Bangkok River Taxi Guide: Water Taxi Map, Fares and Stops

The Bangkok river taxi is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to get around the city while seeing Bangkok from the Chao Phraya River. You can use it to reach popular places like the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, ICONSIAM, and Khao San Road while avoiding some of Bangkok’s traffic. The confusing part is figuring out which boat to take. You’ll see boats with different colored flags, piers identified by names and numbers, and several types of tickets. I felt overwhelmed the first time I arrived at Sathorn Pier, too. In this guide, I’ll explain how to use the Bangkok water taxi, the difference between the Blue and Orange Flag boats, where to buy tickets, which piers you need, and how to read the Bangkok water taxi map. Once you understand the system, it’s much easier than it first appears. I used both the Blue and Orange Flag boats while exploring Bangkok on my own, and after my first ride, I felt comfortable getting on and off throughout the day. If you’d rather follow a ready-made route, see my One Day in Bangkok River Taxi Itinerary for the exact stops I used during my day along the river.

Where to Catch the Bangkok River Taxi

Most first-time visitors start at Sathorn Pier, also called Central Pier. It connects directly to Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain, making it one of the easiest places to begin. Take the Silom Line to Saphan Taksin BTS station. Use Exit 2, walk toward the river, and follow the signs for Sathorn Pier. It’s only a short walk from the station. You’ll see several ticket counters and waiting areas when you arrive. Look for signs showing the colored flags rather than getting on the first boat you see. The Blue Flag Tourist Boat and Orange Flag Express Boat use different ticket counters and boarding areas. You can also take a taxi or use Grab to reach Sathorn Pier. This costs more than the BTS, but it may be easier if you’re carrying luggage or don’t want to figure out the train system.

Blue Flag vs. Orange Flag: Which Boat Should You Take?

You may see boats with Blue, Orange, Yellow, Green, or Red flags along the Chao Phraya River. For sightseeing, the two you need to know are the Blue Flag Tourist Boat and the Orange Flag Express Boat.

If this is your first time using the Bangkok river taxi, the Blue Flag boat is the easiest. Choose the Orange Flag boat if saving money is more important and you don’t mind a busier local experience.

Blue Flag Tourist Boat

The Blue Flag boat is designed for visitors. It stops near many of Bangkok’s major attractions, has English announcements, and is easier to understand when you’re still learning the river system. Boats generally run every 30 minutes. You can buy a single-ride ticket or a hop-on-hop-off day pass. I bought the unlimited pass on my first day because I didn’t want to worry about purchasing another ticket each time I boarded. It costs more than the Orange Flag boat, but I thought the convenience was worth it while I was getting comfortable.

Orange Flag Express Boat

The Orange Flag boat is used by locals and visitors. It stops at more piers, feels more like public transportation, and can be crowded during busy times. The fare is currently 17 THB per ride, making it the least expensive choice for sightseeing along the river. The signs and announcements may not be as easy to follow, so keep an eye on the pier numbers as you travel. After using the Blue Flag boat first, I found the Orange Flag boat much less intimidating.

How Bangkok River Taxi Piers Work

Bangkok’s river piers are identified by a name, a number, or both. Sathorn Pier is also called Central Pier and acts as the main starting point. Most piers north of Sathorn are marked with an N, followed by a number. For example, Tha Tien is N8, Tha Chang is N9, and Phra Arthit is N13. Most of the attractions first-time visitors want to see are between Sathorn Pier and N13. Before boarding, make sure the boat is traveling in the direction you need. If you’re leaving Sathorn for Wat Pho, the Grand Palace, or Khao San Road, you’ll travel north. Pier signs and route maps will help point you toward the correct waiting area. On the Blue Flag boat, staff announce the stops in English, and digital screens show the next pier. The Orange Flag boat can move quickly, so follow your location on Google Maps and start preparing to get off before you reach your stop. Don’t rely only on the pier number. Look for the pier name, too, since routes and pier numbers can change.

Best Bangkok River Taxi Stops for Sightseeing

These are the river taxi stops most visitors will use. Not every boat stops at every pier, so check the route map before boarding.

Getting to Wat Arun on the Orange Flag Boat

The Orange Flag boat doesn’t stop directly in front of Wat Arun. Get off at Tha Tien Pier, N8, and take the small cross-river ferry to the temple. The ferry ride only takes a few minutes and costs a few baht.

Stops Without Pier Numbers

Wat Arun, ICONSIAM, and Asiatique may appear with a symbol or their name instead of an N-number on river maps. This doesn’t mean the boat skips them. Listen for the announcement and look for the attraction’s name on the onboard display.

Bangkok River Taxi Tickets and Fares

You don’t need to reserve Bangkok river taxi tickets in advance. You can buy them when you arrive at the pier.

Blue Flag Tourist Boat Tickets

Purchase Blue Flag tickets from the tourist boat counter at Sathorn Pier or another participating pier. You can choose between a single-ride ticket and an unlimited day pass. The day pass currently costs 150 THB and allows you to get on and off throughout the day. I chose the day pass on my first trip because it was simple and gave me the freedom to change my plans. If you only plan to take one or two rides, individual tickets will usually cost less. Check the posted fare when you arrive because single-ride prices can change.

Orange Flag Boat Tickets

The Orange Flag boat currently costs 17 THB per ride. Depending on the pier, you may buy your ticket before boarding or from a ticket collector once you’re on the boat. Don’t panic if the boat arrives before you find a ticket counter. Get on, keep some cash ready, and watch for the uniformed collector moving through the passengers.

How to Pay

Bring Thai baht, preferably in small bills or coins. Cash is the easiest way to pay, and you shouldn’t count on being able to use a credit card.

Keep your ticket until you leave the boat. A staff member may ask to see it during the ride.

Bangkok Water Taxi Map

The Bangkok water taxi map shows which piers are served by each colored boat. Blue and Orange Flag boats follow similar routes along the Chao Phraya River, but they don’t stop at all the same places. Save the maps to your phone before heading out. You can also take a photo of the route map at Sathorn Pier so you have it available without using mobile data.

Blue Flag Route Map

The Blue Flag Tourist Boat stops at major sightseeing areas, including ICONSIAM, Chinatown, Wat Arun, the Grand Palace area, and Phra Arthit Pier for Khao San Road. Some stops, including Wat Arun and ICONSIAM, are shown by name instead of an N-number.

Orange Flag Route Map

The Orange Flag boat stops at more local piers and costs less per ride. Find the Orange Flag column on the route map and follow it down to see which piers the boat serves.

Helpful tip: Boat routes, fares, and operating times can change. Check the official Chao Phraya Tourist Boat website for the Blue Flag route and the official Chao Phraya Express Boat website for the Orange Flag route before your trip.

What Happens If You Miss Your River Taxi Stop?

I had a plan. I was taking the Blue Flag boat to Tha Chang Pier, N9, to visit the Grand Palace. But I was enjoying the river views, taking photos, and not paying close enough attention. By the time I realized we had reached my stop, the boat was already pulling away. I got off at the next pier, thinking I could simply walk back. What I hadn’t realized was that I was now on the other side of the river. I needed to take a small cross-river ferry to get back. The ferry cost only a few baht, but it didn’t drop me directly at the Grand Palace. I still had to walk several blocks through a maze of small shops and food stalls. It wasn’t what I had planned, but I loved it. The area was filled with locals, and it became one of the most memorable parts of my day.

Watch the pier numbers and start moving toward the exit before your stop. If you miss it, don’t panic. Get off at the next pier, check Google Maps, and ask a staff member which boat or ferry will get you back.

Where to Stay in Bangkok

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Bangkok, 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.