# The Grand Palace, Bangkok > The Grand Palace has been the residence of Thailand's kings since 1782 and is Bangkok's top sight, with the Temple of the Emerald Buddha inside. Tickets for foreigners cost 500 baht; children under 120 cm go free. It's open daily 8:30–16:30, but tickets are sold only until 15:30. Shoulders and knees must be covered. Allow 2–3 hours. Web page: https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/bangkok-grand-palace - City: [Bangkok](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok), Thailand - YesGo score: 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 2 h 30 min - With kids: Fine with kids - Ticket for foreigners: 500 baht; includes the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles - Children: Under 120 cm — free - Hours: Daily 8:30–16:30; tickets sold 8:30–15:30 - Dress code: Shoulders and knees covered: no vests, shorts, mini-skirts, torn or tight trousers - Audio guide: 200 baht, in 8 languages; passport or Visa, Mastercard or Amex card as deposit - Where: Na Phra Lan Road, Rattanakosin Island; Tha Chang pier is 5 minutes away - Coordinates: 13.75014, 100.49203 - Facts checked: 08.11.2026 ## Key facts - **1782** — the year the king moved the capital to the Chao Phraya's left bank and built the palace (source: royalgrandpalace.th) - **218,000 m²** — the area of the palace grounds (source: royalgrandpalace.th) - **1.9 km** — of crenellated walls enclose the palace (source: royalgrandpalace.th) - **500 baht** — for foreigners; Thai citizens enter free (source: royalgrandpalace.th) - **66 cm** — the height of the Emerald Buddha — carved from green jasper or jade, not emerald (source: English Wikipedia) - **3 times a year** — the statue's gold costume is changed for the hot, rainy and cool seasons (source: English Wikipedia) - **12 pavilions** — on marble bases stand by the temple's main hall for sermons (source: royalgrandpalace.th) - **1 month** — ahead is the earliest you can book online; online tickets are non-refundable (source: royalgrandpalace.th) ## Tickets, opening hours and dress code Tickets for foreigners cost **500 baht** and include the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the **Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles**. Children under 120 cm go free. The palace is open **daily from 8:30 to 16:30**, but the **ticket office closes at 15:30**. Buy at the gate or on the official website up to a month ahead; online tickets can't be refunded or changed. The **dress code is strict**: no sleeveless shirts or vests, short or see-through tops, shorts, mini-skirts, or torn, tight or cycling trousers. The palace sometimes closes for ceremonies — the dates are on the schedule page of the official website. Drones are banned. > **'The palace is closed today' is a scam** Around the gates, friendly strangers tell visitors the palace is closed today and offer a tuk-tuk to other temples and a gem shop. Don't believe them — only the official website publishes closures, so check at the gate yourself. Buy tickets only at the ticket office inside or on the official website. ## What is the Grand Palace? The **Grand Palace** was built in **1782**, when the new king moved the capital to the left bank of the **Chao Phraya River**. It has been the official residence of the kings of Siam, and later Thailand, ever since. The grounds cover **218,000 m²** inside crenellated walls about 1.9 km long. Like the palaces of the old capitals Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, it has residential and throne halls, government buildings and a temple. That temple is **Wat Phra Kaew**, the Temple of the **Emerald Buddha** and Thailand's most sacred site. No monks live here — it's a royal chapel. The statue, about **66 cm** tall, is carved from green jasper or jade. Three times a year, at the start of each season, its gold costume is changed. ## What to see - **The Temple of the Emerald Buddha** — the main hall, with the gilded statue on a high throne. - **The Ramakien murals** — Thailand's version of the Ramayana — along the temple cloister. - **Golden stupas and giant guardians (yaksha)** at the temple gates. - **Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall** — a European facade under Thai roofs. - **Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall** — classic Thai architecture. - **The Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles** — included in the ticket. ## How to get to the Grand Palace 1. **By Chao Phraya Express Boat** (orange flag) to **Tha Chang pier (N9)**, then 5 minutes on foot. From the BTS: Saphan Taksin station, exit 2, to Sathorn pier under the bridge. 2. **By MRT** to **Sanam Chai** (Blue Line), exit 1; then 10–15 minutes north on foot or bus 3, 9, 44, 47, 53 or 82. 3. **On foot from Wat Pho** — about 1 km north along the palace wall. 4. **By taxi or Grab** to Na Phra Lan Road. On a tuk-tuk, agree the fare first. 5. **The entrance** is on Na Phra Lan Road; since 10 January 2024 visitors enter through the Mani Noppharat Gate. ## How long do you need, and when to go? Allow **2–3 hours** for the palace and temple, more with the textile museum. **Arrive at opening, 8:30**: fewer tour groups and less heat in the open courtyards. Don't be late — no tickets are sold after 15:30. The palace pairs well with neighbouring **Wat Pho** (the Reclining Buddha) and **Wat Arun** across the river — a ferry runs from Tha Tien pier. ## Grand Palace, Wat Pho or Wat Arun? | | Grand Palace | Wat Pho | Wat Arun | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Highlight | Royal palace and the Emerald Buddha | 46 m Reclining Buddha | Riverside pagoda | | Where | Na Phra Lan, Tha Chang pier | Next door, south of the palace | Opposite bank, by ferry | | Time | 2–3 hours | 1 hour | 1 hour | | Dress code | Strict | Shoulders and knees covered | Shoulders and knees covered | ## Is the Grand Palace worth it? Yes: it's Bangkok's most famous sight, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is the country's holiest shrine. The gilding, mosaics and murals impress even people who've seen plenty of temples. The YesGo take: the ticket costs more than other temples, it's crowded and hot, and you can't take photos inside the Emerald Buddha hall. Arrive at opening, dress by the rules and give it half a day, or the crowds will spoil it. ## Before you go: checklist - [ ] Shoulders and knees covered, no tight trousers - [ ] Arriving by 8:30, definitely before 15:30 - [ ] 500 baht in cash or a ticket from the official website - [ ] Closure schedule checked on the website - [ ] Ignoring touts who say 'the palace is closed' - [ ] Water and a hat ## Bangkok palaces: compare and choose Palaces and royal sites in Bangkok rated by YesGo. - [Grand Palace](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/bangkok-grand-palace) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · 500 baht; children under 120 cm free ## Rattanakosin Island in a day The Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha in the morning, Wat Pho in the afternoon, and Wat Arun across the river at sunset. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers. 1. [Grand Palace](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/bangkok-grand-palace) — YesGo score 49/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · 500 baht; children under 120 cm free 2. [Wat Pho](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/wat-pho) — YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · ≈ 300 baht; children under 120 cm free 3. [Wat Arun](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/wat-arun) — YesGo score 51/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · ≈ 200 baht ## Good to know The Grand Palace is on Rattanakosin Island. Vimanmek Mansion and the Dusit area are different places north of the old town. There are also royal palaces in Hua Hin and other Thai cities. ## Tips - The best shot of the spires is from across the Chao Phraya at sunset. - Rent the audio guide — 200 baht, with your passport as deposit. - Start with the Emerald Buddha temple — it's busiest by midday. - Take your shoes off before entering the temple hall. - After the palace: [Wat Pho](https://yesgo.io/thailand/bangkok/wat-pho) and its Reclining Buddha, 1 km away. ## Questions ### How much is the Grand Palace entrance fee? 500 baht for foreigners; children under 120 cm are free. The ticket includes the Emerald Buddha temple and the textile museum. ### What are the Grand Palace opening hours? Daily 8:30–16:30; tickets are sold from 8:30 to 15:30. ### What is the Grand Palace dress code? Shoulders and knees covered; no vests, shorts, mini-skirts, torn or tight trousers. ### Is the Emerald Buddha temple a separate ticket? No, it stands inside the palace and is on the same ticket. ### How do I get to the Grand Palace? By express boat to Tha Chang pier (N9) or by MRT to Sanam Chai, exit 1. ### Can I buy tickets online? Yes, on the official website, up to a month ahead; online tickets are non-refundable. ### How long do you need at the Grand Palace? 2–3 hours. ### Is the palace ever closed? Occasionally, for ceremonies — see the schedule on the official website. Ignore touts at the gate. ## How we checked The 500 baht price, free entry under 120 cm, 8:30–16:30 hours with the ticket office closing at 15:30, dress code, 200 baht audio guide and Mani Noppharat Gate are from the official royalgrandpalace.th website on 08.11.2026. The same site's FAQ says '8:30–15:30', which is the ticket sales window, so we give both. On 08.11.2026 the site's schedule shows the palace open all day. The statue's size and seasonal costumes are from English Wikipedia. The ban on photography inside the Emerald Buddha hall is the temple's standard rule. ## Sources - Official Grand Palace website (Bureau of the Royal Household) — prices, hours, ticket office, dress code, Mani Noppharat Gate entrance, online tickets, audio guide, history, schedule - English Wikipedia — Emerald Buddha: material, height, seasonal costumes - Wikidata Q873769 — coordinates - YesGo general facts for Thailand — payment, Grab --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.