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Chao Phraya River

Chao Phraya River, Bangkok: Hours, Address, Chao Phraya River Reviews: 4/5

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Chao Phraya River

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Chao Phraya River
4
8,533
#38 of 741 things to do in Bangkok
Bodies of Water
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7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
About
This scenic river, flowing through the heart of Bangkok, offers convenient boat transportation and sightseeing cruises since many of the major city attractions are easily accessible from various points along this waterway.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Tours & experiences
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Riverside
Best nearby
Restaurants
5,087 within 3 miles
Thara Thong
1,908
0.1 mi$$$$ • Thai • Healthy • Vegetarian Friendly
Kamui Hokkaido Dining at ICONSIAM
163
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Japanese • Steakhouse • Seafood
Giorgio's
384
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
ThreeSixty Jazz Lounge and Rooftop Bar
310
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar
The Coffee Club - River City
194
433 ft$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly
Nang Gin Kui - Bangkok Private Dining
262
0.3 mi$$$$ • Asian • Thai • Fusion
Flow - Millennium Hilton Bangkok
640
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Chinese • International • Sushi
JUMBO Seafood Bangkok
342
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Chinese • Seafood • Asian
Sirimahannop
527
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • Asian • Healthy
The Never Ending Summer Restaurant
656
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly
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Attractions
549 within 6 miles
River City Bangkok
303
408 ftShopping Malls
333 Gallery
1
0.1 miArt Galleries
The Jam Factory Gallery
56
0.1 miArt Galleries
ICONSIAM
1,171
0.3 miShopping Malls
Rong Kuak Shrine
2
0.2 miReligious Sites
Sook Siam
54
0.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Assumption Cathedral
84
0.3 miReligious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
Grand Postal Building
22
0.2 miSpeciality Museums
Lhong 1919
155
0.4 miArchitectural Buildings
So Heng Tai
1
0.2 miHistoric Sites
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
8,533 reviews
Excellent
3,576
Very good
3,274
Average
1,357
Poor
230
Terrible
96
Winter W
4 contributions
Best Ferry option - take the free ferry to Iconsiam
Feb 2020 • Couples
iconsiam offers free ferry from a couple locations (including China town). we find it is the best way if you want to do a short trip on the river.

the normal price to get across the river is 3.5-4 bht. Do not get tricked by the people who try to get you on a boat tour. Those people are normally around the Grand Palace area, and will approach you on the street pretending to offer help to you. Some of them pretend to the official travel information guide or the security around the area, they also work with some tuk tuk driver to take you to a specific port. Do not trust those people.

we took the free ferry from iconsiam back to China town at night. the view was beautiful
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
daf57
Adelaide, Australia708 contributions
AN EVENING CRUISE/DINNER ON THE CHAO PHRAYA RIVER...........A BANGKOK MUST DO !
Sep 2019
A visit to Bangkok is not complete without spending time on the Chao Phraya River. It offers insights into Thai culture with an amazing "city at work" on the river with all sorts of commercial activity taking place night and day. There are plenty of ferries on the river that are cheap. There are many attractions close to the river so the best time to appreciate them is at night when they are majestically lit up. A night cruise including a sumptuous buffet dinner can be booked through the Tourist Information Office (highly recommended for all bookings). It lasts about three hours and costs about $A50-55.
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Off their P
Manchester, UK3,237 contributions
Full of Activity
Apr 2022 • Couples
Our hotel balcony was right on this wonderful river and there’s always something going on. If you were trying to read a book it is very hard to concentrate as there is just so much activity and it is fascinating.

Due to the current circumstances there are much fewer boats than usual but there’s still loads and they are beautiful to watch.

Every so often a party boat goes past in full swing which creates noisy entertainment.

We also went for many walks along as far as we could and there is always something to new to see and do.
Written April 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kim G
Pacific Grove, CA3,134 contributions
Easily Access Ancient Sites by River Public Transit Boats
Mar 2019
The Chao Phraya River is the major river of Thailand, and the life-blood of Bangkok. Serving as a highway of industry with large barges transporting their freight to the Gulf of Thailand, the mighty river is also used as an inexpensive, fun and easy access to main attractions in Bangkok, offering several levels of transportation at differing price-points on the river public transit boats. We stayed at Sala Rattanakosin on the Chao Phraya River, with views across to Wat Arun. Using the public transportation system, we crossed the river by ferry and took the public transit boats to travel both up and down river to access the tourist sites and BTS Skytrain Station. Grab a long boat to tour a khlong (canal), or book a spot on a dinner cruise with colorful illumination and live music, also very pretty to view at night from the banks, as the large dinner cruises move up and down the river taking in the lovely illuminated sights and architecture along its banks. Unfortunately, the loud, live music pulsates and trails in their wake. Stay on the banks of the Chao Phraya River where the heat and pollution are somewhat diminished.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
chiangmaicharlies
Chiang Mai, Thailand5,615 contributions
A scenic route through Bangkok
Jan 2020
My favourite way of seeing Bangkok City is to use the 'Chao Phraya river public service Boats'.

These public boats can take you from end to end for 15 baht or you can get off at any pier you wish. Great value. Look out for orange flags for best value, but there are a number of different options.

They run approximately from Pakkret in the north to Wat Rajsingkom in the south, with about 30 stops. These stops are often perfect for many tourist locations. Allow about one hour for the longest journeys.
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Omar_AV
Muscat, Oman64 contributions
Boat ride and a short a walk through Traditional Bangkok
Dec 2019
Bangkok is a city with long history of Buddhist traditions and South Asian culture. The historic quarter of city is located on the banks of Chao Phraya river. Spectacular temples, glorious Buddhist monasteries, local markets, museums and the Grand palace are on the side of the river, so a boat ride on Chao Phraya will be a great way to explore it. I was on a solo trip to Bangkok last December, the climate was sunny and comfortably warm, nice to have long and easy walks through the less crowded streets, temple courtyards, seeing local life and tasting yummy Thai dishes. I was staying at Rambuttri road, nearest point to catch the boat is from Phra Arthit Pier. Full day hop on hop off ticket will be a good option, costs around TBH 200. The boat have stops at all important places, and the temples/ markets are within walking distance from the stops- Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Grand place, China town, Flower market etc. . Before moving to the next destination Chiangmai - Phuket, this is a great way to enjoy the Bangkok. Cheers
Written July 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Raj Blueheart
Kuantan, Malaysia173 contributions
A River Cruise from Ayutthaya back to Bangkok
Feb 2020 • Solo
The tour package includes leaving by bus from Bangkok to Ayutthaya in the morning, then returning by cruise boat back to the city. It was a 2.5-hour cruise, with lunch served right before moving. Lunch was buffet syle with Thai, Continental and Italian cuisine served. The lower deck is air-conditioned and comfortable after the hot tour of the ancient city. There are glass panels all around to see the sights along the river banks, but for an open-air experience, one could move to the upper deck. The upper deck is still covered, but the air feels hot, plus the sun's rays warms the seats and decks. On the upper deck, you could move all around to snap photos of traditional river houses, barges and boats moving along the river, or keep an eye out for famous landmarks. The tour guides explain the sites and what to look out for very clearly. Coffee and biscuits were also served around 3pm on the upper deck. It was a very enjoyable cruise, relaxing and a unique experience.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Traveller of the world
1,115 contributions
Loved it but forget the river dinner cruise and do what we did!
Jan 2022 • Solo
I really enjoyed the river but don't bother with a river dinner cruise. I have done a few around the world and find them very touristy. We got on a free passenger commuter boat at Asiatique the Waterfront which was fifteen minutes each way. Makes one stop and then returns. We did it at sunset and it was perfect. Beautiful. The boat was basic, clean and simple. One of those old fashioned longtail boats. There were no windows so it was open and we could really enjoy the setting. We then had dinner by the river with live music, followed by a rooftop bar. This allowed us to experience different parts of the river. Loved it.
Written January 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Julie6409
Auckland, New Zealand18 contributions
This river dominates
Feb 2020 • Family
This river dominates Bangkok and the best way to see it is on it. We took a night dinner cruise. The scenic part of it was lovely. Seeing the riverside temples lit up,magical. However, the " dinner" was buffet style which brings out the worst in people and the caberat/show a little stilted.
During the daytime the river is a fascinating highway and worthy of a long visit to a riverside cafe to watch the boat traffic .
Written March 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Bangoe
174 contributions
The way to see Bangkok is from the Great and Mighty Chao Phraya
Oct 2020
Travelling up and down the Chao Phraya river is definitely one of the best ways to see Bangkok. Although there are special tourist boats available, it is also easy to just hop on the regular commuter ferries that travel up and down the river.

You can either sit down and let the boat take you all the way up and down while you enjoy the sights, or you can disembark when you see something interesting, and then continue your trip later (you have to pay the fee, 15 Baht, every time you enter the ferry).

A super easy and cheap way to see Bangkok from the water.
Written October 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Chao Phraya River
Chao Phraya River is open:
  • Sun - Sat 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Chao Phraya River tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 217 Chao Phraya River tours on Tripadvisor