Bangkok Temple and Market Walking Tour
Highlights
- Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha Temple
- Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha
- Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, by the river
- Walk past the amulet market and Tha Tien Market
Description
Want to see Bangkok's most famous temples on foot, with someone who can explain what you are looking at? You meet at River City Bangkok at 9:00 AM and head over by local transport, passing the amulet market on Rattanakosin Island on the way. For more background and practical advice, see our Bangkok Old Town guide.
Pricing
Adult
Age 10-99
THB 2,795per person
Child
Age 3-9
THB 2,195per person
Infant
Age 0-2
Free
per person
Highlighted reviews from travelers
See all reviews →- 09:00
Meet at River City Bangkok
Gather with the group at River City Bangkok, the riverside shopping complex by the Chao Phraya. This is where the walking tour begins.
Head into Rattanakosin, Bangkok's historic old town, by local transport. On the way you pass the amulet market, where stalls sell Buddhist amulets and charms.
Visit Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. It sits within the Grand Palace, the former residence of the Kings of Thailand, still used for royal ceremonies today.
Continue to Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha and the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. You pass Tha Tien Market on the way.
Finish at Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, beside the Chao Phraya River. Its central tower rises about 70 metres and is decorated with coloured glass and Chinese porcelain.
Included
- Local English-speaking guide
- Entrance tickets to the Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha Temple, Wat Pho and Wat Arun
- Local transport between sites
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (the tour starts and ends at River City Bangkok)
- Food and 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
- Sun protection and a hat
- Water
This tour starts at a fixed meeting point. Please make your own way there.
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 08:45, 15 minutes before the 09:00 departure.
Check-in is at the Bigcountry Experience Meeting Point at River City Bangkok by 08:45, and the group moves between the Rattanakosin sites by local transport, so the walking happens inside the temple grounds rather than between them.
All entrance tickets are included: the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha Temple, Wat Pho and Wat Arun. The dress code is enforced at the Grand Palace especially, shoulders and knees covered, and shoes you can slip off quickly make the day easier.
No meals are included on this one. Have breakfast before you come; there are street food and drink stalls around Tha Tien Market along the route, and your guide can point out what is worth trying. The tour wraps up in the early afternoon back at River City, leaving the rest of the day free.
FAQs
At the Bigcountry Experience Meeting Point at River City Bangkok, by 08:45 for the 09:00 start. The tour ends back at River City in the early afternoon.
Yes, tickets to the Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha Temple, Wat Pho and Wat Arun are all included, and the group moves between the sites by local transport.
No. Eat breakfast before you come; along the route there are street food and drink stalls around Tha Tien Market, and your guide can point out what is worth trying.
Covered shoulders and knees are required at the Grand Palace and checked at the entrance. Shoes you can slip off quickly save time at the temple interiors, and a hat helps on the open walkways.
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 84 reviews
- Gaspar EspinosaAugust 13, 20262.0
We rushed through the palace after waiting too long for local transport. We would have managed the temples more comfortably on our own. Several explanations happened while half the group was still entering the site. The market portions were quicker than the tour name suggested. We received no useful help when one guest struggled in the heat. We saw every advertised temple but had little free time at each one. Crowds are unavoidable, but the organisation made them much worse. We expected much better organisation.
- Bum-soo FukudaAugust 11, 20265.0
Meeting at River City was straightforward and our guide arrived early. We appreciated the reminders about shoes and respectful clothing. Each temple felt distinct rather than like another repeated stop. I enjoyed seeing the tiny amulet shops on the way to the palace. It was hot by late morning, but short shade breaks helped.
- Ikenna SekouAugust 10, 20265.0
The tour balanced famous sights with glimpses of everyday Bangkok. Historical context at Wat Pho was concise and easy to follow.
- BangkokBootsAugust 9, 20264.0
The route was busy but very rewarding. The stories about the royal compound gave meaning to details we would have missed. The Grand Palace courtyards were crowded but still spectacular. Traffic noise sometimes drowned out the guide between stops. The ferry and local streets made the finish at Wat Arun more interesting.
- Hauwa MunyikaAugust 8, 20265.0
We saw more of historic Bangkok than we could have organised alone. There was enough information to be interesting without overwhelming us. The Grand Palace courtyards were crowded but still spectacular. Tha Tien Market was brief but gave us a useful change of pace. The walk covered a fair distance without feeling like a fitness challenge. I took many photos.