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If you’re visiting Bangkok, hopping on a river taxi along the Chao Phraya River is an excellent way to explore the city. It’s a practical and scenic way to get around, especially for visiting attractions like the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Asiatique.
However, for first-timers, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Signs are not always in English, boats can be crowded, and the river can feel chaotic with various boat services crisscrossing each other. The key to mastering this mode of transportation is understanding the different types of river taxis and their corresponding colored flags.
Let’s break down how to navigate the system, understand the color-coded flags, and make your journey a smooth one.
The Blue Flag tourist boat on the Chao Phraya River
Table of Contents
Deciphering the River Taxi Flags
One of the trickiest aspects for newcomers is the flag system. River taxis on the Chao Phraya are color-coded by flags, which indicate the route and the type of service.
Here’s a breakdown of all the different flag colors and what they mean.
I highly recommend using the Orange Flag or Blue Flag boats. They are the ones that tourists usually use and, if this is your first time on the Chao Phraya River Taxi, you should especially use them.
I have taken both, and they will be the most convenient with frequency, stops, and will usually have signs in English.
Orange Flag Boats (Regular Service)
The orange flag boats are the most popular option among tourists because they run more frequently than Blue Flag boats and stop at more piers. They operate from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM, making them a reliable choice for sightseeing. The orange flag boat has a flat fare of 15 THB ($0.45) regardless of how far you travel.
Blue Flag Boats (Tourist Boat)
Also called hop-on hop-off boats, the blue flag boats are double decker boats designed specifically for tourists. They have English-speaking guides and are less crowded than the Orange Flag boats. The Blue Flag boats operate from 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM. The fare is higher as well, typically around 30 THB ($0.90) per trip, or you can purchase a day pass for 150 THB ($4.50) that gives you unlimited rides.
Yellow Flag Boats (Express Service)
These boats are express services catering mostly to commuters. They run during the morning and evening rush hours and only stop at select piers. If you’re traveling during these times, the yellow flag boats can get you to your destination more quickly. However, they skip many of the tourist stops, so be mindful of the route. Yellow Flag boats do not run on weekends.
Green Flag Boats (Express Service)
The green flag boats are another express service that caters mostly to commuters, running during peak hours. These boats are faster and have fewer stops, similar to the yellow flag boats. They are less useful for tourists since they bypass many of the popular piers. Green Flag boats do not run on weekends.
Boats Without Flags (Local Line)
The boats without flags are local lines, which stop at every pier along the river. While they’re the cheapest option, they can be quite slow as they stop frequently.
At the Sathorn Pier, signs clearly show you the way for the Blue Flag and Orange Flag boats.
Pier Numbering System
Beginning with the central Stathorn Pier (pier number N1), the piers are numbered sequentially with the letter “N” preceding the number if it’s North of the Sathorn Pier, or an “S” if it’s south of the Sathorn Pier.
There are a few piers that for some reason were not given numbers. Rather, they were given a “Star” symbol. I believe those piers were later additions so and instead of renumbering everything they just went with a star.
Waiting area for the Blue Flag boat to arrive
What Attraction is at Each Pier
Now that you know about the boat flag colors, and how the piers are numbered, let’s go over what attractions are located at the piers.
There are over 30 piers along the Chao Phraya River but the majority of attractions for visitors are between piers N1 and N13.
You’ll want to look for the attractions you want to see and make note of the pier number and name.
Pier Numbers for Major Tourist Attractions
* Asiatique Pier – Outdoor shopping, Dinner Cruises, Entertainment, Cabaret Shows
N1: Sathorn (Central) Pier – Iconsiam (accessible via a shuttle boat), State Tower, BTS Skytrain’s Saphan Taksin station
* ICONSIAM Pier – Shopping mall, Indoor floating market, Fountain light show, Art gallery
N5: Ratchawong Pier – Chinatown, Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, Yaowarat Road
N6: Memorial Bridge Pier – Flower market, Wat Prayoon, Yodpiman River Walk
N7: Rajinee Pier – Flower market
* Wat Arun Pier – Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
N8: Tha Tien Pier – Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), Tha Prachan Amulet Market
N9: Tha Chang Pier – Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
N10: Prannock Pier – Wang Lang Market with river view restaurants
N13: Phra Arthit Pier – Khao San Road
N15: Thewet Pier – Dusit Palace
Display screen on Blue Flag tourist taxi showing what pier number is next.
Additional Information for Asiatique, ICONSIAM, and Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Did you notice that the piers for Asiatique, ICONSIAM, and Wat Arun didn’t have pier numbers? They are three of the piers that are indicated with a star on the list above.
Each of those pier stops have additional information that’s helpful to know.
Asiatique
There is a dedicated FREE shuttle boat from the central Sathorn Pier that goes directly to Asiatique. Asiatique is also a stop on the Blue Flag route. It is not a stop on the Orange Flag route. Asiatique is only open in the evening, so unless you have already purchased the Blue Flag unlimited ticket, just take the free shuttle from the Sathorn Pier. The shuttle boat is available 4:30 PM – 11:30 PM.
ICONSIAM
ICONSIAM is a stop on the Blue Flag tourist boat route. It is also a stop on the Orange Flag route but many times this route is suspended. There is also a dedicated ICONSIAM shuttle boat that is available from the central Sathorn Pier. So, to get to ICONSIAM by boat you should have a Blue Flag ticket or take the dedicated ICONSIAM shuttle boat from the Sathorn Pier. The shuttle boat is available 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Wat Arun can be reached by both the Blue Flag and Orange Flag boats but only the Blue Flag boat will stop directly in front of the temple. The Orange Flag boat stops at Tha Tien pier (N8) which is across the river from the temple. You would then need to hop on a cross-river boat for 4 THB (about $0.10) to take you across the river to the Wat Arun pier. Don’t worry though, this is quite common so you wouldn’t be alone taking this route.
Approaching Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
What Piers do the Blue Flag and Orange Flag Boats Stop at?
If you made note of the pier numbers that you want to stop at, take a look at the routes below to see which color flag serves your stop.
Stops on the Blue Flag Boat Route
Stops on the Orange Flag Boat Route
What Color Flag Boat Should You Take?
The Orange Flag and Blue Flag routes have many of the same stops. What boat you take is simply a matter of preference.
Honestly, the cost of a ticket is so cheap for the boats, I wouldn’t stress over trying to get the Orange Flag boat just because it costs a few cents less. If you’re short on time, take whichever one arrives first. If you’re wanting a more comfortable and less crowded ride, go with the Blue Flag boat.
The first time I did this, I just bought a Blue Flag unlimited ticket for less than $5. Everything I wanted to see was on the Blue Flag route and I didn’t want to worry about purchasing tickets individually. Although I did have a little longer wait between boats, the Blue Flag boats were a lot less crowded and made it easier to take pictures from the boat.
Blue ticket for the blue flag boat. The number 9 written at the top indicates the pier number I was getting off at. 30 THB = .90 cents.
How to Purchase Chao Phraya River Taxi Tickets
Purchasing tickets for the Orange Flag or Blue Flag boats is fairly simple. There is no need to purchase tickets ahead of time. There are staffed ticket desks at the Orange Flag and Blue Flag pier stops. Some piers may also have ticket machines but it’s so much easier to go to the counter instead of figuring out how to use the machine.
You’ll need to pay for your tickets in cash so be sure to bring small denominations of Thai Baht with you.
How to get to Sathorn Pier (N1)
The main central pier is the Sathorn Pier and it’s where many people start their day on the Chao Phraya River from.
You can get to the Sathorn Pier by taking the BTS Sky Train to Saphan Taksin Station. Once you reach Saphan Taksin Station, follow the signs to Sathorn Pier (also known as Central Pier). You will use exit 2 and go down the stairs. Follow the paved path and turn left when you see the water.
You can also take a taxi or Grab (like Uber) to get to the Sathorn Pier.
Tips for Navigating the Piers
- Pay Attention to Pier Numbers: While some maps and guides use pier names, others refer to pier numbers. Familiarize yourself with both to avoid confusion.
- Use Sathorn Pier (N1) as a Hub: Many river taxi routes start and end at Sathorn Pier, making it an ideal jumping-off point for your journey.
- Cross-River Ferries: At certain piers like Tha Tien (N8), you can take a short ferry ride across the river to reach popular attractions, like Wat Arun, on the opposite side.
- Be Careful Getting On and Off: The water can get choppy and the boats can bounce around a bit. So, watch your step and mind the gap between the pier and the boat.
When you get off the BTS Sky Train, follow the signs to Sathorn Pier.
Chao Phraya River Taxi Final Thoughts
Bangkok’s river taxis offer an authentic glimpse into local life while allowing you to avoid the city’s notoriously busy streets. The river is a major transportation artery, so you’ll see locals commuting to work, tourists visiting landmarks, and even monks traveling between temples.
I hope this post helped alleviate some of the confusion on how to take a river taxi in Bangkok. The Chao Phraya Express boats with the Orange and Blue flags are so easy to use and well worth giving them a try when you want to experience Bangkok from the river!
Is there something you want to know that I didn’t cover? Let me know in the comments below.
