Bangkok's Wat Arun

Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, stands on the Chao Phraya River, across the water from Wat Pho. In 2026 foreign visitors pay 200 THB, the temple is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00, and the easiest way to reach it is the small cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier. Prices and opening hours were checked in September 2026; confirm them with the temple or the boat operator before you go, because they change.

Wat Arun at a Glance

The Temple and Its Name

The temple's official name is Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan. Most people in Bangkok simply call it Wat Chaeng, and in English it is known as the Temple of Dawn. It is one of the most recognisable sights in the city, and its tall central tower can be seen from the river boats and from the opposite bank.

The Central Prang

The centre of the temple is a prang, a tall temple tower, decorated with pieces of coloured porcelain and with seashells. Travel sources checked in 2026 give its height as about 70 m; older guides give different figures.

Can You Climb Wat Arun?

Only partly. Visitors can climb to the lower terrace of the central prang, but the upper stairs are closed. Wear shoes with a good grip and take your time on the steps, especially on the way down.

Tickets, Opening Hours and Dress Code

Tickets and Hours

Foreign visitors pay 200 THB, and Thai nationals enter free. Older guides show 100 THB, which is out of date. The temple is open every day from 08:00 to 18:00; ticket sales and last entry end at about 17:30. Carry cash in small notes for the ferry and the ticket counter.

What to Wear

Shoulders and knees must be covered. Short shorts, short skirts, sleeveless tops and see-through tops are not allowed. If your clothes do not meet the rules, cover-ups are available at the entrance.

If you also visit the Grand Palace that day, dress for the palace, because its rules are stricter: shoulders, upper arms and knees covered, and nothing tight or see-through.

Getting to Wat Arun

The simplest plan is to go to Tha Tien pier (N8), next to Wat Pho, and cross on the small ferry.

Fares and times were checked in September 2026. Confirm them at the pier, because the ferry and orange flag fares both went up in 2026.

By River Boat

1. Take the BTS to Saphan Taksin station and use Exit 2 for Sathorn pier.
2. At Sathorn, board a Chao Phraya boat to Tha Tien (N8).
3. At Tha Tien, walk to the cross-river ferry and cross to Wat Arun.

Sources disagree about which days the orange flag boat runs, so check the schedule at the pier. The blue flag Chao Phraya Tourist Boat runs between Sathorn and Phra Athit; its hop-on hop-off day pass suits a day of riverside sightseeing. The cross-river ferry takes cash only, and the crossing takes less than 5 minutes.

By MRT

MRT Sanam Chai (Blue Line) is about 10 minutes on foot from Wat Pho, and Tha Tien pier is next to Wat Pho. This is a good option when the boats are not running at your time of day.

By Car

A taxi or a car with a driver can take you to the temple. If you are already at Wat Pho, take the ferry instead. For a car and driver for the whole day, see the Bangkok Tour below.

Best Time to Visit

Arrive soon after the temple opens at 08:00, when it is cooler, and spend the hot middle of the day in an indoor museum.

Late afternoon is the other good choice, but last entry is at about 17:30. After your visit, you can cross back to the Tha Tien side and see the temple from the opposite bank. On any visit, carry water and take breaks in the shade.

Combining Wat Arun with Wat Pho and the Grand Palace

Bangkok's three best-known temples fit into one day, because the ferry links them.

A practical order:

1. Grand Palace first. Be at the gate soon after 08:30, because tickets stop at 15:30. The 500 THB ticket also covers Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. The nearest pier is Tha Chang (N9).
2. Wat Pho next. Walk to Wat Pho to see the 46 m Reclining Buddha. If you need a rest, the Wat Pho massage costs 340 THB for 30 minutes or 520 THB for one hour.
3. Wat Arun last. Take the ferry from Tha Tien in the afternoon and arrive before the last entry at about 17:30.

Outside the Grand Palace, ignore anyone who tells you that it is closed today and offers a tuk-tuk tour instead.

Wat Arun During the Bangkok Art Biennale 2026

The Bangkok Art Biennale 2026 runs from 29 October 2026 to 28 February 2027, with the theme "Angels and Mara". Wat Arun is one of its 10 venues, together with Wat Pho, Museum Siam, One Bangkok, Wat Prayoon and the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC). If you visit during these months, expect to see extra art as well as the usual sights.

Temple Etiquette

• Take off your shoes before you enter a building that contains a Buddha image.
• Do not touch Buddha images, and do not point your feet towards them or towards monks.
• Speak quietly and give way to people who are praying.

Useful Thai Words

Airport Transfers and a Day with a Driver

Smile Taxi Service drives you from the airport to your Bangkok hotel at a fixed fare per vehicle, one way, expressway tolls included, no meter. From Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok the fare is 600 THB by sedan (up to 3 passengers), 800 THB by SUV (up to 5) and 1100 THB by van (up to 7):

• Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok
• Book an SUV from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok
• Book a van from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Bangkok

From Don Mueang Airport to Bangkok the fares are 600 THB by sedan, 800 THB by SUV and 1000 THB by van (book a sedan from Don Mueang Airport to Bangkok). The fare is the same for 1 passenger or a full car. Airport pickups include 60 minutes of free waiting from the actual landing time. Pickups or drop-offs west of the Chao Phraya (the Thonburi side) cost 100-200 THB extra. You pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip; if you can only pay by card, message the team for a PayPal payment link (a 5% fee is added). 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). See all routes and fares.

For a whole day of sightseeing, the private Bangkok Tour gives you a car and driver for up to 10 hours at a price per vehicle: 2700 THB by sedan, 3000 THB by SUV, 3700 THB by van and 4000 THB by VIP van (500 THB extra for a pickup in another province). Ask the team about including Wat Arun and the other riverside temples. Not every driver speaks English; you can request an English-speaking driver when you book, subject to availability. See the Smile Taxi Service tours and day trips.

FAQ

How much is the Wat Arun ticket? Foreigners pay 200 THB, and Thai nationals enter free. The temple is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00, with last entry at about 17:30.

How do I get to Wat Arun by boat? Take a Chao Phraya boat to Tha Tien (N8), then the 5.5 THB cross-river ferry. The orange flag boat costs 18 THB, and the blue flag tourist boat day pass costs about 150 THB.

Can I climb to the top of Wat Arun? No. Visitors can climb only to the lower terrace of the central prang; the upper stairs are closed.

Can I visit Wat Arun and Wat Pho on the same day? Yes. Tha Tien pier is next to Wat Pho, and the ferry to Wat Arun takes less than 5 minutes.

To book an airport transfer or a full day with a driver in Bangkok, use the Smile Taxi Service booking page or message the team on WhatsApp or LINE.

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