Bangkok: Chao Phraya River Piers & Boat Routes

The Chao Phraya River can be a great way to travel in Bangkok, but the system of boats and their different coloured flags can appear confusing for a first-time visitor. This guide should help you out and many visitors to Bangkok quickly discover that the river boat service can be a very convenient (and cheap) way to get to some of Bangkok’s main attractions.

Boat Stops and Piers

All piers (tha) along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok are clearly marked in English as well as Thai. The Central Pier is called Tha Sathorn and is conveniently located close to the Saphan Taksin skytrain station. Piers to the north of Central Pier are marked ‘N’ followed by a number and piers to the south of Central Pier are marked ‘S’ followed by a number. The most popular tourist attractions and sights are located between Central Pier and stop number N13 to the north. The ride from Central Pier to N13 (Tha Phra Arthit/Banglamphu) takes approximately 30 minutes.

• Central Pier (Tha Sathorn) – for Saphan Taksin Skytrain station
• N1 (Tha Oriental) – for Oriental Hotel and O.P. Place shopping
• N2 (Tha Wat Muang Kae) – for Old Customs House and GPO building
• N3 (Tha Si Phraya) – for Portuguese Embassy
• N4 (Tha Harbour Department) – for River city shopping, Holy Rosary Church and Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel
• N5 (Tha Rachavongse) – for Chinatown
• N6 (Tha Memorial Bridge) – for Phra Poklao Bridge and Chinatown
• N7 (Tha Rajinee) – for Chinatown vegetable market and cross-river ferry to Santa Cruz Church and the old Portuguese Quarter
• N8 (Tha Tien) – for Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) and cross-river ferry to Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn)
• N9 (Tha Chang) – for Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
• N10 (Tha Wang Lang) – for Siriraj Hospital
• N11 (Tha Railway Station) – for Bangkok Noi (Thonburi) train station
• N12 (Tha Phra Pinklao) – for Klong Bangkok Noi and National Museum of Royal Barges
• N13 (Tha Phra Athit/Banglamphu) – for Ratanakosin Island (old Bangkok) and popular backpacker areas including Khao San Road
• N14 (Tha Rama 8 Bridge) – for Rama VIII Bridge
• N15 (Tha Thewes) – for Thewes plant and flower market

Express Boat Services

The main express boat (reua duan) passenger services in Bangkok are operated by the Chao Phraya Express Boat company. They have a number of different types of boats which are differentiated by the colour of the flags they fly. They also run a very useful tourist boat service which is ideal for first time visitors to Bangkok and gives you a chance to acquaint yourself with the river stops before trying out the other local boat services. Tickets for the tourist boat can be purchased at the Central Pier or Phra Arthit Pier (Banglamphu) N13. They can also be bought at Saphan Taksin and Siam (interchange) Skytrain stations. Tickets for the other river passenger services can be purchased on the boat itself.

Boat Routes (click on image for full-size)

When you get on the boat, move towards the front. The rear of the boat is where people stand to indicate they want to get off at the next stop. Please note the boat will only stop at the pier if there are passengers who want to get on or off so be ready to stand up and get to the back of the boat as your stop approaches. Please also note that not all services stop at every pier (check the route map on the right). It’s also a good idea to keep some small change handy to pay for your ticket and if you have the exact fare ready it helps the boat conductor.

Chao Phraya Tourist Boat

The tourist boat service is more expensive than the other boats, but it is less crowded so you should have no problems getting a seat and there is also an on-board commentary in English to point out landmarks and points of interest. A one-day unlimited ticket is available for 150 Baht and includes a handy map of the river and the various boat stops. Tickets for the tourist boat service can be bought at Central Pier (Tha Sathorn), pier N13 (Tha Phra Arthit/Banglamphu) or the skytrain stations at Saphan Taksin or Siam.
Fare: 150 Baht for unlimited day use or 30 Baht for single journey
Hours: Daily 09.30-16.00
Frequency: approximately every 30 minutes
Route: Sathorn Pier (Central) – Phra Arthit Pier (N13)

Orange flag boats

Fare: 15 Baht (pay on boat)
Hours: Daily 06.00-19.00
Frequency: approximately every 15 minutes
Route: Nonthaburi (N30) – Wat Rajsingkorn (S3)

Local or Standard boats (no flag)

Fare: 10/12/14 Baht (pay on boat – charged according to distance of travel)
Hours: Monday-Friday 06.20-08.05 and 15.00-17.30
Frequency: approximately every 20 minutes.
Route: Nonthaburi (N30) – Wat Rajsingkorn (S3)

Green flag boats

Fare: 13/20/32 Baht (pay on boat – charged according to distance of travel)
Hours: Monday-Friday 06.15-08.10 and 15.30-18.05
Frequency: approximately every 15-20 minutes
Route: Pakkred (N33) – Nonthaburi (N30) – Sathorn (Central Pier)

Yellow flag boats

Fare: 20/29 Baht (pay on boat – charged according to distance of travel)
Hours: Monday-Friday 06.15-08.30 and 15.30-20.00
Frequency: approximately every 30 minutes
Route: Nonthaburi (N30) – Sathorn (Central Pier) – Ratburana (S4)

Hotel shuttle boats

These boats shuttle across the river between the major riverside hotels including The Oriental, The Peninsula and the Bangkok Marriott & Spa. Most boats run to and from the Central Pier (Tha Sathorn).
Fare: Free
Hours: continuous

Cross river ferries

These small ferries are available at most piers for crossings to the opposite river bank. There is limited seating on these boats so expect to stand for the short journey across the river.
Fare: varies from 2-4 Baht (usually paid at entrance to pier before boarding the boat)

More details on boat timetables from the Chao Phraya Express Boat company.