Wat Arun Pier is one of the busiest Chao Phraya River piers in Bangkok, frequently used by tourists and locals who come to visit the Temple of Dawn, one of the most impressive temples in Thailand. Discover everything you need to know about Wat Arun Pier, such as boat routes, timetables, tickets, how to get there, and the best things to do and places to stay nearby.
This Wat Arun Pier guide covers:
The Pier
Located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun is one of the most impressive temples in Bangkok, which is a popular tourist destination in the Thai capital.
Wat Arun Pier consists of several docks:
The public boat dock, where you can board the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat and the electric public boats of Thai Smile Boat, is located right in front of the temple entrance.
The ferry dock, where you can board the cross-river ferry that takes you to the other side of the Chao Phraya River, is the northernmost dock (after exiting the temple, you need to go to the left).
Make sure to choose the correct dock, as you might end up on the wrong boat.
Boats to board at Wat Arun Pier
You can board different types of boats at Wat Arun Pier, as taking a boat to the Temple of Dawn is by far the most popular way to get there. Discover the tourist boat and public boat services, as well as cross-river ferries 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 Wat Arun with all the main tourist attractions along the river. By boarding the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat at Wat Arun Pier, you can visit the most famous tourist attractions in Bangkok, such as the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, ICONSIAM, the Flower Market, Chinatown, Khao San Road, 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 Wat Arun Pier to Phra Arthit daily from 09:20 to 19:35 with a 30-minute frequency. You should board the boat going in this direction to get from Wat Arun to Khao San Road, the Grand Palace, and a few other tourist destinations.
Boats going in the opposite direction (to Sathorn Pier) also run every 30 minutes, with departures from Wat Arun Pier scheduled from 08:40 to 19:10. When taking the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat this way, you can reach ICONSIAM, Chinatown, Flower Market, and the BTS Skytrain station. During afternoon hours (11:40–19:10), the boat route is extended, and you can also get 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.
As you might find conflicting information online, be noted that the public boats of the Chao Phraya Express Boat don't stop at Wat Arun!
In case you want to take the Orange Flag Boat or the Yellow Flag Boat, you need to take the cross-river ferry to Tha Tien Pier first.
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. One of them, the City Line (Green Line), makes a stop at Wat Arun on the way between Siam Charoen Nakhon Pier and Phra Pinklao Bridge Pier. The electric boats run throughout the day, with boat departures scheduled every 30 minutes and additional boats offered during the daytime on weekends and public holidays.
Cross-river ferry
From the ferry dock, you can take a cross-river ferry Wat Arun-Tha Tien Pier. This ferry brings you to Tha Tien Pier, which is located near the impressive Wat Pho temple on the other side of the Chao Phraya River. The ferry operates from 05:00 to 19:00.
There's also a cross-river ferry Wat Arun Pier-Wat Pho Pier that takes travelers to Wat Pho Pier on the other side of the Chao Phraya River. Despite being named by the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, this pier is actually located farther away from the main entrance to Wat Pho than Tha Tien Pier is. The good thing is that the ferry to Wat Pho Pier is less busy. The ferry operates from 09:00 to 18:00 and costs 10 THB.
Boat tickets at Wat Arun Pier
Depending on the boat you are looking to take at Wat Arun Pier, you might need to buy a ticket before boarding the boat.
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 normally sold by the staff next to the dock, but day passes can be conveniently booked online.
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 need to buy tickets at the ticket counter just before the ferry dock. Look for the sign indicating "Ferry to Tha Tien Pier".
Popular destinations from Wat Arun Pier
The most popular destinations that can be reached by boat from ICONSIAM:
- Grand Palace
- ICONSIAM
- Chinatown
- Sathorn Pier
- Khao San Road
- 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.
Wat Arun 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 Wat Arun to the Grand Palace, you can take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat or Thai Smile Boat to Tha Chang Pier (N9), which is the pier nearest to the entrance of the palace complex.
If you don't mind walking a bit longer, take the cross-river ferry to Tha Tien Pier, which is located about 1 km away from the main entrance of the Grand Palace complex.
Wat Arun 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 Wat Arun to ICONSIAM directly, you need to take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat or the City Line boat of Thai Smile Boat to ICONSIAM Pier.
The Orange Flag Boat and the Yellow Flag Boat don't stop at Wat Arun, so to get to ICONSIAM by a public boat, you would need to use the river-crossing ferry to Tha Tien Pier and board the Chao Phraya Express Boat there.
Wat Arun 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 Wat Arun to Chinatown, you can take the Blue Flag Boat or the City Line of Thai Smile Boat to Ratchawong Pier (N5).
Wat Arun 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 Wat Arun to Sathorn Pier directly, you can take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat or the City Line boat of Thai Smile Boat.
Wat Arun 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 Wat Arun to Khao San Road directly, you need to take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat to Phra Arthit Pier (N13), which is the pier nearest to the backpacker street. The Chao Phraya Express boats (Orange Flag or Yellow Flag) also make a stop at Phra Arthit, but to take one of them, you need to cross the river to Tha Tien Pier first.
Wat Arun 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 a popular spot for boarding Bangkok river cruises, as many of them depart from there daily.
To get from Wat Arun to Asiatique, you can take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat or the City Line of Thai Smile Boat directly to Asiatique Pier.
If you want to get there more affordably, you need to cross the river to Tha Tien Pier and take the Orange Flag Boat or the Yellow Flag Boat to Wat Rajsingkorn Pier, which is within easy walking distance from Asiatique.
How to get to Wat Arun Pier
The most popular way to get to Wat Arun Pier is taking the river-crossing ferry from Tha Tien Pier.
The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat and the City Line of Thai Smile Boat can also be used for traveling to Wat Arun from different riverside areas in Bangkok.
Another option is taking the Bangkok MRT to MRT Itsaraphap Station on the Blue Line. The MRT station is located about 1 km away from the pier.
The Bangkok hop-on hop-off bus route passes by Wat Arun.
One of the public Bangkok bus routes, bus No. 4-41 (57), can also be used for getting to Wat Arun.
Things to do near Wat Arun Pier
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.
The Thonburi Palace, also known as Phra Racha Wang Derm, is the former royal palace of King Taksin, who ruled the kingdom of Thailand after the fall of the former capital Ayutthaya in 1767.
Wat Pho, also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is a Buddhist temple located on the other side of the river, near Tha Tien Pier. The temple is famous for its 46-meter-long gold-plated reclining Buddha image and the biggest collection of Buddha images in Thailand. Wat Pho is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, which is still taught and practiced at the temple.
On the other side of the river, there are also several riverside viewpoints for admiring the views of Wat Arun from a distance. You can choose a public viewpoint or one of the rooftop bars and terraces found nearby.
Hotels near Wat Arun Pier
The supply of accommodations on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River around Wat Arun is limited to small guesthouses, such as:
OB ARUN House (also check the special offer for the hotel on Agoda).
Baan Suandao Wat Arun (also check the special offer for the hotel on Agoda).
Arun Old Town (also check the special offer for the hotel on Agoda).
As the accommodations available are quite basic, staying on the other side of the river might be a better option. The most popular accommodation options opposite Wat Arun are:
Sala Rattanakosin Bangkok (also check the special offer for the hotel on Agoda).
ARUN Riverside Bangkok (also check the special offer for the hotel on Agoda).
Arun Residence (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.