Chao Phraya River (Mae Nam Chao Phraya) Tours
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Every great city has a river, and Bangkok’s is the Chao Phraya (Mae Nam Chao Phraya). Alive with traditional long-tail boats, passenger ferries, and cargo boats, the Chao Phraya River is the lifeblood of the city. It winds past both ancient temples and modern high-rises, offering a unique, local perspective on the Thai capital.
The Basics
Traveling via the Chao Phraya River is a great way to tour Bangkok while escaping thick city traffic. Most of Bangkok’s main attractions—including the Grand Palace, Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho), and Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew)—are easily accessible from various points along the river. Both Chao Phraya Express boats and converted rice barges ferry visitors to popular city sights. Dinner cruise options abound, complete with live bands and traditional Thai meals, while some small-group boat tours explore the more remote klongs (canal ways) in Thonburi. In addition to traditional sightseeing tours, visitors can tour the night market and the floating market, or try one of many food-based tour options. All offer unique vantages from which to see the city and help visitors avoid the stress of navigating ferry and boat schedules. You can also stay on land and see the river on a tuk-tuk or bicycle tour.
Things to Know Before You Go
- If you’re exploring by day, bring sun protection and plenty of water.
- Chao Phraya Express boats can be identified by their orange, green, or yellow flags. Only the orange boat is open every day.
- The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat, which can be identified by its blue flag, is usually less crowded—albeit more expensive—than the express boats.
- Some boats leave every five minutes, while others leave every 25 minutes; be sure to check the timetable of your boat before arriving.
How to Get There
The Chao Phraya splits Bangkok vertically into two areas and is a popular way to navigate the city. You can get to the river by taking the BTS Skytrain to Central Pier or Sathorn Bridge Pier. River City Pier, located on the eastern side of the river roughly 20 minutes by road or ferry from the Grand Palace, is also a popular jumping-off point for city tours and dinner cruises. To save the hassle of transportation, opt for a dinner cruise with hotel pickup and drop-off.
When to Get There
Bangkok is most crowded in November and March due to soccer tourism. March, April, and May are the hottest months, while the rainy season lasts from the end of May through October. The Chao Phraya River is a popular thoroughfare morning, noon, and night. For spectacular city views and the best temperatures, consider early morning or evening sunset cruises.
Exploring Bangkok’s Klongs
When the capital of Thailand moved to Bangkok at the beginning of the Rattanakosin period, European visitors dubbed the new capital “the Venice of the East” for its many canals. Choose a cruise that navigates some of the city’s more remote klongs to see wooden, riverside stilt houses, kids splashing in the river, and some of the city’s colorful and chaotic floating markets.
Address: Chao Phraya River, Bangkok, Thailand
Admission: Free
67 Tours & Activities to Experience
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Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food by Tuk-Tuk
This 4-hour cultural night tour by tuk-tuk provides a great introduction to Bangkok for first-time visitors, but it also showcases a side of the city that most repeat visitors haven't seen. You get to bypass heavily trafficked areas and take off-the-beaten-track routes toward illuminated temples such as Wat Pho and a bustling, 24-hour flower market. Enjoy dinner, followed by dessert at a secret, mystery stop. This small-group tour is limited to 12 people.
- Duration: 4 hours
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US$64.04
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- Duration: 4 hours
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US$64.04
Bangkok Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya River
A Bangkok river cruise is a luxurious way to view main attractions — including the Grand Palace and Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) — illuminated at night. During your Chao Phraya River dinner cruise, feast on a buffet of authentic Thai dishes while watching the lit-up city skyline pass by. Relax as the live band provides the ambiance. Hotel transport is included from select locations on this 2.5- to 3-hour excursion.
- Duration: 3 hours
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US$40.61
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- Duration: 3 hours
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US$40.61
Full-Day Ayutthaya Tour with Grand Pearl Cruise, Including Lunch
Take a full-day tour to the historic Thai capital of Ayutthaya, then travel back to Bangkok on a Chao Praya River cruise. In Ayuttaya, your guide takes you to UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Bang Pa-In Royal Palace. Have a buffet lunch on the river cruise as you take in the scenery on the way back to Bangkok.
- Duration: 9 hours 30 minutes
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US$65.80
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- Duration: 9 hours 30 minutes
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US$65.80
Bangkok Dinner Cruise by Loy Nava River Cruise
Glide through the heart of Bangkok aboard a converted rice barge during a 2-hour dinner cruise. From your seat on the Chao Praya River, get clear views of famous monuments including Wat Arun and the the Grand Palace as you enjoy a meal of Thai fare and listen to traditional music. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off from centrally located hotels.
- Duration: 2 hours
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US$66.20
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- Duration: 2 hours
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US$66.20
Supanniga 6-Course Dinner and Champagne Cruise
Enjoy a 6-course set dinner of Thai cuisine on a 2.5-hour evening cruse that includes a Champagne welcome drink. You'll glide along the Chao Phraya River aboard a dinner experience designed by the owners of Bangkok's Supanniga Eating Room, a popular restaurant in the city. When booking, you have the option to upgrade to include private transfers.
- Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
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US$103.30
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- Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
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US$103.30
Bangkok: Wan Fah Dinner Cruise
See Bangkok’s glittering waterfront on a 4-hour dinner cruise aboard an elegant, Thai-style boat, and enjoy a sumptuous meal on the Chao Phraya River. Capture unforgettable images of the city’s most iconic sites as the Temple of Dawn and the Rama VIII bridge light up after dark, and sample Thai specialties or fresh seafood entrées. Watch long-tail boats, ferries and traditional craft float by as you navigate the gentle current, and experience ‘Venice of the East’ in classic Thai luxury.
- Duration: 4 hours
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US$101.53
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- Duration: 4 hours
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US$101.53
Bangkok Canals Cruise including Grand Palace and Wat Arun
Experience a half-day Bangkok canal tour along the Chao Phraya River, the city’s aquatic roadway, including stops at two of the city’s most famous sights and a chance to observe daily life of residents living near the Thai capital’s many canals (also called 'khlongs'). Admire the gorgeous decadence of Bangkok’s Grand Palace, home of the revered Emerald Buddha, and take in the incredible Wat Arun, one of Bangkok’s most iconic temples. The tour includes pick-up at select hotels, air-conditioned transport, river cruise, local guide and entrance fees.
- Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
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US$109.34
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- Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
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US$109.34
Dinner Cruise by Manohra Cruise
Board the 'Manohra,' an exquisitely restored rice barge, for an evening tour of Bangkok. This 2-hour dinner cruise takes you on a luxurious culinary journey down the Chao Phraya River while the illuminated sights of the capital pass you by. Upgrade for a private transfer from your downtown hotel.
- Duration: 2 hours
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US$83.90
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- Duration: 2 hours
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US$83.90
Private Tour: Bangkok Evening Experience with Thai Dinner by Chao Phraya River
Explore Bangkok by night on this 4-hour tour with your own private guide. Enjoy a Thai dinner on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, set against the backdrop of Wat Arun; see the famous Ratchadamnoen Avenue; and enter the Buddhist temple complex of Wat Pho. Top off your evening with a stop at Pak Klong Talad, one of the biggest markets in the region, to browse displays of orchids, fresh vegetables, Thai herbs and more. Private return transportation to your hotel is also included (return drop-off only).
- Duration: 4 hours
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US$125.80
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- Duration: 4 hours
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US$125.80
Bangkok Canal Tour by Boat and Bike
See Bangkok on a bicycle and boat tour with a professional guide who shares a new perspective on the vibrant city. Pedal through alleyways to discover atmospheric neighborhoods, lesser-known Buddhist temples and important sites like the Grand Palace. Board a boat on the Chao Phraya River to explore hidden canals and find golden temples and historic landmarks en route. Stop for a delicious lunch at a waterside Thai restaurant, see a traditional puppet show and learn about Bangkok's history and culture on this small-group tour limited to 10 participants.
- Duration: 5 hours
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US$74.98
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- Duration: 5 hours
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US$74.98
Bangkok Rice Barge Canal Tour
Explore Bangkok’s vibrant Chao Phraya River and neighborhood canals aboard a beautifully restored teak rice barge. Travel through the heart of the city on a half-day tour, and drift past riverside orchid gardens and historical landmarks while enjoying a sumptuous afternoon tea. Nibble fresh fruit, nuts and Thai desserts while slipping beneath the iconic Monument Bridge, and pull alongside the elegant walls of the Grand Palace. Get a canal side glimpse of thriving the Khlong Bangkok Noi neighborhood, where locals live, work and play on the moving water.
- Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
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US$31.00
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- Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
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US$31.00
Green Bangkok Bicycle Tour
This amazing and unforgettable Bangkok cycle tour showcases the best of the city and of what lies beyond. Follow your friendly guide through backstreets, side streets and city streets as you learn about local life. Explore communities, travel by long tail boat and experience the beauty of riding through the green heart of Bangkok. You'll have time to enjoy cold drinks and snacks before making your way back to the city.
- Duration: 4 hours
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US$40.61
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- Duration: 4 hours
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US$40.61
Bangkok by Night: Private Food, Drink and Shopping Tour
Get an insider's perspective on Bangkok's fantastic cuisine and nightlife during a 5-hour evening tour with your own private guide. Sip a cocktail at a bar in a luxury hotel, followed by a delicious Thai dinner (your choice of street fare or restaurant cuisine) and a trip to Asiatique, the city’s premier outdoor shopping mall, located on the Chao Praya River. Browse hundreds of small vendors, eateries and perhaps see a live show. Includes hotel pickup, public transportation fees, one cocktail, Thai dinner and private guide.
- Duration: 5 hours
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US$69.56
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- Duration: 5 hours
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US$69.56
Bangkok: Grand Pearl Dinner Cruise including Transfers
Take in Bangkok’s glittering night skyline aboard a Grand Pearl dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River from the River City Pier. Enjoy a leisurely meal on deck as you navigate the city’s most extraordinary sights, which light up after dark: drift beneath Pinklao Bridge, past the iconic Wat Arun and Wat Phra Kaew, and watch twilight descend over the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Steer between longtail boats and elegant barges on a 4-hour cruise, and get a glimpse of nightlife in the vibrant heart of Bangkok.
- Duration: 4 hours
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US$67.95
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- Duration: 4 hours
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US$67.95
Sala Rim Naam Dinner and Show at Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok
Travel by traditional teak ferry across the scenic Chao Phraya River and set sail on an entertaining evening that includes traditional dance and typical Thai cuisine. You’ll enjoy a set dinner at the Sala Rim Naam Restaurant at Bangkok’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel, while you watch mock battle scenes, folk dances performed live on stage. Enjoy transportation via comfortable private vehicle with optional local guide.
- Duration: 3 hours
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US$128.09
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- Duration: 3 hours
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US$128.09
Evening Dinner Cruise by Apsara on Chao Phraya River in Bangkok
Enjoy the glittering lights of Bangkok during a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River. Sail aboard the Apsara, a traditional rice barge that has been renovated into an elegant dining room, perfect for an intimate dinner on the river. Select your favorites from a range of Thai dishes as you take in illuminated sights such as the soaring temple Wat Arun. Upgrade to include private transfer from your centrally located hotel.
- Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
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US$98.00
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- Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
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US$98.00
Dinner Cruise by Shangri La Horizon Cruise
Enjoy a memorable evening of amazing food, top-notch service, and even better views during this 2-hour luxury dinner cruise on Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River. Experience the five-star service of this upscale riverboat run by the Shangri-La hotel, including a high-end buffet with Thai and international dishes, as you glide past some of the city’s top temples and palaces illuminated at night.
- Duration: 2 hours
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US$90.80
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- Duration: 2 hours
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US$90.80
Loy Nava Rice Barge Dinner Cruise, Including Transfers from Bangkok
Board the elegantly restored Loy Nava rice barge for a dinner cruise along Bangkok’s vibrant Chao Phraya, the ‘River of Kings.’ Cast off from the River City pier as you don a jasmine-blossom garland and nibble canapés, then enjoy a sumptuous Thai meal on the golden teakwood deck. Watch the tropical sun set over the city skyline and drift beneath Pinklao bridge; sample traditional desserts and take in the view of Bangkok’s spectacular monuments as they light up after dark.
- Duration: 4 hours
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US$117.15
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- Duration: 4 hours
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US$117.15
Bangkok Evening Dinner Cruise by Wan Fah
Board a traditional wooden boat for a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River. This 2-hour experience features Thai cuisine during an intimate dinner that will not disappoint. Absorb the beauty of the capital city at night while you glide past the sights. A private hotel transfer to the pier is available as an upgrade.
- Duration: 2 hours
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US$45.70
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- Duration: 2 hours
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US$45.70
Half-Day Thonburi Klongs and Grand Palace of Bangkok
Experience the glory and grandeur of royal Bangkok on a half-day tour to the Grand Palace and the Thonburi Klongs. First, cruise the scenic ‘klongs’ (canal ways) of Thonburi, see waterfront landmarks like the Royal Barges Museum and Wat Arun, and get a glimpse of everyday life in the former capital district. Then, explore the Grand Palace of Bangkok and admire the Emerald Buddha in Wat Phra Kaew, one of Thailand’s most precious religious icons. Choose from a private or small-group tour, with hotel pick-up and entrance fees included.
- Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
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US$56.50
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- Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
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US$56.50
Half-Day Bangkok Rice Barge and Longtail Boat Cruise
Board a longtail boat and a converted rice barge for a half-day cruise along Bangkok’s narrow canals and the Chao Phraya River. Navigate winding klongs that penetrate thriving communities and quiet neighborhoods, and get a canal-side glimpse of life by the water. Return to the center on an atmospheric converted rice barge, and watch the sun set on the river as you enjoy a spread of fresh fruits and cool drinks. Drift past the city’s most iconic sights, whose gilded roofs gleam in Bangkok’s warm evening light.
- Duration: 4 hours
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US$39.05
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- Duration: 4 hours
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US$39.05
Half-Day Thonburi Canals Tour in Bangkok
Get a firsthand look at the scenic life along Bangkok’s waterways during a 4-hour tour by long-tail boat. You'll journey down the legendary Chao Phraya River and cruise along the tributary canals, or 'khlongs,' of Thonburi. You have the option to upgrade to a boat tour for your private party. Transport is included from downtown hotels.
- Duration: 4 hours
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US$29.00
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- Duration: 4 hours
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US$29.00
Half-Day Off the Beaten Track Bangkok Tour by Walking and Rickshaw
Escape the Bangkok’s modern skyscrapers and malls to explore the city’s simpler side on this 4.5-hour ‘off the beaten path’ walking and rickshaw tour. Explore a side of Bangkok rarely seen by visitors as you stop by a local temple, experience daily life along the the city’s canals and discover the city’s hidden green spaces. An optional upgrade for a private tour is also available.
- Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
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US$81.50
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- Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
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US$81.50
Full-Day Historic Ayutthaya Bike Tour
Bicycle around the UNESCO-listed Historic City of Ayutthaya with an expert guide. This full-day bike tour follows flat terrain on an easy ride with stops at impressive temples in the ancient capital of Siam. Pedal past local villages lining the riverbank and enjoy Thai dishes during a scenic riverside lunch. You’ll travel round-trip by minivan from Bangkok to Bang Pa-in and board a ferry to cross the Chao Phraya River. This small-group tour operates with a maximum of 10 people for a personalized experience.
- Duration: 11 hours
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US$143.71
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- Duration: 11 hours
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US$143.71
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