Wat Pho
Bangkok, Thailand
Wat Arun — Temple of Dawn, Bangkok
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Photo: Suicasmo, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Ticket for foreigners
- About 200 baht
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hours
- Daily, roughly 8:00–18:00; may be shorter on Buddhist holidays
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Ferry from Tha Tien
- About 3 minutes; a few baht, cash
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Dress code
- Shoulders and knees covered
- Climbing
- You can climb the lower terraces of the prang — very steep steps
- Where
- West bank of the Chao Phraya, Bangkok Yai district — opposite Wat Pho
Key facts
67–86 mthe height of the main prang — sources give different figures
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English Wikipedia1851the main prang was completed after nine years of work under Rama III
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English WikipediaArunathe Hindu charioteer of the Sun — the source of the name 'Temple of Dawn'
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English Wikipedia17th centurya temple already stood here then, called Wat Makok
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English WikipediaUntil 1785the Emerald Buddha was kept here before moving to the Grand Palace
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English WikipediaPorcelaincoloured porcelain shards and seashells cover the prang in mosaic
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English Wikipedia4 prangssmaller towers stand at the corners around the main one
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English Wikipedia≈ 3 minutesfor the ferry across the river from Tha Tien pier
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travel guidesEntrance fee, hours and dress code
According to guides, tickets for foreigners cost about 200 baht; Thai citizens enter free. The temple is open daily from about 8:00 to 18:00, with last entry around 17:30; hours may be shorter on Buddhist holidays. The official website didn't load on 08.11.2026, so confirm the price at the ticket desk.
Shoulders and knees must be covered. Buy tickets only at the desk by the entrance: near the pier you may be offered 'special' tickets or told the temple is closed.
What is Wat Arun?
Wat Arun is the Temple of Dawn on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, in the old Thonburi district. A temple called Wat Makok stood here by the 17th century; the present name honours Aruna, the Hindu charioteer of the Sun and a symbol of dawn. Until 1785 it housed the Emerald Buddha, now in the Grand Palace.
The highlight is the central prang (a Khmer-style tower), about 70 m tall (sources say anywhere from 67 to 86 m). Work on it began under Rama II and finished in 1851 under Rama III. The prang and the four smaller towers around it are covered in a mosaic of coloured porcelain and seashells.
What to see
- The main prang — the porcelain mosaic up close and river views from the terraces.
- The four smaller prangs at the corners, with figures of gods.
- The ordination hall (ubosot) with demon guardians at its gates.
- The temple riverfront — views across to Wat Pho and the Grand Palace.
- The temple from the river — from the ferry or from the opposite bank at sunset.
How to get to Wat Arun
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Wat Pho is about 12 min away on foot.
- Grand Palace is about 23 min away on foot.
More tips
- From Wat Pho it's 5 minutes on foot to Tha Tien pier (N8), then the cross-river ferry, about 3 minutes.
- By Chao Phraya Express Boat to Wat Arun pier, right by the temple.
- By MRT to Sanam Chai, exit 1, then walk to Tha Tien pier for the ferry.
- By taxi or Grab over a bridge to the west bank — slower than the ferry.
- The ferry runs every few minutes; the fare is a few baht in cash.
When to go and how long you need
Allow about an hour. At opening, 8:00, it's cooler and quieter, and the sun lights the prang from the river side. Despite the name, dawn isn't the best view: the famous one is at sunset from the opposite bank, when the prang turns into a silhouette against the sky.
A day plan: the Grand Palace in the morning, Wat Pho in the afternoon, the ferry to Wat Arun at 16:00–17:00, then back to the east bank by the Tha Tien riverside for sunset.
Is Wat Arun worth visiting?
Yes: it's one of Bangkok's symbols, and the porcelain mosaic up close is as striking as the silhouette from afar. The ticket is cheap and the ferry is a fun little trip.
The YesGo take: there's little to see beyond the prang itself, and it's hot with no shade by day. If you're short of time, seeing Wat Arun from the river or the opposite bank at sunset is enough.
Before you go: checklist
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Bangkok temples: compare and choose
Bangkok temples rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Wat Arunyou are here | 51 | 1 h | ≈ 200 baht | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wat Pho | 50 | 1 h | ≈ 300 baht; children under 120 cm free | 10 min walk |
| Grand Palace | 49 | 2 h 30 min | 500 baht; children under 120 cm free | 14 min walk |
| Golden Mount | 37 | 1 h | climb ≈ 100 baht | 39 min walk |
| Wat Traimit | 36 | 40 min | hall ≈ 40 baht, museum ≈ 100 | 2.8 km |
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.
- Grand Palace2 h 30 min · 500 baht; children under 120 cm free
- 8 min walk from the previous stopWat Pho1 h · ≈ 300 baht; children under 120 cm free
- 10 min walk from the previous stopWat Arunyou are here1 h · ≈ 200 baht
3 places · about 4 h 48 min with walks · 18 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
How to do it right
- The best shot is from the Tha Tien riverside at sunset.
- Look closely at the porcelain flowers on the prang.
- Come down the steps facing the prang — it's safer.
- The ferry is fastest; the bridge is a long detour.
- Across the river: Wat Pho and its Reclining Buddha.
Questions
How much is the Wat Arun entrance fee?
About 200 baht for foreigners (according to guides).
What are Wat Arun's opening hours?
Daily, roughly 8:00–18:00, with last entry around 17:30.
How do I get to Wat Arun?
By ferry from Tha Tien pier near Wat Pho — about 3 minutes — or by express boat to Wat Arun pier.
Can you climb Wat Arun?
Yes, to the lower terraces; the steps are very steep.
What is the Wat Arun dress code?
Shoulders and knees covered.
When does Wat Arun look best?
At sunset, seen from the opposite bank.
How tall is Wat Arun?
About 70 m; sources range from 67 to 86 m.
How long do you need?
About an hour.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia — Wat Arun: name, history, Emerald Buddha, prang, height, porcelain decoration
- 2026 travel guides (The Better Vacation, Thai Holiday Guide and others) — price, hours, ferry (unofficial)
- OSM — temple coordinates
- YesGo general facts for Thailand — payment, transport
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