Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, is the riverside temple whose tall central tower faces the Grand Palace across the Chao Phraya. The short answer: the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's visitor listing gives opening hours of 8:00 to 18:00 every day and an entrance fee of 100 baht for foreign visitors (free for Thai visitors), you reach it by the short cross-river ferry from Tha Tien, and you must dress modestly. It takes about an hour to an hour and a half, which makes it an easy pairing with the Grand Palace and Wat Pho on the other bank.
We read the official listing on 2026-10-16. The fee is the one figure where sources disagree, and the guide below says exactly where.
Verified facts, and one that does not agree
The city's own visitor site (Visit Bangkok, run by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration) lists Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan at 158 Wang Derm Road, Wat Arun Subdistrict, Bangkok Yai District, Bangkok 10600, with the temple's phone number +66 2 891 2185 and a link to its official Facebook page.
| Item | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Opening hours | 08:00-18:00, every day | Visit Bangkok listing, 2026-10-16 |
| Entrance fee | 100 baht for foreign visitors; free for Thai visitors | Same listing |
| Main prang height | 82 metres | Same listing (history text) |
| Facilities | Restrooms and parking | Same listing |
| Dress rules | Listed on the same page, see below | Same listing |
Several recent third-party travel guides give the foreigner fee as 200 baht, and older blogs give 50 or 100. We could not confirm 200 baht on an official page, so treat 100 baht as the officially listed figure and keep a little extra cash. The ticket booth sets the price on the day. Plan the time instead: some guides mention last entry around 17:30, but the listing gives no separate last-entry time, so be at the gate by 17:00 if you want to climb.
One practical trust warning: the domain watarun.org, which looks like an official site, did not show a temple website when we opened it on 2026-10-16 (it displayed an unrelated advertisement). Do not enter payment details on look-alike domains. Use the Bangkok listing and the temple's Facebook page linked there.
Why it is worth the ferry ride
The temple's name comes from its history. According to the Bangkok listing, it was built in the Ayutthaya period as Wat Makok, renamed Wat Chaeng ("temple of dawn") in the Thonburi period after King Taksin reached it at dawn, and renovated under Rama II. The great prang, 82 metres tall, was built in the reign of Rama III and became the temple's symbol. The listing also notes that the Emerald Buddha stayed at the temple for five years before being moved to Wat Phra Kaew when the Rattanakosin Kingdom was founded.
What you actually do there:
- Walk around the main prang. The tower is decorated with porcelain and shell fragments. Steep steps let you climb part way, and the stairs are narrow and sharp, so wear flat, grippy shoes and avoid it in wet weather.
- See the guardian giants and the stone figures. The Bangkok listing mentions the Wat Arun giants and Chinese stone figurines as points of interest.
- Pay respects in the ordination hall. The listing names the Buddha images and the Taksin throne area, where visitors go under the throne for luck.
- Take photos in Thai costume. The listing lists walking round in traditional Thai outfits as an activity; rental shops near the entrance serve that, and prices are set by the shops.
Dress code
The Bangkok listing says visitors must dress appropriately under the rules of the religious site, and specifically excludes sleeveless shirts, tank tops, cropped tops, tight-fitting clothes, thin pants, shorts, torn pants, tight skirts and short skirts. Wear a top with sleeves and long loose trousers or a long skirt. If you are caught out, rental sarongs and wraps are sold or lent by vendors around the entrance, but you cannot count on them, so dress correctly before you leave the hotel. The wider rules are in Thailand temple etiquette.
Getting to Wat Arun
The listing's own directions are the easiest: take the BTS Silom Line to Saphan Taksin (S6) Exit 2, go to Sathorn Pier (CEN) for the Chao Phraya Express Boat, ride to Tha Tien Pier (N8), then take the ferry across to Wat Arun. Bus routes 57 and 208 are listed with a "Wat Arun" stop.
| Starting point | Practical route |
|---|---|
| Grand Palace or Wat Pho | Walk to Tha Tien (N8), then the cross-river ferry to Wat Arun pier (a very short crossing; pay the small fare at the pier) |
| Silom, Sathorn, Saphan Taksin | BTS to Saphan Taksin, then express boat to Tha Tien (N8), then the ferry |
| MRT | MRT Sanam Chai, walk or tuk tuk to Tha Tien, then the ferry |
| By car or taxi | Possible, but parking is limited and traffic in the old city is heavy; the Bangkok listing mentions parking only as a facility |
If you plan a day with several river stops, read Bangkok temples and Chao Phraya cruises compared before buying a cruise ticket, because the standard express boat already stops at Tha Tien for a few baht. From the airport, start with Bangkok airport to the city.
A half-day plan that fits the area
The three big sights sit within walking distance of the Tha Tien pier, so one clean order avoids doubling back.
- 8:30: The Grand Palace opens (official ticket price and rules are in the Grand Palace guide).
- 11:30: Walk to Wat Pho, a few minutes south, and eat nearby.
- 14:30: Take the cross-river ferry from Tha Tien to Wat Arun. Afternoon light is warmer on the tower.
- 16:30: Stay until near closing, then catch an express boat back to Saphan Taksin or Central Pier.
If you are building a longer itinerary, this block fits Day 1 of the Bangkok 3-day plan. For the other end of Bangkok, see Chatuchak Weekend Market.
Best time of day and weather
Morning and late afternoon are cooler and kinder for photos. Bangkok has a hot, wet season from roughly May to October, and the steps become slippery in rain. Our best time to visit Bangkok page covers months, heat and crowds. Midday is the hottest period and the plaza around the tower has little shade.
Safety and small cautions
- Steep stairs. The prang's steps are narrow; do not climb with small children unattended or in flip-flops.
- Ferry pushing. Pier crowds can be pushy at peak times, so keep bags in front.
- Taxi quotes. Agree the meter or a price before leaving the pier; see Thailand safety, scams and health.
- Emergency numbers. 191 police, 1669 medical, 1155 Tourist Police.
Costs
| Item | Approx. (as of 2026) |
|---|---|
| Temple entry | 100 baht for foreigners per the Bangkok listing; some recent guides report 200 baht |
| Cross-river ferry | A few baht, paid at the pier |
| Express boat to Tha Tien | Tens of baht; check the operator's current fare |
| Costume rental or photographers | Set by the shops; compare before agreeing |
Tickets for cruises, passes and attraction bundles are covered in Bangkok attraction tickets. The Klook button in the booking boxes on this page opens the King Power Mahanakhon SkyWalk page, a Bangkok skyline experience rather than a Wat Arun ticket, because it is the Bangkok product we are registered for. Wat Arun admission is paid at the temple.
Where to stay near Wat Arun
The old city and riverside make the morning easy; see where to stay in Bangkok. If you are heading out of town after the temples, Bangkok day trips and the Ayutthaya day trip are the usual next steps, and the Bangkok hub lists every guide.
FAQ
How much is the Wat Arun entrance fee?
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration visitor listing says 100 baht for foreign visitors and free for Thai visitors. Some recent guides say 200 baht, which we could not confirm officially, so carry extra cash.
What time does Wat Arun open and close?
The listing gives 08:00 to 18:00 every day. Aim to arrive before 17:00 if you want time to climb.
How do I get from the Grand Palace to Wat Arun?
Walk to Tha Tien Pier (N8) and take the short cross-river ferry to Wat Arun. It is a few minutes on the water.
Can I climb the central tower?
Visitors can climb part of the way on steep steps, but conditions and any closures change. Wear flat shoes and skip it in wet weather.
What should I wear?
Cover shoulders and knees. The listing excludes sleeveless tops, tank tops, cropped tops, shorts, short skirts, tight or thin clothes and torn trousers.
Is watarun.org the official website?
We could not confirm that. On 2026-10-16 it showed an unrelated advertisement, not the temple. Use the Bangkok listing and the temple's Facebook page linked there.
How long do I need?
About an hour to an hour and a half at the temple, plus the ferry. Add the Grand Palace and Wat Pho for a half day.
Official sources and further reading
Prices, schedules and entry rules change. Figures here are approximate as of 2026; always confirm on the official or operator page before you book. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
