In a nutshell
- A boat trip is simply a must in Bangkok — it lets you experience the city from a completely different angle.
- Our top pick is the romantic dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya. During the day, the hop-on/hop-off boat is totally worth it — the perfect complement to a day of sightseeing.
- Got an extra day? Don’t miss a day trip to the Damnoen Saduak floating market — a longtail boat ride is included.
- We also cover the best khlong tours in Bangkok and everything you need to know about water taxis on the Chao Phraya.
Bangkok Boat Tours at a Glance
In your Thailand vacation you can discover the country from the water not only on the most beautiful islands in Thailand.
With the great Chao Phraya River and its branching canals, Bangkok is also the perfect place for a boat ride. For us, a Bangkok boat tour is one of the coolest things you can do in the city.
Before we introduce you to the five best boat tours in detail, we want to give you a quick overview with the most important info.
That way you can see right away which Bangkok boat tour is the best fit for you.
| Price | Duration | Tickets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Boat Tour: Dinner Cruise | from 30 EUR | 2 to 5 hours | Get tickets |
| Hidden Gem: Khlong Tour by Longtail Boat | 37 EUR | 2 hours | Get tickets |
| Custom: Private Boat Tour through the Khlongs | from 106 EUR | 2 hours | Get tickets |
| Classic Sightseeing: Hop-on/Hop-off Boat | 4 EUR | Valid 1 day | Get tickets |
| Day Trip: Boat Tour to the Floating Market | 24 EUR | 8 hours | Get tickets |
Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise in Bangkok
- Price: from 30 euros
- Duration: 2 to 5 hours
- Starting point: Asiatique The Riverfront or Iconsiam
After a day of sightseeing in Bangkok, are you in the mood for a truly special evening on the Chao Phraya River? Then we absolutely recommend a romantic dinner cruise in Bangkok.
On this evening river cruise, you get to admire Bangkok’s most beautiful temples and highlights at dusk and after dark. Seriously stunning!
And if that weren’t enough, you can help yourself to a lavish buffet and sample the most delicious dishes from Thailand — yum!
On top of that, there’s free beer and live music all evening long. The perfect way to end your city trip to Bangkok!
Tickets for the Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise
Good to know: There are two departure times daily. If you want a dance performance and a cabaret show, go for the 7:45 PM tour. You also have the option of being picked up from your hotel in Bangkok. We personally prefer the 5 PM tour, though — you’ll get to watch the sunset behind Wat Arun!
Khlong Tour on a Longtail Boat in Bangkok
- Price: 37 euros
- Duration: 2 hours
- Starting point: At Soi Arun Ammarin 6
One of the most unique Bangkok canal tours you can take is a Khlong Tour on a longtail boat. Khlong is Thai for canal or waterway — and these canals exist almost exclusively in Bangkok.
They branch off from the Chao Phraya River and take you deeper into authentic Bangkok — far from the tourist crowds.
Large boats can’t fit through here, so you cruise along in a traditional longtail boat. You might recognize these from photos of Koh Phi Phi or Khao Sok National Park.
On this two-hour khlong tour, you’ll pass traditional wooden houses, the Big Buddha, and a really cool artist’s house.
Tickets for the Khlong Tour by longtail boat
Private Boat Tour Through Bangkok's Khlongs
- Price: 106 euros per boat
- Duration: 2 hours
- Starting point: Wat Mai Yai Nui
Traveling with a group or just happy to splash out a little? Then you can also book a private longtail boat tour through Bangkok’s khlongs.
The best part: you decide where the boat goes and stops. You can pull up at classic highlights like the 69-meter-tall Buddha statue, or explore lesser-traveled canals like the Bang Waek.
It’s worth discussing the route with your driver in advance. When booking, you can also request a certified guide who’ll share fascinating stories along the way.
The tour fits groups of up to eight people, and there are multiple departure times throughout the day.
Book the private khlong boat tour
Chao Phraya Hop-on/Hop-off in Bangkok
- Price: 4 euros
- Duration: valid for 1 day
- Starting point: at any of the 11 stops between Phar Arthit and Asiatique
About half of our 21 top attractions in Bangkok are located directly on the Chao Phraya River or within walking distance of it. A combination of sightseeing and boating practically writes itself.
Perfect for this is the hop-on/hop-off boat on the Chao Phraya. That’s exactly what we did on our first visit to Bangkok, and we loved it! You’ll recognize the boats by their blue flag.
Multiple boats run throughout the day from 9 AM to 7 PM, stopping at 11 piers — between Phar Arthit (near Khao San Road) and Asiatique.
You can hop off as many times as you like and never have to wait more than half an hour at a pier for the next boat.
Compared to the taxi boats (our bonus tip below), this dedicated tourist boat avoids rush hour and the boats have a great open-air upper deck.
Our tip: There’s no classic sightseeing boat tour in Bangkok. But with the hop-on/hop-off boat, you can simply stay on board for a full loop — which makes it pretty much a Chao Phraya river cruise in one go.
Day ticket for the hop-on/hop-off boat
Boat Tour with Floating Market near Bangkok
- Price: 24 euros
- Duration: 8 hours
- Starting point: varies depending on the option chosen
Got a bit more time in Bangkok and feel like a day trip with a seriously cool boat ride included? Our top pick is a trip to a floating market combined with a train market.
The day starts early in Bangkok. Your first stop is the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where you’ll spend about 20 minutes riding a longtail boat through the market and past authentic wooden houses — really cool!
After the boat ride, you’ll have time to browse the floating market and take photos. Then it’s on to the popular Mae Klong Train Market, set right along the tracks — if you’re lucky, a train will come through while you’re there.
We did this tour ourselves on our first visit to Bangkok. Sure, you’ll run into plenty of other tourists, especially during the best time to visit Thailand, but honestly it was one of the best day trips from Bangkok we’ve ever done!
Book the day trip to the floating market
Affordable and Free Taxi Boats in Bangkok
- Best taxi boat line: Orange Flag Line
- Price: 40 cents per ride
- Operating hours: Between 6 AM and 6 PM
- Starting point: Multiple stops between Nonthaburi and Rajsingkorn
Of course, the Chao Phraya River isn’t just for tourist boats. For everyday getting around from A to B, plenty of taxi boats (also called express boats) run on the river too.
There are four taxi boat lines in total, plus one Tourist Flag Line (the hop-on/hop-off boat), each running a specific route. Think of it like a metro system — just on water.
The most useful lines for you are the Orange Flag Line and the Tourist Flag Line (blue flag). We already covered the tourist line above.
The Orange Flag Line is a great, more affordable alternative — just 16 baht per ride, about 40 cents. You pay on board with cash, so it’s best to have some small change handy.
Boats run daily from 6 AM to 6 PM between the Nonthaburi and Rajsingkorn piers, covering the most important attractions and neighborhoods along the way.
There are also the Yellow Flag Line, the Red Flag Line, and the Green-Yellow Flag Line — but these only run Monday through Friday during morning and afternoon commuting hours, so they’re not much use for visitors.
Schedules for all four taxi boat lines on the official website
Tourist Flag Line (hop-on/hop-off) schedule
Good to know: Since April 2024, taxi boats no longer stop at Wat Arun — one of the most important temples on the other side of the river. Instead, take the ferry from Tha Tian Pier for 5 baht. You can also reach Tha Tian Pier via the Orange Line.
Our tip: The taxi boats are also a great alternative to taxis and tuk-tuks — especially when traffic is heavy. For example, if you want to get from the flower market to Khao San Road.
Taking a Free Boat Ride in Bangkok
You can even ride a boat for free on a short stretch in Bangkok — how great is that! From Sathorn Pier, free shuttle boats run daily to Asiatique The Riverfront, one of Bangkok’s most beautiful modern markets.
The boats run approximately every 30 minutes between 4 PM and 11:30 PM — perfect for catching the riverside at sunset or after dark.
Frequently Asked Questions About Boating in Bangkok
Is a river cruise in Bangkok worth it?
Absolutely! We love boat tours all around the world, and Bangkok river cruises have a truly special charm all their own.
From the water, you get to discover the city from a completely different perspective.
You can cruise along the Chao Phraya River past impressive landmarks and high-rises — or dive into the authentic side of the city on a longtail boat through the khlongs.
On top of that, Bangkok boat tours offer seriously great value for the money. Totally worth it!
Can you ride a boat for free in Bangkok?
Yes! From Sathorn Pier, free shuttle boats run daily to Asiatique The Riverfront — one of the most beautiful and modern markets in Bangkok. You can find out more in our Bangkok attractions article.
The boats run approximately every 30 minutes between 4:00 PM and 11:30 PM.
What does a water taxi in Bangkok cost?
Bangkok has several taxi boat lines with fixed routes. The best one for visitors is the Orange Flag Line. These water taxis are super affordable — just 16 baht (about 40 cents) per ride.
Boats run daily from 6 AM to 6 PM between the Nonthaburi and Rajsingkorn stops.
