Water transport still plays an important role in the transportation system of Bangkok, a city known as the “Venice of the East.” As a tourist, you can charter a boat and explore Bangkok’s canals or join one of the river cruises on the mighty Chao Phraya River. However, the most fun way of exploring the waterways of the Thai capital is joining locals on public transportation and jumping on one of Bangkok's river boats, also known as Chao Phraya Express Boat Service, is the easiest way to do that.
Bangkok river boats operate along the Chao Phraya River and, together with cross-river ferries, connect both banks of the river in the Thai capital. The Chao Phraya Express Boat service is a very useful means of transport not only for commuting in the Bangkok Riverside area but for sightseeing too, as a big part of Bangkok’s top attractions can be found by the river.
Here you will find the most important information on how to use Bangkok river boats - Chao Phraya Express Boat Service.
Chao Phraya Express Boat Piers
Chao Phraya River piers that are used by the Chao Phraya Express Boat service are clearly marked in Thai and English, so there shouldn’t be problems with noticing signs leading to them.
The Chao Phraya Express Boat service operates at more than 40 piers along the Chao Phraya River. The main hub of Bangkok river boats is the Central Pier, which is called Sathorn Pier or Taksin Bridge Pier. Sathorn Pier is conveniently connected with BTS SkyTrain Saphan Taksin station and can be easily reached from anywhere in Bangkok by using city trains.
Most of the Chao Phraya River piers are numbered for the convenience of passengers. Piers to the north of Central Pier are marked with ‘N’ and ascending numbers. Piers to the south of Central Pier are marked with ‘S’ and ascending numbers. However, lately they added more piers, and they are known only by name and not number. New piers are used by the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat service only, with an exception of Wat Arun Pier.
The full list of Chao Phraya Express Boat piers is as follows (South to North):
- Asiatique The Riverfront Pier – open-air shopping mall Asiatique the Riverfront
- S3 / Wat Rajsingkorn Pier
- S2 / Wat Worachanyawas Pier
- S1 / Wat Sawetachat Pier
- Central Pier / Sathorn Pier – connection with BTS SkyTrain Saphan Taksin station
- N1 / Oriental Pier
- N2 / Wat Muang Kae Pier
- N3 / Si Phraya Pier
- ICONSIAM Pier – the newest shopping mall, ICONSIAM
- River City Pier – shopping complex River City specializing in arts and antiques
- N4 / Marine Department Pier
- N5 / Ratchawong Pier – Chinatown, Sampheng Market
- N6 / Memorial Bridge Pier – Memorial Bridge
- N6/1 / Pak Klong Talad Pier – Flower Market
- N7 / Rajinee Pier – Ferry Crossing to the Old Portuguese Quarter and Santa Cruz Church
- Wat Arun Pier - Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn)
- N8 / Tha Tien Pier – Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
- N9 / Tha Chang Pier – Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
- Tha Maharaj Pier - Tha Maharaj shopping mall with open-air riverfront restaurants
- N10 / Wang Lang (Prannok) Pier – Wang Lang Market
- N11 / Thonburi Railway Station Pier – Bangkok Thonburi train station
- N12 / Phra Pinklao Bridge Pier – National Museum of Royal Barges
- N13 / Phra Athit Pier – Khao San Road
- N14 / Rama 8 Bridge Pier – Rama 8 Bridge
- N15 / Thewes Pier
- N16 / Krung Thon Bridge (Sung Hi) Pier
- N17 / Wat Thepnahree Pier
- N17/1 / Wat Thepakorn Pier
- N18 / Payap Pier
- N19 / Irrigation Department Pier
- N20 / Kheaw Khai Ka Pier
- N21 / Kiak Kai Pier
- N22 / Bang Po Pier
- N23 / Wat Soi Thong Pier
- N24 / Rama 7 Bridge Pier
- N25 / Pibul 1 Pier
- N26 / Wat Khema Pier
- N27 / Wat Tuek Pier
- N28 / Wat Khien
- N29 / Pibul 2
- N29/1 / Rama 5 Bridge Pier
- N30 / Nonthaburi (Pibul 3) Pier
- N31 / Ministry of Commerce Pier
- N32 / Wat Klangkret Pier – Ko Kret Island
- N33 / Pakkret Pier
A constantly updated list of the Chao Phraya River piers can be found here: Bangkok River Pier Map.
Chao Phraya Express Boat Map
You can find the Chao Phraya Express Boat map at the pier. However, the map might be a bit outdated and missing the newest additions to the route, such as ICONSIAM Pier.
An edited version of the Chao Phraya Express Boat map can be seen in the picture below.
Types of Bangkok River Boat Services
There are 5 types of river express boats in Bangkok operated by the Chao Phraya Express Boat Company. The types of boats are differentiated by the color of the flag: blue, orange, yellow, yellow-green, and red flag.
Different types of express boats stop at different piers along the way. All Chao Phraya Express Boat routes can be seen in the picture below.
Blue Flag - Chao Phraya Tourist Boat
Blue Flag is a Chao Phraya Tourist Boat service running from Phra Arthit Pier to Sathorn Pier. Starting from 11:30, the route is extended all the way to Asiatique The Riverfront. The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat route connects the touristy district of Khao San Road (N13 / Phra Arthit Pier) with the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, the Flower Market, Chinatown, ICONSIAM, the BTS SkyTrain Saphan Taksin station, and Asiatique the Riverfront.
The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat is one of the best ways to explore Bangkok’s attractions along the Chao Phraya River, as you can use it not only for single trips but also as a hop-on hop-off service. Some of them even offer an open deck!
Orange Flag Boat
Orange Flag is the most frequent express boat service running all the way from Nonthaburi Pier (N30) to Wat Rajsingkorn Pier (S3). The Orange Flag boat costs less and is a good alternative to the pricier tourist boat.
Yellow Flag, Yellow-Green Flag & Red Flag Boats
Yellow Flag is the express service running from Nonthaburi Pier (N30) to Sathorn Pier (Central). This express boat service operates on weekdays and during rush hour only.
Yellow-Green Flag boats run from Pakkret Pier (N33) to Sathorn Pier (Central), but they are even less frequent than Yellow Flag boats and also operate on weekdays and during rush hour only.
Red Flag boats operate between Nonthaburi Pier (N30) and Wat Rajsingkorn Pier (S3) only on weekdays and specific hours only.
Cross River Ferries
Chao Phraya Express Boat services are complemented by Bangkok’s cross-river ferries available in most of the main piers for crossing to the opposite bank of the river. More info about the Chao Phraya River crossing can be found here: Bangkok Cross River Ferries.
Chao Phraya Express Boat Fare
The Chao Phraya Express Boat fare depends on the service you are using:
- Blue Flag - Chao Phraya Tourist Boat fare is 40 baht for a single trip or 150 baht for a one-day pass.
- Orange Flag boat fare is 16 baht for a single trip.
- Yellow Flag boat fare is 21 baht for a single trip.
- Yellow-Green Flag boat fare depends on the distance and is 14/21/33 baht for a single trip.
- Red Flag boat fare is 30 baht for a single trip.
Chao Phraya Express Boat tickets can be bought at the desks found at the pier. Normally separate desks are set up for different boat services.
In general it is possible to buy a ticket on board as well, but it’s definitely not recommended unless there’s no other option available.
Operating time
Operating time and frequency of Chao Phraya Express boats depend on the service and can be found here: Chao Phraya Express Boat Timetable.
Taking a River Boat in Bangkok
Once the boat arrives at the pier, make sure that it’s going in the right direction, as the same pier is used for boats going both ways. Stand in a queue and let arriving passengers leave the boat.
As the entry/exit of the boat is at the rear, move towards the front of the boat unless you are planning to get off the boat at the next stop. Go to the back of the boat only when your stop approaches.
Where to Stay in Bangkok?
What is the best area to stay in Bangkok if you are willing to use river boats as your main mode of transportation in Bangkok? The answer can be found here: Where to Stay in Bangkok.
