Chao Phraya Express Boat Map, Route, Timetable, Fare & Tips

Water transport still plays an important role in the transportation system of Bangkok, a city known as the “Venice of the East”. As a tourist, you can charter a boat and explore Bangkok’s canals or join one of the river cruises on the mighty Chao Phraya River. However, the most fun way of exploring the waterways of the Thai capital is joining locals on public transportation. To do that, jump on one of the Bangkok river boats, known as the Chao Phraya Express Boat.

Bangkok Chao Phraya River Boats

Bangkok river boats operate along the Chao Phraya River, and together with cross-river ferries, connect both banks of the river in the Thai capital. Chao Phraya Express Boat service is a very useful means of transport not only for commuting in the central part of the city but also for sightseeing, as a big part of Bangkok’s top attractions can be found by the river.

Here you will find the most important information on how to use Bangkok river boats - the Chao Phraya Express Boat.

Chao Phraya Express Boat Map

You can find the Chao Phraya Express Boat map at the pier. However, the map might be a bit outdated and missing the newest additions to the route, such as ICONSIAM Pier.

An edited version of the Chao Phraya Express Boat map can be seen in the picture below.

Chao Phraya Express Boat Piers

Chao Phraya River piers that are used by Chao Phraya Express Boat service are clearly marked in Thai and English, so there shouldn’t be problems with noticing signs leading to them.

This boat service operates at more than 40 piers along the Chao Phraya River. The main hub of Bangkok river boats is the Central Pier, which is called Sathorn Pier or Taksin Bridge Pier. Sathorn Pier is conveniently connected with BTS Saphan Taksin station and can be easily reached from anywhere in Bangkok by using city trains.

Most of the Chao Phraya River piers are numbered for the convenience of passengers. Piers to the north of Central Pier are marked with ‘N’ and ascending numbers. Piers to the south of Central Pier are marked with ‘S’ and ascending numbers. However, lately they added more piers, and they are known only by name and not number. New piers are mainly used by the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat service.

The full list of Chao Phraya Express Boat piers is as follows (South to North):

• A⭐ / Asiatique The Riverfront Pier – an open-air shopping mall, Asiatique the Riverfront
• S3 / Wat Rajsingkorn Pier
• S1 / Wat Sawetachat Pier
• Central Pier / Sathorn Pier – connection with BTS Saphan Taksin station
• N1 / Oriental Pier
• I⭐ / ICONSIAM Pier – the newest shopping mall, ICONSIAM, connected with the Gold Line Train
• N3 / Si Phraya Pier - the pier near River City
• N4 / Marine Department Pier
• N5 / Ratchawong Pier – Chinatown, Sampheng Market
• N6 / Memorial Bridge Pier – Memorial Bridge
• N7 / Rajinee Pier – Ferry Crossing to the Old Portuguese Quarter and Santa Cruz Church, close to MRT Blue Line Sanam Chai station
• W⭐ / Wat Arun Pier - Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn)
• N8 / Tha Tien Pier – Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
• N9 / Tha Chang Pier – Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha)
• M⭐ / Tha Maharaj Pier - Tha Maharaj shopping mall with open-air riverfront restaurants
• N10 / Prannok (Wang Lang) Pier – Wang Lang Market
• N11 / Thonburi Railway Station Pier – Bangkok Thonburi train station
• N12 / Phra Pinklao Bridge Pier – National Museum of Royal Barges
• N13 / Phra Arthit Pier – Khao San Road
• N15 / Thewet Pier - 200 m from the pier of Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem Boat
• N16 / Krung Thon Bridge (Sung Hi) Pier
• N18 / Payap Pier
• N19 / Irrigation Department Pier
• N20 / Kheaw Khai Ka Pier
• N21 / Kiak Kai Pier
• N22 / Bang Po Pier - connection with MRT Bang Pho station
• N23 / Wat Soi Thong Pier
• N24 / Rama 7 Bridge Pier
• N26 / Wat Khema Pier
• N27 / Wat Tuek Pier
• N28 / Wat Khien Pier
• N29/1 / Rama 5 Bridge Pier
• N30 / Nonthaburi (Pibul 3) Pier
• P⭐ / Phra Nang Klao Bridge Pier - connection with MRT Purple Line Phra Nang Klao Bridge station
• N31 / Ministry of Commerce Pier
• N31/1 / Baan Pak Tiwanon Pier
• N32 / Wat Klangkret Pier – Koh Kret
• N33 / Pakkret Pier

Chao Phraya Express Boat Types

There are currently 5 types of Bangkok riverboat operated by the Chao Phraya Express Boat company. The types of boats are differentiated by the color of the flag: Blue, Orange, Yellow, Green Yellow, and Red Flag.

Different types of express boats stop at different piers along the way. Chao Phraya Express Boat routes can be seen in the picture below.

Blue Flag Boat Bangkok - Chao Phraya Tourist Boat

Blue Flag Boat Bangkok is a Chao Phraya Tourist Boat service running from Phra Arthit Pier to Sathorn Pier. From 11:30 to 19:00, the route is extended all the way to Asiatique The Riverfront. The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat route connects the touristy district of Khao San Road (N13/Phra Arthit Pier) with Thonburi Railway Station, the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, the Flower Market, Chinatown, ICONSIAM, the BTS SkyTrain Saphan Taksin station, and Asiatique the Riverfront.

The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat route includes stops at the following piers:

N13 / Phra Arthit Pier (nearby Riva Surya Bangkok) 

N10 / Prannok Pier (nearby Baan Wanglang Riverside)

M⭐ / Tha Maharaj Pier

N9 / Tha Chang Pier (stop for Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew)

W⭐ / Wat Arun Pier (stop for Wat Arun)

N7 / Rajinee Pier (nearby Riva Arun Bangkok & MRT Sanam Chai)

N5 / Ratchawong Pier (next to PIER 808 Hostel & close to MRT Wat Mangkon)

I⭐ / ICONSIAM Pier (stop for ICONSIAM, nearby Millennium Hilton Bangkok & The Peninsula Bangkok)

Central Pier / Sathorn Pier (next to Shangri-La Bangkok & BTS Saphan Taksin)

A⭐ / Asiatique Pier (only from 11:30)

The route map of Bangkok hop-on hop-off boat can be downloaded here: Chao Phraya Tourist Boat Route Map.

The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat is one of the best ways to explore Bangkok’s attractions along the Chao Phraya River, as you can use it not only for single trips but also as a hop-on, hop-off service. Some of them even offer an open deck!

Orange Flag Boat Bangkok

Orange Flag Boat Bangkok is the most frequent express boat service, running all the way from Nonthaburi Pier (N30) to Wat Rajsingkorn Pier (S3). The Orange Flag boat costs less and is a good alternative to the pricier tourist boat.

Yellow Flag, Green Flag & Red Flag Boats

Bangkok Yellow Flag Boat is the express service running from Nonthaburi Pier (N30) to Sathorn Pier (Central). This express boat service operates on weekdays. Previously, these boats were operating during rush hour only. Currently, Yellow Flag boats also operate during the day with several additional stops added to the route.

Green Yellow Flag boats run from Pakkret Pier (N33) to Sathorn Pier (Central), but they are even less frequent than Yellow Flag boats and also operate on weekdays and during rush hour only.

Red Flag express boats operate between Nonthaburi Pier (N30) and Sathorn Pier (Central) only on weekdays and during rush hour only.

Cross River Ferries

Chao Phraya Express Boat services are complemented by Bangkok’s cross-river ferries available at most of the main piers for crossing to the opposite bank of the river. More info about Chao Phraya River crossing can be found here: Bangkok Cross River Ferries.

Thai Smile Boat

Thai Smile Boat, previously known as MINE Smart Ferry, is an electric Bangkok riverboat service also operating on the Chao Phraya River. It's a more environmentally friendly alternative to the Chao Phraya Express Boat. After the reopening of the Metro Line from 5 January 2026, Thai Smile Boat currently operates 3 riverboat routes in Bangkok.

Chao Phraya Express Boat Price

Chao Phraya Express Boat price depends on the service you are using and after the latest decrease from 20 June 2026 is the following:

• Orange Flag boat fare is 18 Baht for a single trip.
• Yellow Flag boat fare is 23 Baht for a single trip.
• Green Yellow Flag boat fare depends on the distance and is 16/23/35 Baht for a single trip.
• Red Flag boat fare is 32 Baht for a single trip.
• Blue Flag - Chao Phraya Tourist Boat fare is 150 Baht (discounted from normal 225 Baht) for a one-day pass (cheaper tickets can be purchased online here: Chao Phraya Tourist Boat tickets). It is also possible to buy a ticket for a single trip on this boat that costs 40 Baht (discounted from normal 45 Baht).

A bigger discount for Chao Phraya Tourist Boat tickets is offered here: Chao Phraya Tourist Boat Bangkok Hop-On-Hop-Off Sightseeing Boat.

Chao Phraya Express Boat tickets can be bought at the desks found at the pier. Normally separate desks are set up for different boat services.

In general it is possible to buy a ticket on board as well, but it’s definitely not recommended unless there’s no other option available.

If you are going to take single trips on ordinary riverboat lines, you can make traveling easier by purchasing a Rabbit Card that can be topped up and used for traveling not only with Chao Phraya Express Boat but also with BTS SkyTrain, MRT Yellow Line, and MRT Pink Line SkyTrain. The Rabbit card can also be conveniently picked up at the airport by booking online here: Rabbit Card online.

Chao Phraya Express Boat Timetable

Chao Phraya Express Boat timetable depends on the service, and from 18 May 2026, it is the following:

• Blue Flag - Chao Phraya Tourist Boat operates daily from 08:30 to 19:40, frequency – approximately every 30 minutes.
• After the latest update, the Orange Flag boat operates only on weekdays (Monday–Friday) from 06:00 to 07:45 and from 15:40 to 18:05. Between 08:10 and 15:40, the Orange Flag is changed by the daytime Yellow Flag.
• Yellow Flag boats operate Monday–Friday from 06:00 to 08:05 in the morning and from 17:15 to 19:05 in the evening, with a frequency of every 15 to 60 minutes during the hours of operation. The daytime Yellow Flag operates daily from 08:10 to 15:40 on weekdays and from 07:30 to 17:45 on weekends and public holidays (with additional stops during these hours).
• Green Yellow Flag boats operate Monday–Friday from 06:00 to 07:50 in the morning and from 16:00 to 17:45 in the afternoon, frequency – every 15 to 30 minutes.
• Red Flag boats operate Monday–Friday from 06:50 to 07:40 in the morning, frequency – every 15 to 20 minutes.

Taking the Bangkok Chao Phraya River Boat

Once the Bangkok Chao Phraya River boat arrives at the pier, make sure that it’s going in the right direction, as the same pier is used for boats going both ways. Stand in a queue and let arriving passengers leave the boat.

As the entry/exit of the boat is at the rear, move towards the front of the boat unless you are planning to get off the boat at the next stop. Go to the back of the boat only when your stop approaches.

Tips

What is the best area to stay in Bangkok if you are willing to use river boats as your main mode of transportation in Bangkok? The answer can be found here: Where to Stay in Bangkok.

For a special experience on the Chao Phraya River, choose one of the scenic Bangkok River Dinner Cruises.

Join the Ayutthaya Day Tour with River Cruise and visit the ancient city of Ayutthaya, the capital of Siam. Enjoy a river cruise and take in the beautiful scenery and sites along the Chao Phraya River on the way back from Ayutthaya to Bangkok.