Bangkok Highlights, Temples and Canal Tour with Lunch
Highlights
- Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha Temple and Wat Pho
- Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn
- Local Thai street food lunch in Tha Tien
- Longtail boat through the Thonburi canals
Description
Short on time but want to cover Bangkok's highlights in a single day? This tour links the four big temples with a street food lunch and a longtail boat ride. You start at the Emerald Buddha Temple, passing the amulet market, then explore Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace, the official residence of the Kings of Thailand. For more background and practical advice, see our Bangkok Old Town guide.
Pricing
Adult
Age 10-99
THB 3,695per person
Child
Age 3-9
THB 2,995per person
Infant
Age 0-2
Free
per person
Highlighted reviews from travelers
See all reviews →- 08:00
Meet at River City Bangkok
Meet the group at River City Bangkok by the river, or take the optional one-way hotel pickup.
Visit Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the Grand Palace, the official residence of the Kings of Thailand. You pass the amulet market along the way.
Continue to Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, recognised by UNESCO in its Memory of the World Programme. You pass Tha Tien Market on the way.
Stop in Tha Tien to rest and try local Thai street food for lunch.
Visit Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, beside the river. Its central tower rises about 70 metres.
Take a speedboat across to Thonburi, the former capital, then ride a longtail boat through its traditional khlongs (canals) and along the Chao Phraya River.
Included
- English-speaking guide
- Entrance to the Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha Temple, Wat Pho and Wat Arun
- Local Thai street food lunch
- Longtail boat ride through the Thonburi canals
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Tips for the guide (optional)
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees (required at the temples)
- Shoes that are easy to slip off
- Sunglasses and a hat (it can get warm in Bangkok)
- Water
Prefer to make your own way there? You can skip the pickup and meet us directly at the start point.
River City Bangkok
River City Bangkok is the riverside complex in Si Phraya, just off Charoen Krung Road; any taxi or Grab driver knows it by name. Coming by river, get off at Si Phraya pier next to the Royal Orchid Sheraton and walk a couple of minutes, and from BTS Saphan Taksin you can pick up the Chao Phraya Express boat at Sathorn pier. Please arrive by 07:45, 15 minutes before the 08:00 departure.
This is the full-day version of Bangkok: four major temples, lunch and a canal ride in about eight hours, most of it on foot. If you booked hotel pickup your exact time is confirmed after booking; otherwise check in at River City Bangkok by 07:45. The early start is deliberate, since the Grand Palace is at its calmest and coolest in the first hour.
Dress rules matter more here than on any other Bangkok tour: the Grand Palace requires covered shoulders and knees for everyone, and the guards do check. Wear shoes that slip off easily, because they come off at every temple interior.
Lunch is Thai street food in Tha Tien, eaten the local way rather than at a sit-down restaurant, and the guide points you to what to try. All four temple entrance fees are already in the price, including the Grand Palace ticket.
The last part of the day trades walking for water: a boat across to the Thonburi side and a longtail ride through the canals before the tour returns to River City.
FAQs
Yes, pickup from central Bangkok hotels is included, with your exact time confirmed after booking. You can also meet the group at River City Bangkok by 07:45 instead.
Yes. Entrance to the Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha Temple, Wat Pho and Wat Arun is all in the price, so there is nothing to buy at the gates.
The Grand Palace enforces it strictly: shoulders and knees covered for everyone, no sleeveless tops or short shorts. Wear shoes that slip off easily, since they come off at temple interiors.
Local Thai street food in Tha Tien, near Wat Pho, eaten the local way rather than at a sit-down restaurant. It is included in the price and the guide helps you choose.
Most of the day is on foot: the temple complexes are large and you cover them at a steady, unhurried pace, with the boat and canal legs as a break in the afternoon. Comfortable shoes make the difference.
Yes. Cancelling or moving your booking to another date is free up to 24 hours before the tour starts, and anything you have paid is refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded. If we have to cancel, for example for weather or safety, you can move to another date or take a full refund.
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Reviews
Based on 37 reviews
- Satoshi KamedaJuly 17, 20265.0
The reclining Buddha is enormous. Photos really dont show the scale properly.
- Gabriele RussoJune 30, 20265.0
The boat ride was louder and faster than I imagined, in a fun way. We passed narrow homes, small bridges and people feeding fish. Temple visits earlier in the day gave useful context.
- Ximena ParedesJune 28, 20265.0
This itinerary gave us the Bangkok overview we wanted on our first visit. Morning pickup was easy to identify and the guide outlined the day before we entered the palace. Inside, the coloured glass and roof details were more impressive than I expected, although the crowds required patience. Wat Pho felt more open and the reclining Buddha was a real highlight. Lunch was not fancy, but it was hot, quick and satisfying. We crossed the river for another perspective on Wat Arun, then boarded the longtail boat. The canals were lively, with houses, laundry, small temples and fish near the piers. It was hot and tiring, but genuinely memorable.
- Ibtisam KhalilJune 24, 20265.0
Great guide, great boat, happy family.
- Gráinne O'SheaApril 28, 20265.0
Excellent introduction to Bangkok. The canal section was our favourite part.