Tours/Bangkok/Exclusive Tour – Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha & Reclining Buddha
Viator · Private tour

Exclusive Tour – Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha & Reclining Buddha

4.8(26)Bangkok1 hour
VIATOR4.8(16)TRIPADVISOR4.8(10)

Description

Discover the rich history and stunning architecture of Bangkok on this Private Tour, visiting three of the city's most iconic landmarks: the Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Kaew), and the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho). Start at the Grand Palace, the former residence of Thai kings, renowned for its intricate design and lavish interiors. Within the palace grounds, explore Wat Phra Kaew, home to the revered Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s most sacred statue. Continue to Wat Pho to see the impressive Reclining Buddha, a massive, gold-plated statue measuring 46 meters long. Your private guide will provide fascinating insights into Thai history, culture, and religion as you admire these remarkable sites. This exclusive tour offers flexibility, personal attention, and the chance to delve deep into Bangkok’s royal and spiritual heritage.

Tour Options

Private Tour
  • Private Tour: This is a private tour. minimum 2 passengers Pickup included
Joined Tour with Guide
  • Pickup included

Itinerary

Admission included45 min

Wat Pho, also spelled Wat Po, is a Buddhist temple complex in the Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, Thailand. It is located on Rattanakosin Island, directly south of the Grand Palace. Known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, its official name is Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan

Admission included60 min

The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782. The king, his court, and his royal government were based on the grounds of the palace until 1925.

45 min

Wat Phra Kaew, commonly known in English as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and officially as Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram, is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. The Emerald Buddha housed in the temple is a potent religio-political symbol and the palladium of Thailand

Pass by

Ta Tian Market is an immense fresh market place located by the riverside, opposite the white walls of Wat Pho. The market itself is easily missed by most visitors who often take a break at one of the charming little cafes under the arches of the Sino-Portuguese façades, and not many actually spot the small entrance right in the middle of this U-shaped heritage style building. This discreet door opens onto a short tunnel and beyond it, only the curious traveller would discover a gigantic and busy market sheltered under a very high ceiling. The place is more of a basic warehouse than a market, selling a huge array of dried sea products displayed in large sacks, wholesale cooking ingredients and all kinds of fresh products ranging from well known veggies to totally alien looking ingredients.

Highlights

Private guided tour of Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha, and Reclining Buddha
Roundtrip transport to and from most central Bangkok hotels by private vehicle

What's included

Included
Private guided tour of Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha, and Reclining Buddha
Roundtrip transport to and from most central Bangkok hotels by private vehicle
Not included
Drinks, bottled water and snacks

Pickup Locations & Times

Pickup from all centrally located Bangkok hotels and selected riverside hotels

Traveller Ratings

4.8
26 reviews
5
22
4
3
3
1
2
0
1
0

Important Information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • There are strict Dress Code for visiting the Grand Palace as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha is Thailand's most sacred site. Men must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves - no sleeveless tops. If you're wearing sandals or flip-flops you must wear socks.
  • Women must be similarly modestly dressed. No see-through clothes, bare shoulders, dresses must be below knee length (preferably covering the ankle), no open-toe shoes, etc. It is also recommended to avoid bright colours

Reviews(26)

E
Eva D
April 4, 2026
Great trip

It was a great experience and we learned a lot about the Thai history and culture.

Operator response

Dear Eva D, Thank you for the 5-star review! We are so pleased that you had a great experience exploring the Grand Palace and our most iconic temples with us. Our guides take great pride in bringing Thai history and culture to life, so hearing that you learned a lot during your visit is wonderful. We believe that understanding the stories behind the Emerald and Reclining Buddhas makes the visit even more special. Thank you for choosing iAsia Thailand for your 'Exclusive' tour! Best regards, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)

B
Brian_G
February 9, 2026
A must do in Bangkok

Lots of beautiful buildings and colours.. amazing history and guide that explains everything really well !!!’nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Operator response

Dear Brian, Thank you so much for your high-energy review! We are absolutely thrilled that you enjoyed the "beautiful buildings and colors" of the Grand Palace and our iconic temples. Our guides take great pride in bringing Thailand’s rich history to life, so it is wonderful to hear that their explanations made the experience even more special for you. We will be sure to share your enthusiasm with the team—they will be just as excited as you are! Thank you for choosing IAsia Thailand to explore these historic landmarks. We hope to see you again for another "amazing" adventure soon! Warm regards, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)

B
Blake C
February 4, 2026
Stress free sightseeing at high demand locations

This is the way to see the Grand Palace and Reclining Buddha. The crowds at those locations are no joke, so a knowledgeable guide and private vehicle allow for maximum flexibility and access. We were picked up from our hotel in a private car with driver and guide. The guide was very knowledgeable and shared information about the city of Bangkok, including restaurant recommendations and general information about the history of the city. He helped us navigate the crowded palace and explained the history of every sight. He was not able to accompany us into the reclining Buddha sanctuary, but directed us and met us outside when we were finished. At the end, we were driven back to our hotel for a comfortable, hassle-free end to a big day.

Operator response

Dear Blake, Thank you for such a detailed and thoughtful review! We are so glad to hear that choosing a private tour made your visit to the Grand Palace and Reclining Buddha a "hassle-free" experience. As you noted, the crowds at these historic sites "are no joke," and our goal at IAsia Thailand is to provide that extra layer of flexibility and local knowledge to help you navigate them comfortably. We are thrilled that your guide’s insights into both the history of the city and the local restaurant scene added extra value to your day. It is also great to hear that the private vehicle provided the comfort you needed after a big day of exploring. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the city soon! Warm regards, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)

M
Madeleine_G
January 30, 2026
We thoroughly enjoyed our...

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour. Our guide was so attentive and caring and very knowledgeable. Do not hesitate to choose Viator.

Operator response

Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your kind words! We are thrilled to hear that you thoroughly enjoyed your tour of the Grand Palace and the Reclining Buddha. It is heartening to hear that your guide was so attentive, caring, and knowledgeable. We believe that a great guide is what truly brings Thailand's rich history and culture to life, and we are so glad our team made such a positive impression on you. Thank you for booking through Viator and choosing IAsia Thailand as your local experts. We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another tour soon! Warm regards, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)

J
James_L
January 10, 2026
Fun, helpful and informative

Eddie and his driver were very kind and helped us a lot because we needed to get back quickly to go to airport after the tour. We learned so much about Thai history and culture and didn't have to worry about finding the best spots ourselves. I would thoroughly recommend this tour to anyone. My partner and I enjoyed it a lot. Thanks again Eddie :)

Operator response

Dear James, Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear that you and your partner enjoyed the tour and that Eddie and his driver were able to take such good care of you, especially with your tight schedule for the airport. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed learning about Thai history and culture and felt relaxed knowing the best spots were taken care of for you. Your recommendation truly means a lot to us, and we’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to Eddie — he’ll be very happy to hear them. We hope to welcome you back again in the future. Kind regards, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)

P
Prashant_S
January 8, 2026
A perfect day

A wonderful, joy-filled day with Marie. She was very patient answering the many many many questions our son had about the statues, murals, everything. She explained the history in a way that was reverent, informative, and appropriate for his age. It was just a wonderful day and we’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Operator response

Hi Prasha, Thank you so much for this lovely review! We are delighted to hear that Marie made such a positive impact on your family’s visit to the Grand Palace. It is always a pleasure to have curious young explorers on our tours, and we are so glad Marie could bring the history and murals to life for your son. Providing a 'reverent yet age-appropriate' experience is exactly what we strive for. We hope to welcome your family back for another adventure in the future! Thanks,, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)

S
samantha_T
December 7, 2025
We had Eddie as our guide...

We had Eddie as our guide who was very informative. It was nice to tour these very busy places with someone who knew where to go and what to see.

Operator response

Dear Guest, Thank you for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour, and that Eddie helped make your visit to these iconic (and often very busy) landmarks smooth and memorable. His knowledge and guidance truly make a difference. We’re so pleased you had a great experience and hope to welcome you on another tour soon! Kind regards, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)

C
Christopher_E
December 1, 2025
What a day

The tour guide Eddie was very friendly & knowledgeable about out tour & things I asked him about concerning the monarchy , King , Queen, kids school education when where & why GREAT TOUR AND GUIDE!!!!!😎

Operator response

Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had a great experience on our Exclusive Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha, and Reclining Buddha Tour. Eddie will be thrilled to know that his friendliness, knowledge, and willingness to answer all your questions made your day even more special. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you on another tour soon! 😎 Thanks, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)

P
Peter_G
March 8, 2025
Eddy from iasia was amazing !

We did this tour through “ iasiatravel “ & our tour guide Eddy was Amazing ! He showed us all the sights & his English was great & understandable. We had a smashing afternoon with him .

Operator response

Dear Peter, Thank you for sharing your experience on the Private Tour of the Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha, and Reclining Buddha. We’re delighted to hear that you had a fantastic time with your guide, Eddy! It’s wonderful that he provided an informative and enjoyable tour while ensuring clear communication. We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you on another incredible journey soon! Best regards, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)

T
Tracy_L
March 5, 2025
We loved the size of our...

We loved the size of our tour. We were a party of 10. Tour operator had divided us into two groups. Sak and Moon were very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful.

Operator response

Dear Tracy, Thank you for your wonderful review! 😊 We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the small group experience and that Sak and Moon made your tour informative and enjoyable. Their knowledge and friendliness truly enhance the visit to these iconic landmarks. 🏯✨ We hope to welcome you again for another great experience in Thailand! Thanks, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)

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