Wat Pho 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 or board one of the boat tours. Discover everything you need to know about Wat Pho Pier, such as ferry routes, timetables, tickets, how to get there, and the best things to do and places to stay nearby.
This Wat Pho Pier guide covers:
The Pier
Wat Pho Pier is located on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River and is mainly used as the cross-river ferry pier to travel between Wat Pho and Wat Arun on the other side of the river. Some of Bangkok canal boat tours can also be boarded here. This pier is a very popular spot for taking photos of Wat Arun and the Chao Phraya River.
Located just around 400 meters north, Tha Tien Pier is a public boat pier where you can board the public boats running on several routes of the Chao Phraya Express Boat and Thai Smile Boat.
Boats to board at Wat Pho Pier
Discover the cross-river ferry and other boat services that can be boarded at this pier.
Cross-river ferry at Wat Pho Pier
From the pier, you can take a cross-river ferry Wat Pho Pier-Wat Arun. This ferry brings you to Wat Arun Pier, which is located next to the iconic Temple of Dawn on the other side of the Chao Phraya River.
The ferry operates from 09:00 to 18:00. Ferry tickets cost 10 THB per person.
A more popular and cheaper ferry to Wat Arun departs from Tha Tien Pier.
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 don't stop at Wat Pho Pier!
However, you can take a public boat to Tha Tien Pier, which is located just around 400 meters away. Some of the public boats of Chao Phraya Express Boat and Thai Smile Boat make a stop at Tha Tien Pier.
If you want to board the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat, you need to cross the river to Wat Arun Pier.
Canal Tour by Boat
Taking one of the Bangkok canal tours is a nice experience, 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.
There are plenty of boat tours departing from Bangkok Old Town 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 Wat Pho Pier
To take the ferry, you need to buy a ticket. Ferry tickets cost 10 THB per person.
You normally need to pay the fare on board the boat.
How to get to Wat Pho Pier
The simplest way to get to Wat Pho Pier is a trip by the Bangkok MRT to MRT Sanam Chai Station on the Blue Line. The MRT station is located about 600 meters away from the pier.
Some 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. You need to drop off at Tha Tien Pier and walk to Wat Pho Pier from there.
Several Bangkok bus routes also pass the pier, as there is a bus stop right next to Wat Pho.
Things to do near Wat Pho Pier
Wat Pho, also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is a Buddhist temple located 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.
There are several riverside viewpoints for admiring the views of the Chao Phraya River and Wat Arun on the other side of the river. You can choose a public viewpoint or one of the rooftop bars and terraces found nearby.
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.
Hotels near Wat Pho Pier
The most popular accommodation options near the pier 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.