Bangkok River Taxi: First Time User Guide

Understanding how to use the Bangkok River Taxi.

If you’re visiting Bangkok and want a fun and affordable way to see the city, the Bangkok river taxi is one of the best ways to do it. It’s scenic, efficient, and gives you a front-row view of life along the Chao Phraya River.

You’ll pass temples, markets, high-rises, and neighborhoods you might not discover otherwise.

But, if it’s your first time, the river system can be confusing. The signs aren’t always in English, the boats have different colored flags, and the piers are numbered and named in ways that don’t always seem obvious.

I get it. I was overwhelmed, too. That’s why I put this guide together to help you feel confident before you step onto the pier.

If you’re looking for a complete sightseeing route, check out One Day in Bangkok: An Easy River Taxi Itinerary. I share all the stops and tips I used for my own day on the Chao Phraya River.

Start at Sathorn Pier

When you get off at the Saphan Taksin BTS station, follow the signs to Sathorn Pier

Most people begin their river adventure at Sathorn Pier. This is the main pier on the Chao Phraya River.

You get to Sathorn Pier by taking the BTS skytrain to the Saphan Taksin BTS station.

When you arrive at the Saphan Taksin BTS station, just take Exit 2 and follow the signs to Sathorn Pier. You’ll walk toward the river and will end up right where you need to be.

If you prefer, you can also take a taxi or use Grab (like Uber) to go directly to Sathorn Pier. It will cost more money but you won’t need to navigate the BTS.

Which Boat Should You Take?

The Blue Flag tourist boat on the Chao Phraya River

There are several types of service boats along the Chao Phraya River. And you’ll find that the boats each have a colored flag, either Blue, Orange, Yellow, Green, or Red.

For first-time visitors, the easiest options are the Orange Flag and Blue Flag boats.

I’ve taken both and they’re simple to navigate once you understand the differences.

The Orange Flag boats are mostly for commuters, so they stop at more piers and come more frequently. The Orange Flag boats are also called Chao Phraya Express boats. They cost just 15 THB per ride and are a great option if you’re on a tight budget.

The Blue Flag boats are geared toward tourists. Blue flag boats are also referred to as Tourist Boats or taxis and Hop-on-Hop-off boats. They’re less crowded, more comfortable, and have English-speaking staff. A single ride costs 30 THB, or you can buy an unlimited day pass for 150 THB.

My first time on the river, I bought the Blue Flag boat unlimited day pass so I didn’t have to worry about paying for each ride. It made things easy, and I could hop on and off as I pleased.

Directional signs for the Blue and Orange Flag Boats

Waiting area for the Blue Flag boat to arrive

How to Navigate the Piers

The Bangkok river taxi system uses a combination of pier names and numbers. Piers located north of Sathorn Pier are labeled with an “N” followed by a number (like N5, N8, N13). If the pier is south, it will start with an “S.”

Most of the tourist-friendly stops that you’ll be stopping at are between piers N1 and N13.

I’ve pasted the route maps for the Blue flag and Orange flag boats further down below. There are also maps of the route on the walls at Sathorn Pier which are helpful. And signs and digital boards are on the boat telling you which pier the boat is arriving to next.

Display screen on Blue Flag tourist taxi showing what pier number is next.

Tourist-Friendly Stops You’ll Want to Know

Here are some of the most popular stops along the Chao Phraya River and what pier they are at. Keep in mind that not all boats stop at all piers:

• Wat Pho: Reclining Buddha. On the Orange Flag boat you’ll get off at N8 Tha Tien Pier.
• Wat Arun: Temple of Dawn. The Blue Flag boat stops at the temple. The Orange Flag boats stop across the river at N8 Tha Tien Pier and you take a cross-river ferry to Wat Arun.
• Grand Palace: Temple of the Emerald Buddha. On both the Blue and Orange Flag boats, get off at N9 Tha Chang Pier.
• ICONSIAM: A multi-level shopping mall and dining complex with art installations and a light show in the evenings. (see note below)
• Asiatique: A massive riverfront night market with shops, restaurants, and entertainment. Open evenings only. (see note below)
• Khao San Road: On both Blue and Orange Flag boats, get off at N13 Phra Arthit Pier for easy access to Khao San Road.

Wat Arun – The Temple of Dawn

Special Stops Without Pier Numbers

A few special piers, such as Wat Arun, ICONSIAM, and Asiatique, don’t have a number. Instead, they’re marked with a star next to their name on maps and signage.

These pier stops include:

• Asiatique: You can get there on the Blue Flag boat or take a free shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier. The free shuttle operates from 4:30 PM to 11:30 PM.
• ICONSIAM: This stop is on the Blue Flag route and there’s a free ICONSIAM shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier, which runs from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
• Wat Arun: If you take the Orange Flag boat, get off at Tha Tien (N8) and take a quick ferry across the river. If you take the Blue Flag boat, you will be dropped off right in front of the temple.

Buying Tickets for the Bangkok River Taxi

There’s no need to buy anything online in advance. Just go to the ticket counter at the pier and pay in cash. Most staff understand enough English to help you get the right ticket.

If you’re riding the Orange Flag, each ticket costs a flat fare of about 15 THB ($0.45 cents).

If you’re using the Blue Flag, you can buy a single ticket or the all-day pass. Single tickets average about 30 THB ($0.90). The all day pass was 150 THB ($4.50) when I was there in 2024.

Both are great options depending on how many stops you plan to make.

Bring small bills. The ticket counters don’t always have change for larger denominations.

Bangkok Water Taxi Map

Blue Flag Route Map

The stops along the Blue Flag route.

Orange Flag Route Map

The stops along the Orange Flag route are in the far right column.

My Rookie Mistake (And Why It Turned Out Fine)

I had a plan. I was going to take the river taxi to Tha Chang Pier (N9) to see the Grand Palace. I was on the Blue Flag boat enjoying the view, taking photos, and not paying close attention. Before I realized it, we had pulled away from the pier and the Grand Palace was behind me.

I got off at the next stop, thinking I could just walk back. What I didn’t think about though until I stepped onto the pier was that I was now across the water. To get back, I had to take a small ferry boat back over to the other side.

The ride was quick, just a few baht, and it dropped me off in an area across the river…but not at the Grand Palace. The Palace was still a couple blocks away. I ended up walking through a maze of tiny shops and food stalls to get there. It was packed with locals, and I honestly loved it. It wasn’t what I meant to do, but it ended up being one of the most memorable parts of my day.

So here’s your reminder: watch the pier numbers. But also, if you miss your stop, it’s not the end of the world. You’ll find your way, and probably discover something cool along the way.

Where to Stay in Bangkok

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Bangkok that’s close to a BTS station, I really liked the Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam. It’s in a great location and an easy five-minute walk to the SIAM BTS station.

From the SIAM station, it’s just a 15-minute direct ride to Saphan Taksin station and the Sathorn Pier, where you can hop on the Chao Phraya River boats.

Final Thoughts on the Bangkok River Taxi

A couple of monks waiting for the Bangkok River Taxi.

The Bangkok river taxi is a great way to explore the city. It’s affordable and easy to access. Yes, it can feel a little chaotic at first. But once you’ve ridden it once, it starts to make sense.

You’ll see more than just landmarks. You’ll see how Bangkok moves. From monks in orange robes hopping on board to school kids heading home, it’s a beautiful, everyday part of city life.

And if you miss your stop? You might just find a new adventure waiting on the other side of the river.

Have a question I didn’t answer? Feel free to leave a comment. I’d love to help.