Grand Palace & Temples of Bangkok with experienced guide
Description
This tour let you experience the Thai capital and gives you a unique impression of the city. We visit some of the most famous places in Bangkok. You will be accompanied by a local guide who loves his/her country and really wants to explain you everything about Bangkok, Thai culture and history! IMPORTANT: ***Remember that the Grand Palace and temples are sacred places and you must dress appropriately. Shoulders and ankles need to be covered (for both men and women; sleeveless shirt with a scarf covering is also not allowed). No shorts, leggings, ripped jeans, tight pants, slippers (flip-flops), or revealing tops, otherwise you won't be allowed in.*** ***Entrance fees are NOT included in the tour price and should be paid in cash on the day of the tour (Total entrance fees are THB 1000 per person).***
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meeting point is at Tha Chang Pier, opposite the Grand Palace
The glittering Grand Palace in Bangkok is an architectural wonder that was once home to the kings of the Chakri Dynasty. A visit to the ornate and historic Grand Palace, and the adjacent Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is a highlight of any visit to the Kingdom. The palace was built in 1782 by the Rama I, the first king of the Chakri Dynasty, when he moved the capital of what was then known as the Kingdom of Siam from Thonburi on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River to Bangkok on the east bank. For 150 years the palace was the home of the Thai King. Today, the complex remains the spiritual heart of the Thai Kingdom. Entrance fees are NOT included in the tour price and should be paid in cash on the day of the tour (Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew is THB 500 per person).
Wat Pho is one of the oldest temples in the Thai capital. It is also one of the largest temple complexes in Bangkok and has the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand. Wat Pho maintains the title as the country’s earliest center for public education, specializing in religion, science and literature. Most of the Buddha images on display were brought to Wat Pho, by order of King Rama I, from abandoned temples in Ayutthaya and Sukhothai. And of course you'll visit the reclining Buddha, one of the largest Buddha statues in Thailand. Entrance fees are NOT included in the tour price and should be paid in cash on the day of the tour (Wat Pho is THB 300 per person).
A stay in the Thai capital is not complete without visiting Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, one of Bangkok's most famous landmarks. After the fall of Ayutthaya, King Taksin established a royal palace and temple here to house the Emerald Buddha. The temple was named after the Indian god of dawn, Aruna. It wasn't until the capital and the Emerald Buddha were moved to Wat Phra Kaew at the Bangkok side that Wat Arun received its most prominent characteristic: the 82 meters high prang (Khmer-style tower). Wat Arun is decorated with ornate floral mosaics made from broken Chinese porcelain, a common temple ornamentation in the early Rattanakosin period, when Chinese ships calling at the port of Bangkok used tonnes of old porcelain as ballast. Entrance fees are NOT included in the tour price and should be paid in cash on the day of the tour (Wat Arun is THB 200 per person).
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Entrance fees are NOT included in the tour price and should be paid in cash on the day of the tour (THB 1000 per person).
- Remember that the Grand Palace and temples are sacred places and you must dress appropriately. Shoulders and ankles need to be covered (for both men and women; sleeveless shirt with a scarf covering is also not allowed). No shorts, leggings, ripped jeans, tight pants, slippers (flip-flops), or revealing tops, otherwise you won't be allowed in.
- The meeting point is in front of Tha Chang Ferry counter on the Chao Phraya River, located across the road from the Grand Palace. After booking, you will receive a confirmation email that includes photos of the exact meeting location. Please check your inbox carefully, including your spam folder.
- Bangkok’s traffic can be heavily congested. As our tours run on a group basis, we can wait a maximum of 10 minutes after the scheduled meeting time. After this grace period, the guide will begin the tour. If you cannot make it on time, please let us know before the tour starts. If possible, we’ll do our best to reschedule you for the next available time slot or day, though a rescheduling fee will apply. No refund will be provided in case of late arrival.
- Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the tour start time are eligible for a full refund. For cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance or in case of no-show, no refund will be issued.
- Our tours operate rain or shine, as tropical rain showers in Thailand usually don’t last long. If it rains heavily, we try to seek shelter and will continue as soon as the weather improves. During the rainy season, it’s a good idea to bring a raincoat or poncho. Please note cancellations due to weather are not eligible for a refund.
- Since this tour involves a lot of walking, it is not suitable for people with mobility issues.
Reviews(1,237)
Nice tour in the historic center of Bangkok, a lot to see and an enthusiastic tour guide, also a lot to learn
Thank you for your kind review! We're delighted to know you enjoyed discovering Bangkok's historic landmarks and that your guide's enthusiasm made the experience both enjoyable and informative. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable journey through Thailand.
Ken, our guide, gave a great overview of the history of each of the sites before entering. He was friendly and personable, and this tour was a GREAT way to start our trip in Bangkok. These temples are a must-see in Bangkok, and we would’ve been overwhelmed doing it on our own. (We also avoided being accosted by lots of other independent guides by being in our small group of ten!)
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that Ken helped make your first days in Bangkok enjoyable and stress-free. It's great to know that his insights and friendly approach made exploring these iconic temples even more meaningful. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you on another adventure in Thailand soon!
Our guide is very knowledgeable. However, she did not manage the time well, so we only get to see 1/2 of the Wha Pho. And pretty much rushed our way to the third stop. I was quite disappointed of not seeing the entire ground of Wha Pho. Need to improve the time management. A bit less on detailed history lesson. We just need to have a short summary so we can cover more ground.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughtful feedback. We're pleased to hear that you found your guide knowledgeable, but we're truly sorry that the pace of the tour left you feeling you couldn't fully experience Wat Pho. Your comments about balancing the historical explanations with more time to explore are greatly appreciated. We'll share your feedback with our team as we continue to improve the experience for future guests. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again and provide an even better tour next time.
Amazing trip. The guide P Ken was the highlight of the entire trip. He was very patient, friendly and supportive throughout the tour. We were lucky to have a great group to be on tour with. Would definitely recommend the tour to anyone coming first time to Thailand.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you had such an amazing experience, and we're especially happy that Ken made your visit so memorable with his patience, friendliness, and support. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you back to Thailand for another unforgettable adventure!
Very dynamic guide, smiling, and provided us with a lot of information
Thank you so much for your kind review. We're delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable visit. It's wonderful to know that Anna's enthusiasm, warm personality, and knowledge helped make your experience even more memorable. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back for another great experience in Thailand.
Kit was a great guide. Kept two under-10s interested and was happy to walk a bit slower due to my small mobility issue.
Thank you so much for your lovely words. We're especially happy to hear that Kit was able to keep the little ones engaged while also making sure you felt comfortable throughout the tour. Creating an enjoyable experience for every guest is something we truly care about, and it's wonderful to know that his kindness and attentiveness made a difference. We hope the memories of Bangkok's beautiful landmarks stay with your family for a long time, and we'd be delighted to welcome you back again in the future.
Really enjoyed my Tour with Tanya. She had so much knowledge and was so friendly. I particularly enjoyed learning about historical Thai customs and different political focus of different Kings.
Thank you for your lovely review. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Tanya. She is passionate about sharing Thailand’s rich history and culture, and we're glad her knowledge and friendly approach made your experience memorable. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you again on another tour soon.
Great experience, very well planned. We took the 8:00 am tour and missed the crowds! Snorkeling are was awesome and lunch was fantastic! I’m very glad we did this tour!
Thank you for your wonderful review. We're delighted to hear that you had a great experience on the tour. Starting early is a fantastic way to enjoy the islands with fewer crowds, and we're glad it helped make your day even more enjoyable. It's great to know that you loved the snorkeling and enjoyed the lunch as well. Thank you for choosing to explore with us, and we hope to welcome you back for another amazing island adventure in the future.
We had an amazing day touring the Grand Palace with our tour guide Nicky! She was super engaging, fun, and knowledgeable and we learnt a lot about Thai history whilst also having heaps of fun. Not to mention all the amazing photos she took for us as well. Thanks Nicky!!
Thank you for your wonderful review. We're delighted to hear that you had such an amazing day exploring the Grand Palace with Nicky. She will be thrilled to know that her enthusiasm, knowledge, and engaging storytelling helped make your experience both fun and memorable. We're also glad that she was able to capture some great photos for you to remember the day. Thank you for your kind words and for choosing to tour with us. We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable experience in Thailand soon.
Great architecture and amazing landscape terrible guided and expensive tour through Tripadvisor! Local guide couldn’t speak English and was clueless; 6 people booked up 4 dropped off less than mid way as it was so disappointing, 130 bucks for two adults through Tripadvisor; the entry fees and charges to the royal palaces which you could have gotten for 20 USD on the door on the day would have been a far better option; and a hand held device in the language of your choice which would have been preferable and more convenient. Do your own thing and make sure you wear long trousers out of courtesy and respect in the temples.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're pleased to hear that you enjoyed the remarkable architecture and cultural heritage of the Grand Palace and Bangkok's historic temples. These sites represent centuries of Thai craftsmanship, history, and tradition, and we agree that they are truly unforgettable places to visit. That said, we're sorry to learn that the guiding experience did not meet your expectations. We carefully select licensed guides and regularly review guest feedback, so we take comments regarding communication and tour delivery seriously. Your review has been shared with our management team for further evaluation and follow-up. Regarding pricing, we understand that every traveler evaluates value differently. While it is certainly possible to visit some attractions independently, our tours are designed to provide more than admission alone, including licensed guiding services, trip planning, customer support, and the convenience of a structured experience. Most importantly, we believe that the true value of visiting iconic places such as the Grand Palace lies not only in the ticket price, but in the opportunity to understand the history, culture, and stories behind what you see. We appreciate your honest feedback, as it helps us continue improving our services. Thank you again for visiting Thailand, and we wish you enjoyable travels ahead.
