Introduction
Bangkok has river transport system with various boats and ferries operating in Chao Phraya River. They cover a large part of Bangkok city. Due to the heavy traffic in the city, especially during peak hours, the way to travel other than metro is by boats and ferries. Sathorn is the central pier. It is located at exit 2 of BTS Saphan Taksin (S6). The piers to the north of it are depicted as ‘N’ and to the south are depicted as ‘S’.
An overall view of the boat and ferry services gives a picture of the Bangkok River transport system. A little bit understanding of the services help in traversing through boats easy. It is also fun going through the waterbodies, whether they are canals or through the Chao Phraya River. The cool breeze of the river gives a relaxing and soothing effect on the body. Use the river transport system of Bangkok and enjoy.
Bangkok River Transport Popular Services
Chao Phraya Express boats operate from about 6 AM to about 8 PM based on service (Fares may change overtime). There are single-screw and twin-screw boats in orange and yellow boats. The green-yellow boats are of single-screw. The single-screw boats hold about 90 to 120 passengers at a time. The twin-screw boats hold about 120 to 180 passengers. In a twin-screw boat the driver sits in an enclosed space. Passengers have access to the front deck of the boat.
The air-conditioned red flag boats (Riva Express) run from Nonthaburi (N30) to Sathorn Pier (CEN) from Monday to Friday and have 10 stops. The fare is 30-baht flat rate.
Yellow flag boats run from Nonthaburi (N30) to Sathorn Pier (CEN) from Monday to Friday and have 14 stops. The fare is 21-baht flat rate.
Orange flag boats run from Nonthaburi (N30) to Wat Rajsinkorn (S3) on all days and stops at all the stops. The fare is 16-baht flat rate.
Yellow-Green flag boats run from Pakkret (N33) to Sathorn Pier (CEN) from Monday to Friday and have 19 stops. The fare is 14-baht from Pakkret (N33) to Nonthaburi (N30). It costs 21-baht from Nonthaburi (N30) to Sathorn (CEN). The price is 33-baht from Pakkret (N33) to Sathorn (CEN).
Chao Phraya tourist boat (blue flag) operates every 30 minutes from 11 piers. The 2 types of boats are monohull boat and catamaran boat. The monohull boat seating capacity is about 150 passengers. The catamaran boat seating capacity is about 190 passengers.
Bangkok River Transport Other Services
Canal transport
The San Saeb Khlong express boat has 2 lines. The Nida line runs from Bangkapi to Pratunam (opposite central world) and the Golden Mount line runs from Pratunam to Panfa Leelard (near Wat Saket and Khaosan road). It runs on the Saen Saep canal. The service operates from 5 AM to 9 PM and runs about every 10 minutes costing about 10 to 20 baht. One should be careful in getting into these boats avoiding a fall into the canal.
Bangkok canal tourist boat operates between 10 AM and 6 PM with a frequency of a boat about every 20 minutes. Day pass costs about 200-baht.
Free electric boat services on Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem canal run from 6 AM to 8 PM at a frequency of about every 15 minutes
Hotel Shuttles are private boats that travel between hotels and Sathorn Pier
Long tail boats for private hire. The prices vary based on time and distance
There are river cruises daily at about 7 PM. The prices vary.
Charter boats
Chao Phraya tourist boat (blue flag) of Bangkok transport
This tourist boat runs from Sathorn Pier (CEN) to Phra Arthit (N13). It departs from 11 piers every 30 minutes and would be very helpful to reach the tourist places. The Sathorn Pier (CEN) is near the BTS Saphan Taksin (S6) metro station. From Sathorn Pier it goes to Iconsiam mall. The next stop is Ratchawongse Pier (N5) where Chinatown is there. After that is Rajinee Pier (N7) where the flower market is there. Then it is Wat Arun where Wat Arun temple is there.
The Wat Arun is the stop that temporarily replaced the Tha Tien Pier (N8) which is under renovation. The Tha Tien Pier (N8) is where the Wat Pho Temple is there. Then comes Tha Chang (N9) where the Grand Palace is. After that it is Tha Maharaj where shopping mall is. The next stop is Prannok (N10) where wang lang market is. Then after it is Phra Arthit (N13) where Phra Sumen fort is.
The Khaosan road is also near to this pier. The ride from one end to the other without hopping off costs 30-baht. Day pass costs 150-baht and valid from 8.30 AM to 7.15 PM. In the evening the stop Asiatique gets added. This Bangkok transport is good for tourists.
San Saeb Khlong express boat of Bangkok transport
The Golden Mount line runs from Panfa Leelard where the attraction Wat Saket is there. The first stop is Talad Bobae where garment market is there. The fourth stop is Saphan Hua Chang where MBK center, BTS National Stadium are there. The last stop is Pratunum where Central World is there.
The NIDA line runs from Pratunum where Central World is there. The 4th stop is Nana Chard where Sukhumvit Soi 15 is there. The 5th stop is near MRT Phetchaburi station. The 11th stop is near Sukhumvit Soi 63 and Ekkamai road.
Electric boats of Bangkok transport
The free electric boat services on Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem canal runs between Hua Lamphong and Thewarat market. It runs from 6 AM to 8 PM at intervals of about 20 minutes. The Hua Lamphong stop is near the MRT station. There are about 10 to 12 seats on the boat.
Charter boats
There are charter boats with seating capacities ranging from 20 seats to 140 seats. A group can hire these boats for about 10 to 12 hours and go around Bangkok and even to Ayutthaya. There are air-conditioned boats too. The prices range are about 20,000 baht to about 75000 baht. This Bangkok transport is good for groups.