The four plans at a glance
| Plan | Duration | Indicative price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wat Pho + Wat Arun on foot and by ferry | 3.5 to 4 h | 500 baht entry fees, € | independent travelers, first visit |
| Small-group guided tour of the three temples | about 5 h | from €19.97 (entry fees to budget for, depending on the listing), €€ | those who want a guide and no planning |
| Thonburi canals by long-tail boat | 2 h on the water, 3 to 4 h with Wat Arun | private boat or group ride, €€ | families, fans of local life |
| Siam, shopping malls and Lumphini Park | 4 to 5 h | free to €€ (meals) | heat, rain, children |
Levels: € = under 1,000 baht per person, €€ = roughly 1,000 to 3,000 baht, meals not included. These are guides, not official rates; only the entry prices in baht come from the temples' own sites.
Where to sleep for this itinerary. Stay in Siam: it is the area that cuts the most travel time between the stops of this plan. Compare hotels with free cancellation in Siam and see our where-to-stay guide (Bangkok) to pick the neighbourhood.
Before choosing: your start time
The three temples open in the morning and close early: the Grand Palace is open from 08:30 to 16:30 (tickets until 15:30), Wat Pho from 08:00 to 19:30 and Wat Arun from 08:00 to 18:00. If you start after 13:00, skip the Grand Palace and aim for Wat Pho and then Wat Arun late in the afternoon, in softer light. The Grand Palace can close for royal ceremonies: check the official calendar the day before.
Either way, dress matters more than time: shoulders and knees covered. Details in what to wear in temples. To get to the area from your hotel or the airport, see Grab or taxi; coming from Suvarnabhumi Airport, the plan in a layover in Bangkok gives the margins to keep.
Plan 1: Wat Pho and Wat Arun on foot
This is the simplest and cheapest plan. Enter Wat Pho (300 baht): the 46-metre Reclining Buddha, then the courtyard of the four great chedis, in about an hour and a half. Then walk a few minutes to the Tha Tien pier for the cross-river ferry to Wat Arun (200 baht, cash); allow an hour there, and bring small notes for the ferry. Entry fees total 500 baht. With another hour, add a massage at the Wat Pho school (340 baht for 30 minutes, 520 baht for an hour); see also our Thai massage guide for places.
If the Grand Palace tempts you, you need to arrive at opening time and allow two more hours (500 baht): the half day then becomes a full morning. The full route is described in the Rattanakosin island guide.
Plan 2: the five-hour guided tour
This is the plan to book if you do not want to deal with tickets, dress code and touts. The small-group guided tour of the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun lasts about five hours, with a group of ten at most and an English-speaking guide: from €19.97, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 5,824 reviews in October 2026. According to the listing, entry fees are paid on the day; budget about 1,000 baht on top. Departures are mostly in the morning; choose the earliest slot available and read the meeting time and cancellation policy for your date. Our full comparison of tours is in Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun: which guided tour?.
Plan 3: the Thonburi canals
On the west bank, the khlongs show a Bangkok of wooden houses, gardens and temples. A long-tail boat is hired with its pilot from east-bank piers such as Tha Chang or Tha Tien, for one to two hours; the price is for the whole boat, not per person, and no official rate card was published online as of 1 October 2026: agree the duration, route and price before boarding, and pay at the end. To book ahead, a private two-hour long-tail boat ride with a guide is available; check the departure point before paying. Add Wat Arun on the way back for a four-hour half day. Route details are in the Thonburi khlongs page and the Thonburi guide.
Beware of touts who say "the palace is closed" and offer you a boat: book only at the pier ticket window or online (see scams in Bangkok).
Plan 4: Siam, out of the heat
If heat or rain makes the temples a chore, spend the half day in Siam: the Siam shopping malls connect to Siam BTS station, with air conditioning and food courts, and Lumphini Park (BTS Sala Daeng) is free for a late-day walk. More ideas in Bangkok in the rain.
Which plan for your window?
- Morning before a flight: plan 1, without the Grand Palace, or plan 4 if you stay near Siam. Keep at least three hours of margin before check-in, and leave your bags at the hotel.
- Free afternoon: plan 3, or plan 1 from 14:00.
- Family with children: plan 3 for the boat, or plan 4; at Wat Arun the steps are very steep.
- Evening to plan afterwards: see what to do tonight in Bangkok for cruises and shows you can book last minute.
- Free tomorrow: day trips to book the day before are in what to do tomorrow in Bangkok.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to see the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun?
About five hours on a group guided tour; on your own, allow more once you count the ferry, queues and a break. In under four hours, stick to two temples.
What is the best time for a half-day visit?
The morning, right at opening: the Grand Palace opens at 08:30 and the midday heat is the hardest part.
Do I need to book ahead?
No booking is required for the three temples, which you visit by buying your ticket at the counter. A guided tour or private boat is booked online, ideally the day before.
How much are the entry fees?
For foreign visitors: 500 baht at the Grand Palace, 300 baht at Wat Pho and 200 baht at Wat Arun, so 1,000 baht for all three (October 2026 prices).
What should I wear?
Shoulders and knees covered, shoes that are easy to take off. Details are in our guide to what to wear in temples.
