Ratchawong Pier is one of the busiest Chao Phraya River piers in Bangkok, frequently used by tourists and locals who come here to take public boats and cross-river ferries. Discover everything you need to know about Ratchawong Pier, such as boat routes, timetables, tickets, how to get there, and the best things to do and places to stay nearby.
This Ratchawong Pier guide covers:
The Pier
Ratchawong Pier is located on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River and is the main river pier for accessing Chinatown Bangkok.
The pier consists of two docks:
The public boat dock, where you can board the public boats running on different routes of the Chao Phraya Express Boat and Thai Smile Boat, as well as the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat.
The ferry dock, where you can board the cross-river ferry that takes you to the other side of the Chao Phraya River.
The ferry dock is located directly ahead of the pier entrance, while the public boat dock is located on the left side of the pier.
Boats to board at Ratchawong Pier
You can board different types of boats at Ratchawong Pier, as it's one of the most important Chao Phraya River piers in Bangkok. Discover the public 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 Chinatown with all the main tourist attractions along the river. By boarding the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat at Ratchawong Pier, you can visit the most famous tourist attractions in Bangkok, such as the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, the Flower Market, Khao San Road, 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 Ratchawong Pier to Phra Arthit daily from 09:12 to 19:57 with a 30-minute frequency. You should board the boat going in this direction to get from Chinatown to Khao San Road, Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, and other tourist destinations.
Boats going in the opposite direction (to Sathorn Pier) also run every 30 minutes, with departures from Ratchawong scheduled from 08:48 to 19:18. When taking the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat this way, you can reach the BTS Skytrain station. During afternoon hours (11:48–19:18), 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.
All the public boat routes make a stop at Ratchawong 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, now the boats on this route operate only on weekdays, with departures scheduled in the morning and late afternoon.
Yellow Flag Boat
The original route of the Yellow Flag Boat connects Sathorn Pier with Nonthaburi Pier during rush hour on weekdays. After the latest schedule update in April 2026, during the daytime and on weekends, the Yellow Flag boats are changing the Orange Flag boats and operating daily, with additional stops and the terminal stop at Wat Rajsingkorn Pier during these hours. All Yellow Flag boats make a stop at Ratchawong Pier.
Green-Yellow Flag Boat
Green Yellow Flag boats operate between Pakkret Pier (N33) and Sathorn Pier, with departures scheduled Monday–Friday and during rush hour only.
Red Flag Boat
Red Flag Boat service is running from Nonthaburi Pier to Sathorn Pier on weekdays and during the morning rush hour only.
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.
Thai Smile Boat
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.
Thai Smile Boat is currently operating three electric boat routes along the river. All of them can be boarded at Ratchawong Pier.
The City Line (Green Line) makes a stop at Ratchawong on the way between Siam Charoen Nakhon Pier and Phra Pinklao Bridge Pier. The electric boats run during the day, with boat departures scheduled every 30 minutes and additional boats offered during the daytime on weekends and public holidays.
The Urban Line (Purple Line) connects Sathorn Pier with Phra Nang Klao Bridge Pier in the suburbs and makes a stop at Ratchawong Pier. Boats on this route depart in the morning and in the afternoon on weekdays and on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
The Metro Line, reopened from 5 January 2026, connects Wat Worachanyawat Pier with Nonthaburi Pier in the suburbs. It's an express route with only 7 stops that is operating on weekdays during rush hour.
Cross-river ferry at Ratchawong Pier
From the ferry dock, you can take a cross-river ferry Ratchawong Pier-Din Daeng Pier. This ferry brings you to Tha Din Daeng Pier, which is located on the other side of the Chao Phraya River. The ferry operates from 05:45 to 21:00 and costs 6 THB.
Boat tickets at Ratchawong Pier
To take the boat from the pier, you normally need to buy a ticket before boarding the boat.
At the pier, you will find desks selling public boat tickets that need to be purchased at the ticket desk of the selected boat company, Chao Phraya Express Boat (red ticket desk) or Thai Smile Boat (blue ticket desk).
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.
Thai Smile Boat tickets can also be purchased at the pier. Otherwise, you can use the Thai Go Day Pass, covering the three electric boat routes and all Thai Smile Bus routes.
To board the cross-river ferry, you don't need to buy tickets at Ratchawong Pier. The fee is paid when disembarking on the other side of the river.
Popular destinations from Ratchawong Pier
The most popular destinations that can be reached by boat from Ratchawong:
- ICONSIAM
- Sathorn Pier
- Wat Arun
- Grand Palace
- Asiatique
- Khao San Road
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.
Ratchawong 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 Ratchawong Pier to ICONSIAM, you can take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat or the City Line of Thai Smile Boat 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.
Ratchawong to Sathorn Pier
Sathorn Pier, located under the King Taksin the Great Bridge on the same side of the river, 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 Ratchawong to Sathorn Pier, you can take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat or any of the public boats offered by Chao Phraya Express Boat or Thai Smile Boat.
Ratchawong Pier 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 Ratchawong Pier to Wat Arun directly, you need to take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat or the City Line boat of Thai Smile 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.
Ratchawong to the 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 Ratchawong Pier to the Grand Palace, you can take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat, Chao Phraya Express Boat, or Thai Smile Boat to Tha Chang Pier (N9), which is the pier nearest to the entrance of the palace complex.
Ratchawong 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 Ratchawong Pier to Asiatique, you can take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat or the City Line of Thai Smile Boat directly to Asiatique Pier. Otherwise, you can take any 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, take the Orange Flag Boat or the Yellow Flag Boat (during the daytime) from Ratchawong to Wat Rajsingkorn Pier and walk to Asiatique from there.
Ratchawong to Khao San Road
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.
To get from Ratchawong Pier to Khao San Road, you can take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat or one of the Chao Phraya Express boats (Orange Flag or daytime Yellow Flag) to Phra Arthit Pier (N13), which is the pier nearest to the backpacker street.
How to get to Ratchawong Pier
The simplest way to get to Ratchawong Pier is a trip by the Bangkok MRT to MRT Wat Mangkon Station on the Blue Line. The MRT station is located about 1 km away from the pier.
All of the city's public boat services offered by Chao Phraya Express Boat and Thai Smile Boat can also be used for traveling to the pier from different riverside areas in Bangkok.
One of the Bangkok bus routes, bus No. 2-52 (204), goes all the way to the pier.
Things to do near Ratchawong Pier
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.
Sampheng Market: A bustling market in a narrow alley that runs parallel to Yaowarat Road where they sell all kinds of wholesale products, from clothing and household goods to souvenirs.
Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha), located about 1.2 km from Ratchawong, is a beautiful temple with the world's largest solid gold statue that weighs 5.5 tons and is 3 meters tall.
Bangkok Railway Station, locally known as Hua Lamphong Railway Station, is located about 1.6 km from Ratchawong Pier. Previously, it was the main train station in Bangkok, but now only some of the ordinary trains depart from there. However, Hua Lamphong is one of the city’s key tourist landmarks, as the station has preserved its charm and beauty since it was officially launched back in 1916.
Hotels near Ratchawong Pier
The most popular accommodation options near the pier are:
N5 Ratchawong Hostel (also check the special offer for the hostel on Agoda).
PIER 808 Hostel (also check the special offer for the hostel on Agoda).
SHIN Hotel Chinatown (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.