Bangkok's skyline has two very different parts. Along the Chao Phraya River, temple spires rise over the low roofs of the old town. In the business district of Silom and Sathorn, glass towers rise far higher. This guide covers the places where you can see both, with opening hours and prices checked in September 2026, plus notes on the best time of day, what to bring and how to get there.
Discovering Bangkok's Skyline
The easiest way to understand the city's shape is to look at it from two levels.
- From high above: the King Power MahaNakhon tower in Silom is 314 m tall. Its rooftop has a glass tray 310 m above the ground, and from there you look down over the river and the business district.
- From the river: the central prang (tower) of Wat Arun is about 70 m tall and is decorated with porcelain and seashells. It stands on the west bank of the river, opposite Tha Tien pier, and is one of the best-known shapes on the Bangkok waterfront.
Observation Decks and Rooftop Bars
King Power MahaNakhon SkyWalk
The indoor observation deck is on floor 74, and the lifts reach it in under 50 seconds. The outdoor rooftop is on floor 78, and this is where you find the glass tray: a 63 m² glass floor 310 m above the ground.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 114 Narathiwas Ratchanakarin Road, Silom, Bang Rak |
| Hours | Daily, 10:00-00:00; last access 23:00 |
| Adult ticket | 1,000 THB (10:00-15:30) or 1,200 THB (15:30-19:00) |
| Children 8-12 and seniors 60+ | 500 THB (10:00-15:30) or 600 THB (15:30-19:00) |
| Nearest station | BTS Chong Nonsi, Exit 3 |
Prices were checked in September 2026 on the MahaNakhon SkyWalk page. Check that page for current prices, for visits after 19:00 and for children under 8.
Tips for the SkyWalk:
- A ticket before 15:30 costs less. If you want the sunset instead, plan to pay the later price.
- The glass tray is on the rooftop (floor 78), not on the indoor deck. If you only want to stay indoors, floor 74 still gives you the view.
- It stays open late, so you can also visit after dinner.
Sky Bar at lebua (State Tower)
Sky Bar is an open-air bar on the 64th floor of State Tower, run by the lebua hotel. It does not take reservations: it is walk-in only, so arrive early if you want a good spot for sunset.
We could not confirm Sky Bar's current dress code or drink prices, so check the Sky Bar page on the lebua website before you go.
Other High Viewpoints
Baiyoke Sky has an observation deck, and the Golden Mount (Wat Saket) is a temple viewpoint over the old town. We could not confirm their current prices or opening hours, so check them with each venue before you go.
Viewpoints on and by the River
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Wat Arun is a skyline landmark in its own right. Its official name is Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan; locals call it Wat Chaeng.
- Open daily, 08:00-18:00; ticket sales and last entry at about 17:30.
- Foreigners pay 200 THB; Thai nationals enter free.
- You can climb only to the lower terrace of the central prang. The upper stairs are closed.
- Dress code: cover your shoulders and knees. Short shorts, short skirts, and sleeveless or see-through tops are not allowed. Cover-ups are available at the entrance.
To get there from the east bank, take the cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier (N8), next to Wat Pho. It costs 5.5 THB per person one way, cash only, and runs about every 10 minutes from roughly 05:00 to 19:00. The crossing takes less than 5 minutes.
From 29 October 2026 to 28 February 2027, Wat Arun is also one of the venues of the Bangkok Art Biennale 2026, so you may find contemporary art there on an ordinary visit.
Asiatique The Riverfront and Asiatique Sky
Asiatique The Riverfront is a large riverside venue at 2194 Charoen Krung Road (Soi 72-76), Bang Kho Laem. It is open daily from 11:00 to 00:00. Its Ferris wheel, Asiatique Sky, is 60 m tall and gives a lower view of the river and the city lights. Asiatique is also home to the Calypso Cabaret.
We could not confirm the Ferris wheel's current ticket price or opening hours, so check them on the Asiatique website.
The Skyline from a River Boat
The Chao Phraya boats show the skyline from water level, and they cost far less than a rooftop.
- Orange flag express boat: 18 THB for any distance (the fare last increased on 21 August 2026). Sources disagree on whether it runs every day or only at weekday peak hours, so check the day's schedule at the pier.
- Blue flag tourist boat: about 40 THB per ride, or about 150 THB for a one-day hop-on hop-off pass. It runs roughly every 30 minutes from about 08:30 to 19:40, between Sathorn and Phra Athit.
- Useful piers: Sathorn pier connects to BTS Saphan Taksin (Exit 2). Tha Chang (N9) serves the Grand Palace, and Tha Tien (N8) serves Wat Pho and the Wat Arun ferry.
Boat fares were checked in September 2026 and change from time to time, so confirm them at the pier. Carry small notes and coins, because the ferry takes cash.
Best Times to View the Skyline
| Time of day | What you see | Where to go |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Soft light on the temples before the midday heat | Wat Arun (opens 08:00) |
| Before 15:30 | Daylight views at the lower SkyWalk price | MahaNakhon SkyWalk |
| Sunset | The city changes from day to night | Sky Bar (walk-in, arrive early) or the SkyWalk |
| After dark | City lights along the river | SkyWalk (last access 23:00) or Asiatique (open until 00:00) |
- Weather matters. Haze and cloud can hide the view, so check the forecast on the day and keep your plans flexible.
- Midday is hot. Plan indoor places for the middle of the day and carry water.
- Arrive early for sunset. Popular viewpoints fill up before the sun goes down, and Sky Bar cannot hold a place for you.
Photography Tips
- Shoot through glass carefully. On an indoor deck, hold the lens close to the window and shade it with your hand or a dark cloth to cut reflections.
- Keep the camera steady at night. Rest it on a railing or a bag, and check each venue's rules before you bring a tripod.
- Use the river in the frame. Include the curve of the Chao Phraya in the photo. It links the old town and the towers in one picture.
- Respect temple rules. Photography is not allowed inside some temple halls, such as the ordination hall of the Emerald Buddha at the Grand Palace.
Getting Around to the Viewpoints
- MahaNakhon SkyWalk: BTS to Chong Nonsi, Exit 3.
- River boats: BTS to Saphan Taksin, Exit 2, for Sathorn pier.
- Wat Arun: MRT Sanam Chai (Blue Line), then about 10 minutes on foot to Wat Pho and Tha Tien pier for the ferry.
To see several viewpoints in one day without changing trains and boats, a Smile Taxi Service Bangkok Tour (see our tours and day trips) gives you a private car and driver for up to 10 hours. The fixed price per vehicle is 2,700 THB for a sedan, 3,000 THB for an SUV, 3,700 THB for a van and 4,000 THB for a VIP van.
If you are arriving by air, a transfer from Suvarnabhumi Airport to your Bangkok hotel costs 600 THB for a sedan, 800 THB for an SUV and 1,100 THB for a van, per vehicle and one way, with expressway tolls included. Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok. Pickups or drop-offs west of the river (the Thonburi side) cost 100-200 THB more. You pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup. After that, a cancellation or change costs 25% (less than 24 h), 35% (less than 12 h) or 50% (less than 2 h) of the price, and a no-show 100%, also when you pay the driver in cash (details).
A One-Day Skyline Plan
- Morning: take the Tha Tien ferry to Wat Arun soon after the temple opens at 08:00.
- Afternoon: go up the MahaNakhon SkyWalk before 15:30 for the lower price, or wait for sunset and pay the later price.
- Sunset: walk in to Sky Bar early, or ride the blue flag tourist boat (it runs until about 19:40).
- Evening: finish at Asiatique The Riverfront, which is open until 00:00.
If a temple is on the plan, wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, and carry small notes for the ferry.
FAQ
Do I need to reserve Sky Bar at lebua? No. Sky Bar is walk-in only and does not take reservations. It is on the 64th floor of State Tower.
When is the MahaNakhon SkyWalk open? Every day from 10:00 to 00:00, with last access at 23:00. The nearest station is BTS Chong Nonsi, Exit 3.
How much does the MahaNakhon SkyWalk cost? Adults pay 1,000 THB from 10:00 to 15:30 and 1,200 THB from 15:30 to 19:00. Children aged 8 to 12 and seniors aged 60 and over pay 500 THB or 600 THB.
How tall is King Power MahaNakhon? The building is 314 m tall. The glass tray on the rooftop is 310 m above the ground.
Can I climb Wat Arun's central prang? Only to the lower terrace. The upper stairs are closed.
To plan a skyline day with a private car and driver, message us on WhatsApp.