but also the sunset. There are a number of cafes and restaurants on the opposite side of the river bank with an open deck, which allows visitors to enjoy the view with Wat Arun’s silhouette dominating the skyline during sunset. It is really romantic.

Other than the three classic landmarks in Bangkok, the boat stops at the Ratchawongse pier and Pak Klong Taladd pier, which connects to the China Town and Flower Market respectively. China Town’s Yaowarat Road in Bangkok is a street food paradise at night, dim sum, oyster omelets, and flat noodles… this is also where the Chinese come to eat bird nest, or seafood at a valuable price. For visitors coming to China Town during the day, visit the landmarks like the China Gate, Wat Chakawat Ratchawat (crocodile), and the Wat Traimit.

Other Points of Interest:   Tha Tien Market

Pakklong Taladd (Yodpiman)

Other Points of Interest: Flower Market (Pakklong Taladd), Yodpiman River Walk, Museum of Siam

Ratchawongese

Other Points of Interest: Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, Phahurat (Indian) Market, Sampheng Market, Chinatown (Yaowarat)

To visit someplace new, we stopped by Lhong 1919 . This new attraction is a restoration of a 19th-century Chinese mansion. Now, the mansion is turned into a shopping mall, but still retained its historical charm and Chinese religious heritage. There is a Mazu Shrine in the center of the site – Mazu is a Chinese goddess of seafarers. The buildings around the courtyard are souvenir and handicraft shops, and a few rooms where period fixtures and artifacts are on display.

For some refreshments and snacks, there’s a row of Thai restaurants and bars at the ground. Those are quite commercial and we yet find a place that truly stands out. We ended up trying some local snacks at the food stalls in the courtyard, and I think it’s better off as we could just sit on a bench and chill out a little bit.

River City Bangkok > ICONSIAM

Other Points of Interest:  River City Bangkok, Holy Rosary Church, Siam Commercial Bank, Thailand Creative And Design Center (TCDC), Wat Traimit Wittayaram.

With ICONSIAM officially opens, it is a new attraction and entertainment complex by the river. The shopping mall offers an impressive 525,000 square meters of retail floor space that basically has it all: SOOK Siam  is an indoor “floating market” with a lot of local food and handicrafts that you could now shop with the comfort of air conditioning; Icon Cineconic the cinema by Major Cineplex; Iconsiam Heritage Museum and a riverside park. ICONSIAM is a combination of two shopping malls, IconSiam and IconLuxe, while the former houses a great collection of fashion brands, the latter features the upscale luxury brands. This is also where the first Apple Store in Thailand!

Asiatique is one of my favorite shopping malls in Bangkok because it has a diversified and balanced product mix. To me, the fashion and accessories are more stylish, original, and in better quality (given that are at a very low price) than Chatuchak. They have other products like home décor, books, stationeries, and local snacks. I bought two coconuts at a store and now they have grown into small plants! There are a lot of exciting restaurants and bars lined up by the riverfront as well. The last time I was there in July, there was a Thai food festival pavilion with an array of Thai delicacies, and some really good live singing performance.

Looking for more? The shopping is filled with entertainment. It has a Ferris Wheel (which has a great view during sunset), Muay Thai Fighting show and Puppet Theatre.

The House on Sathorn

After a day by the river, we headed to a fancy fine-dining experience. There are numerous high-end restaurants in the city, and it might take a long time to explore all of them. But anyway, I chose The House on Sathorn , which is located next to the W Hotel, and only two BTS stations away from the Taksin Bridge BTS station. The House of Sathorn is a beautiful colonial mansion date back to 1889 and it was once the Embassy of the Soviet Union. Now, it is retained and fully restored in front of the tallest building in Thailand, the MahaNakhon . The square prism shape of the building has gained a lot of attention since it’s opening in 2017.

The restaurant offers a seasonal menu, as the chef evolves and update the menu by choosing the best ingredients possible in the country. Luckily, we visited the restaurant with a new “journey” updated only a week ago. The flamboyant presentation and innovative combination of dishes pleasantly surprised me and enriched my culinary experience. The tasting menu includes some common ingredients like tomatoes, celeriac, tuna… and special ones like Andaman squid, Anjou pigeon and so on. The highlight was definitely the dessert, which was prepared in innovative ways and elegantly presented that made me wonder.

Thonburi Railway Station

Points of Interest:   Siriraj Bmuksthan Museum, Wang Lang Market, the Royal Barge Museum  

Points of Interest: Banglumpoo Market, Khao San Road, Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall, Phra Sumen Fort, National Theatre

Somehow we were so excited that night and even though we went out for the whole day, we still manage to change and grabbed a drink at the Sky Bar at the Dome – one of the first rooftop bars in Bangkok, and (they claim themselves to be) the highest rooftop bar in the world. Although more and more rooftop bars are opened around the city, the bar has its special standing among them all.

Remember the bar is quite popular (given that a glass of drink at the bar is not cheap), and visitors need to make a reservation – it is almost impossible to walk in; besides, they have a strict dress code where revealing clothes, shorts, and flip-flops would not be welcomed. The Sky Bar has different areas from dining, drinking, to lounge. Since we just had an amazing fine dining experience, we just stood at the bar and enjoyed the city’s night view and the cooling breeze. All of a sudden, there were fireworks exploded on the river and we had a great time looking at them exploding below us. An amazing wrap up of our day by the river in Bangkok.

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KNYCX Journeying

Hey! I am Kenny. Since I was a kid, I was bitten by a travel bug quite seriously that I would choose a globe and atlas book for Christmas over video games. Now, the Knycx Journeying website was launched as a platform to share my passion - covering anything that interests me from history, culture, humanity, architecture, art, food, music to outdoor adventure.

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Chao Phraya Tourist Boat

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CTB Unlimited Hop CHAO PHRAYA RIVER: All Day River Pass

Bangkok by Private Guide: Full Day Tour In and Around

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CHAO PHRAYA TOURIST BOAT (Bangkok) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

• Do & See

• Chao Phraya River Express Boat

Lines, how to get tickets & fares

VIEW ALL WAYS TO GET AROUND BANGKOK

Use a Chao Phraya River Express boat to get around in Bangkok or to take a sightseeing tour along the city’s main river enjoying a cool river breeze. The river express runs from Nonthaburi in the North to Rat Burana in the South, a distance of over 20 kilometers.

A Chao Phraya boat trip provides for an enjoyable way to see the city from the river. Good views can be had of some of Bangkok’s most famous sites such as the Grand Palace and Wat Arun (the temple of Dawn) from a river boat.

Use a river boat to get to places as Chinatown , Rattanakosin Historical district , Wat Arun , ICONSIAM shopping mall and Asiatique shopping & entertainment complex .

Five Chao Phraya Express lines

Five lines serve the river namely the local, green, yellow and orange express line and the Chao Phraya tourist boat (blue), recognizable by the color of the flag at the back of the boat.

The most frequent services are provided by the orange and blue lines. Boats of the green, yellow and local lines run only on weekdays during morning and afternoon rush hour.

Fares can be paid on the boat or at the kiosk on the pier. Passengers can connect to the BTS Sky Train at Saphan Taksin.

Orange line The orange line runs from Nonthaburi N30 to Wat Rajsingkorn S3. Service is daily several times per hour from 6 am until 7 pm. One way fare is 15 Thai Baht.

Green line The green line runs from Pak Kret in Nonthaburi to Sathorn. Service is from 6:10 am until 8:10 am and 4:05 pm until 6:05 pm on weekdays. Fares are 13 to 32 Baht depending on distance.

Tourist boat, blue line The blue flag tourist boat runs from Sathorn to Phra Arthit. Service is daily every 30 minutes from 9 am until 8:30 pm. One way tickets are 60 Baht. A one day pass valid for an unlimited number of trips is 200 Baht.

Get to the Wat Pho by Chao Phraya Hop On Hop Off Tourist Boat

Check piers, route, tickets & timetable

GET DETAILS

Local line The local line does not display a flag. Boats stop at every pier from Rajsingkorn S3 to Nonthaburi N30. Service is every 20 minutes from 6:45 am until 7:30 am and 4 pm until 4:30 pm on weekdays. Fares are between 10 and 20 Baht depending on distance.

Yellow line The yellow line runs from Nonthaburi N30 to Rat Burana S4. Service is from 6.05 am until 8:20 am and 4 pm until 8 pm on weekdays. Fares are 20 to 29 Baht depending on distance.

Connect to BTS Sky Train

To get on the BTS Sky Train, get off the Chao Phraya boat at Sathorn pier and walk to BTS Saphan Taksin station.

Get on the BTS Sky Train at Chao Phraya Express Boat Sathorn pier

Check the route map of the Silom line and the Sukhumvit line, how to buy tickets & fares

Sights near Chao Phraya River Express piers

Many of Bangkok’s sights are located along the Chao Phraya river. When the city became Thailand’s capital in the 18 th century, the historic district Rattanakosin with the Grand Palace and the Wat Pho was build on the river banks.

• River City Shopping Complex
• Loy Nava Dinner Cruise
• Grand Pearl Dinner Cruise
• Wan Fah Dinner Cruise
• Holy Rosary Church
• River Star Princess Dinner Cruise
• Saphan Phut night market
• Pak Khlong Talat flower market
• Yodpiman River Walk
• Wat Pho (temple of the reclining Buddha)
• Rattanakosin historical district
• Santa Cruz Portuguese catholic church (with river ferry)
• Wat Arun (with river ferry)
• Grand Palace
• Wat Phra Kaew
• Wat Mahathat
• National Museum
• Royal barges museum
• Wang Lang market
• Khao San road
• National Art Gallery
• Phra Sumen fort
• Rama VIII bridge
• Dusit Palace
• Vimanmek Mansion
• Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall
• Wat Benchamabophit
• BTS Sky Train Saphan Taksin station
• Wat Yannawa (the boat temple)
• Horizon Dinner Cruise
• Chao Phraya tourist boat
• Shuttle boat to ICONSIAM
• Asiatique riverside shopping, dining & entertainment complex
• Calypso cabaret
• Muay Thai boxing show
• Indian Dinner Cruise
• Princess Dinner Cruise
• Vertical Dinner Cruise
• Sirimahannop Dinner Ship

Public transport in Bangkok

• Getting around Bangkok
• BTS Sky Train
• Chao Phraya Tourist Boat
• ARL Airport Rail Link
• SRT Red Line

Attractions on the Chao Phraya River Express Boat route:

Princess Dinner Cruise Si Phraya pier

Loy Nava Dinner Cruise Si Phraya pier

Grand Palace Tha Chang pier

Chinatown Rachawongse pier

Wat Arun Tha Tien pier

Wat Pho Tha Tien pier

Rattanakosin historical district Tha Chang pier

Royal Barges Museum Phra Pin Klao bridge pier

Calypso Cabaret Asiatique pier

Indian Dinner Cruise Asiatique pier

Tours in and around Bangkok

• Bangkok city tours
• Bangkok temple tours
• Floating markets
• Ayutthaya tours
• Bridge over the River Kwai
• Private or group tour
• Full day or half day
• Bang Sue Grand Station
• Hua Lamphong Station

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Chao phraya river – a guide to bangkok boat travel.

Posted By: Renegade Travels | Posted in: Bangkok , Featured , Thailand , Transport

Traveling by boat in Chao Phraya river in Bangkok Thailand is by far my favorite way of getting around the city. You can’t get everywhere by boat but if your destination is near the river, it’s a great way to travel. And many of Bangkok’s most popular attractions are near the river, and accessible by boat. Thailand boat travel is also incredibly cheap. However, there are so many different boats that it can be very confusing for first time visitors, so allow me to explain your options as simply as possible.

Boat Stops and Piers

The Central Pier, called Tha Sathorn, is conveniently located right next to Saphan Taksin BTS (skytrain) station. From here you can take boats both north and south, although the boats north are where most of the attractions are. All piers along the Chao Phraya River are clearly marked in both English and Thai, and also have the pier numbers marked on them. All piers to the south are marked with an S, and all the piers to the north with an N. Boats run from pier S4 (Rajburana) to N33 (Pakkret). The complete list of piers is as follows:

• S4 (Rajburana) • S3 (Wat Rajsingkom) • S2 (Wat Worachanyawas) • S1 (Wat Sawetachat) • Central Pier (Tha Sathorn) – this is also the location of Saphan Taksin BTS (skytrain) station • N1 (Oriental Hotel) – as the name suggests, the stop for Oriental Hotel and OP Place shopping mall • N2 (Wat Muang Kae) – for Old Customs House • N3 (Si Phraya) – for Portuguese Embassy • N4 (Marine Department) – for Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, Holy Rosary Church, and River City shopping mall • N5 (Rajchawongse) – get off here for the main part of Chinatown • N6 (Memorial Bridge) – another Chinatown stop • N7 (Rajinee) – for Chinatown vegetable market (Pak Khlong Market) and cross-river boat to Santa Cruz Church • N8 (Tha Tien) – for Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) and the cross-river boat to Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) • N9 (Tha Chang) – for the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) • N10 (Wang Lang) – for Siriraj Hospital and Thonburi (Bangkok Noi) train station • N11 (Thonburi Railway) – also for Thonburi train station • N12 (Phra Pin Klao Bridge) – get off here for the National Museum of Royal Barges • N13 (Phra Arthit) – for Ratinakosin Island and the popular Khao San Road backpacker district • N14 (Rama 8 Bridge) • N15 (Thewet) – for the famous Thewet Flower Market • N16 (Krung Thon Bridge (Sung Hi)) • N17 (Wat Thepnahree) • N17/1 (Wat Thepakorn) • N18 (Payap) • N19 (Irrigation Department) • N20 (Kheaw Khai Ka) • N21 (Kjak Kai) • N22 (Bang Po) • N23 (Wat Soi Thong) • N24 (Rama 7 Bridge) • N25 (Pibul 1) • N26 (Wat Khema) • N27 (Wat Tuek) • N28 (Wat Kien) • N29 (Pibul 2) • N30 (Nonthaburi (Pibul 3)) • N31 (Wat (Khaenok) • N32 (Wat Klang Kret) • N33 (Pakkret) – the last stop

Chao Phraya Express Boats

There are five main boats that run along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. These are the Blue Flag Chao Phraya Tourist Boat, Orange Flag Boat, Green Flag Boat, Yellow Flag Boat and No Flag Boat. As you have probably guessed, you can tell them apart by the color of the flag that they fly (or don’t fly in the case of the No Flag Boat).

The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat only runs from Tha Sathorn (Central Pier) to N13 (Phra Arthit), and only stops at piers CENTRAL, N1, N3, N5, N8, N* (Maharaj – between N9 and N10), N10 and N13.

All other boats travel as far north as pier N30, with the Green Flag Boat being the only one that goes all the way to pier N33.

You should note that none of the boats stops at all piers, so you’ll need to check which boat goes to your destination before you get on. The Orange Flag Boat is the best overall, as it runs all from 06:00 until 19:00 seven days a week. This is usually the only boat that we use.

Blue Flag Chao Phraya River Tourist Boat

If this is your first time to get a boat along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, I would recommend the tourist boat, as you get a commentary along the way pointing out all the major attractions. This will help you to get your bearings more quickly, and then you’ll be good to go when you try a local boat.

You can purchase tickets for this boat at Central Pier (Tha Sathorn), N13 (Phra Arthit), Saphan Taksin BTS and Saim BTS.

Route: Central Pier (Tha Sathorn) to N13 (Phra Arthit) Times: Daily 09:30-16:00 Frequency: Every 30 minutes Fare: 150 baht daily ticket or 30 baht per journey

Orange Flag Boat

This is usually the only boat we get, as it is both convenient and cheap and runs all day, every day. Tickets for this boat are purchased on the boat.

Route: S3 (Wat Rajsingkom) to N30 (Nonthaburi) Times: Daily 06:00-19:00 Frequency: Every 5-20 minutes, depending on time of day Fare: 15 baht per journey (pay on the boat)

Green Flag Boat

Route: Central Pier (Tha Sathorn) to N33 (Pakkret) Times: Monday-Friday 06:15-08:00 and 15:30-18:05 Frequency: Every 15-30 minutes Fare: 13/20/32 baht, depending on distance (pay on the boat)

Yellow Flag Boat

Route: S4 (Rajburana) to N30 (Nonthaburi) Times: Monday-Friday 06:15-08:30 and 15:30-20:00 Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes Fare: 20/29 baht, depending on distance (pay on the boat)

No Flag Boat (Local Line)

If you want to stop at an obscure pier, then this is the boat for you, as it stops almost everywhere. But only during early morning and late afternoon.

Route: S3 (Wat Rajsingkom) to N30 (Nonthaburi) Times: Monday-Friday 06:20-08:05 and 15:00-17:30 Frequency: Every 20-25 minutes Fare: 10/12/14 baht, depending on distance (pay on the boat)

Cross River Boats

There are a few places where you will see cross river boats. There is one that goes from pier N8 (Tha Tien) to Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn). The cost of the cross river boats varies from 2-5 baht.

Hotel Shuttle Boats

Many hotels are situated on the Chao Phraya River, and each hotel has its own shuttle boat that travels back and forth between Central Pier (Tha Sathorn) and the hotel. Some hotels that have their own shuttle boat include the Anantara, Oriental and Peninsula. All these boats are free and usually run from early morning until very late at night.

I particularly enjoy getting the free boat to the Anantara Hotel, as it’s a nice and relaxing 30 minute trip. If you walk through the hotel you will come to a small shopping mall at the other side. This has a number of restaurants, cafes and massage shops. My favorite restaurant there is the vegetarian Loving Hut.

Further Information

For full details of these boats, including exact times and fares, please visit the Chao Phraya Express Boat website.

Long-Tail Boats

As well as the above express boats, you’ll also see long-tail boats plying their trade along the river. They can take you anywhere you want to go, but are very expensive compared to the express boats. You might pay as much as 1,000 baht ($33, £20) for a 30-minute ride. If you want the experience of traveling the river and have a large enough budget, then this can be a great experience.

Conclusion | Experience Bangkok by Boat

As you can tell, traveling around Bangkok by boat isn’t just a fun experience, it’s also cheap and relatively fast. Instead of suffering through the congested streets of the capital, give yourself a break and try out the Chao Phraya River. I promise you won’t regret it!

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Complete Guide for Chao Phraya Express Boats

How to Use the Chao Phraya Express Boat

Five different Chao Phraya Express Boat lines are available for transport. You can purchase your ticket onboard or on the pier. I’d recommend taking the orange line and paying the ฿15 Baht fee on the boat. Don’t worry if you don’t have exactly ฿15 Baht, they will have exact change. The blue line (tourist boat) is a rip-off and I would avoid using it.

If you’re a tourist, you will have the easiest and most affordable experience by taking the orange line. Avoid the blue line (tourist boat) unless you want an English narration for sites along the river. The orange line stops at all of the popular tourist destinations, has more boats in operation, and costs much less.

On the orange line, you can travel all the way to Nonthaburi (Pier N30) and back for less than $1 USD. This is a great way to see the city and has beautiful views. You can also hop off at certain piers for sight-seeing and then re-board and pay the fee of ฿15 Baht.

All five lines stop at different piers, so if you’re planning to visit a certain location you need to know which line to board. Here are the 5 different lines. All except the local line are identified by a colored flag:

How Much Is the Chao Phraya Express Boat?

• Blue Line: 1 trip = ฿60 Baht, day pass = ฿200 Baht
• Orange Line: 1 trip = ฿15 Baht
• Local Line (no color): ฿10-20 Baht
• Green Line: 1 trip = ฿13-32 Baht
• Yellow Line: 1 trip = ฿20-29 Baht

The local, green, and yellow lines only runs during morning and evening rush hours. I’ll go into further details below:

Chao Phraya Express Boat Operating Hours

Chao phraya express boat map (downtown bangkok).

Chao Phraya Express Routes

How to get to the chao phraya river, from the bts.

I’ve written an entire guide on using the BTS and the only stop that intersects with the Chao Phraya River is the Saphan Taksin Station along the Silom Line. Get off at Saphan Taksin and head a bit west (you’ll see the pier from the station). The pier is called Sathorn Pier (Central).

Things to Do Near the Chao Phraya River

If you’re looking for the most popular tourist locations, they are:

• The Grand Palace (Tha Chang/Maharaj Pier)
• Wat Arun (Tha Tien Pier)
• Wat Pho (Tha Tien Pier)
• Wang Lang Market (Wang Lang Pier)
• Chinatown (Rajchawongse Pier)

If arriving at the Sathorn Pier from the BTS, there’s a decent temple that’s about 500 feet south of the pier in the same block called Wat Yannawa. If you have a bit of time it might be worth checking out.

From the pier you can mainly go north. Going south only has a few stops, the main attraction being Asiatique.

Asiatique is a popular tourist location that combines dining, shopping, and sight-seeing. It has tons of great food options (might be a bit pricey) with Thai shows, a ferris wheel, and boxing. It’s a pretty good area for night life as well. The shows are really cool if you’re into live theatre.

If you’re headed north, here are some stops in order and some of the sites at each stop:

Sathorn Pier (Central)

• Wat Yannawa: Beautiful and unique boat-shaped temple just a bit south east of the pier. I like this temple since it’s not too busy or crowded with tourists. It also has a beautiful roof.
• Bangrak Bazaar: This food and indoor market has numerous tasty Thai foods for low prices. As a place that’s always packed with locals, you know the food will be good.

Oriental (N1)

• Assumption Cathedral: Beautiful Catholic church located near the pier with a 10 AM English mass on Sunday morning. Well-known for the beautiful architecture, this is a decent spot to check out not too far off the pier.
• The Bamboo Bar: A really impressive jazz bar with amazing service and live performances. If you love jazz, the bamboo bar is a must-see spot and opens up around 5 PM.
• O.P Place Shopping Centre: Filled with antique shops, boutiques, and shopping complexes, this European-style building houses many unique artifacts. Be prepared to pay high prices for Khmer museum-quality pieces or just check them out!
• Wat Suan Phlu: Pagoda style temple with a reclining Buddha. Might be a little out of the ways from the pier, but if you’re visiting some of the other sites around here might be worth checking out.
• State Tower: 64-floor skyscraper with a famous sky bar on top where the movie Hangover 2 filmed a scene. Very expensive, drinks can run $30 a pop, so I’d avoid it unless the view is worth it to you.

Lines: Local, Orange, Blue

Wat Muang Kae (N2)

• Go Beyond Asia: There’s a hub near this pier for Go Beyond Asia – an all-around tour company that has some unique offerings. They have cooking classes, bike tours, hiking, and much more.
• Cotton House: If you’re looking unique Thai attire, this place offers very well-reviewed products. From tailored suits, shirts, blouses, etc., they’ll measure you up and ship you perfectly-fit clothing with a unique appeal.
• Serindia Gallery: Located just south of the Cotton House, Serindia Gallery offers art exhibits that focus on photography and paintings. Offers an interesting look at the history of Bangkok.
• Diamonds of Eden: Custom jewelry designed exclusively for you. Includes engagement rings, earrings, necklaces, etc.

Lines: Local

Si Phraya (N3)

• ICONSIAM: Massive shopping mall along the far banks of the river. You’ll need to take a ferry across the river to access the mall, but it is well worth it for tourism.
• Various dinner cruises are offered at this stop. Dinner cruises are a great experience that allows you to view the city from the river while enjoying a nice meal for about $40 USD.
• The Spa at Royal Orchid Sheraton: A hotel, spa, restaurant with a view all in one. Offers great Thai massages, for more detail about Thai massages click here .
• Om Fashion and Silk Custom Tailor: Also located at the Royal Orchid Sheraton, this tailor has over 20 years experience and focuses on suits with great prices and workmanship.
• Warehouse 30: Not much to see here, but great for grabbing coffee. There’s also a place called Erb Spa which is a great place to grab an oil massage.

Lines: Local, Orange, Yellow, Green

Marine Dept (N4)

• River City shopping mall: has become a major art center in Bangkok. Contains many small and mega shows, with traveling exhibitions scheduled year-round. Also has nice restaurants and shopping.

Lines: Local, Orange

Rajchawongse (N5)

• Chinatown: Popular and very crowded area with cheap eats and souvenirs. Considered by most to be a must-see stop filled with bustling street life and beautiful small temples along the roads and alleyways.

Memorial Bridge (N6)

• King Rama I Monument: Beautiful monument of King Rama I riding an elephant. It is said that many people have their wishes come true here.
• Park/Sky Park: Many markets and small eating places nearby, so this is a good and busy place to stop. Great area to visit at night.
• Saphan Phut Night Market

Lines: Local, Orange, Blue stops at Yodpiman nearby

Rajinee (N7)

• MRT Sanam Chai Station
• Chinatown vegetable market (Pak Khlong Market)

Tha Tien (N8) (Most Popular Stop):

• Wat Phra Cetuphon: AKA Wat Pho – has the famous reclining Buddha. If you only visit one temple in Thailand, visit here to see the beauty and architecture. Stop is close to the pier but crowded so be prepared.
• Wat Arun: Wat Arun is one of the most famous temples in Thailand. You’ll need to take a ferry across the river to get here, but it’s well worth the trip. Ferry ride costs about ฿4 Baht per person. At night this place is lit up and it’s absolutely great.
• Siam Museum: One of the most popular museums in Bangkok with many interactive exhibits. Covers a lot of different aspects of Thai culture and beliefs including “What is Thai-ness”.
• Bangkok Tuk Tuk Tours by Feel Good: A bit of a walk south from the pier, but might be a good one-time Tuk Tuk experience if you’ve never had one. A good option for tours at this location since there is less traffic, but be aware of the safety risks of Tuk Tuks that I’ve outlined here . I’d recommend taking this tour at night if you’re thinking about it.
• Clay pot Thai Cooking Mate (Cooking Class): An interesting cooking class that gives you a feel for purchasing foods from the local market and cooking with a local Thai chef.
• Pijiu Bar: Nice little beer bar close to the pier, good place for to grab a quick pint and head off to Wat Arun or The Grand Palace.

Tha Chang (N9)

• The Grand Palace complex: One of the most popular tourist locations and historical sites. I don’t like the fees charged to tourists here, which are ฿500 Baht per person. Thai citizens can enter free. Be aware of the dress code which requires shoulders and legs to be covered. Garments are available to rent for a small price.
• Pier Market: Great place to stop for local food right in front of the pier.

Lines: Local, Orange, Green

• Pretty much the same as Tha Chang, check out The Grand Palace by stopping here.

Lines: Blue

Wang Lang (N10)

• Wang Lang Market: Completely local market near the station, great place to stop if you’ve never seen a bustling local Thai market. It has all sorts of goods for sale from food to cook ware and souvenirs.
• Tha Maharaj: You’ll have to take a ferry across the river to get here, but this open market near the river is a beautiful place to get street food or pick up some souvenirs.

Lines: Local, Orange, Green, Yellow

Thornburi Railway (N11)

• A good place to pass-by and check out the trains
• Siriraj Medical Museum: A bit of an unusual site but has a fascinating display of Thai historical medicine and healthcare. Has a lot of different exhibits and overall recommended if you’re not squemish.

Phra Pin Klao Bridge (N12)

• Not much recommended to do here

Phra Arthit (N13)

• Santi Chai Prakan Public Park with Phra Sumen Fort: This beautiful park has a nice riverside view with an 18th century fortress.
• Pipit Banglamphu History Museum: Learn all you can about the history of Bangkok past and present along with a couple extra bits (coin minting and crafts). A nice museum with very low cost (฿30 Baht) that includes guided tours with English speakers).

Rama VIII Bridge (N14)

• Beautiful place to walk at night with a wide view of the river from the bridge.

Thewes Pier (N15)

• Wat Makut Kasatriyaram Ratchaworavihan: Nice clean temple not overcrowded with tourists. Memorial site for King Rama IV and built with grandeur and architectural savvy. Decorated with royal artistry paintings.

You can continue down the river from here, but the major sites are behind. It’s very relaxing riding to the end and back just for the views. Enjoy

Michael Nelson

I began traveling to Thailand in 2018 and I'm active in learning about the culture. I'm a graduate from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and have owned and operated Thailand Exploration since 2020.

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Chao Phraya River – How to use the express boats to see Bangkok

How to use the Chao Phraya river express boats

Map of chao phraya river express boat routes/stops, chao phraya express boat schedule – routes, fares and frequency, tourist attractions and the express boat stops.

There are a number of boats on the Chao Phraya river that cover different routes and stop at different boat stops. The routes covered by the boats are primarily identified by the color of the flag the fly . They are also named so – orange flag, blue flag, green flag and yellow flag express boats. There are also some other boats that have no flag. These are either ferry boats or special shuttle boats belonging to some hotels.

Central Pier and Nomenclature

Local Line : No Flag

Route: Nonthaburi (N30) – Wat Rajsingkorn (S3) Service: Monday – Friday Time: 06.45 – 07.30 hrs., 16.00 – 16.30 Frequency: 20 to 25 min

Green Flag Express Boat

Route: Pakkret (N33) – Sathorn (central pier) Service: Monday – Friday Time: 6:10 to 8:10 hrs. Frequency: 15 min.

Route: Sathorn (Central Pier) to Pakkret (N33) Service: Monday – Friday Time: 16:05 to 18:05 hrs. Frequency: 20 min

Yellow Flag Express Boat

Route: Nonthaburi (N30) – Sathorn (central pier) Service: Monday – Friday Time: 06.15-08.20 hrs. Frequency: 8 to 10 min. (check frequency per hour in the image above)

Route: Sathorn (central pier) – Nonthaburi (N30) Service: Monday – Friday Time: 16.00 – 20.00 hrs . Frequency: 20 min.

Orange Flag Express Boat

Route: Nonthaburi (N30) – Wat Rajsingkorn (S3) Service: Everyday Time: 5.50 – 19.00 hrs. (Mon – Fri), 6.00 – 19.00 hrs. ( Sat, Sun and holidays) Frequency: changes hourly from 5 to 20 min. see the detailed information in the picture above.

Route: Wat Rajsingkorn (S3) – Nonthaburi (N30) Service: Everyday Time: 6.00 – 19.00 hrs. Frequency: changes hourly from 10 to 20 min. see the detailed information in the picture above.

Blue Flag Boat -Tourist Boat

Route: Sathorn – Phra Arthit Service: Everyday 9:30 -16:00

How to pay fare on Express boats?

For all the boats except the tourist boat, you can pay the fare onboard the boat or buy the ticket from the counter before boarding. If you buy the ticket before boarding, keep it safe with you and show it to the conductor when asked.

Some routes are charged based on the distance (See info below). For the tourist boat, tickets can be bought at Sathorn (Taksin) or Phra Arthit.

If the picture above is not clear or didn’t load, I repeat the fare information below: No Flag Boat : 9 / 11 / 13 Baht (charged based on distance) Green Flag Boat : 13 / 20 / 32 Baht (charged based on distance) Yellow Express Boat : 20 Baht Orange Express Boat : 15 Baht Chao Phraya Tourist Boat : 50 (one stop, one way)/ 180 (unlimited hop-on hop-off day pass)

There are some point to point boats that just take you across the river. You can find one at the temple – Wat Arun. These boats are very cheap and cost about just 4 Baht per person one way.

How to see Bangkok’s Tourist Attractions By Express Boats

As mentioned before, if you are a tourist, the orange flag and the tourist boat (blue flag) are the most important to you. These cover most of the tourist spots.

The tourist boat is ideal; it’s less crowded as it’s not used by locals and it has an english speaking guide on board. The Day Pass works as a hop-on hop-off ticket. So, you can hop-on and hop-off the blue flag boats as many times as you like. However, it’s expensive compared to the orange flag boats.

The orange flag express boat stops at all the stops on the tourist boat and is much cheaper. However, it may be crowded as locals use it too. The boat doesn’t necessarily stop at every stop unless there’s someone who needs to get off. So, before your stop arrives, make sure you head to the back of the boat and indicate to the guy with the whistle that you need to get off.

The important stops for a tourist and the attractions you can see at these stops are listed below:

• Sathorn (central pier) – shuttle boat to ICONSIAM mall. The orange boat also stops at ICONSIAM just before Sathorn.
• Ratchawongse (N5) – Chinatown
• Pak Klong Taladd (N6) – Flower Market
• Tha Tien (N8) – Wat Arun. you can catch a cross-ferry to see Wat Pho and Grand Palace
• Tha Maharaj (N9) – Some of the best Bangkok temples such as Grand Palace, Wat Pho. Take a cross-ferry to see Wang Lang
• Thonburi Railway Station (N11) – Siriraj Phimukhsthan museum, Royal Barge National museum
• Phra Arthit (N13) – Khao San Road

I hope you found this guide on how to use the Chao Phraya express boats helpful. If so, please don’t forget to share it with your friends visiting Bangkok.

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Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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Things to Do in Elektrostal, Russia - Elektrostal Attractions

Things to do in elektrostal.

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1. Electrostal History and Art Museum

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The Unique Burial of a Child of Early Scythian Time at the Cemetery of Saryg-Bulun (Tuva)

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Pages:  379-406

In 1988, the Tuvan Archaeological Expedition (led by M. E. Kilunovskaya and V. A. Semenov) discovered a unique burial of the early Iron Age at Saryg-Bulun in Central Tuva. There are two burial mounds of the Aldy-Bel culture dated by 7th century BC. Within the barrows, which adjoined one another, forming a figure-of-eight, there were discovered 7 burials, from which a representative collection of artifacts was recovered. Burial 5 was the most unique, it was found in a coffin made of a larch trunk, with a tightly closed lid. Due to the preservative properties of larch and lack of air access, the coffin contained a well-preserved mummy of a child with an accompanying set of grave goods. The interred individual retained the skin on his face and had a leather headdress painted with red pigment and a coat, sewn from jerboa fur. The coat was belted with a leather belt with bronze ornaments and buckles. Besides that, a leather quiver with arrows with the shafts decorated with painted ornaments, fully preserved battle pick and a bow were buried in the coffin. Unexpectedly, the full-genomic analysis, showed that the individual was female. This fact opens a new aspect in the study of the social history of the Scythian society and perhaps brings us back to the myth of the Amazons, discussed by Herodotus. Of course, this discovery is unique in its preservation for the Scythian culture of Tuva and requires careful study and conservation.

Keywords: Tuva, Early Iron Age, early Scythian period, Aldy-Bel culture, barrow, burial in the coffin, mummy, full genome sequencing, aDNA

Information about authors: Marina Kilunovskaya (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail: [email protected] Vladimir Semenov (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail: [email protected] Varvara Busova  (Moscow, Russian Federation).  (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences.  Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Kharis Mustafin  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Technical Sciences. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Irina Alborova  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Biological Sciences. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Alina Matzvai  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected]

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