Best Ways to Get from Old Town to Chao Phraya Riverside

Old Town sits right next to the river. Walk five minutes from the Grand Palace and you hit Tha Chang Pier (N9). Walk ten minutes from Khao San Road and you reach Phra Arthit Pier (N13). The orange-flag Chao Phraya Express Boat runs between these piers every 5-20 minutes for 15-30 baht, making it the obvious choice if you travel light and do not mind stairs.

Taxis make sense when you carry luggage, travel with kids, or arrive after 19:00 when express boats stop running. Use Grab or Bolt to avoid fare arguments. Tuk-tuks? Only take one if you want the Instagram shot. They cost more than taxis and offer zero comfort.

city skyline across body of water during daytime
💡 SCAM ALERT: Drivers near the Grand Palace quote 300-500 THB for a 10-minute ride to the pier. Walk 200 meters to the main road and flag a meter taxi for 60-80 THB instead.

Cheapest vs Fastest vs Most Reliable Options

ModeTimeCostComfort
River Boat (Express)5-15m15-30 THBBasic, crowded
Tourist Boat (Blue Flag)5-15m30-150 THBTourist-friendly
Taxi (Metered)5-20m60-150 THBAC, door-to-pier
Tuk-tuk5-15m80-200 THBOpen-air, noisy

The cheapest option wins by a landslide. Orange express boats cost 15 baht for a single stop (Tha Chang to Tha Tien) or 30 baht for longer hops. You pay on board or at the pier ticket window. No booking needed.

Fastest? Taxi when traffic cooperates (early morning or late evening). During midday or evening rush, the boat is faster because it skips all the jammed streets around Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

Most reliable? Both express boats and taxis score a 7 out of 10. Boats run like clockwork except during monsoon floods (rare). Taxis are everywhere but some refuse short trips or demand flat fares. Tuk-tuks score a 3 because pricing is a lottery and drivers love detours.

Ferry, Minivan & Taxi Prices, Schedules and Booking

Express boats operate from 06:00 to 19:00. Orange-flag boats (all stops) run every 10-15 minutes throughout the day. Yellow and green flags (express with fewer stops) only run during rush hours (07:00-09:00, 16:00-18:30). Tourist boats (blue flag) run 09:30-16:00 every 30 minutes.

Buy tickets at the pier or pay the conductor on board (look for someone wearing an orange vest and carrying a metal ticket box). Single rides cost 15-30 baht depending on distance. Tourist boat day passes cost 150 baht and let you hop on and off all day. Check current schedules and book combo tickets on 12Go if you want to combine river travel with trips to Phuket or Hua Hin Beach later.

a city with a river running through it

Taxis do not require booking for short Old Town hops. Open Grab or Bolt, set your pickup at your guesthouse, and drop-off at Tha Chang Pier, Tha Tien Pier, or Phra Arthit Pier. Fare estimates appear before you confirm. Expect 60-100 THB for most Old Town-to-pier rides. If you want a private car with guaranteed English-speaking driver, compare prices on Kiwitaxi.

💡 TIMING HACK: Board express boats between 10:00-15:00 on weekdays. Rush hour (07:30-09:00, 16:30-18:30) turns every boat into a sardine can. You will stand the entire ride.

Comfort, Amenities & Luggage Rules by Transport Type

Express boats have hard wooden benches and open sides that let in river breeze (and occasional splashes). No toilets. No snacks. Just benches and standee poles. Luggage? Small backpacks and camera bags are fine. Full-size suitcases fit but block aisles during crowded times, and crew may ask you to wait for the next boat.

Tourist boats offer the same setup but slightly wider aisles and English commentary through speakers. Still no toilets or food, but at least the signs say ‘Exit’ instead of just arrows.

Taxis give you AC, a trunk for one suitcase per person, and the ability to sit without clinging to a pole. Comfort depends on vehicle age. Some cabs smell like old gym socks. Others are spotless. Roll the dice.

Tuk-tuks have zero luggage space, zero AC, and benches that feel like sitting on plywood. Your knees will hit the driver’s seat. Exhaust fumes blow directly into your face at every red light. Fun for a five-minute joyride. Miserable for anything longer.

a river with a city in the background
💡 STROLLER WARNING: Most piers have steep stairs and no ramps. Tha Tien and Tha Chang piers require you to carry strollers up and down 15-20 steps. Take a taxi if you travel with young kids.

Sample 1-Day Old Town & Riverside Itinerary with Booking Links

Start at 08:00 with breakfast near Khao San Road. Walk to Phra Arthit Pier (N13) and catch the 08:30 orange express boat south. Ride to Tha Chang Pier (N9) in 10 minutes (15 THB). Visit the Grand Palace (entry 500 THB, opens 08:30). Exit around 11:00 and walk 5 minutes to Tha Tien Pier (N8). Board the next boat to Sathorn Pier (Central Pier) for lunch at one of the riverside malls near BTS Saphan Taksin (20 THB, 15 minutes).

After lunch, take the BTS to Siam or explore Asiatique night market (free shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier starts at 16:00). Return to Old Town via taxi (80-120 THB from Sathorn, 20-30 minutes) or reverse your morning boat route.

If you plan to continue exploring Bangkok, check combined transport passes on 12Go. Many travelers pair Old Town sightseeing with trips to Ekkamai Eastern Bus Terminal for beach buses or City Center to Chao Phraya Riverside routes.

Want a private guide and skip-the-line tickets? Book combo tours on GetYourGuide that include river transport, Grand Palace entry, and Wat Pho in one package.