Phra Arthit Pier is one of the popular Chao Phraya River piers in Bangkok, frequently used by tourists and locals who come here to visit Khao San Road or to take tourist and public boats. Discover everything you need to know about Phra Arthit Pier, such as boat routes, timetables, tickets, how to get there, and the best things to do and places to stay nearby.
This Phra Arthit Pier guide covers:
The Pier
Phra Arthit Pier is located on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River and is the nearest pier to Khao San Road in Bangkok. The pier is located next to Santi Chai Prakan Park and Phra Sumen Fort.
Phra Arthit Pier is a public boat pier where you can board the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat and the public boats running on different routes of the Chao Phraya Express Boat.
Boats to board at Phra Arthit Pier
You can board different types of boats at Phra Arthit Pier, as it's one of the popular Chao Phraya River piers in Bangkok. Discover the public boat and tourist boat services that can be boarded at the pier.
Chao Phraya Tourist Boat
Chao Phraya Tourist Boat, also known as Blue Flag Boat, is the most popular boat option for tourists, as this boat route connects Bangkok Old Town with all the main tourist attractions along the river. By boarding the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat at Phra Arthit Pier, you can visit the most famous tourist attractions in Bangkok, such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Chinatown, the Flower Market, ICONSIAM, and Asiatique the Riverfront.
The best thing about this Bangkok boat service is that it can be used for single trips as well as like the hop-on hop-off boat by purchasing a one-day pass.
The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat departs from Phra Arthit Pier to Sathorn daily from 08:30 to 19:00 with a 30-minute frequency. When taking this boat, you can reach the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Chinatown, the Flower Market, ICONSIAM, and the BTS Skytrain station. During afternoon hours (11:30–19:00), the boat route is extended to Asiatique The Riverfront.
Chao Phraya Express Boat
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.
Some of the public boat routes make a stop at Phra Arthit Pier.
Orange Flag Boat
Orange Flag Boat was the most frequent Bangkok public boat service on the Chao Phraya River, which runs from Nonthaburi Pier, located north of the city, to Wat Rajsingkorn Pier, which is found just before Asiatique. However, the boats on this route now operate only on weekdays, with departures of the Orange Flag Boat scheduled in the morning and late afternoon.
Yellow Flag Boat
After the latest schedule update in April 2026, during the daytime and on weekends, the Yellow Flag Boat is changing the Orange Flag Boat and operating daily, with additional stops and the terminal stop at Wat Rajsingkorn Pier during these hours. These Yellow Flag boats make a stop at Phra Arthit Pier.
If you are planning to use public boats and the BTS Skytrain frequently, save time and make traveling easier by purchasing a Rabbit Card ticket online and conveniently picking it up at the airport.
Boat tickets at Phra Arthit Pier
To take the boat from Phra Arthit Pier, you normally need to buy a ticket before boarding the boat.
At the pier, you will find a ticket desk selling tourist boat and public boat tickets.
Unless you have a Rabbit Card, to board any of the boats operated by Chao Phraya Express Boat, you need to purchase a ticket at the ticket counter.
To board the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat, you need to purchase either a single-journey ticket or a one-day pass. Single-journey tickets are only available at the ticket counter, but day passes can be conveniently booked online without waiting in the line at the ticket office.
Popular destinations from Phra Arthit Pier
The most popular destinations that can be reached by boat from Phra Arthit:
- Grand Palace
- Wat Arun
- Chinatown
- ICONSIAM
- Sathorn Pier
- Asiatique
All these popular spots along the Chao Phraya River, as well as several other destinations, can be conveniently visited by purchasing a Chao Phraya Tourist Boat one-day pass.
Khao San Road to Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is an impressive complex of buildings that was an official residence of the Thai kings for 150 years. The complex also houses Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is regarded as the most important and sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand.
To get from Phra Arthit Pier to the Grand Palace, you can take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat or one of the Chao Phraya Express boats (Orange Flag or daytime Yellow Flag) to Tha Chang Pier, which is the pier nearest to the Grand Palace.
Khao San Road to Wat Arun
Wat Arun, known as the Temple of Dawn, is a Buddhist temple situated on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. Thanks to its riverside location, Wat Arun is one of the most stunning temples and one of the best-known landmarks in Bangkok.
To get from Phra Arthit Pier to Wat Arun directly, you need to take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat to Wat Arun Pier.
The Orange Flag Boat and the Yellow Flag Boat don't stop at Wat Arun, so to get there by Chao Phraya Express Boat, you would need to drop off at Tha Tien Pier and use the river-crossing ferry service.
Phra Arthit to Chinatown
Bangkok Chinatown, locally known as Yaowarat, is one of the oldest and most unique cultural areas of Bangkok, which was established by Chinese merchants in the 1780s. The streets of Chinatown are full of colorful buildings and decorations as well as Chinese-style attractions, restaurants, and markets.
To get from Phra Arthit to Chinatown, you can take the Blue Flag Boat, the Orange Flag Boat, or the Yellow Flag Boat to Ratchawong Pier.
Phra Arthit Pier to ICONSIAM
ICONSIAM shopping mall is the main attraction in the area, as it's a famous shopping complex with hundreds of high-end shops and restaurants and even an indoor floating market, which is perfect for those who want to taste a variety of Thai dishes at affordable prices. If you are heading there, don't forget to book your free ONESIAM Global Visitor Card that will let you enjoy exclusive discounts and services at a variety of stores inside the ICONSIAM and 5 other shopping complexes of the group.
ICONSIAM Pier is also a popular spot for boarding Bangkok river cruises, as many of them depart from there daily.
To get from Phra Arthit Pier to ICONSIAM, you can take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat directly to ICONSIAM Pier.
Normally, the Orange Flag Boat and the Yellow Flag Boat (during the daytime) can also be used for getting to ICONSIAM, but it's not uncommon for this stop to be suspended. In such a case, you would need to get off at Si Phraya Pier and use the ICONSIAM shuttle boat to cross the river.
Phra Arthit to Sathorn Pier
Sathorn Pier, located under the King Taksin the Great Bridge, is the central pier of the Chao Phraya River public boats. At Sathorn Pier, you can transfer to the BTS Skytrain at the nearby BTS Saphan Taksin Station and then extend your trip to other Bangkok areas, like Silom, Siam, Sukhumvit, Chatuchak, and others.
To get from Phra Arthit to Sathorn Pier, you can take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat or any of the public boats offered by Chao Phraya Express Boat.
Phra Arthit Pier to Asiatique
Asiatique The Riverfront Destination, occupying a large complex of old warehouses on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, feels more like an open-air shopping mall than a night market. Here you can shop for souvenirs, dine at numerous restaurants, enjoy the views from the highest Ferris wheel in Bangkok, Asiatique Sky, or spend an evening watching the most popular ladyboy show in the city, Calypso Cabaret. The newly-opened trending Bangkok attractions Jurassic World The Experience and SkyFlyers - Wings of Garudapterus are also located at Asiatique.
Asiatique Pier is another popular spot for boarding Bangkok river cruises.
To get from Phra Arthit Pier to Asiatique, you can take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat directly to Asiatique Pier.
Otherwise, you can take one of the public boats to Sathorn Pier and transfer there to the free Asiatique shuttle boat. However, this option is only available from 16:00.
If you want to get there earlier at an affordable price, you can take the Orange Flag Boat or the Yellow Flag Boat (during the daytime) from Phra Arthit to Wat Rajsingkorn Pier and walk to Asiatique from there.
How to get to Phra Arthit Pier
The simplest way to get to Phra Arthit Pier is by taking a Bangkok taxi.
If you want to take a train, the nearest station is the Sanam Chai Station on the MRT Blue Line, which is located about 2.5 km away from the pier. To cover this distance, you can walk, take a tuk-tuk, bus, or public boat from Rajinee Pier, which is located near MRT Sanam Chai Station.
Some of the city's public boat services offered by Chao Phraya Express Boat can also be used for traveling to Phra Arthit from different riverside areas in Bangkok.
Several Bangkok bus routes pass the road next to the pier.
Check out the video of the pier after the renovation.
Things to do near Phra Arthit Pier
Khao San Road is the most popular location in Bangkok among backpackers and solo travelers who like to connect. The area is located just north of Bangkok Old Town, with the city's most important attractions within walking distance.
Santi Chai Prakan Park is a small, tranquil riverfront park, offering great views of the Rama VIII Bridge.
Located within the park, Phra Sumen Fort is a riverfront fort built in 1783 with an octagonal bunker and white exterior.
Hotels near Phra Arthit Pier
The pier is located next to Khao San Road, which is one of the most popular areas to stay in Bangkok. Some of the most popular accommodation options near the pier:
Riva Surya Bangkok (also check the special offer for the hotel on Agoda).
The StandardX, Bangkok Phra Arthit (also check the special offer for the hotel on Agoda).
Khaosan Art Hotel (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.