Quick guide to navigating Bangkok’s canals with riverboats and ferries
Bangkok’s charming canals transport travellers to another realm where sophisticated architecture and a rich past harmoniously coexist. Every traveller should explore the city’s riverboats of the waterways since they provide a unique viewpoint of the city. Whether you’ve never been to Bangkok’s waterways or have been there many times, taking a boat or ferry ride offers a unique perspective of the city.
Whether it is to escape the claustrophobic hustle and bustle of the tight BTS/MRT train spaces or to avoid the snail’s pace of Bangkok traffic, riverboats are a great option that keeps you grounded in the city. Whether it is by choice or because you live next to one, it pays to know how to use the systems.
Riverboats and ferries of Bangkok
There are a variety of ways to travel through the rivers and canals of Bangkok. Understanding each type is vital to the ease of transportation.
Chao Praya Express boats
The Chao Praya Express Boat has 5 lines of service that run through this river. Each riverboat has a flag that indicates a different kind of service or a different route.
| Boat lines | Route | Time and Price |
| No-flag boat |
| Monday – Friday: 6am – 6:30pm 10 – 20 baht |
| Blue flag boat |
| Daily: 9am – 7pm 40 baht/trip or 100 baht for all-day pass |
| Orange flag boat |
| Daily: 5:50am – 7pm Flat 15 baht for every trip |
| Yellow flag boat |
| Monday – Friday: 6:15am – 7am & 4:45pm – 8pm 20 – 29 baht |
| Green flag boat |
| Monday – Friday: 6:10am – 8:10am & 4:05pm – 6:05pm |
The Chao Praya River is full of attractions to visit such as Wat Arun, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Po, The Royal Barge Museum, and Asiatique. With that, taking this route serves as a good option in order to reach these locations without having to deal with the hassle of the traffic. Furthermore, you will also have the ability to chain your journey such as by visiting the luxurious Asiatique and then taking a boat ride to visit the shimmering spectacle of Wat Arun.
If the main attractions are not the goal of these rides, you can also take these boats to reach lesser-known places or commute to another destination. With that, a good tip to keep in mind is that you must prepare some cash or coins to give to the booth at the entrance of the pier. If you are unsure about which boat you should take, you can ask the locals or the conductor about it. Furthermore, if you are unable to speak the language, you can show your destination on your phone to them and they will guide you to the right path.
Khlong Saen Saep boats
Khlong Saen Saep is the artery of Thailand which cuts through Bangkok from the Old City in the west to Ramkamheng in the far east. This route serves as a commuting path for the locals who need to travel to their workplaces but do not have closer access to the BTS or MRT stations. Furthermore, this route allows you to bypass all of the traffic in Bangkok and access more places off the beaten path.
Some popular places where you can access this service and arrive include the Ramnueng Pier, Phanfa Bridge, Pratu Nam, and Asok. Furthermore, the station at Pratu Nam serves as an interchange where you will need to change boats.
You will need cash when getting in the boats and there will be conductors who will go back and forth through the boats to collect the money. You will tell them the destination of where you are going and then they will give you a price. You will find that the price of the ride will range from 9 – 19 baht depending on the distance. This is a lot cheaper than the BTS which will cost you somewhere between 16 – 59 baht.
River crossing Ferries
Bangkok is bisected by the extravagant Chao Phraya which means that a lot of sights to see will not only be separated by distance but also by a big river which makes taking a detour not an option. With that, along the Chao Praya River, there are a lot of piers where you can take a ferry across in order to reach your destinations.
Bangkok is a city that in its central areas has a plethora of sights and places to visit however sometimes, these attractions can be out of reach. In this regard, one of the most well-known ferry destinations would be Tha Thien Pier which will carry you between Wat Pho to Wat Arun. Another nice ferry crossing you could take would be the Wat Bangna pier which will bring you from Wat Bangna to Wat Bang Nam Phueng where you could take a bicycle ride around Samut Prakan.
The cost of these ferries may vary depending on where you go but generally, they are cheap and accommodating varying between 3 – 15 baht depending on distance and place. With that, these boats serve as a great way to visit more places in Bangkok without a trip that forces you to travel a long distance.
Why you should use these riverboats and ferries
There are more types of boats and services that you can also use that range from private boats to river cruises. However, these riverboats and ferries offer you a more cheaper and accessible option to cross the canals and river of Bangkok where you will not be punished financially for your desire to avoid traffic.
A lot of Thai people use these services for their daily commutes so you can expect a punctual and solid service. On top of that, you will feel more grounded as you traverse into the parts less known that ooze the essence of older Bangkok and you will feel small on the massive expanse of the Chao Praya.
In order to escape the claustrophobia of the BTS/MRT systems and the standstill of Bangkok traffic, it pays to know how these systems work.
If you choose to shy away from riverboats and the waterways of Bangkok, there is no need to despair. Our article on navigating the train systems in Thailand will help you get around this vibrant city.
