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Bangkok Public Transport: Orange Flag Boat
At first the Chao Phraya Express boat system may seem like a confusing jumble of vessels wading through the murky water of the Chao Phraya with no organization whatsoever. But with a little bit of knowledge, you’ll find that there is a goldmine of experiences to be had at a very, very low price. You’ll be getting around Bangkok in no time!
The Bangkok public transport prices are actually not very cheap comparatively to its GDP per capita. However, the orange flag boat is certainly an exception. For only 15 baht ($0.48 USD, 2019) the orange flag boat will take you anywhere on a one way trip. The line’s southernmost point is connected to the famous Asiatique outdoor mall, heads north to Central Pier (also known as Sathorn Pier) where it connects to the BTS SkyTrain system, and continues to wind its way up the river going as far as Nonthaburi, a smaller city outside of Bangkok.
The orange flag boat runs every day from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. so if you’re looking for what to do in Bangkok at 7am, the orange flag boat has got you covered. At first glance you may be wondering why a boat is an experience in itself. The orange flag boat is a mix of local Thais and tourists alike with the ratio fluctuating depending on the time of day. With your ticket purchase you’ll be experiencing travel the way that thousands of locals commute every day. They have been getting around Bangkok this way for years and now is your opportunity to try it out yourself!
What To Do In Bangkok
Where does the orange flag boat give you easy access? So many attractions! Getting around Bangkok has never been easier!
In order of southernmost to northernmost, you can visit the following:
Asiatique The Riverfront (S3, Asiatique)
A famous outdoor mall with an iconic Ferris wheel looking over the Chao Phraya River.
Central Pier/Sathorn Pier (CP)
The central hub of the boat system connecting to the BTS SkyTrain system at BTS Saphan Taksin station.
Icon Siam (CP)
Central Pier, part of the orange flag line, gives you direct and free access to the newly opened Icon Siam shopping mall which is one of the most lavish malls in the world and is home to the newly crowned tallest building in Thailand, overtaking the title from the Maha Nakhon building.
Sirocco (CP)
A sky bar famous for its giant golden dome as well as being featured in The Hangover 2.
Chinatown/Yawarat (N5, Rachawonse)
A hustle and bustle area of Bangkok with famous temples, street food, and culture.
Wat Arun (Wat Arun Ratchawararam)
A famous Thai temple standing in Bangkok since before 1656.
Wat Pho (N8, Tha Tien)
Temple of the reclining Buddha.
The Grand Palace & Temple of the Emerald Buddha (N9, Tha Chang)
One of the staple attractions of Bangkok. Visiting Bangkok and not going to The Grand Palace is like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower.
Khaosan Road (N13, Phra Ahtit)
A touristy backpacker street that is a market by day and a party street by night.
Mad Monkey Bangkok (N13, Phra Ahtit)
The best hostel in Bangkok is only a 4 minute walk from Phra Ahtit Pier!
This is not a full list of all the attractions accessible by the orange flag boat but it’s certainly a good start.
More About The Orange Flag Boat
The ride on the orange flag boat itself is quite pleasant. Assuming you aren’t unlucky to be traveling on a rainy day, the boat’s moderate speed gives you a great cooling breeze while allowing you to look around the city. From the ride you’ll not only see the attractions listed above but you’ll have a great view of the high rises around the river including Maha Nakhon (formerly the tallest building in Thailand), countless five-star hotels, and condos.
There’s not too much you need to know about the orange flag boat before giving it a try, other than that it’s much less intimidating than it really seems. It’s always good to remember a few things, however. For example, as you might expect from something costing only $0.48USD, it’s cash only. Paying with your coins is ideal and can be done either before you get on the boat or after. There will be a ticket collector walking up and down checking to ensure everyone has paid his or her way.
Paying close attention to which stop you’re at is quite important. While the ticket collector will shout out the station’s name, it can be nearly impossible to hear him or her on a busy day and the accent he or she will say it with can be difficult to those who do not know Thai. Luckily, every stop is clearly labeled with a sign in both Thai and English. Nearly every stop has a simple code consisting of S or N for south or north (of Central Pier), and a number. Getting around Bangkok to your destination safely is easy if you’re simply aware of your surroundings.
More information about getting around Bangkok:
Looking for even more tips about getting around Bangkok? Then check out these other articles we’ve rounded up to help you!
- Chao Phraya Express Boat Homepage
- How to get around Bangkok from The Longest Way Home
- Best Ways to Get Around In Bangkok from Travelvui
- 10 Fun-Seeking Ways of Getting Around Bangkok Transportation from Grrrltraveler
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