The Grand Palace
The Grand Palace
4
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
About
Established in 1782, this ceremonial residence of the Kings of Thailand features several magnificent buildings like the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Take your time to explore the imposing courtyards and visit the major landmarks within the Grand Palace complex. Visit the Queen Sirikit Museum, where you can view the stunning textiles on display. Don't miss Khon Performances—known as the Thailand's masked dance drama—at Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre. You can take a guided tour to learn more about the palace’s magnificent history. Visitors are expected to keep their legs and shoulders covered in the complex. – Tripadvisor
Duration: < 1 hour
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  • mzmarg0
    Brisbane, Australia67 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Definitely a must visit when in Bangkok
    We simply got a taxi to get there since it was so hot. Entry is 500 baht per person which gives you admission to the Grand Palace Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Queen Sirikit Textile Museum on the day. Also admission to the Land Art Museum at Koh Krad Arts and Crafts Center and finally for watching khon show at the Royal Theater Sala Chalermkrung only Monday – Friday (a shuttle bus at the entrance will take you to the khon show for free). A lot to see here over a very large area, too much to list, but well worth the trip. You can sign up for a free tour when inside the complex which took about 40 minutes. Turn left on exit and it's a short walk to the river. Someone tried to sell us a 15 minute trip on the river back to near our hotel for 1200 baht, gave that a miss! I believe you can get a public river bus for less than 20baht although we did not try this.
    Visited March 2023
    Written March 19, 2023
  • BTS1972
    Munich, Germany3,485 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Large complex with smaragd buddha as highlight
    The large complex also hosts the temple of the smaragd buddha - in my eyes the highlight of the temple complex. But the "minor" temples and the paintings on the arcaded sidewalks are also worth seeing. The place building itself is less interesting compared of the temples. All included, the entrance fee of THB 500 is quite substantial for Thai standards, but worth it. While you can try going there without reservation on weekdays, you should definitely book an online reservation for the weekends. As this is the major attraction of Bangkok, beware of greedy cab drivers. I only except meter cabs, best ordered directly out of the running traffic. Never take Tuck Tucks.
    Visited March 2023
    Written March 20, 2023
  • MontySpi
    Toronto, Canada445 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Do not miss the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theater included in the palace entry fee
    If you are in Bangkok for only 1 day, this is the 1 thing to see Spectacular palace and temple. You can spend hours, if not days, trying to see everything, so pick a few key places to invest your time - if you do not see the Emerald Buddha temple, you will have missed the most famous sight. There is a complimentary Khon Performance at Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theater included in the palace entry fee, but at a different location. Time your departure from the palace to get on the free shuttle bus to see the show (a history of dance in Thailand). After the show, grab the shuttle back to the palace - so unless your hotel is near the theatre, do not attend the last show of the day.
    Visited January 2023
    Written March 26, 2023
  • mfilcol2014
    Lisbon, Portugal1,018 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Do not miss
    The Grand Palace is the most visited monument in Bangkok. It is a huge complex of temples, palaces, statues and art. Not to be missed if you visit the city. The biggest temple is the temple of the Emerald Buddha, but there are other smaller temples equally beautiful in the religious part of the complex. The various palaces with different architectures depending on the time they were built are beautiful (it's a pity you can't visit the interior) A piece of advice: you don't need a guide. Go by yourself and enjoy it at your leisure. .The guides want to get everything done quickly (plus it saves money)
    Visited January 2023
    Written March 27, 2023
  • Licia W
    Halifax, United Kingdom1,470 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must see
    Excellent. Lots to see. Fantastic buildings. Go early to avoid the queues (and get better photos). Remember to wear trousers/ knee coverings not just the women, but men as well. They are very strict and will turn you away. At the time of our visit it was also compulsory to wear face masks.
    Visited March 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 28, 2023
  • chris c
    Oldham, United Kingdom190 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning Palace
    You could spend a full day in here and still not see everything properly. You do still need to wear a mask for anything inside, so take your own unless your happy to buy from the souvenir store. Be prepared to take your shoes off when going into the temples. The statues are unbelievable, the buildings are amazing. It is a must see No1 on the list place to go.
    Visited March 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written April 1, 2023
  • jwhartmann
    Zoetermeer, The Netherlands343 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must-visit attraction in Bangkok
    The Grand Palace in Bangkok is a must-visit attraction for anyone traveling to the city. This iconic landmark is a stunning example of Thai architecture and history, and is truly a sight to behold. Visitors can easily spend several hours exploring its many buildings and gardens. The intricate details of the buildings are breathtaking, with ornate carvings, colorful tiles, and gold leaf decorations adorning every surface. One of the highlights of the Grand Palace is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which houses a revered statue of Buddha made from a single piece of jade. The temple is stunning, with glittering gold and intricate details that make it a feast for the eyes. Visitors are advised to dress conservatively.
    Visited February 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 1, 2023
  • luv4phood
    Marietta, Georgia837 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    A little disappointing.
    We visited the Grand Palace as part of a guided tour. Our guide was particularly knowledgeable about the importance of different temples around Bangkok but had limited information to share about the history of the royal family and life at the Royal Palace. Also, the Royal Palace is an outdoor only tour. Tourists are not allowed inside the Royal Palace.
    Visited January 2023
    Written April 2, 2023
  • Mike C
    Gold Coast, Australia64 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must do for the family
    Great attraction and a must see when in Bangkok. We took a taxi to the Grand Palace. On arriving a street seller informed us our pants were too short and she could sell us some longer ones. After smiling and walking on another tout informed us the Palace was closed and he could get us a tuk tuk to the reclining Buddha. We did our own tour on the Palace although there were heaps of offers by English speaking guides. The security check offered free hand Sanitizer and maps. It was 500 THB entry. You can scan the code and get a guided tour in most languages. The temple of the emerald Buddha was good and easy to access (remember to remove shoes and no photos inside). We wore masks although not required. Once finished the Reclining Buddha is a quick 5 min walk away.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written April 7, 2023
  • Czar Emmanuel
    Manila, Philippines6,268 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Top tourist destination in Bangkok
    I've been to this place quite a number of times and yet it still impresses me everytime I visit it. Its palaces and temples are unmatched and are perfect examples of the very best of Thai architecture. I can't imagine how they manage to maintain the whole complex. Every single spot of it is instagrammable. Ticket may be expensive, but it's definitely all worth it. In summer it is best to visit the place early in the morning to avoid the crowd and the scorching heat of the sun.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 12, 2023
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Mom-azing
14 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
We only had 2.5 days in Bangkok so we decided to prioritize the Grand Palace as one of the early morning activities. A cab ride from Siam sq area took about 25 min (cost 100baht). But not after the first cab driver tried to tell us that the Grand Palace is closed and doesn’t open until afternoon. We immediately asked him to pull over and we got out. Reading many reviews prepared us for it. The Grand Palace is open every day from 8:30am- 3:30pm. Sure there are exceptions, so good to double check on their site.
We arrived at the Grand Palace at 8am and were the second in line for the security check. By 8:30 (when they officially open), the line behind us was very long. Once we got through security, we crossed the street towards the palace. There, I was forced to buy a T-Shirt for 200baht (that I will never wear again) because a shawl isn’t approved (very frustrating). Also, men have to wear pants, not shorts. We saw many men walking around the palace with elephant printed pants...
About the palace: 500baht a ticket seemed high and while the palace is pretty and provides cute pic opportunities with the guards 💂, it didn’t seem all that entirely worth it. There were several sections closed so you couldn’t really go in and experience all the artistic elements. Also, some of the buildings seemed to need TLC. Net net, it’s a nice activity, but not a total must. We were done by 9:30.
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John M
Scottsdale, AZ73 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
My wife and I joined our tour guide, Tony, for the royal grand Palace tour. Tony has an excellent understanding of the history and is able to communicate and share that with the people on his tours. I recommend that you see the grounds, but not during holidays when they may be exceptionally crowded. The grounds of the palace are beautiful, but they are so congested by other tourists that it made it difficult to see anything there.
Other attractions on the six hour tour included the reclining golden Buddha, the golden Buddha, and a tour of the weekend market. I strongly recommend checking out the weekend market as it is incredible!
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cornwall15
Durham, NC178 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
My wife and I visited here during our trip to Bangkok. The tour is almost totally outside (and self guided) so you are subject to the weather and sun. Having said that you really should see this on a sunny day! The sun dazzles you off the finely detailed decorations and golden domes. Clearly this has been renovated in the last 50 years as it is extraordinarily colorful in fine detail! You can get a guided tour for extra money but the buildings themselves are really remarkable and can be greatly enjoyed without one.

Our tickets included two other places to visit alongside the palace but we skipped them due to the heat of the later morning. I recommend an early morning visit.
Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DalinaSafuan
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia76 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
It was my third time here with different group of people. As they say, if it is your first time to Bangkok and you have never been to any temple or wanting to appreciate the traditional architecture, this is a must place to go for the first time. As I frequented Bangkok with different groups of people in the span of several years and them not knowing how to get there by themselves, I have no choice but to show the way, nevertheless glad that I did when they appreciated the beauty of the grand palace. The grand palace is divided into two i.e. The Temple of Emerald Buddha which houses the ancient temples with intricate handcrafted statues and the grand Royal Residence.  

To Get There: 

1. Take the BTS Silom Line from Siam Centre  if you are interchanging from other line and alight at Saphan Taksin. 

2. From Saphan Taksin, go the dock to take a boat from Saphan Taksin. Take the public boat, do not take the other tourist boat if you don't plan to have a river tour or make several stops. The one I took was the "Orange Flag" boat. The fare at the time of writing is THB 20 per person. Alight at Stop No 9 which is the Tha Chang Pier.

3. Walk about 5 to 10 minutes to the entrance of he Grand Palace. Basically you will see a tall white wall which surrounds the Grand Palace. As I have frequented the palace three times already, the path to the entrance may differ based on their setup for the security check just before the entrance. Basically, just follow the crowd.

Be mindful to wear modest clothes. No short pants or skirt. Depending on the time and how much you appreciate history and architecture and photos you take, the tour may last about 2 hours or more. 

Would I go there again? - Not the fourth time I hope but for the first time visitor, why not, it's majestic. 
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Deanosaur89
Edmonton, Canada2,162 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
The Grand Palace is worth the money and admission to it will also allow you to see Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha) and surrounding complex. Tickets cost 500 baht per adult at the gate.

Please be warned that this attraction requires that you wear long pants and cover your shoulders. They sell long pants and skirts for 200 and 180 respectively before the ticket booths, but there are also street vendors along the way that also sell items to help you cover up for much less. Bring a water bottle for a sunny day - there are fountains to refill at this complex as it gets pretty hot inside!

There is a changing of the guard at the grand palace so it might be worth looking into the times if you would like to see it.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

amanda5805
Duncan, Canada5,039 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
The Grand Palace is a must see while in Bangkok. We figured we would get up and head to the grand palace first thing might be a little bit quieter how it seems most people come to party. We were wrong it was crazy busy. It cost 500B per adult and children under a specific height was free. It included the entrance fee to everything inside plus a shuttle bus to a show. We didn’t have time to see the show which was to bad. The one thing we would do next time is hire one of the private guides. The place is so big and busy it would have been nice to not feel lost at some points. There is also recorded devices you could rent. You must dress respectively. Shoulders, backs and ankles must be covered. I did notice the odd girl who had skirts about an inch above there ankles that were allowed in. If you show up not covered they can deny you or you can rent something to cover you up!

The Palace is stunning complex of buildings located in the older part of the city. The palace was the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782. The king, his court, and his royal government were based on the grounds of the palace until 1925. There is a wall that wraps the inside of the palace that tells a story. Some beautiful temples, museums. We spend about 3 hours at the palace grounds and could have probably spent another hour or two.

We did drive by again around 3pm and it was just as busy. So you might not be able to beat the crowds but you can try and beat the heat by going early!
Written May 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jon W
Wallingford, PA58 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Family
Wear pants that cover your knees and have covered shoulders.

Pay inside (500 thb per person)

There is a free English tour once you get inside. It is much better with the guide.

Absolutely beautiful and super crowded
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rajesh Deswal
21 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • Family
A beautiful heritage building, famous for its carvings has to be on top of ones itinerary during a visit to Bangkok. On the banks of river Chao Phraya, this place was the resident of the kings of Thailand. The visitors are expected to dress up properly and they do have trousers, wraparounds and t shirts for the uninitiated, though a bit costly. The only minus is the cost of ticket which at 500 baht seems a bit high
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

wendyeh333
London, UK598 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
A must do when in Bankok. Please note strick dress code (tshirt and long sarong/pants - no shorts and nothing figure hugging. Shoulders and knees must be covered) as they do turn people away if not appropriately dressed. Lovely way to while away a few hours. It would be good if they had more things to read as you go round to explain the history so if you want to know that sort of thing then a guide would be advisable. The ticket also includes entry to a khon masked dance show. The show is only about 30 mins and you do need to get on the complimentary bus (outside the exit) to get there as it is 10 mins away. Highly recommended.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Wendy S
Norwich, UK384 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
We had been to the Palace on a previous trip to Bangkok 6 years ago but decided to go again and so pleased we did! You cannot see this spectacular venue too many times.
We employed the services of a private tour guide which was invaluable as she gave us so much more information about the history and lives of the Royal Family and their ancestry. Equally, the history of the Palace and when and how it was built a well, as the detail and story around the beautiful mural which snakes around the Palace grounds, the architecture and much much more.
We were able to enjoy the beautiful sights in this amazing Palace. The ticket offers entry into the Batik and Clothing Museum on the same site. This shows the clothing worn at State Events by the current Queen Mother (similar to the Princess Diana Exhibition at Kensington Palace recently). Furthermore, the ticket also offers entry to a cultural dance show nearby with a free shuttle bus that takes you to and from the Palace.
In summary, an absolute must do attraction when visiting a Bangkok. It is a beautiful place!
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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