Wat Arun: the Temple of Dawn visitor guide

Wat Arun is open daily from 8 am, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand lists entry at 200 baht for foreign adults. Reach it by the short ferry from Tha Tien, wear something that covers your shoulders and knees, and see it twice if you can: up close in the morning and from across the river at sunset.

It is the most distinctive shape on the Chao Phraya, and a simpler visit than the Grand Palace. Allow around an hour.

The essentials

Older guides quote 50 or 100 baht. TAT reported 50 baht rising to 100 baht in 2020, and its current listing shows 200 baht. Prices and hours can change, so check before you go.

What you are looking at

The temple dates back to the Ayutthaya period and sits directly opposite Wat Pho. Its great stupa was built under King Rama III and finished under King Rama IV. Up close, you see what makes it special: the surface is covered in seashells and porcelain, much of it from China, which is impossible to appreciate from a distance.

Look out for the two temple guardians, Tossakan and Sahatsadecha, and the sculptures of mythical figures around the base. These are the details that reward a visit rather than a photo from the far bank.

Dress code

Wat Arun is a first-class royal temple. The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s temple rules ask you not to wear:

• Shorts, mini skirts, short skirts, tight trousers or tights
• See-through tops, sleeveless shirts or vests
• Cropped trousers
• Sandals without ankle or heel straps
• Sweatpants, sleepwear and fisherman trousers

In practice, the point to get right is covered shoulders and knees. We could not confirm from an official source whether wraps are available at the gate, so dress for it before you leave.

How to get there

Wat Arun is on the Thonburi side of the river, so most visitors arrive by boat.

Express boat and ferry, the classic route. Take the BTS to Saphan Taksin and walk to Sathorn Pier. Ride the orange flag express boat to Tha Tien (N8). The operator currently lists the orange flag fare at 19 baht. From Tha Tien, cross on the small ferry to Wat Arun Pier. The last published fare we could find was 4.5 baht in 2022, so expect a few baht and check at the pier.

MRT. Itsaraphap on the Blue Line is less than 1 km from the temple, along the riverside, according to TAT. It is the simplest option if you are coming from Silom or Sukhumvit and want to avoid the river. A short taxi ride will spare you the walk in the heat.

Private boat or hotel transfer. Ask your hotel whether it can arrange a boat, and what it charges. See getting around Bangkok for the full picture.

When to go

Morning. Arrive at 8 am, when it is cooler, then cross back to Wat Pho or the Grand Palace.

Sunset, from the other side. The temple is on the west bank, so the sun sets behind it when you look from the Tha Tien side. That is the classic view, and the pier at Tha Tien itself looks straight at the temple. Our rooftop bars guide covers the wider choice of places to watch the sun go down.

After dark. TAT notes that Wat Arun and the Grand Palace are lit up along the river after sunset. The best way to see this is from the water, on a Chao Phraya dinner cruise. The Vijit Chao Phraya light festival, organised by TAT, runs from 13 November to 13 December 2026 and adds light displays along the riverfront.

Is it worth it

Yes, if you get up close. The porcelain detail is the reason to pay the fee, and you will not see it from a boat. If you are short of time and have already done the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, the view from across the river at sunset is enough for many visitors.

It fits neatly into a day with the Grand Palace, because the two are only a short boat ride apart. The 3-day Bangkok itinerary uses exactly this route, and our guide to the best temples in Bangkok compares it with the others.

Questions people ask

How much is Wat Arun entry?

The Tourism Authority of Thailand lists 200 baht for foreign adults. Older guides quote 50 or 100 baht, which are out of date.

What are Wat Arun opening hours?

The Tourism Authority of Thailand's attraction page says daily from 8 am to 6 pm. An older TAT article says 5:30 pm, so plan to arrive by 5 pm.

What is the dress code at Wat Arun?

Cover your shoulders and knees. TAT's temple rules also rule out see-through tops, sleeveless shirts, shorts, mini skirts and tight trousers.

How do I get to Wat Arun?

Take the orange flag express boat to Tha Tien (N8), then the cross-river ferry to Wat Arun Pier. The crossing costs a few baht.

When is the best time to see Wat Arun?

Visit in the morning for cooler weather, then see it again from across the river at sunset, when the sun goes down behind it.