The Grand Palace in Bangkok: Tickets, Opening Hours and What to See

About the palace

The Grand Palace is one of Thailand’s famous historic complexes in the centre of Bangkok. The architecture combines traditional Thai styles with Western elements. On the grounds you can visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and see Buddhist artefacts and works of art. The complex is called a symbol of the royal family and a microcosm of the country’s history and culture.

The Grand Palace (Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang) in Bangkok is not one house but a whole city behind white walls on Rattanakosin island: royal halls, courtyards, galleries and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaew. The king has not lived here for a long time, but the main hall, Chakri Maha Prasat, with a Thai roof over a European façade, is still used for ceremonies.

Tickets, hours and how to get in on your own

The complex is open daily from 8:30 to 16:30, but the ticket offices and the entrance close at 15:30, so there is no point in coming later. For foreigners a ticket at the office costs 500 ฿ and includes the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles; the audio guide is taken separately. Children up to 120 cm in height enter free. If you don’t want to stand at the ticket offices in the heat and sort out queues, buy a ticket in advance online or take a tour in Russian, where entry is already arranged and the guide will explain how the Dusit Maha Prasat hall differs from the Amarin.

• By river boat. The best way: a Chao Phraya Express boat to Tha Chang pier (N9), then five minutes on foot. From the neighbouring Tha Tien pier small ferries cross to Wat Arun on the other bank.
• By metro. The blue line to Sanam Chai station, then about 15 minutes on foot past Wat Pho. There is no direct station at the palace.
• By taxi. Grab or Bolt will drop you at the palace gates. Be ready for a tuk-tuk near the gates to offer “it is closed today, let’s go to another temple” — it is a scam, ignore it.
• How to avoid queues. Arrive at the opening at 8:30: by ten, tour-bus groups are already standing at the gates. At weekends and on Thai holidays there are especially many people.

What to see inside

First go to Wat Phra Kaew: the statue of the Emerald Buddha, made of green jade, sits on a high golden pedestal, and three times a year its robe is changed to suit the season. You may not take photographs inside the temple (the ubosot); photograph from outside. Next are gilded chedis, the Ramakien gallery with murals of the epic, Chakri Maha Prasat and Dusit Maha Prasat with its four-tiered roof. The courtyard is open and has almost no shade — it is only in the galleries — so plan the longest walks for the morning.

The palace is easy to combine with the neighbouring Wat Pho with its reclining Buddha and Wat Arun, the “temple of dawn” across the river. All together it is a full day, and in a ready-made tour with Wat Arun and Wat Pak Nam you don’t need to look for boats yourself.

Which tickets and tours are available

Prices are as of 10 October 2026. See the content, language and terms on the page of the chosen offer.

Limits and tips

• The dress code is strict. Shoulders and knees covered, clothes not transparent or torn; shorts, skirts above the knee and tank tops will not be admitted. Closed shoes are better. At the entrance there is clothing rental for a deposit, but the queue for it is often longer than the one to the ticket office.
• Passport and bags. Take a document or at least a copy of it; large backpacks may be sent to left luggage at the security check. Drones over the palace are prohibited.
• Don’t film or touch. Filming is forbidden inside the temple, don’t point a lens at people in uniform and at monks from close range, and don’t sit with your feet towards the Buddha.
• Closing days. During royal ceremonies part of the grounds or the whole palace is closed without warning; check the date in the ticket card.
• Weather. From November to February it is cooler and drier, and in April before Songkran the asphalt heats up. Always take water and a head covering.

The description is based on Trip.com listings; opening hours and the contents of offers may change.