The cheapest temple walk costs $17 and leaves 1,000 THB of temple tickets to you. Three days of Bangkok Thailand tours plus those fees come to $210.63 per person, before hotels and meals.
Bangkok tours start at $17 for a temple walk, $20 for a floating market day, $17 for an Ayutthaya day trip, $48 for a food tour and $46 for the Chao Phraya dinner cruise. One catch: temple entry fees are not in the temple-walk price, and the three temples together cost 1,000 THB (about $30) paid on site. One day of tours plus those fees works out at $46.63, or $92.63 with the dinner cruise. Three days total $210.63 per person, or $194.63 with the cheaper Ayutthaya option. A package adds hotels and transfers, which is the trade: Intrepid sells a 3-day Bangkok short break with accommodation from $678.
Key takeaways
Prices are per person unless a card says otherwise, and the from price is the lowest option on the listing. Each card says what the price leaves out: temple tickets, lunch or hotel pickup. The Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun on foot, the old town by tuk-tuk, bike or longtail boat, and the hop-on hop-off bus. Temple tickets are paid on site on most of these.
4.8 from 5,915 reviews for the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun in 5 hours, in groups of up to 10
Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun on foot with an English-speaking guide, a river boat crossing and groups capped at 10. Temple tickets are bought on the day, so it suits first-timers who want the history explained and the ticket queues skipped.
from $17
Lowest price, bigger group
The same three temples as the small-group walk, in a standard group of up to 50 and four hours. Entrance fees (about 1,000 THB) are paid separately, so it suits budget travellers who do not mind a larger group.
A short guided tuk-tuk loop past the Grand Palace, Giant Swing, Loha Prasat and Chinatown, with photo stops but no temple entry. It suits travellers who want orientation and a tuk-tuk ride without negotiating fares.
from $45
Tuk-tuk plus boat
A tuk-tuk and longtail boat route through Thonburi: fruit market, Wat Khun Chan, Wat Paknam and the canal, ending at the flower market. It suits travellers who want local temples and waterways in a group of up to 12.
A 15 km ride from Thonburi through markets, canalside paths and temples off the tourist route, with a group capped at 8. It suits confident beginners who want local streets rather than the Grand Palace crowds.
An unlimited-ride pass on a double-decker loop past Wat Pho, the Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Chinatown, with audio in 7 languages. It suits travellers who want to set their own pace, though temple tickets and a live guide are not included.
Chinatown (Yaowarat) on foot, by tuk-tuk or by bike, and two half-day cooking schools with a market visit.
A four-hour walk through Yaowarat's backstreets with 15+ tastings, two guides and a cap of 8 guests. Best for travellers who eat meat and seafood and want a single serious food evening in Chinatown.
Six stops around Hua Lamphong and Chinatown with basic Thai dishes, dim sum and desserts over three hours. It is the lighter, cheaper food tour, and suits travellers who want a shorter evening with fewer tastings.
Choose a 1.5-hour express ride past Loha Prasat and the Giant Swing, or a 3-hour night run to the flower market and Khao San Road. Both stop at Michelin-recommended street food vendors, so it suits travellers who want Chinatown after dark.
from $55
Meal included
A 4.5-hour ride from Khlong San through backstreets and a traditional village, eating street food, desserts and a home-cooked meal along the way. Suits cyclists of any level who want food and local life more than temple interiors.
Four dishes cooked hands-on after a walk through the Pak Klong Talad wholesale and flower markets. It suits beginners and families with children over 6, in a class of up to 30.
from $39
Weekday curry menu
A four-course class with curry paste made from scratch, and the curry changes by weekday. Choose the morning class if you want the market walk, since afternoon and evening sessions skip it.
Early starts to the Maeklong Railway Market and Damnoen Saduak, and full days at the Ayutthaya temple ruins, about 80 km north.
from $24
Most reviewed
Local train to Maeklong, a longtail boat at Damnoen Saduak and about an hour at each market, with three departure times. Pick the 08:30 or 06:30 start if you want the train to pass through the market at close range.
from $24
Private option
Maeklong Railway Market and Damnoen Saduak by paddle boat, with shared, small-group, private and 9-seat premium options. It suits travellers who want a shorter market day with a choice of group size and departure.
Damnoen Saduak by longtail boat then Maeklong by train, with shared, small-group and private options and an audio guide in 41 languages. Skip the 07:00 departure if the train ride matters, since it is not included on that one.
Maeklong, Damnoen Saduak and three Ayutthaya temples in one 11-hour day, in a group capped at 9. It suits travellers with one free day who accept long drives (2.5 to 2.75 hours each leg between the sights and Bangkok) in exchange for ticking everything off.
from $17
Entry fees included
Three Ayutthaya temples (Wat Mahathat, Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Wat Chaiwatthanaram) with a river boat leg, and the temple tickets are already paid. It suits travellers who want the Buddha head in the tree roots at the lowest price.
Four Ayutthaya temples with a buffet lunch and entrance fees included on the standard options, in a small group of 9 or a group of 25. It suits travellers who want one price covering tickets and lunch.
The Bridge over the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi, and two elephant sanctuary days without riding.
War cemetery, the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre and a train ride on the original Death Railway line, with lunch and entrance fees included. Reviewers note the pace can feel rushed, so it suits history travellers who accept a 10-hour day with about 6 hours on the road.
from $54
No-riding policy stated
A rescued-elephant sanctuary in Chonburi where the listing states no riding, chains or performances, and guests feed, walk with and bathe the elephants. Choose the meet-up option for a 3-hour visit or a transfer package for 6-7 hours from Bangkok.
A shorter observation-led visit to a rescued-elephant sanctuary with no riding, shows or bathing, including herbal food prep, feeding and a Thai lunch. It suits travellers who prefer watching elephants over getting in the water.
Dinner on the Chao Phraya River, a private canal boat, a night at Rajadamnern Stadium and two nightlife tours.
A two-hour evening cruise from Asiatique past Wat Arun and the Grand Palace with an international buffet, soft drinks and a Thai dance show. It suits couples and groups who want one dinner and the river at night in a single booking.
from $109.36
Thai set menu, 3 sittings
A two-hour dinner cruise from the Anantara Riverside pier past Wat Arun and the Grand Palace, with a five-course Thai set menu and a choice of soft-drink or free-flow wine and beer packages. All sales are final, so pick the sitting before you pay.
Non-refundable: all sales are final. Drinks package changes the price.
Two hours on a private longtail boat along Khlong Dan and the side canals west of the river, with one 30-45 minute stop of your choice. The $116 covers up to 8 people, so it suits families and small groups who want the canals without a crowd.
Entry to a night of Muay Thai at Rajadamnern Stadium, redeemed at the ticket counters, with seating by zone. It is non-refundable and date changes are not allowed, so book once your dates are fixed.
A guided crawl through Soi Cowboy, Sukhumvit 11 and rotating rooftop and club venues, with entry and welcome shots included but not drinks beyond that. It suits adults travelling solo or in pairs who want a host and group to go out with.
from $15
20+ only, tuk-tuk included
A six-hour route from a sunset rooftop through SW1 market, Soi Cowboy and a hidden speakeasy to Levels Club, with entry, a shot at every stop and a tuk-tuk leg included. It suits adults aged 20 and over who want the whole night planned.
Ten days across Thailand, two days on the River Kwai rafts and three days to Angkor Wat. All three are on Viator, and each card shows its cancellation terms.
from $1672
Hotels and flights included
A private 10-day Thailand itinerary starting in Bangkok, with two domestic flights, hotel rooms and breakfast included. International flights, the e-visa and dinners are not, and all sales are final.
Non-refundable: all sales are final. Hotels and two domestic flights included. International flights and e-visa are not.
from $209
Overnight on a raft
Two days in Kanchanaburi with the River Kwai bridge, the Death Railway train and a night on a floating bamboo raft with no electricity, meals included. It suits travellers who want more than the 10-hour day trip and accept basic rooms, and all sales are final.
Non-refundable: all sales are final. One night on a basic floating raft with no electricity. Meals and accommodation included.
from $490
Hotel and temple ticket included
Bangkok to Siem Reap and back in three days with two hotel nights, breakfast, a private driver, a licensed guide and the temple ticket included. The Cambodia visa and lunch and dinner are not, so it suits travellers who want Angkor Wat without arranging the border themselves.
Hotel for 2 nights and temple ticket included. Cambodia visa, lunch and dinner not included.
Each row reads the price, length, group size and rating off the tour's own listing. Temple tickets and lunch are not in most prices, so check the card before you compare totals.
| Tour | From | Length | Group size | Rating | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our pick Bangkok: Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun small-group walk | $22 | 5 hours | Small group, up to 10 people | 4.8 (5,915) | Check Availability Details |
| Bangkok: Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun half-day walk | $17 | 4 hours | Standard group, up to 50 people | 4.8 (448) | Check Availability |
| Bangkok: Guided tuk-tuk ride past the Grand Palace and Chinatown | $26 | 30 minutes to 2 hours | See listing | 4.7 (1,045) | Check Availability Details |
| Bangkok: Tuk-tuk and long-tail boat tour of Thonburi temples and markets | $45 | 2 to 3.5 hours | Standard group, up to 12 people | 4.9 (128) | Check Availability |
| Bangkok: Thonburi bike tour through hidden temples and canals | $22 | 3 hours | Private or small group, up to 8 people | 4.9 (4,102) | Check Availability Details |
| Bangkok: Hop-on hop-off bus pass, 24, 48 or 72 hours | $24 | Valid 1 to 3 days | See listing | 4.0 (2,198) | Check Availability Details |
| Bangkok: Yaowarat backstreet food tour, 15+ tastings | $61 | 4 hours | Small group, up to 8 people | 4.9 (3,464) | Check Availability Details |
| Bangkok: Hua Lamphong Chinatown street food tour | $48 | 3 hours | See listing | 4.8 (35) | Check Availability Details |
| Bangkok: Night tuk-tuk tour through Chinatown to Khao San Road | $18 | 1.5 to 3 hours | Standard group, up to 60 people | 4.4 (1,863) | Check Availability Details |
| Bangkok: Bike and food tour through local backstreets | $55 | 4.5 hours | Small group, up to 10 people | 4.9 (737) | Check Availability |
| Bangkok: White Lotus Thai cooking class with market visit | $33 | 3 to 3.5 hours | Standard group, up to 30 people | 5.0 (1,146) | Check Availability Details |
| Bangkok: Tingly Thai cooking class, four-course half day | $39 | 3 hours | Standard group, up to 30 people | 4.9 (1,428) | Check Availability |
| Bangkok: Maeklong railway market and Damnoen Saduak floating market day trip | $24 | 8.5 hours | See listing | 4.9 (12,303) | Check Availability |
| Bangkok: Maeklong railway market and Damnoen Saduak half-day trip | $24 | 7.5 hours | See listing | 4.6 (29,435) | Check Availability |
| Bangkok: Floating market and train market tour with audio guide | $20 | 8 to 8.5 hours | See listing | 4.8 (11,902) | Check Availability Details |
| Bangkok: Ayutthaya, floating market and railway market in one day | $59 | 11 hours | Small group, up to 9 people | 4.8 (2,427) | Check Availability Details |
| Bangkok: Ayutthaya UNESCO day trip with river boat and temple tickets | $17 | 8 hours | Standard group, up to 100 people | 4.9 (968) | Check Availability |
| Bangkok: Ayutthaya temples tour with buffet lunch | $33 | 7 to 7.5 hours | See listing | 4.7 (12,420) | Check Availability Details |
| Bangkok: River Kwai and Death Railway day trip | $48 | 10 hours | Standard group, up to 20 people | 4.6 (941) | Check Availability Details |
| Bangkok: Living Green Elephant Sanctuary day trip, Chonburi | $54 | 3 to 7.5 hours | See listing | 4.9 (2,598) | Check Availability |
| Bangkok: Guided elephant sanctuary visit with Thai lunch, no bathing | $49 | 3 to 6 hours | See listing | 4.9 (271) | Check Availability Details |
| Bangkok: Chao Phraya dinner cruise with buffet and live show | $46 | 2 to 3.5 hours | See listing | 4.8 (5,025) | Check Availability Details |
| Bangkok: Manohra Chao Phraya dinner cruise with Thai set menu | $109.36 | 2 hours | Up to 30 people | 4.9 (659) | Check Availability |
| Bangkok: Private long-tail canal boat, 2 hours | $116 | 2 hours | Private | 4.8 (225) | Check Availability Details |
| Bangkok: Muay Thai fight tickets at Rajadamnern Stadium | $30 | 3 hours | See listing | 4.9 (16,069) | Check Availability Details |
| Bangkok: Soi Cowboy and Sukhumvit nightlife tour, 5 or 6 venues | $29 | 4.5 hours | Standard group, up to 15 people | 4.8 (2,062) | Check Availability Details |
| Bangkok: Sunset rooftop, speakeasy and club bar crawl with tuk-tuk | $15 | 6 hours | Standard group, up to 30 people | 4.8 (72) | Check Availability |
| Thailand: Highlights of Thailand in 10 days, private multi-day tour from Bangkok | $1672 | 10 days | Private tour | 5.0 (47) | Check Availability |
| River Kwai: 2-day Kanchanaburi tour from Bangkok with a night on a jungle raft | $209 | 2 days | Joint tour up to 15, or private | 4.5 (46) | Check Availability |
| Cambodia: Angkor Wat 3-day private tour from Bangkok with hotel | $490 | 3 days, 2 nights | Private, 1 to 15 people | 4.5 (58) | Check Availability |
Prices per person from each listing unless the row says otherwise. Figures current in Q4 2026.
Live dates for the pick: 5 hours on foot and by boat, groups of up to 10, 4.8 from 5,915 reviews. Pick a date to see the price for your day.
Each plan below is built only from tours compared on this page plus the entry fees you pay on site. Totals are per person and leave out hotels, meals and transport to the meeting points.
The classic first day pairs a four-hour temple walk with the evening dinner cruise. The walk is the cheap part and the entry fees are the catch. The cruise boards at 8:00 PM at Asiatique with the buffet and soft drinks included.
If you want a smaller group, swap in the small-group walk. It costs $22 instead of $17, caps the group at 10 instead of 50 and still lists the temple fees as extra (confirm at checkout), so the day total rises by $5.
| Part of the day | Tour or ticket | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime, 4 hours | Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun half-day walk, group up to 50 | $17 |
| Entry tickets, paid on site | Grand Palace 500 THB, Wat Pho 300 THB, Wat Arun 200 THB | 1,000 THB (about $30) |
| Evening, 2 to 3.5 hours | Chao Phraya dinner cruise with buffet and live show | $46 |
| Day total | Tour prices plus entry fees | $92.63 |
Day two is a full day out of the city plus a serious evening of eating. The market day runs 8.5 hours with departures at 06:30, 08:30 or 10:00, and meals are not included. The Yaowarat food tour has morning and evening departures, so book the evening slot after a rest.
Take the first day as above, then add these two.
| Part of the day | Tour or ticket | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| Day one total | Temple walk, entry fees and dinner cruise | $92.63 |
| Day two, morning, 8.5 hours | Maeklong railway market and Damnoen Saduak floating market day trip | $24 |
| Day two, evening, 4 hours | Yaowarat backstreet food tour, 15+ tastings, 8 guests maximum | $61 |
| Two-day total | Per person | $177.63 |
The third day is the pick. The Ayutthaya temples tour with buffet lunch covers four temples in 7 to 7.5 hours, with entrance fees and the buffet included on the standard option (the English Tour Only option drops both). The cheaper Ayutthaya river boat day trip has no lunch and visits three temples.
Or spend the day with elephants instead, with no riding, shows or bathing and a Thai set lunch.
| Part of the day | Tour or ticket | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| Days one and two | Temples, river and markets as above | $177.63 |
| Day three, 7 to 7.5 hours | Ayutthaya temples tour with buffet lunch, fees included | $33 |
| Three-day total with Ayutthaya | Per person | $210.63 |
| Day three swap, 3 to 6 hours | Guided elephant sanctuary visit with Thai lunch, no bathing | $49 |
| Three-day total with elephants | Per person | $226.63 |
Packages bundle the same sightseeing with hotels, transfers and a tour leader, and the price shows it. Intrepid sells a 3-day Bangkok short break taking in the River Kwai and Ayutthaya from $678, with accommodation included. TourRadar lists Thailand tours from Bangkok from $719 for 7 days up to $4,078 for 11 days private. G Adventures runs Bangkok to Chiang Mai in 7 days at a $1,379 list price. Go Ahead quotes 9 days from $2,859 and Globus 13 days from $4,349 double occupancy.
The three-day plan above averages $70.21 per day, but it leaves you to book the hotel and get yourself to each meeting point. That is the whole trade in one line. If you would rather have someone else handle rooms and road time, compare routes and lengths at Bangkok Thailand tours beyond the city.
Pick the row that sounds like your trip, then check the full card.
The table sorts the catalogue by what you want out of a day, with the from-price and the one catch worth knowing before you pay. Prices are per person from the listings, except where a tour prices differently. Pick the row that sounds like your trip, then check the full card.
| If you want | Book | From | Know before |
|---|---|---|---|
| First visit and the three big temples | Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun half-day walk | $17 | Entry fees about 1,000 THB paid on site, shoulders and ankles covered, arrive no more than 5 minutes after the start |
| A small group at the temples | Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun small-group walk | $22 | Groups capped at 10, temple fees listed as extra (confirm at checkout), no sleeveless tops |
| Street food at night | Yaowarat backstreet food tour, 15+ tastings | $61 | Not for vegans or severe allergies, 8 guests maximum |
| Cooking Thai food yourself | White Lotus Thai cooking class with market visit | $33 | Class of up to 30, market visit not on the evening session, not for children under 6 |
| Floating market photos | Maeklong railway and Damnoen Saduak day trip | $24 | Departures 06:30, 08:30 and 10:00, the morning ones start with the train, no meals, 120 kg limit |
| Ayutthaya ruins with fees paid | Ayutthaya UNESCO day trip with river boat and temple tickets | $17 | Group up to 100, no lunch, no shorts or ripped clothing |
| Elephants without riding | Guided elephant sanctuary visit with Thai lunch | $49 | No bathing on this version, set lunch, hotel pickup windows 07:00-08:00 or 11:00-12:00 with the transfer option |
| A Muay Thai night at Rajadamnern Stadium | Muay Thai fight tickets at Rajadamnern Stadium | $30 | Non-refundable, no date changes, zone not seat |
| Nightlife with a host | Soi Cowboy and Sukhumvit nightlife tour, 5 or 6 venues | $29 | Some venues refuse under 20s, under 25s need an original passport, drinks beyond welcome shots not included |
Group size is the biggest hidden difference between listings at similar prices. The small-group temple walk caps at 10 people and costs $22, while the cheapest temple walk takes up to 50 for $17. The private long-tail canal boat prices the whole boat at $116 for up to 8 people, so $116 is the boat and not a per-person fare.
At the other end, the Ayutthaya day trip and the floating market audio-guide tour run standard groups of up to 100 and 42, and the night tuk-tuk tour takes up to 60. If numbers matter to you, check the group size line on every card before booking.
Multi-day Bangkok Thailand tours come in two kinds: packages with hotels and a tour leader, and bookable trips that leave from Bangkok. This section prices both, day by day, next to the big package companies.
The table lists each multi-day tour that leaves from Bangkok, with the per-day price worked from the listed length. All are per person. Two are non-refundable, so read the cancellation line on the card before paying.
| Tour | Length | From | Per day | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlights of Thailand in 10 days, private tour | 10 days | $1,672 | $167.20 | Two domestic flights with 20 kg luggage, a hotel in a shared room, breakfast and lunch, an air-conditioned vehicle, bicycle use, all fees and taxes. Non-refundable. International flights, the Thai e-visa, dinners (gala dinners on 24 and 31 Dec are compulsory), tips and travel insurance are not included. |
| River Kwai 2-day Kanchanaburi tour with a night on a jungle raft | 2 days | $209 | $104.50 | A night on a floating bamboo raft, all meals, entrance fees, the Death Railway train ticket, an English-speaking guide for 2 days and a Mon dance performance. Non-refundable. The raft has no electricity or sockets, so bring a power bank and a headlamp. |
| Angkor Wat 3-day private tour from Bangkok with hotel | 3 days, 2 nights | $490 | $163.33 | Two nights in a 4-star Siem Reap hotel with breakfast, hotel pickup and drop-off, a private vehicle, a licensed guide and the Angkor temple ticket. Free cancellation up to 24 hours. The Cambodia visa, lunch and dinner are not included. |
The large package companies quote from-prices, not per-day figures, and their prices usually include hotels, a tour leader and internal transport. The table sets their published from-prices side by side, so you can see what the same days cost once rooms and road time are bundled in.
| Company | Trip | Length | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| TourRadar | Thailand tours from Bangkok | 7 to 11 days | $719 to $4,078 (11 days private) |
| Intrepid | Bangkok short break | 3 days | $678 |
| Intrepid | Highlights of Thailand | 10 days | $2,200 |
| Go Ahead Tours | Thailand from Bangkok | 9 days | $2,859 |
| Go Ahead Tours | Thailand from Bangkok | 10 days | $2,839 |
| Go Ahead Tours | Thailand from Bangkok | 14 days | $3,099 |
| Go Ahead Tours | Thailand from Bangkok | 22 days | $5,119 |
| Globus | Independent Thailand | 13 days | $4,349 double occupancy |
| G Adventures | Bangkok to Chiang Mai | 7 days | $1,379 list price |
| G Adventures | Thailand trip | 14 days | $1,599 list price |
The 10-day private Highlights of Thailand tour costs $1,672 with flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai to Phuket and a shared-room hotel inside the price. That is below Intrepid's $2,200 10-day trip, Go Ahead's $2,839 for 10 days and Globus's $4,349 for 13 days. The itineraries and operators differ, so treat it as a rough guide to a similar route and not a like-for-like quote.
Sources: TourRadar, Intrepid, Go Ahead Tours, Globus, G Adventures.
On the temple walks the entry tickets are paid on site on top of the tour price, while the Ayutthaya day trips include theirs. Budget for the tickets before you book.
The Grand Palace price and hours come from the palace's official page and Wat Pho's price from its own ticket page. Wat Pho's closing time varies, so check on the day. Wat Arun's price follows the tour listings and Wat Traimit's follows a Thailand guide.
The three core temples together cost 1,000 THB (about $30) on top of a temple walk, which is why the Ayutthaya tours that include entry are worth a look.
| Site | Entry for foreigners | Hours | Included in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew | 500 THB (about $15), card accepted | 08:30 to 16:30 daily, tickets sold until 15:30 | Pay on site |
| Wat Pho | 300 THB (about $9), cash only | Opens 08:00 or 08:30, closes 18:30 or 19:30, check on the day | Pay on site |
| Wat Arun | 200 THB (about $6), cash only | 08:00 to 18:00, last entry 17:30 | Pay on site |
| Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha) | 40 THB (about $1) Buddha hall, 100 THB (about $3) museum | 08:00 to 17:00 daily, exhibition floors closed Monday | Pay on site |
| Ayutthaya temples | 20 THB at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, 80 THB at Wat Phra Sri Sanphet and Wat Mahathat, per the tour listing | Day trip | Ayutthaya day trip with river boat, Ayutthaya temples tour with buffet lunch (unless the English Tour Only option is picked) and Ayutthaya, floating market and railway market day |
The Grand Palace is the strictest checkpoint. Cover your torso, upper arms and legs. The temple-walk listings put it as shoulders and ankles covered, with scarves not counting, and no shorts, short skirts or sleeveless tops.
Wat Pho staff may still ask you to cover up after you have paid. The Ayutthaya day trip also bans tight or ripped clothing. Bring a light long-sleeve layer and long trousers or a long skirt on any temple day, whatever the heat.
A friendly stranger near the gate may tell you the palace is closed today and offer a cheap tuk-tuk to another site instead. That site is typically a gem or tailor shop, and some of these helpers claim to be tourist police or tourism authority staff. The Grand Palace is open daily from 08:30 to 16:30 apart from royal events, so walk to the ticket window and see for yourself.
If a stranger says closed, keep walking toward the gate.
Sources: Grand Palace official site, Wat Pho tickets, TouristBangkok on scams, NZ MFAT scams in Thailand.
Most tours on this site do not include hotel pickup, so you reach the meeting point yourself. The table gathers the fares and rules for each way of getting there.
Where fares differ between sources, the table gives a range or says so instead of one number. Street taxis must run the meter and tuk-tuks run on whatever you agree before you get in.
| Way | Fare | Good for | Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Rail Link | 45 THB (about $1) Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai, 35 THB to Makkasan | Getting from Suvarnabhumi Airport into town in 26 to 27 minutes | Runs about 06:00 to midnight, every 10 to 13 minutes. |
| Taxi (meter) | 35 THB flag fall, plus a 50 THB (about $1) airport surcharge, then 6.5 to 8 THB per km | Door to door in traffic or late at night | Say 'meter please'. Refusing the meter is an offence and the hotline is 1584. |
| Grab, Bolt, inDrive | No official fare published | Door to door when no station is close | Uber does not operate in Thailand. |
| BTS Skytrain and MRT | From 17 THB a trip, rising with distance | Crossing town fast, most meeting points sit by a station | Buy single-trip tickets or use a stored-value card. Contactless Visa and Mastercard work on the MRT. |
| Chao Phraya Express Boat, orange flag | Under 20 THB flat fare, sources differ | Riding the river between piers on weekdays | The weekday line runs Nonthaburi to Wat Ratchasingkhon. |
| Tourist boat, blue flag | 40 THB (about $1) single, 150 THB (about $4) day pass | Sightseeing stops at the temples and piers | Boats leave about every 30 minutes and service stops by 15:00. |
| Tuk-tuk | No official fare, agree the price first | Short hops and the experience | Settle the price before boarding, since no meter exists. |
Hotel pickup is the exception, not the rule. It comes standard with the 2-day River Kwai raft tour from central Bangkok (some districts carry a supplement) and the 3-day Angkor Wat private tour. It is selectable on the floating market and Maeklong day trip, where pickup starts an hour before departure, on the Ayutthaya buffet lunch tour as a one-way pickup, and on the elephant sanctuary days (Living Green and the no-bathing visit).
Everything else meets at a fixed point unless the card lists an option. The half-day temple walk meets at The Gate by the Grand Palace, and the small-group walk at Golden Place by Tha Chang Pier. The private canal boat meets at MRT Bang Phai exit 1, the tuk-tuk loop past the Grand Palace at MRT Sanam Chai and the tuk-tuk and longtail boat temple tour at MRT Itsaraphap exit 2.
Check the meeting point on the card before you book.
Sources: Chaophraya Express Boat, Bangkok Airport Rail Link, Thai government taxi rules, MRT guide, Wikivoyage Bangkok.
Most temple walks meet near Tha Chang Pier in the old town and most market and day trips leave from central meeting points or offer hotel pickup, so pick the area by the tours you book.
Walking distance of the Grand Palace and Tha Chang Pier, where the temple walks meet.
See stays in the old townClose to the piers the Chao Phraya boats and dinner cruises use.
See stays in the riversideThe food tours walk these streets, and the MRT stops at Wat Mangkon.
See stays in ChinatownOn both the BTS Skytrain and the MRT, so most meeting points are one ride away.
See stays in SilomAlong the BTS line, where the Sukhumvit nightlife tours meet.
See stays in SukhumvitBangkok has three seasons, and the season changes how a tour day feels. The table uses mean highs and rainfall from Thai Meteorological Department climate normals.
Temple walks, bike tours and floating market days all run year round, but the season changes how they feel. December is the driest month with 11.6 mm of rain against 335.9 mm in September, the wettest. Use the table to match your dates to the tours that suit them.
| Months | Season | Mean high | Rain | For tours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov to Feb | Cool and driest | 32.3-33.7 °C | 11.6-44.6 mm (Dec and Nov the lowest) | Most comfortable for temple walks, bike tours and floating market days |
| Mar to Apr | Hot | 34.7-35.7 °C (April the peak) | 51.0-93.3 mm | Morning tours and cooking classes beat the heat |
| May to Oct | Rainy | 33.2-35.1 °C | 189.7-335.9 mm, September wettest | Carry a rain layer. The bike and food tour supplies raincoats |
Songkran, the Thai New Year, runs from 13 to 15 April and is a three-day water fight, so expect to get wet on any tour you take on those days. Loi Krathong falls on the first full moon of the twelfth lunar month, usually in November. The exact date moves each year, so check it if it matters to your booking.
Morning suits the temples. The small-group walk runs 5 hours and the half-day walk 4 hours, and the start times are on each card. The floating market day trip leaves as early as 06:30.
Evenings belong to the river and the food. The Yaowarat backstreet food tour runs about 4 hours with morning and evening departures, and the Chao Phraya dinner cruise boards at 20:00 at Asiatique.
Sources: Thai Meteorological Department data via Wikipedia, Wikivoyage seasons and festivals, TAT on Songkran.
A few practical facts cover almost every tour day in Bangkok: the currency, the exchange rate, what to tip, what to drink and what your passport needs.
The currency is the Thai baht (THB). ECB reference rates put one US dollar at about 33.7 baht, so 500 THB is about $15 and the three main temple entries together, 1,000 THB, are about $30. Carry cash anyway.
Wat Pho and Wat Arun are cash only per the tour listings, while the Grand Palace takes cards at its 500 THB ticket. The temple walks hand out a bottle of water, but entrance fees come on top unless the tour says otherwise.
Tipping is not expected or customary in Thailand, and small amounts are appreciated. One tour operator suggests roughly $3 to $6 per tour day. Rounding up a taxi fare is normal, and about 10 percent is reasonable in restaurants where no service charge appears on the bill.
Do not drink the tap water. Use bottled water, and be cautious with ice in small places where it may be made from tap water. April is the hottest month with a mean high of 35.7 °C, so favour morning starts and carry water on walking tours.
Visa rules differ by passport, so check your own case on the official Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs site before you book.
Sources: ECB reference rates, Wikivoyage Thailand, Intrepid Bangkok advice, On The Go Tours Thailand tips.
Three films before you book: the three temples in one day, a Chinatown street food walk, and the floating market and train market day trip.
The temple circuit on foot and by ferry.
Video: NALBA TRAVELSYaowarat stalls, dish by dish.
Video: Mark WiensThe train through the market and the boats.
Video: HollyCaputoWanderlustThird-party videos, embedded from YouTube. This site did not shoot them and has no relationship with the creators.
We had such a wonderful time on this tour with Tak! He was absolutely amazing, so kind, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring.
Bangkok: Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun small-group walk
The best guides of Thailand! You get two markets and Jenny her standup comedy show on the bus. Everything was organized so well!
Bangkok: Maeklong railway market and Damnoen Saduak floating market day trip
Great evening! As much for the boxing as for the entire multimedia show at the super stadium.
Bangkok: Muay Thai fight tickets at Rajadamnern Stadium
This was an outstanding food tour! We had the opportunity to taste and enjoy a wide range of truly delicious dishes, all while experiencing the…
Bangkok: Yaowarat backstreet food tour, 15+ tastings
It was great! A wonderful time, an incredible view and a very good meal. I'd do it again. ☺
Bangkok: Chao Phraya dinner cruise with buffet and live show
The tour was incredibly well organised and offered a wonderful combination of local life, culture, and nature.
Bangkok: Thonburi bike tour through hidden temples and canals
The pick is the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun small-group walk. It is $22 for 5 hours with an English-speaking guide, skip-the-line entry and a boat ride, with groups capped at 10, rated 4.8 from 5,915 reviews. Temple fees of 1,000 THB (about $30) are paid on the day, so confirm at checkout what your ticket covers.
December. It is the coolest month with a mean high of 32.3 °C and the driest, with 11.6 mm of rain against 335.9 mm in September. November through February is the comfortable season for temple walks and floating market days. For more month-by-month detail, see the best time for Bangkok tours guide.
For the temples and the day trips, usually yes. A guide explains the history, and the Ayutthaya day trip at $17 includes transport and temple fees, while temple walks start at $17 with the fees on top. You can weigh the money side in are Bangkok tours worth it?.
A temple day is about $47: the $17 half-day walk plus 1,000 THB of entry fees paid on site. Add the $46 dinner cruise and the day totals about $93. Worked totals are in the one, two and three day plans.
Some do and some do not, so check each listing. The floating market and Ayutthaya day trips offer pickup as an option, one starting at 05:50. The temple walks, food tours and hop-on hop-off bus have set meeting points instead, such as Tha Chang Pier for the small-group temple walk. The multi-day River Kwai and Angkor Wat tours include hotel pickup. The full list is under which tours pick you up.
It varies. The temple walks charge extra on the day: 500 THB at the Grand Palace, 300 THB at Wat Pho and 200 THB at Wat Arun, about $30 in total. The Ayutthaya day trips include temple fees, and the buffet lunch tour adds a buffet lunch. Read the inclusions before booking and confirm anything unclear at checkout. The rates are in temple entry fees.
Yes. Options on the site run from a 2-day River Kwai tour from Bangkok with a night on a floating bamboo raft at $209, to a 10-day private Thailand highlights tour at $1,672 with hotels and two domestic flights. Each listing states exactly what is and is not included, from meals to visas.
Plan your trip
Each tour page compares the listings for one kind of day, and the guides cover cost, timing and a first visit.
Bangkok Thailand Tours
