I loved the Grand Palace and temple of the Emerald Buddha. If you like beautiful architecture, and would like to learn more about Thai culture and history, this is a must-see. The entrance fee is now 350 baht but you really can spend more than half a day there. We took the free tour guided tour, which lasted about one and a half hours. We found the tour guide eary to understand.The times of the tour were 10.00am, 10.30am, 1.30pm and 2.00pm. We did not have problems getting in wearing sandals and jeans. My 6 year old boy was not charged for admission and below knee bermudas was ok for him.

We got there by taking the orange flag ferry to station no 8 Tha Tien, from Sathorn station, it costs 13 baht per person. (Sathorn station is next to Saphan Taksin BTS station.) From Tha Tien station, you will need to spend at least 20 mins walking around the palace walls to get to its entrance. Ferry stop no 9, Tha Chang station is much nearer the entrance of the Grand Palace, than station no 8 Tha Tien is.

The Grand Palace always gives me mixed feelings. On one hand, it is really an awesome sight, I always wonder what it must have been like for the first european to have seen it. On the other, the generally good attitude I have toward Thais is spoiled here because there are so many cheats and scams. Essentially, if anybody talks to you who isn't in a uniform, don't believe ANY of what they're told. I was informed that the palace entrance was in the opposite direction that I was walking, that it was closed to foreigners until after noon, that it was Thai's only, and also that the Jim Thompson house didn't open until after 1. Of course, I was offered a tour to a nearby "Standing Buddha." Luckily, I knew better. Also, the street vendors are very aggressive, essentially pushing their wares into your hands. Like I said, unless you're talking to a cop or somebody in the military, prepare to be lied to. It really sucks because this is the only place that I've been in Thailand that I felt as a tourist I was treated this way. Do NOT get scammed!

Once you're safely inside, it's very nice, but quite hot. Try to go in the early morning.

Its a must-visit place in Bangkok, but be sure to come early in the morning as the weather begins to get blistering hot by 1030am. Also be reminded that shoulders and leg must be covered when visiting the palace. But if u do not want to wear long sleeves and pants in the blistering heat, do not worry! there is a room on the right side of the entrance where visitors can borrow pants and tops by placing down a refundable deposit of 200bht. Slippers or exposed feet ARE allowed. i think i irritated the clothing lady when i kept asking her if my slippers are allowed!! so yes, slippers are allowed!
The touts are all over the place outside the palace walls telling you that the palace is closed for a certain hours due to some 'monk ceremony meant for thais'. its not true, so just smile and walk away. Even the seemingly authorised 'guides' stationed at 'booths' around the palace tells u the same story. Ignore them and continue.
and 1 more tip for fellow travellers. There IS only 1 official gate located at the EAST side of the palace walls (away from the chao praya river). I didn't know that and i ended up walking the entire perimeter of the palace grounds!

I loved checking out the grand palace it was really beautiful and I loved the architecture

To get to Grand Palace is easy and can be accessed by tuk tuk, taxi or by the ferry.
Ferry station No 8 Tha Tien is the stop off point for the Grand palace, Wat pho and Wat arun.
The entrance fee is 200 baht which converts to roughly $6-7 Cdn. This entrance fee allows you access Wat Phrew Kaew (The Emerald Buddha) and the Grand Palace.
In addition, this ticket will even give you access to Vimanmek Palace.

Dress code is strict and I recommend you adhere to them because it is a waste of time to stand in the line especially for the ladies to rent a sarong for 100 baht because the line can be very long at times.
Please check out attached website it gives details about the grand palace and dress code.
http://www.bangkok.com/attraction-palace/grand-palace.html

GREAT TIP: When you first enter you are hassled to get a tour guide which can range from 400- 600 baht which is $13-20 Cdn. I did the FREE TOUR !! by a grand palace official.
This is how it works when you enter go straight to the ticket counter get your ticket, pass security and when you enter look to you left there is kind of a gallery /little hallway. There is a wooden podium there. Times of free tour 10:00 & 10:30 am & 1: 00 & 1:30pm.
Recommend signing up 15 mins earlier because the tour starts right on time.
I found the free tour very informative and the guide stopped to give us enough time to take pictures.

Last tip: I recommend going mid afternoon I know it is boiling hot, but the risk of going earlier is that very tourist bus unloads at that time. So you will have a hard time getting a shot you want without another tourist being in it.

I hope the information I have provided helps you enjoyable experience @ wat phrew and grand palace.