Do-It-Yourself Chao Phraya River Sightseeing Trip

Horizontal poster | Chao Phraya River Sightseeing | Bangkok Food Tours

Self-Guided Chao Phraya River Sightseeing Trip

The 12-kilometer banks of Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River is home to a handful of noteworthy attractions and places of interest for travelers. Taking a Chao Phraya river ferry and visiting these attractions is one of the most popular things to do in Bangkok. In this blog, we suggest a full-day do-it-yourself Chao Phraya river sightseeing itinerary which covers both famous tourist attractions and hidden cultural neighborhoods in Bangkok’s Old City. If you’re ready, read on!

Which River Ferries to Take on a Self-Guided Chao Phraya River Sightseeing Trip?

Chao Phraya Express Boat | Chao Phraya River Sightseeing | Bangkok Food Tours Orange Flag, Chao Phraya Express Boat Passengers on Chao Phraya Express Boat (2) | Chao Phraya River Sightseeing | Bangkok Food Tours Inside an Orange Flag boat, Chao Phraya Express Boat

You want to start at Sathorn Pier (Saphan Taksin BTS Station, Exit 2), the major pier on the Chao Phraya River. The bustling pier is heavily trafficked by passenger boats. It serves hotel ferries, the Asiatique ferry, and Chao Phraya Express Boats, all of which have their own piers. You want to use Chao Phraya Express Boat service. The company offers 5 types of boats: Orange Flag, Yellow Flag, Green Flag, Blue Flag (Tourist Boat), and No Flag (Local Line). Each type has its own routes and makes different stops. Look for the tiny triangle flags at the roofs of the boats.

Chao Phraya Express Boats sign | Chao Phraya River Sightseeing | Bangkok Food Tours The sign of Chao Phraya Express Boat pier is marked clearly. Just follow the sign

On the pier, you will see the kiosk selling One-Day River Pass (฿180), which is the ticket for the Tourist Boat stopping at major tourist attractions. Tour guides are available onboard. The One-Day River Pass is good if you want to stay on a tourist path. But we suggest you get off the beaten tourist path by following our itinerary and not taking the Blue Flag boats.

Chao Phraya Express Boat route map

Fares of Orange Flag and Yellow Flag boats are ฿15 and ฿20, respectively, per trip. Fares of the No Flag and Green Flag boats depend on distance travelled (between ฿9 and ฿35). The fares are paid at the booth before boarding or to the staff once you’re onboard. Of all the 4 types, the Orange Flag boats are your best bet. They stop at all the most popular piers, and run every 10 to 20 minutes from 6am to 7pm.

One Day Self-Guided Chao Phraya River Sightseeing Itinerary

*Always take an Orange-Flag Boat

Passengers on Chao Phraya Express Boat | Chao Phraya River Sightseeing | Bangkok Food Tours

9am	Arrive at Sathorn Pier. Take an Orange-Flag boat going north. (If you face the river, the boat will be traveling to the right) Your first stop is Wat Arun. Get off at Wat Arun Pier. The ride takes 15 minutes.
10 am	Take the river-crossing ferry (฿4) to Tha Tien Pier (Pier No.8). Cross the Maha Rat Street to Wat Pho.
10.45am	From where you enter Wat Pho, head south along the Maha Rat Street for 5 minutes, you’ll see the back entrance of Museum Siam.
Noon	Follow the Maharat Street south and turn right before the bridge crossing Rop Krung Canal. At the street’s end, you’ll find Rajinee Pier (Pier No.7). Take the boat going north (heading to your right).
12.15pm	Get off at Wang Lang/Pran Nok Pier (Pier No.10) Explore the bustling Wang Lang Market. Have lunch here and enjoy street food.
1.30pm	Head back to the pier. Take the boat going south (heading to your right) to Memorial Bridge Pier (Pier No.6). The ride takes 10 minutes.
2.10pm	Walk across the Memorial Bridge. Once you get off the bridge, you’ll see the riverside walkway/bicycle lane that brings you to Santa Cruz Church.
2.30pm	Facing the front of the church, you’ll see a small alley on your right with a small sign ‘Baan Kudichin Museum.’ Half way along the alley, there is a shop selling Thai cupcake on the left. Grab a bag or two (3 bags for ฿100). A few meters after, the museum is on your right.
3pm	See the museum’s permanent exhibition. Get a coffee and relax at the coffee shop on the first floor. Enjoy your drink with the cup cake.
4pm	Head back to the church and to the riverside walkway. Turn left along the walkway for 200 meters until you see a Taoist temple.
4.30pm	Head back to Memorial Bridge Pier and explore Pak Klong Talad Flower Market next to it.
6pm	Walk to Yodpiman Pier (Pier No.6/1) which is inside Yodpiman River Walk Mall. Take a boat going south (traveling to your left). Get off at the next stop, Rachawongse Pier (Pier No.5)
6.15pm	From the pier follow Ratchawong Road until you hit Yaowarat Road, the main road of Chinatown. Get dinner and enjoy the lively scene of Bangkok’s most famous street food neighborhood.

Briefly about Each Attractions on the Chao Phraya River Sightseeing Itinerary

1. Wat Arun Temple

Wat Arun courtyard | Chao Phraya River Sightseeing | Bangkok Food Tours

The temple is the most visually striking landmark towering over the Chao Phraya River. The central prang or stupa, standing 80 meters tall, is intricately decorated with colorful pieces of porcelain. The porcelain was used as ballasts in boats traveling to Bangkok from China. You can climb up to the middle level of the central prang and be rewarded with a beautiful view of the river. You can even see the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, your next stop, from here.

Giant statues at Wat Arun | Chao Phraya River Sightseeing | Bangkok Food Tours

Another photo spot is the big giant sculptures that guard the main entrance to the ubosot. These giants are characters from Ramayana, an ancient Indian epic that has a heavy influences on Thai art. If you want to visit this temple, Wat Pho, and other iconic attractions in Bangkok’s Old City on a Tuk Tuk, have a look at The Bangkok Highlights Tour.

Chinese statues at Wat Arun | Chao Phraya River Sightseeing | Bangkok Food Tours

2. Wat Pho Temple

Reclining Buddha Wat Pho | Chao Phraya River Sightseeing | Bangkok Food Tours

Wat Pho is one of the largest temple complexes in Bangkok. It’s a 10-minute walk from the Grand Palace. The must see here is the reclining Buddha that measures 46 meters long. The statue is covered in gold leaf. Behind the ubosot, stand 4 looming pagodas dedicated to the first 4 kings of Bangkok. The pagodas are decorated with colorful tiles. Wat Pho is a great place to take traditional Thai massage. It could be a bit pricey. But the service is provided by really skillful masseuses.

Rue-si Datton statues Wat Pho | Chao Phraya River Sightseeing | Bangkok Food Tours Rue-si Datton statues at Wat Pho

In the courtyards of Wat Pho, there are comical looking Chinese statues. They were used as ballasts in boats from China. Rue-si Datton statues elaborate yoga postures used along with Thai massage trainings.

4 King Pagodas Wat Pho | Chao Phraya River Sightseeing | Bangkok Food Tours

3. Museum Siam

Museum Siam exterior | Chao Phraya River Sightseeing | Bangkok Food Tours

The museum is set in a beautiful yellow historic building served for Ministry of Commerce. Via fun interactive exhibitions, you can learn about Thai identity, history of the people of Thailand, and Thailand’s relationships with neighboring cultures. Check their website and Facebook page for upcoming events to plan your visit to the museum.

4. Wang Lang Market

Wang Lang Market atmosphere | Chao Phraya River Sightseeing | Bangkok Food Tours

Wang Lang is a traditional and authentic market appealing to locals. There are hardly any tourists here. You’ll find stalls selling local clothing, cheap beauty and fashion products, but will be overwhelmed by street food carts and local restaurants. From meat skewers, to rice with assortments, noodles, Pad Thai, Thai-style Sushi, a variety of traditional Thai desserts and more. It’s best to visit before 2pm when the market starts to die down. For a complete guideline of what to eat at Wang Lang Market, click here. Wang Lang Market is featured in our Thonburi Food & Canals Adventure Tour.

5. Kudee Jeen Village

Santa Cruz Church Kudeejeen | Chao Phraya River Sightseeing | Bangkok Food Tours The Catholic Santa Cruz Church

This historic village is known as a community where Thai people of 3 beliefs live together in harmony: Catholic, Muslim, and Taoism. Upon arrival from the river promenade, you’ll be greeted by the beautiful Santa Cruz church built around 1770. To your right (facing the church), is a maze-like alleys of the village residential area. You may allow yourself to get lost here or find Kudee Jeen Soi 3 (Alley 3) to visit Baan Kudichin Museum. The house-turned-museum displays an exhibition of Portuguese settlers in Siam, an ancient Thai kingdom, and old artifacts of the house owner. The Catholic residents of this village are descendants of these Portuguese people.

Old wooden house Kudeejeen | Chao Phraya River Sightseeing | Bangkok Food Tours An old wooden house spotted from the promenade

Back on the promenade, there is a Taoist shrine, Kian Un Keng, dedicated to the Goddess Guanyin. The shrine’s courtyard is very peaceful. The Muslim quarter is called Kudee Khao and is located across Arun Amarin road, away from the river. If you want a guided tour through Kudee Jeen Village, check out this tour.

Kian Un Keng Shrine Kudeejeen | Chao Phraya River Sightseeing | Bangkok Food Tours Kian Un Keng Shrine

6. The Memorial Bridge & Pak Klong Talad Flower Market

Sunset from Memorial Bridge | Chao Phraya River Sightseeing | Bangkok Food Tours A sunset view from the Memorial Bridge

The green metal Memorial Bridge is a good spot to catch sunsets over the winding Chao Phraya river though it’s not that high. Next to it is Bangkok’s biggest flower market that opens 24 hours but is busy and more colorful at night. You’ll enjoy the bustling scene of trolleys transporting piles of flowers and vendors calling out for customers go about their business. The flowers here are sold to retailers around the city, and to flower vendors located nearby Buddhist temples. The flower market is featured in our popular tour Best Eats Midnight Food Tour by Tuk Tuk.

7. Chinatown

Chinatown | Chao Phraya River Sightseeing | Bangkok Food Tours

The famous street food market of Bangkok, Chinatown becomes alive in the evening when sidewalks are occupied by food vendors and pop-up restaurants. If you’re not after the best restaurants in Chinatown, you’ll find food from any vendors satisfying. Everything is literarily tasty in Chinatown. For seafood, try the famous T & K or Lek & Rat, their competitor. They sit opposite to each other on Phadung Dao Rd. For Dim Sum, try The Canton House But if you’re after the restaurants known by locals to serve the best specialty, or prefer a guided experience, you’d better join a walking food tour in Chinatown.

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