Canal Tour with Wat Arun | Bangkok Beyond
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Bangkok Half day Private tour Family friendly English speaking licensed tour guide Hotel pick up & drop off
Bangkok Half day Private tour Family friendly English speaking licensed tour guide Hotel pick up & drop off

Take a private motorized longtail boat along the River of Kings and into Bangkok’s secret canals (khlongs). Witness riverside life up close: children waving from docks, saffron-clad monks drifting by, and reflections of temples on the water. Step ashore to admire Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, and close with a walk through Jim Thompson’s teak home and museum. In this half day tour you will get an eye-opening experience and memories you will carry home.

Sample Itinerary

We can customize the itinerary to your needs. Let us know your preferences.

08:00 Pick up at your hotel
08:30 Board the boat and set off down the Chao Phraya with a stop at Wat Arun
10:30 Arrive at Jim Thompson House, explore and enjoy
12:30 Drop off at your hotel or a destination of your choice in downtown

Author Photo
Maurice and Liz
United States

“My husband arranged a last minute day tour with Bangkok Beyond during our recent visit to the city. We began with a canal tour via longtail boat, then a tour of Wat Arun, and finally a visit to Jim Thompson house. Our guide Joy met us at our riverside hotel and we walked to a small pier and hopped on our boat. It was very interesting to see a more traditional side of Bangkok. After seeing Wat Arun from across the river for several days, we loved being able to see it up close in all its broken porcelain splendor. What a gorgeous structure! Finally, it was wonderful to finally get to Jim Thompson house - missed on our first visit 30 years ago. We can't thank Cherry and Joy enough for arranging this lovely tour last minute and for providing such a wonderful cultural experience! We absolutely loved each part of the tour - it couldn't have been better!! ”

★★★★★

Experience the hidden canals of Bangkok with a private guide and boat in just 4.5 hours

Take a private motorized longtail boat along the River of Kings and into Bangkok’s secret canals (khlongs). Witness riverside life up close: children waving from docks, saffron-clad monks drifting by, and reflections of temples on the water. Step ashore to admire Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, and close with a walk through Jim Thompson’s teak home and museum. In this half day tour you will get an eye-opening experience and memories you will carry home.

Sample Itinerary

We can customize the itinerary to your needs. Let us know your preferences.

08:00 Pick up at your hotel
08:30 Board the boat and set off down the Chao Phraya with a stop at Wat Arun
10:30 Arrive at Jim Thompson House, explore and enjoy
12:30 Drop off at your hotel or a destination of your choice in downtown

Author Photo
Maurice and Liz
United States

“My husband arranged a last minute day tour with Bangkok Beyond during our recent visit to the city. We began with a canal tour via longtail boat, then a tour of Wat Arun, and finally a visit to Jim Thompson house. Our guide Joy met us at our riverside hotel and we walked to a small pier and hopped on our boat. It was very interesting to see a more traditional side of Bangkok. After seeing Wat Arun from across the river for several days, we loved being able to see it up close in all its broken porcelain splendor. What a gorgeous structure! Finally, it was wonderful to finally get to Jim Thompson house - missed on our first visit 30 years ago. We can't thank Cherry and Joy enough for arranging this lovely tour last minute and for providing such a wonderful cultural experience! We absolutely loved each part of the tour - it couldn't have been better!! ”

★★★★★

Your journey begins on the legendary Chao Phraya River, known as the River of Kings. From the deck of your private motorized longtail boat, you’ll slip away from Bangkok’s fast-paced traffic and into a quieter, more intimate world. For about one hour, the hum of the engine becomes the soundtrack as you drift past wooden stilt houses, neighborhood temples, and locals going about their daily routines. Guests often say this part of the tour feels like stepping into a living postcard, one where time moves slower and every view is framed by water.

As the canals (khlongs) open back into the main river, the breathtaking Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) comes into view. Rising high above the water, its porcelain-covered towers glitter in the sunlight and glow softly in the evening. Many travelers describe standing at its base as both humbling and inspiring a reminder of the artistry and devotion that shaped Bangkok’s spiritual heritage. Whether you capture the temple at dawn, midday, or dusk, the experience often leaves guests saying they felt more connected to the city’s soul than any guidebook could convey.

The final stop takes you to the Jim Thompson House and Museum, a collection of teakwood homes filled with rare art, antiques, and stories of one man’s passion for Thai silk. Walking through its shaded gardens and intricate rooms, travelers often remark on the serenity and beauty of the space. For many, this visit ties together the contrasts of Bangkok: bustling canals, sacred temples, and refined design. By the end of the 4.5-hour tour, you’ll carry not just photos but a deeper, more emotional memory of Bangkok, one that lingers long after you’ve left the river.

Your journey begins on the legendary Chao Phraya River, known as the River of Kings. From the deck of your private motorized longtail boat, you’ll slip away from Bangkok’s fast-paced traffic and into a quieter, more intimate world. For about one hour, the hum of the engine becomes the soundtrack as you drift past wooden stilt houses, neighborhood temples, and locals going about their daily routines. Guests often say this part of the tour feels like stepping into a living postcard, one where time moves slower and every view is framed by water.

As the canals (khlongs) open back into the main river, the breathtaking Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) comes into view. Rising high above the water, its porcelain-covered towers glitter in the sunlight and glow softly in the evening. Many travelers describe standing at its base as both humbling and inspiring a reminder of the artistry and devotion that shaped Bangkok’s spiritual heritage. Whether you capture the temple at dawn, midday, or dusk, the experience often leaves guests saying they felt more connected to the city’s soul than any guidebook could convey.

The final stop takes you to the Jim Thompson House and Museum, a collection of teakwood homes filled with rare art, antiques, and stories of one man’s passion for Thai silk. Walking through its shaded gardens and intricate rooms, travelers often remark on the serenity and beauty of the space. For many, this visit ties together the contrasts of Bangkok: bustling canals, sacred temples, and refined design. By the end of the 4.5-hour tour, you’ll carry not just photos but a deeper, more emotional memory of Bangkok, one that lingers long after you’ve left the river.

Inclusions
  • Private long-tail boat ride (about 1 hour)
  • Entrance to Wat Arun and The Jim Thompson House
  • Bottled drinking water
  • Licensed English speaking tour guide
  • Private transport by air-conditioned vehicle
  • Hotel pick up & drop off

Cancellation Policy

  • Full refund for the deposit if you email us up to 48 hours before the trip (except December, Chinese New Year and Songkran)
Tour Highlights
  • Cruise Bangkok’s canals (khlongs) for one hour on a private motorized longtail boat
  • Capture unforgettable photos at Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn
  • Step inside the Jim Thompson House, rich with silk and art history
  • Escape city noise and discover a calmer, more authentic side of Bangkok
Inclusions
  • Private long-tail boat ride (about 1 hour)
  • Entrance to Wat Arun and The Jim Thompson House
  • Bottled drinking water
  • Licensed English speaking tour guide
  • Private transport by air-conditioned vehicle
  • Hotel pick up & drop off

Cancellation Policy

  • Full refund for the deposit if you email us up to 48 hours before the trip (except December, Chinese New Year and Songkran)
Tour Highlights
  • Cruise Bangkok’s canals (khlongs) for one hour on a private motorized longtail boat
  • Capture unforgettable photos at Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn
  • Step inside the Jim Thompson House, rich with silk and art history
  • Escape city noise and discover a calmer, more authentic side of Bangkok

Price per pax

Adult

Children
(under 120 cm in height)

1

6,250

6,250

2

3,550

2,450

3

3,250

2,250

4

2,950

2,050

5

2,750

1,950

6

2,550

1,750

7

2,250

1,550

8

1,950

1,350

9

1,750

1,250

10

1,550

1,050

Price per pax

Adult

Children
(under 120 cm in height)

1

6,250

6,250

2

3,550

2,450

3

3,250

2,250

4

2,950

2,050

5

2,750

1,950

6

2,550

1,750

7

2,250

1,550

8

1,950

1,350

9

1,750

1,250

10

1,550

1,050

Awards & Recognition

Proudly recognized by Tripadvisor and leading travel media for our excellent service and guest experiences.

Awards & Recognition

Proudly recognized by Tripadvisor and leading travel media for our excellent service and guest experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I start in the afternoon?

We can start in the afternoon, but it may be risky due to high tide. The ideal time is in the morning when the water is calm, the weather is cooler during the hot season, and there’s less chance of rain during the rainy season. The tour should start no later than 10:30 AM.

What if it rains?

In case of heavy rain, you will have the option to reschedule or cancel, depending on the circumstances.

Is this tour suitable for kids?

Yes, the canal tour is suitable for kids.

How much walking is involved?

There isn’t much walking, as we will be sitting in the boat for about an hour. The only walking will be at Jim Thompson House, but it’s not much.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I start in the afternoon?

We can start in the afternoon, but it may be risky due to high tide. The ideal time is in the morning when the water is calm, the weather is cooler during the hot season, and there’s less chance of rain during the rainy season. The tour should start no later than 10:30 AM.

What if it rains?

In case of heavy rain, you will have the option to reschedule or cancel, depending on the circumstances.

Is this tour suitable for kids?

Yes, the canal tour is suitable for kids.

How much walking is involved?

There isn’t much walking, as we will be sitting in the boat for about an hour. The only walking will be at Jim Thompson House, but it’s not much.

More Photos from Bangkok Canal Tour

More Photos from Bangkok Canal Tour

Picture of our happy guests on their sightseeing tour
grand-palace-wat-pho-canal-tour

Opening Hours

  • Weekdays 09:00 – 18:00
  • Saturdays 10:00 – 16:00
  • Sundays     Closed

Business Address

There and Back Again Co., Ltd.,
29/62 Moo 13, The Connect 6 Village, Bang Phli Yai,
Bang Phli Samut Prakan 10540, Thailand

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