Wat Arun Bangkok: THB 200 Ticket, Hours, Tha Tien Ferry
Wat Arun costs THB 200 for foreign visitors and is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00. Since 5 April 2024 the orange-flag and gold-flag express boats stop at Tha Tien instead of Wat Arun pier. From MRT Sanam Chai Exit 1, take the ferry from Tha Tien pier.
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Wat Arun ticket price and opening hours
Wat Arun admission for foreign visitors is THB 200. The temple is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00.
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Foreign adult admission | THB 200 |
| Opening hours | 08:00 to 18:00, daily |
| Temple telephone | 0 2891 2185 |
| Facilities | Parking and restrooms |
Older price listings
The tourism authority’s fee field lists a foreign adult at 200.00. Some older listings still show THB 100 for foreigners.
Bring THB 200 plus a small note for change. Do not argue the price at the gate with an old page.
Hours, and the “closed today” scam
Hours are 08.00 - 18.00 daily. The same window reads 08:00 to 18:00 on the government page.
Scammers claim the temple is closed and redirect visitors elsewhere. A stranger who tells you the temple is shut may be one, so walk to the gate and read the hours yourself.
What to see at Wat Arun
The large pagoda is 82 metres high. The Grand Prang is over 80 meters tall and built with Chinese porcelain tiles and Benjarong shards.
The main ordination hall houses the Phra Buddha Dhammisornrajalokathat Dilok statue and has detailed stucco designs.
A short history
The temple was first called Wat Chaeng. It used to enshrine the Emerald Buddha that was brought from Vientiane.
Wat Arun played a vital role during the Thonburi era and was once home to the Emerald Buddha before it moved to Wat Phra Kaew. The King made it a first-class royal temple of the Woramahawihan class.
The temple underwent a major renovation in the reign of King Rama II. The large pagoda was built in the reign of King Rama III and finished in the reign of King Rama IV, when the temple took the name Wat Arun Ratchawararam.
Where it stands
Wat Arun stands on Arun Amarin Road on the Thon Buri side of the Chao Phraya River, directly opposite Wat Pho.
Who Wat Arun suits (and who should skip it)
- It suits anyone staying near Wat Pho, since the temple stands directly opposite it across the river.
- It suits early risers and sunset visitors: the best times are early morning or sunset.
- It suits drivers: cars park in the lot in front of the temple.
- It suits visitors who arrive by tourist boat, which has its own Wat Arun stop.
- Skip it, or change clothes first, if you only have shorts, sleeveless tops or flip-flops.
How to get to Wat Arun
Wat Arun is on the Thon Buri side of the river. Most routes end with a ferry from Tha Tien pier.
The ferry from Tha Tien
MRT and bus passengers go to Tha Tien pier for the ferry. An express boat to Tha Tien (N8) is also described as one of the most popular ways to reach the Grand Palace area. The ferry fare has no official figure, so carry small change.
By MRT
Leave MRT Sanam Chai Station by Exit 1 and take the ferry from Tha Tien pier.
By bus
Buses 1, 3, 25, 32, 44, 47, 53, 82, 508 and 512 serve the area; get off at Tha Tien and take the ferry.
By express boat
Since 5 April 2024 the orange-flag and gold-flag express boats stop at Tha Tien instead of Wat Arun pier. Older pages still tell you to get off at Wat Arun pier, so use Tha Tien on those flags.
By tourist boat
The tourist boat is a hop-on hop-off service with boats every 30 minutes. It has a Wat Arun stop. A single journey costs THB 40 and the all-day River Pass costs THB 150.
On the first trip from Phra Arthit the tourist boat reaches Wat Arun at 08:40.
By car
Cars park in the lot in front of the temple. Morning or evening is best to avoid traffic.
When to go and how long
The temple is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00. The best times to visit are early morning or sunset.
No official visit length is published. The tourist boat runs every 30 minutes, so a missed boat costs half an hour.
Nearby and how to combine it
Wat Pho stands directly opposite Wat Arun across the river. See Wat Pho tickets and hours for its ticket and massage prices.
From the Tha Tien junction, turn right and walk about 10 minutes to Wat Pho. Wat Pho costs THB 300 for foreigners and is open daily from 08:00 to 19:30.
The Grand Palace costs THB 500 for foreigners, including Wat Phra Kaew. It is open daily from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. See Grand Palace tickets and dress code before you go.
For a full day, start at the palace when it opens at 8:30 AM. Then walk to Wat Pho, and cross to Wat Arun before 18:00. The tourist boat and express boats are covered in Chao Phraya boats: flags, routes and fares.
Before you go
- Cash: bring THB 200 for the foreigner ticket.
- Clothes: no shorts, sleeveless tops, open shoulders or flip-flops.
- Bring an umbrella, hat, sunscreen and a camera.
- Crossing: the express boats stop at Tha Tien, not Wat Arun pier.
- Scam: ignore a stranger who says the temple is closed.
- Closing: the temple closes at 18:00.
- Questions to the temple: the listed telephone number is 0 2891 2185.
Step by step
- Dress for the templeWear no shorts, sleeveless tops, open shoulders or flip-flops.
- Cross from Tha TienTake the ferry from Tha Tien pier; express boats stop at Tha Tien, not Wat Arun pier.
- Pay the foreigner ticketAdmission for foreign visitors is THB 200.
- Arrive before closingThe temple is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00.
Not confirmed: Ferry fare: no official fare for the Tha Tien to Wat Arun ferry was found. Entrance fee: older listings still show THB 100, but the current fee is THB 200.
Common questions
How much is the Wat Arun ticket for foreigners?
The Wat Arun entrance fee for foreign visitors is THB 200. The tourism authority's fee field lists a foreign adult at 200.00.
What are the Wat Arun opening hours?
Wat Arun is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00. The tourism authority lists the same hours as 08.00 - 18.00.
Can you take the express boat to Wat Arun pier?
Not on the orange and gold flags: since 5 April 2024 they stop at Tha Tien instead of Wat Arun pier. The tourist boat has a Wat Arun stop.
What should you wear to Wat Arun?
Dress respectfully: no shorts, sleeveless tops, open shoulders or flip-flops.
Is Wat Arun closed when a stranger says so?
A stranger who says the temple is closed may be a scammer: scammers claim the temple is closed and redirect visitors elsewhere. Check the hours of 08:00 to 18:00.
How do you get to Wat Arun by MRT?
Leave MRT Sanam Chai Station by Exit 1 and take the ferry from Tha Tien pier.
Which buses go to Wat Arun?
Buses 1, 3, 25, 32, 44, 47, 53, 82, 508 and 512 serve the area; get off at Tha Tien and take the ferry.
How much is the Chao Phraya tourist boat to Wat Arun?
A single tourist boat journey costs THB 40 and the all-day River Pass costs THB 150.
Where do you park at Wat Arun?
Cars park in the lot in front of the temple. The tourism authority lists parking and restrooms as facilities.
How tall is the main prang at Wat Arun?
The large pagoda is 82 metres high. The Grand Prang is over 80 meters tall.
Read next
Prices, timetables and opening hours change; check with the operator before you travel. See how guides are checked.
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