Bangkok Canals Cruise including Grand Palace and Wat Arun

Bangkok, Thailand

On this sightseeing tour of Bangkok's canals (or khlongs, as they are known locally) you will travel by a motorized boat on the Chao Phraya River to see the serene family homes and temples dotted along the waterways which inspired Bangkok's reference as the "Venice of the East". The canals around Bangkok serve as a natural highway for many local Thai people going about their everyday business, such as transporting their merchandise, in particular rice, to and from the rice fields.

You'll be picked up from your centrally located Bangkok hotel and cruise along the canals of Bangkok. Your cruising tour will stop at the Temple of Dawn, or Wat Arun, which is one of the Bangkok's most iconic landmarks and the most famous of the more than 400 Buddhist temples and monasteries in the city.

It is then onto the Grand Palace complex. This Grand Palace complex includes the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Keow) which is unquestionably one of the wonders of the world today. Within its enormous grounds is the most exotic Buddhist temple and at the heart of the temple itself is a fabulous Buddha image, carved from one piece of Jade, which is the holiest and most revered of religious objects in Thailand today.

USD $53.82

Review by: Angela B	April 2012
The tour company was really punctual in picking us up at the hotel and this was probably my favorite tour in Bangkok, the canals tour was great and the two temples we visited were spectacular. I will totally recommend it to a first time visitor of Bangkok. The only down side was that at times it was difficult to understand the tour guide’s English given his thick accent, never the less great tour.

Review by: Karen O	April 2012
Thoroughly enjoyed it and definetly worth while.

Review by: adele	March 2012
Excellent tour, guide was very knowledgable

Review by: Glyn E	March 2012
Great trip our guide was very knowledgeable good value.

Review by: Glyn E	March 2012
Great trip our guide was very knowledgeable good value.

Review by: Kate	October 2011
We were the only people on this tour so had a really personal experience. The Guide was very friendly and knowledgeable but left us alone to wander around the attractions at our own pace so we never felt rushed. A very good value tour!!

Review by: Eric D	March 2011
Will recommend to others excellent tour. Thanks Viator.

Review by: Kestutis G	October 2010
The guide was professional and helped us in Grand palace. We were able to understand the meaning for various symbols, buildings and thai culture. He also did not rush us and provided ample of time to get photos and look and places of interest. Definitely recommend to have guide in Grand Palace. Otherwise, you will look at many buildings without knowing what they are

Review by: David F, United States of America	June 2010
We really had a Great tour. The Guide was Fantastic.

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	March 2010
Guide very interesting. Outstanding itinerary.

Review by: Leonard T, United States of America	February 2010
Every part of this tour was excellent. An extremely knowledgeable tour guide. Couldn't have asked for any better everything!

Review by: Katherine S, United Arab Emirates	December 2009
I'm so glad that we booked this tour. Not only did it start early so we were able to enjoy Wat Arun with no other visitors, but everything was streamlined at the Grand Palace, which I was thankful for. The small tour of the waterways of old Bangkok was really enjoyable.

Review by: Robert R, United States of America	November 2009
Very nice tour and the tour guide was very informative. It was interesting to learn the history of the country and its monarchy.

Review by: Carmel H	November 2009
Enjoyed this - palace so ornate - but the traffic problem again as well as the fact that the rain just poured down all day!!

Review by: Emma W	August 2009
A great morning. The tour guide was a blast and knew everything there was to know. Great day, worth doing, especially the boat ride. Amazing!

Review by: Jason C	July 2009
The guide was wonderful and very informative. Loved the canals cruise as it was a breath of fresh air.

Review by: Mark V	June 2009
Good tour. Have done it twice now, the 2nd time with visiting relatives. It all depends on the tour guide you get. Our guide the first time was awesome and made it very interesting. The 2nd guide was average.

Review by: Mark V, Australia	May 2009
Great tour. Excellent guide who explained everything to us, which made the tour very interesting.

Review by: Roger W, United Kingdom	April 2009
Very pleased, great guide.

Review by: Anonymous, Lithuania	April 2009
Good way to visit Bangkok's famous areas if you have limited time.

Review by: Carla B, United States of America	April 2009
The tour operator in Asia sent their best tour guide! I went on both Bangkok tours with him. The tour in general was very complete. And for the ladies, there's a kiosk outside the Temple of Dawn Wat Arun where they dress you up in traditional Thai attire, so you can take your picture a few poses actually in front of the temple dressed accordingly! Lovely souvenir for 10 USD! The water canals is a great experience, because you get to see The rich, middle and high class Thailand houses.

Review by: Anonymous	March 2009
This was my second trip through the canals and palace, and I enjoy learning something new every time. Our guide was very knowledgeable and shared important information throughout the trip. I was however, surprised that the tour had to end at the gem outlet--I think all the palace guides just dumped every tourist off here. Made the day much longer than I had expected. Friends of mine did find some great gifts at the gem outlet, so it was worth it.

Review by: Susan H	November 2008
Great trip and fantastic guide.

Review by: Patricia M	November 2008
The tour was great, however we could have done without the visit to the Gem store, was not what I expected.

Review by: A V, United States of America	May 2008
Our tour guide was great. She greeted us with a smile and we actually were the only group on our tour. The boat ride was great and it was wonderful to learn about the history of the royal family and Bangkok history. Highly recommended.

Review by: Angela V	May 2008
Our tour guide was great. She greeted us with a smile and we actually were the only group on our tour. The boat ride was great and it was wonderful to learn about the history of the royal family and Bangkok history. Highly recommended.

Review by: Charles J, United States of America	April 2008
Beautiful early morning on the canals, a great guide, and good service. Could not be better.

Review by: Anonymous	April 2008
The tour guide was very good, but the day we did the tour it was extremely hot; don't forget to take a hat or umbrella!

Review by: Charles G J	April 2008
Beautiful early morning on the canals, a great guide, and good service. Could not be better.

Review by: Anonymous	March 2008
This tour visited sites as described, with a friendly and well-knowledged tour guide. This is an especially good trip for first-time visitors, although our time at The Grand Palace very limited. We were disappointed to be thrown into the jewelery workshop at the end of the tour, with tour guide conveniently disappearing for a considerable amount of time. Our tour guide was very overt with demands for tips.

Review by: Manuel A	February 2008
Taking us to a jewelry store at the end of the tour kind of turned me off. I would have preferred to see more canals instead.

Review by: David T, Australia	January 2008
This was a fantastic experience for us. Our tour guide was informative and extremely helpful. She made changes to the tour schedule necessitated by the Royal Funeral arrangements at the Grand Palace, and ensured we got full value. She was personable and helpful, and always cheerful and eager to show us the best available aspects of the tour itinerary.

Review by: John J, United Kingdom	December 2007
This trip is a must for anyone visiting Bangkok. Beautiful buildings and temples, fascinating history. Well-informed professional guides. A first-class experience.

Review by: Russell S	November 2007
The tours were good but very quick walk-throughs.

Review by: ANA MARIE G	November 2007
No drinks or snacks provided. Plus it was hot. We did have a chance to buy drinks, but service would seem more pleasant and professional if they provided beverages.

Review by: Colleen C	September 2007
This was an excellent trip with a very informative guide.

Review by: Anonymous, United States of America	July 2007
Seeing the Grand Palace is a must in Bangkok! For us, it was the high point of our visit. Our guide was great. He always found a shady place for us to stand, so we could tolerate the heat.

Review by: Simon G	June 2007
This was a lovely trip, we enjoyed going around the canals on the boat and seeing how Thai people live and work. We really enjoyed the Palace. Our guide was lovely and extremely informative, although at times it was a little difficult to understand her accent. The only criticism we have is that she sometimes rushed ahead across roads and we had to risk life or limb dodging the traffic so we didn't lose her in the crowds. We were very disappointed to be 'dumped' at the jewelers and left to sort our return journey with the staff, which in the traffic, took over an hour and a half. It would be a much better tour if we had half an hour in the shop and returned by boat. We have always had our trips confirmed by our tour company the day before our trip, although it does state to check ourselves. On this occasion we did have to check as no one contacted us and we had quite a bit of difficulty getting confirmation, which we had to do via the concierge at the hotel.

Review by: Shaun B	May 2007
This tour combines two important aspects of Thai life. The river cruise shows you how they live, the palace shows political and spiritual life. My guide was articulate and informative. Warning: this is all outdoors, and Bangkok gets VERY hot and humid!

Review by: Glenn S	May 2007
I would recommend this tour to the Grand Palace, to anyone going to Bangkok.

Review by: James E, United States of America	April 2007
Excellent!

Review by: Moira D	April 2007
Very good tour. It was good to see how the Thai's really live. The Palace was an enjoyable experience as well, however the Gems market afterwards was a little too much, would rather have seen something else.

Review by: Anonymous	March 2007
Very interesting.

Review by: Allan T, United States of America	February 2007
Excellent staff in Bangkok. My local rep called several times to ensure my tours met my expectations. I really appreciated that. They did provide service above and beyond what I expected, the best in my opinion.

Review by: ALLAN T	February 2007
Excellent staff in Bangkok. My local rep called several times to ensure my tours met my expectations. I really appreciated that. They did provide service above and beyond what I expected, the best in my opinion.

Review by: Patricia S, Australia	October 2006
Enjoyable and very interesting. Tour guide was informative and helpful, especially as I have a disability. Highly recommended and would definitely book through Viator again.