Bangkok: Grand Palace, Temples & River of Kings Canal Cruise
Reviewed Jun 2026
Highlights
- Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew entry
- Wat Pho's 46-metre Reclining Buddha
- Longtail boat on the Chao Phraya and khlongs
- Small group capped at 12 guests
- All entrance fees included
A longtail boat turns off the Chao Phraya River into Thonburi’s khlongs early in this four-hour route, before the crowds build at the temples. Narrow canals here are lined with wooden stilt houses, small-scale orchid farms and floating vendors that don’t appear from the main riverbank — the stretch of waterway that gave Bangkok its old nickname, “Venice of the East.” The boat ride runs about an hour before docking near the palace grounds.
From the water, the group walks into the Grand Palace complex, spending roughly 90 minutes across its grounds and Wat Phra Kaew, the temple housing the Emerald Buddha. Wat Pho follows, home to the golden reclining Buddha and recognised as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Entrance fees for all three sites are built into the tour price rather than left as an add-on at the gate.
Capped at 12 travellers, the whole route — boat, palace and both temples — runs four hours door to door, which keeps the schedule tight: there’s little slack for lingering at any one stop. It suits travellers who want the three headline sites covered in one efficient block of time.
- Duration: 4 hours
- Price from: $64.79
- Rating: 4.6 from 154 reviews
- Group size: Up to 12
- Includes: Longtail boat ride, Grand Palace entry, Wat Phra Kaew entry, Wat Pho entry, English-speaking guide
- Meeting point: Sanam Chai MRT station, bottom of the Exit 1 escalators (Museum Siam side)
- Cancellation: Full refund up to 24 hours before departure
Watch out: The Grand Palace enforces a strict dress code — no shorts, sleeveless tops or flip-flops. Wrap skirts can be rented at the gate if you’re caught out, but covering up before you arrive saves time in the queue.
Insider Tip: Food and drinks aren’t included, so eat before you meet at Sanam Chai — the schedule moves straight from the boat into the palace grounds with no lunch break built in.
Itinerary
Meet your guide at the bottom of the escalators, Exit 1 (Museum Siam) inside Sanam Chai MRT station. If arriving by taxi, enter through Museum Siam and take two escalators down.
Start your Bangkok tour with a walk to the pier, where you’ll board a longtail boat along the Chao Phraya River, also known as the River of Kings. Discover why Bangkok is called the 'Venice of the East' as you glide through its khlongs (canals).
Next, head to the Grand Palace, where strolling through its stunning grounds feels like stepping into an Asian version of Alice in Wonderland—so beautiful, it almost feels unreal.
Next, visit Wat Pho, home to the iconic golden reclining Buddha and the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, a key temple in Thailand's Buddhist heritage.
Included
- Discover hidden gems and famous landmarks, all through the eyes of a local
- Explore Bangkok by Longboat & Foot: Temples, Palaces & Hidden Gems
- Admire Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Entrance Fee Included)
- Marvel at the Grand Palace (Entrance Fee Included)
- Visit Wat Pho Temple and the Golden Reclining Buddha (Entrance Fee Included)
- Get insider tips on what else to see, do, and eat during your stay.
Not Included
- Gratuities
- Food and Drinks
Meeting point & area
View larger map →Meeting point: Inside Sanam Chai MRT station at the bottom of the escalators of Exit 1 (Museum Siam). If you come by taxi please enter the MRT station in the grounds of Museum Siam and go down 2 sets of escalators.
Good to know
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
