Chao Phraya Express Boat: Bangkok River Boats

Water transport still plays an important role in transportation system of Bangkok, city known as the “Venice of the East”. As a tourist, you can charter a boat and explore Bangkok’s canals or join one of river cruises on the mighty Chao Phraya River. However, the most fun way of exploring the waterways of Thai capital is joining locals on public transportation and jumping on one of Bangkok river boats also known as Chao Phraya Express Boat is the easiest way to do that.

Bangkok river boats operate along the Chao Phraya River and together with cross river ferries connect both banks of the river in Thai capital. Chao Phraya Express Boat service is a very useful mean of transport not only for commuting in central part of the city but for sightseeing too as a big part of Bangkok’s top attractions can be found by the river.

Here you will find the most important information on how to use Bangkok river boats - Chao Phraya Express Boat.

Chao Phraya Express Boat Piers

Chao Phraya River piers that are used by Chao Phraya Express Boat service are clearly marked in Thai and English so there shouldn’t be problems with noticing signs leading to them.

Chao Phraya Express Boat service operates at more than 40 piers along the Chao Phraya River. The main hub of Bangkok river boats is the Central Pier which is called Sathorn Pier or Taksin Bridge Pier. Sathorn Pier is conveniently connected with BTS Saphan Taksin station and can be easily reached from anywhere in Bangkok by using city trains.

Most of Chao Phraya River piers are numbered for the convenience of passengers. Piers to the north of Central Pier are marked with ‘N’ and ascending numbers. Piers to the south of Central Pier are marked with ‘S’ and ascending numbers. However, lately they added more piers and they are known only by name and not number. New piers are used by Chao Phraya Tourist Boat service only with an exception of Wat Arun Pier.

Full list of Chao Phraya Express Boat piers is as follows (South to North):

• Asiatique The Riverfront Pier – open-air shopping mall Asiatique the Riverfront
• S3 / Wat Rajsingkorn Pier
• S2 / Wat Worachanyawas Pier
• S1 /Wat Sawetachat Pier
• Central Pier / Sathorn Pier – connection with BTS Saphan Taksin station
• N1 / Oriental Pier
• N2 / Wat Muang Kae Pier
• N3 / Si Phraya Pier
• ICONSIAM Pier – the newest shopping mall ICONSIAM
• River City Pier – shopping complex River City specializing in arts and antiques
• N4 / Harbour Department Pier
• Lhong 1919 Pier - 19th century Chinese mansion Lhong 1919
• N5 / Rachawongse Pier – Chinatown, Sampheng Market
• N6 / Memorial Bridge Pier – Memorial Bridge
• N6/1 / Pak Klong Talad Pier – Flower Market
• N7 / Rajinee Pier – Ferry Crossing to the Old Portuguese Quarter and Santa Cruz Church
• Wat Arun Pier - Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn)
• N8 / Tha Tien Pier – Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
• N9 / Tha Chang Pier – Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
• Tha Maharaj Pier - Tha Maharaj shopping mall with open-air riverfront restaurants
• N10 / Wang Lang (Prannok) Pier – Wang Lang Market
• N11 / Thonburi Railway Station Pier – Bangkok Thonburi train station
• N12 / Phra Pinklao Bridge Pier – National Museum of Royal Barges
• N13 / Phra Athit Pier – Khao San Road
• N14 / Rama 8 Bridge Pier – Rama 8 Bridge
• N15 / Thewes Pier
• N16 / Krung Thon Bridge (Sung Hi) Pier
• N17 / Wat Thepnahree Pier
• N17/1 / Wat Thepakorn Pier
• N18 / Payap Pier
• N19 / Irrigation Department Pier
• N20 / Kheaw Khai Ka Pier
• N21 / Kiak Kai Pier
• N22 / Bang Po Pier
• N23 / Wat Soi Thong Pier
• N24 / Rama 7 Bridge Pier
• N25 / Pibul 1 Pier
• N26 / Wat Khema Pier
• N27 / Wat Tuek Pier
• N28 / Wat Khien
• N29 / Pibul 2
• N29/1 / Rama 5 Bridge Pier
• N30 / Nonthaburi (Pibul 3) Pier
• N31 / Ministry of Commerce Pier
• N32 / Wat Klangkret Pier – Koh Kret
• N33 / Pakkret Pier

Chao Phraya Express Boat Map

You can find Chao Phraya Express Boat map at the pier. However, the map might be a bit out-dated and missing newest additions to the route such as ICONSIAM Pier.

An edited version of Chao Phraya Express Boat map can be seen in the picture below.

Types of Bangkok River Boats

There are 5 types of river express boats in Bangkok operated by the Chao Phraya Express Boat company. The types of boats are differentiated by the colour of the flag: Blue, Orange, Yellow, Green and Red Flag.

Different types of express boats stop at different piers along the way. Chao Phraya Express Boat routes can be seen in the picture below.

Blue Flag Boat Bangkok - Chao Phraya Tourist Boat

Blue Flag is a Chao Phraya Tourist Boat service running from Phra Arthit Pier to Sathorn Pier. During late afternoon hours (15:30 – 18:30) the route is extended all the way to Asiatique The Riverfront. Chao Phraya Tourist Boat route connects touristy district of Khao San Road (N13 / Phra Arthit Pier) with Thonburi Railway Station, Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Flower Market, Chinatown, ICONSIAM, BTS SkyTrain Saphan Taksin station and Asiatique the Riverfront.

Chao Phraya Tourist Boat route includes stops at the following piers:

• Phra Arthit Pier
• Prannok Pier
• Tha Maharaj Pier
• Tha Chang Pier
• Tha Tien Pier (temporarily closed for renovation)
• Wat Arun Pier
• Pakklong Taladd (Yodpiman) Pier
• Ratchawongse Pier
• ICONSIAM Pier
• Sathorn Pier (BTS Saphan Taksin)
• Asiatique (only late afternoon and evening)

Chao Phraya Tourist Boat is one of the best ways to explore Bangkok’s attractions along the Chao Phraya River as you can use it not only for single trips but also as a hop on hop off service. Some of them even offer an open deck!

Orange Flag Boat Bangkok

Orange Flag is the most frequent express boat service running all the way from Nonthaburi Pier (N30) to Wat Rajsingkorn Pier (S3). Orange Flag boat costs less and is a good alternative to the pricier tourist boat.

Yellow Flag, Green Flag & Red Flag Boats

Yellow Flag is the express service running from Nonthaburi Pier (N30) to Sathorn Pier (Central). This express boat service operates on weekdays and during rush hour only.

Green Flag boats run from Pakkret Pier (N33) to Sathorn Pier (Central) but they are even less than frequent than Yellow Flag boats and also operate on weekdays and during rush hour only.

Red Flag express boats operate between Nonthaburi Pier (N30) to Sathorn Pier (Central) only on weekdays and during rush hour only.

Cross River Ferries

Chao Phraya Express Boat services are complemented by Bangkok’s cross river ferries available in most of the main piers for crossing to the opposite bank of the river. More info about Chao Phraya River crossing can be found here: Bangkok Cross River Ferries.

Chao Phraya Express Boat Fare

Chao Phraya Express Boat fare depends on the service you are using:

• Orange Flag boat fare is 16 Baht for a single trip
• Yellow Flag boat fare is 21 Baht for a single trip
• Green Flag boat fare depends on the distance and is 14/21/33 Baht for a single trip
• Red Flag boat fare is 30 Baht for a single trip
• Blue Flag - Chao Phraya Tourist Boat fare is 200 Baht for one day pass (cheaper tickets can be purchased online here: Chao Phraya Tourist Boat tickets). It is also possible to buy a ticket for a single trip on this boat that costs 60 Baht.

Chao Phraya Express Boat ticket can be bought at the desks found at the pier. Normally separate desks are set up for different boat services.

In general it is possible to buy a ticket on board as well but it’s definitely not recommended unless there’s no other option available.

Operating time

Operating time and frequency of Chao Phraya Express boats depends on the service:

• Blue Flag - Chao Phraya Tourist Boat operates daily from 08:30 to 19:15, frequency – every 30 minutes
• Orange Flag boat operates daily, on weekdays from 06:00 to 18:10, on Saturdays and public holidays from 07:30 to 17:45, on Sundays from 09:00 to 17:45, frequency – every 15 to 30 minutes
• Yellow Flag boats operate Monday – Friday from 06:00 to 08:10 in the morning and from 17:10 to 19:05 in the afternoon, frequency – every 10 to 25 minutes in the morning and every 10 to 30 minutes in the afternoon
• Green Flag boats operate Monday – Friday from 06:00 to 07:50 in the morning and from 15:45 to 17:45 in the afternoon, frequency – every 15 to 30 minutes
• Red Flag boats operate Monday – Friday from 06:50 to 07:40 in the morning and from 16:00 to 17:30 in the afternoon, frequency – every 15 to 35 minutes

Taking Bangkok River Boat

Once the boat arrives at the pier, make sure that it’s going into the right direction as the same pier is used for boats going both ways. Stand in a queue and let arriving passengers to leave the boat.

As the entry/exit of the boat is at the rear, move towards the front of the boat unless you are planning to get off the boat at the next stop. Go to the back of the boat only when your stop approaches.

Tips

What is the best area to stay in Bangkok if you are willing to use river boats as your main mode of transportation in Bangkok? The answer can be found here: Where to Stay in Bangkok.

For a special experience on the Chao Phraya River, choose one of the scenic Bangkok River Dinner Cruises

Enjoy your ride on Bangkok river boats!