The foreigner rate: how it works
In temples and state museums, foreign visitors pay more than Thai visitors, sometimes ten times more (the National Museum: 240 baht against 30). Some sites give the Thai rate to foreigners living in Thailand, on presentation of a work permit or residence card. Keep small notes: some ticket offices, especially in small temples, accept cash only. To prepare your cash, see the guide to money, payment and tipping.
The great temples and palaces
| Place | Price (foreign visitors) | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Palace | 500 baht | 8:30am-4:30pm, tickets until 3:30pm | Includes Wat Phra Kaew and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles |
| Wat Pho | 300 baht | 8am-7:30pm | Free under 120 cm |
| Wat Arun | 200 baht | 8am-6pm | |
| Wat Saket (Golden Mount) | 100 baht to climb | 7:30am-7pm | Temple courtyard free |
| Wat Benchamabophit | 100 baht | 8am-6pm | The "Marble Temple" |
| Wat Suthat | 100 baht | 8:30am-4pm | The Giant Swing can be seen for free |
| Wat Traimit | 40 baht | The exhibitions upstairs cost 100 baht more | |
| Loha Prasat | 20 baht | Announced rate, no official site publishes it; courtyard free |
Our advice: the Grand Palace and Wat Pho are neighbours and can be visited in the same half-day; Wat Arun is just opposite, across the river (cross-river ferry). To keep costs down, swap one of them for a 100-baht or free temple.
Museums
| Museum | Price (foreign visitors) | Closed |
|---|---|---|
| Erawan Museum (three-headed elephant) | 500 baht (250 for a child) | |
| Siriraj Museum | 300 baht, joint ticket for the two museums | Closed on Tuesday |
| Jim Thompson House | 250 baht | Guided visit only |
| National Museum | 240 baht | Closed on Monday and Tuesday |
| Royal Barges Museum | 200 baht | |
| Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles | 150 baht, or included in the Grand Palace ticket | |
| MOCA Bangkok | 400 baht (the official site also shows 300) | |
| Museum Siam | 100 baht | Closed on Monday |
| Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall | 100 baht | Closed on Monday |
The Suan Pakkad Palace is closed to the public: its page gives its status and the former prices. For free or nearly free museums, see free activities in Bangkok.
Observation decks
- Mahanakhon SkyWalk: 1,000 baht by day, 1,200 baht in the late afternoon, for an adult; the glass terrace is extra (450 baht).
- Baiyoke Sky: about 450 baht, drink included, according to online resellers; free under 80 cm.
Both are expensive for a view: choose one, or prefer the Golden Mount at 100 baht for a 360° view over the old town.
Attractions for families
- SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World: from 799 baht online against 1,199 baht at the ticket office; open 10am to 8pm (last entry 7pm). Booking online is much cheaper.
- Safari World: about 750 to 800 baht for the combined ticket for both parks from resellers; under 100 cm free. Transport extra.
For more ideas with children, see Bangkok with children.
Day trips
- Ayutthaya: 50 baht per major temple, or 220 baht for the combined ticket covering several sites.
- Bang Pa-In: 100 baht.
- Kanchanaburi: the bridge and the war cemetery are free; the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre costs 160 baht.
What is free or nearly free
- The Erawan Shrine, open every day from 6am to 10pm.
- Lumphini Park (4:30am-10pm) and Benjakitti Park.
- The courtyards of several temples, such as those of Wat Saket and Loha Prasat.
- The exhibitions at the BACC, the contemporary art centre at Siam (closed on Monday).
- Street festivals: Songkran, the Vegetarian Festival and Chinese New Year cost only what you eat.
Budget for a typical day
A "great temples" day (Grand Palace 500 + Wat Pho 300 + Wat Arun 200) costs 1,000 baht in admission, plus transport. Replacing the Grand Palace with the Golden Mount (100) brings the bill down to 600 baht. For the overall budget of a stay, see the budget for a trip to Bangkok.
Check before you come
Prices can change, and some sites show different rates on different pages. When in doubt, count on the higher one. The Grand Palace may close for royal ceremonies, announced in advance by the palace. Public holidays and festivals are in our calendar of festivals in Bangkok.
