What is the nearest MRT station to Wat Arun?

Sanam Chai on the MRT Blue Line. From there walk to Tha Tien pier and take the short cross-river ferry, which lands next to the temple.

Do I need a ticket for Wat Arun?

Foreign visitors pay an entry fee at the temple. Prices and hours can change, so check locally or with the Tourism Authority of Thailand before visiting.

What should I wear to Wat Arun?

Cover your shoulders and knees and avoid see-through clothing. It is an active temple, so dress modestly and follow any signs about removing shoes.

When is the best time to visit Wat Arun?

Early morning is coolest and quietest. For sunset views of the spire, watch from the east bank near Tha Tien in the late afternoon or evening.

How long do I need at Wat Arun?

About an hour is enough for the temple, and it combines easily with Wat Pho and the Grand Palace in the same half day.

Wat Arun: MRT, Ferry, Tickets and Tips for Your Visit

Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, stands on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, and its tall central spire is one of the best known sights in Bangkok. Up close the tower is covered in pieces of coloured porcelain and ceramic arranged into flowers and patterns, which is something photos from across the river never quite show. A visit to Wat Arun is easy to combine with Wat Pho and the Grand Palace on the opposite bank, and getting there involves one of the shortest and most enjoyable boat rides in the city.

Why visit Wat Arun

The temple's main feature is its prang, a Khmer-style tower surrounded by four smaller towers at the corners. The decoration dates largely from the nineteenth century, when broken porcelain, some of it from Chinese trading ships, was pressed into the plaster. Look closely and you will see cups, plates and shells turned into petals and leaves. Guardian figures and demons appear to hold up the upper levels.

Visitors can walk around the base of the prang and climb the first steep stairs for a view over the river, though access to the higher levels is restricted. Beyond the tower there is an ordination hall with a Buddha image, a row of seated Buddhas in the cloister and quiet courtyards that are easy to miss if you only come for the spire.

How to get to Wat Arun by MRT and ferry

The nearest metro station is Sanam Chai on the MRT Blue Line, on the Rattanakosin side of the river. Wat Arun is on the opposite bank, so the last part of the trip is by boat:

Leave Sanam Chai station and walk toward the river and the Tha Tien pier, about 5 to 10 minutes, passing the edge of Wat Pho.
At Tha Tien, take the cross-river ferry. It runs frequently through the day, the crossing takes a couple of minutes and the fare is small and paid in cash.
The ferry lands right beside the temple grounds.

The Chao Phraya Express Boat and the tourist boat also stop at a Wat Arun pier, which is handy if you are coming along the river from Sathorn, where you can transfer from the BTS at Saphan Taksin.

Wat Arun tickets and dress code

Foreign visitors pay an entry fee at the ticket booth inside the grounds. Thai nationals usually enter free. Prices and opening hours can change, so check locally or with the Tourism Authority of Thailand before you go rather than relying on figures quoted online.

Wat Arun is an active temple, and modest dress is expected. Cover your shoulders and knees, avoid see-through clothing, and take your shoes off where signs ask you to. Sarongs or wraps can sometimes be borrowed or hired near the entrance, but it is easier to arrive dressed for it. Many visitors rent traditional Thai costumes from shops outside the temple for photos, which is popular and allowed.

Best time to visit Wat Arun

Early morning is the best time to visit Wat Arun. The light is soft, the stone is cooler underfoot and the tour groups have not yet arrived. Late afternoon also works well, and you can then cross back to the east bank to watch the temple at sunset, when the spire is often silhouetted against the sky. After dark the prang is lit up, and the riverside bars and restaurants around Tha Tien are popular for that view.

The heat is a real factor. From around March to May temperatures are at their highest, so bring water and a hat. Allow around an hour for the temple itself, or longer if you want photos in costume.

Highlights inside the grounds

The central prang: walk all four sides to see the different ceramic patterns and figures.
The ordination hall: guarded by large demon statues at the gate, with murals and a principal Buddha image inside.
The cloister of Buddhas: a quiet walk away from the crowds around the tower.
The riverfront: the view back across to Wat Pho and the Grand Palace roofs.

Nearby around Sanam Chai

Back on the east bank, Sanam Chai station puts several major sights within walking distance:

Wat Pho: home of the giant reclining Buddha, a few minutes from Tha Tien.
The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew: a short walk north, with a stricter dress code.
Museum Siam: an interactive museum about Thai identity, right beside the station.
Pak Khlong Talat: the flower market, at its liveliest early in the morning and late at night.

For more ideas on this part of the city, see the Wat Arun page or browse what is near every station on our Bangkok metro map.