Oriental Pier is one of the ferry piers used for crossing the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. The pier is used by tourists and locals who come here to take the cross-river ferry. Discover everything you need to know about Oriental Pier, such as ferry routes, timetables, tickets, how to get there, and the best things to do and places to stay nearby.
This Oriental Pier guide covers:
The Pier
Oriental Pier is located on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River and is the cross-river ferry pier used to travel to Wat Suwan on the other side of the river. ICONSIAM shopping mall is only a 10-minute walk away from Wat Suwan Pier, making it a popular option for getting there.
Previously, Oriental Pier was also used as a public boat pier where you could board the public boats of the Chao Phraya Express Boat. The pier is still considered to be a part of the Orange Flag Boat route (N1 stop), but it is marked as being "closed for renovation," and the public boats don't stop there.
Boats to board at Oriental Pier
Discover the cross-river ferry and public boat services that can be boarded at the pier.
Cross-river ferry at Oriental Pier
From the pier, you can take a cross-river ferry Oriental Pier-Wat Suwan. This ferry brings you to Wat Suwan Pier, which is located not far from ICONSIAM on the other side of the Chao Phraya River.
Ferry tickets cost 5 THB per person. However, reports online suggest that foreigners are often charged 10 THB or even 20 THB for a one-way trip.
Bangkok Public Boat Services
There are two public boat services operating along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.
The Chao Phraya Express Boat is the main public boat service operating along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. The company operates several boat routes with a different number of stops and varied timetables, as some of them operate on weekdays and during rush hour only. The routes are recognized by the color of the flag the boat flies.
Thai Smile Boat, previously known as MINE Smart Ferry, is an electric public boat service operating on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. It's a more environmentally friendly alternative to the Chao Phraya Express Boat.
Pay attention that Bangkok public boats currently don't stop at Oriental Pier!
If you want to take a public boat or tourist boat, you need to walk to Sathorn Pier, which is located about 1.2 km away from Oriental Pier.
The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat, as well as all public boats of Chao Phraya Express Boat and Thai Smile Boat, makes a stop at Sathorn Pier.
Canal Tour by Boat
At the pier, you might be approached by some people offering to go on a boat tour. Avoid them! They are strongly overcharging tourists, and despite the inflated price, the tours are often shorter than the promised duration and do not always include the promised attractions.
In general, taking one of the Bangkok canal tours is not a bad idea, as they are offering a glimpse into the city's history and the role its canals played in shaping its identity. Such tours normally take you to Thonburi, a district on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, where you navigate the narrow canals, known as khlongs, and discover hidden gems off the beaten path. On the boat tour you can see skyscrapers standing tall alongside ancient temples, lush greenery lining the waterways, and the traditional stilted houses that give the canals their distinctive character.
To avoid being scammed and overcharged, don't buy your boat tour at Oriental Pier. There are plenty of boat tours departing from other piers, and the best of them can be conveniently booked online. Compare several boat tour offers to choose the most suitable one, as the tour duration, visited places, inclusions, and meeting points vary.
Ferry tickets at Oriental Pier
To take the ferry from Oriental Pier, you don't need to buy a ticket before boarding the boat, as you pay the fare when disembarking the ferry at Wat Suwan Pier.
Ferry tickets cost 5 THB per person, but foreigners are often charged 10 THB or even 20 THB for a one-way trip.
At the pier, you might meet some scammers telling you that there's no ferry and you need to take a much more expensive private boat to cross the river. Ignore them!
How to get to Oriental Pier
The simplest way to get to Oriental Pier is a trip by the BTS Skytrain to BTS Saphan Taksin Station on the Silom Line. The pier is located about a 1 km walk from the BTS station.
Several Bangkok bus routes also pass on Charoen Krung Road, with the nearest bus stop to the pier being the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
Things to do near Oriental Pier
Assumption Cathedral is a renovated Catholic church dating to the 1820s, with Romanesque elements, large stained-glass windows, Italian marble, and impressive ceiling frescoes.
Sirocco is a luxury rooftop restaurant with a stunning view of Bangkok overlooking the Chao Phraya River. This Bangkok restaurant and the Sky Bar are located on the top of the lebua at State Tower Hotel on the 63rd floor. This sky bar is considered the most famous rooftop bar in Bangkok and also appeared in the Hollywood movie Hangover 2.
There are several other rooftop bars at lebua Hotel:
Alfresco 64 Whiskey Bar on the 64th Floor - the world’s highest outdoor whiskey bar with a design inspired by a yacht.
Distil BAR at 64th Floor – considered to be one of Bangkok’s finest upscale bars, replete with crafted seasonal cocktails, the finest spirits, and an open-air terrace where hand-rolled Cuban cigars can be enjoyed.
Lebua No. 3 on the 52nd Floor - a hi-tech gin, caviar, and vodka bar with resident DJs providing savory creative cocktails, the world’s finest caviar, and cool party vibes.
You can pre-book your table at one of these rooftop bars at the Lebua Hotel with a round-trip car transfer from your hotel in Bangkok.
Hotels near Oriental Pier
The most popular accommodation options near the pier are:
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok (also check the special offer for the hotel on Agoda).
Shangri-La Bangkok (also check the special offer for the hotel on Agoda).
lebua at State Tower (also check the special offer for the hotel on Agoda).
Other Bangkok Chao Phraya River Piers
The Chao Phraya River pier map can be found here: Bangkok River Pier Map.