Home Destinations Nonthaburi 🧭 Plan Your Trip 🔎 Search About
Home › Thailand › Nonthaburi › Nonthaburi–Bangkok in 2 Days Cruise the Chao Phraya, See the Old City
⛴️ Cross-Province Itinerary

Nonthaburi–Bangkok in 2 Days
Cruise the Chao Phraya, See the Old City

Nonthaburi and Bangkok are only separated by a provincial line, but they share the same river — the Chao Phraya. So this trip makes the boat the star. Start at Nonthaburi Pier, ride the express boat downstream into Bangkok's old city to visit the riverside temples, then the next morning loop back upstream to Koh Kret, where you cycle around, snack on Mon sweets, and basically see both provinces without ever needing a car.

⛴️ Chao Phraya Express Boat🛕 Riverside temples🚲 Koh Kret Mon day trip
Nonthaburi–Bangkok in 2 Days Cruise the Chao Phraya, See the Old City

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

The logic behind this plan is to treat the river as your main road. Nonthaburi Pier happens to be the northern start/end point of the Chao Phraya Express Boat, so it's an easy place to hop on. Day one you head south into Bangkok's old city, and you can either spend the night around Rattanakosin or come back to sleep on the Nonthaburi side. Day two you loop north to Koh Kret and close the trip out with food by the water.

The boats you'll use on this trip

There are several boat lines on the Chao Phraya, each at a different price, and picking the right type keeps things cheap and simple. The two you'll use on this trip are the express boat that locals actually commute on, and the tourist boat with a hop-on-hop-off all-day pass.

  • Chao Phraya Express Boat (orange/yellow flag) — the commuter line for people heading between Bangkok and Nonthaburi. The Nonthaburi–Sathorn stretch runs about ฿24 end to end, and Pak Kret–Nonthaburi is around ฿17. Cheap and fast, great for getting around like a local, but there's no guide or commentary.
  • Chao Phraya Tourist Boat (blue flag) — the tourist line. The All Day Pass lets you hop on and off all day for about ฿150 (a single ride is ฿30). It runs between Sathorn Pier, ICONSIAM, and up to Phra Athit, with English commentary on board — handy on day one when you want to stop at several piers.
  • Cross-river ferries — used to cross over to Koh Kret (Wat Sanam Nuea–Wat Poramai Yikawat); fare is about ฿2–4, paid when you step off. The Tha Tien–Wat Arun ferry runs about ฿5 and operates roughly 05:00–19:00.

Know before you board

Since 2024 the Chao Phraya Express Boat no longer stops at the Wat Arun pier. If you want to visit Wat Arun, get off at Tha Tien first, then take the cross-river ferry to the other bank. Fares and schedules can change, so it's safer to check chaophrayaexpressboat.com before you set out.

🎟️

Book the activities in your Nonthaburi trip ahead

Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.

🎟️ Top tours in NonthaburiHighlights, guided Klook 🎟️ Nonthaburi attractions & ticketsSkip-the-line entry tickets Klook 🚐 Day trips from NonthaburiOut and back in a day Klook 🌎 Nonthaburi activities (GetYourGuide)Global tour marketplace GetYourGuide
🎟️ See all Nonthaburi tours & activities (Klook)

Day 1 — Nonthaburi Pier downstream to Bangkok's old city

Day 1

Nonthaburi → Rattanakosin, riverside temples

08:00
Start at Nonthaburi Pier Market with breakfast — old-style coffee, pa thong ko (fried dough), boat noodles.The market sits right by the pier; the boat is just a few steps away.
09:00
Board the Chao Phraya Express Boat at Nonthaburi Pier and head south, passing Rama 7 Bridge, Thewet, and Phra Athit.Sit on the left side for the clearest city-bank views. It takes about 45–60 min to reach the old town.
10:15
Get off at Tha Tien and walk into Wat Pho to see the giant Reclining Buddha. Entry is around ฿200.The temple opens early and isn't crowded yet; late morning to afternoon the sun gets harsh.
11:30
Take the Tha Tien–Wat Arun ferry (฿5) and climb the prang at Wat Arun. Entry is around ฿100.The prang is fairly steep, so wear comfortable walking shoes.
13:00
Cross back for lunch around Tha Tien–Pak Khlong Talat, or walk to Tha Maharaj for a riverside spot.Tha Maharaj has relaxed places to sit with a view of Wat Arun.
15:00
Wander around Tha Chang–Sanam Luang, and stop by Museum Siam or Khao San Road if you still have energy.If you have the Tourist Boat pass, this is a good time to hop off at ICONSIAM.
18:00
Catch the riverside sunset, then either stay the night on the Rattanakosin side or take an evening boat back to sleep on the Nonthaburi side.Evening express boats run until around dusk; check the last departure first.

Day 2 — loop north to Koh Kret

Day 2

Nonthaburi Pier → Koh Kret, Mon island day

09:00
Start again from the Nonthaburi side and take a car or boat up toward Pak Kret, getting off at Wat Sanam Nuea pier.On weekends the island's shops are all open; weekdays are quiet — good if you like cycling in peace.
09:45
Take the cross-river ferry over to Wat Poramai Yikawat (฿2–4), pay respects, and see the leaning Mon-style Mutao chedi by the water.The leaning chedi is the island's icon — it photographs best in the soft morning light.
10:30
Rent a bicycle at the temple for about ฿40 per bike (no time limit) and ride around the island, stopping at the Mon pottery community.There are no cars on the island, so cycling is easy. Some paths are narrow — watch for pedestrians.
12:00
Eat khanom jeen nam ya, thot man no kala (galangal-shoot fish cakes), and Mon sweets at the stalls along the walkway.Thot man no kala is a specialty unique to this island.
14:00
Try a pottery workshop, or sit at a riverside café and watch the boats go by.Several of the shops are old kilns that still make and sell pottery for real.
16:00
Ferry back across, swing by Nonthaburi Pier Market one more time, and grab souvenirs to close out the trip.Nonthaburi durian, Thai sweets, and dried goods are all on offer from plenty of vendors.

Food you shouldn't miss along the way

1

Boat Noodles, Nonthaburi Pier

Breakfast–lunch · from ฿15–20 per bowl

Nonthaburi is boat-noodle country — rich, dark broth in small bowls you can put away several of. A great way to start day one's breakfast at the pier market.

Nonthaburi localMust try
2

Thot Man No Kala, Koh Kret

Snack · from ฿20–40

A specialty unique to Koh Kret — fish cakes made with crunchy galangal shoots, hard to find anywhere else. Easy to grab and eat while you cycle.

Mon foodIsland-only
3

Khanom Jeen Nam Ya, Koh Kret

Lunch · from ฿40–60

Several shops on the island make Mon-style nam ya — well-balanced and mellow, eaten with fresh vegetables. A solid day-two lunch.

Mon food
4

Mon Sweets (thong yod, bua loi, khanom kong)

Dessert/souvenir · from ฿20

The Mon community on Koh Kret has been making these sweets for generations, many of them fresh at the shopfront. Just sweet enough, and good to take home.

DessertSouvenir
5

Tha Maharaj Riverside, Bangkok

Lunch–afternoon · from ฿120

Sit with a view of Wat Arun across the river. There's both Thai food and cafés — a good afternoon break on day one after temple-hopping.

River viewBangkok
6

Pa Thong Ko & Old-Style Coffee, Nonthaburi Pier Market

Breakfast · from ฿15

A simple breakfast before you board — hot old-style coffee with freshly fried pa thong ko, in a classic morning-market setting.

BreakfastOld market

Where to stay during this trip

Day one

Rattanakosin side (Bangkok)

Stay near Wat Arun–Khao San so you can wander the old city at night and visit the temples easily first thing in the morning.

Day two

Nonthaburi Pier side

Come back to the Nonthaburi side so you can set off for Koh Kret quickly on day two. Rooms here tend to be cheaper.

Check hotels on both sides before you book

See the Top 10 Nonthaburi Hotels →

Tips to keep the trip smooth

  • Avoid rush hour — the morning and evening express boats get packed because commuters genuinely rely on them. If you're traveling at a relaxed pace, starting after 9 a.m. makes for a more comfortable ride.
  • Bring small cash — the cross-river ferries and most shops on the island take cash only, so keep coins and ฿20 notes on hand.
  • Koh Kret is full on weekends, quiet on weekdays — on Saturday–Sunday every shop is open but it's crowded; if you prefer cycling in peace, go on a weekday, though some shops will be closed.
  • Sun and rain protection — a lot of this trip is outdoors and by the water. A hat and a folding umbrella help with both the sun and the rainy-season showers.

FAQ

Can you do this Nonthaburi–Bangkok trip without a car?

Easily. This trip is built around the boat. You start from Nonthaburi Pier, which is already the northern terminus of the Chao Phraya Express Boat, then cruise down into Bangkok's old city and loop up to Koh Kret — all without driving at all.

Roughly how much do the boats cost for the whole trip?

The express boat on the Nonthaburi–Sathorn stretch is about ฿24 per ride, the Tha Tien–Wat Arun ferry is around ฿5, and the crossing to Koh Kret is about ฿2–4. If you'd rather stop at several piers comfortably on day one, the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat hop-on-hop-off all-day pass at around ฿150 is worth it.

Which pier do I use to get to Wat Arun?

Since 2024 the express boat no longer stops at the Wat Arun pier. Get off at Tha Tien first, then take the Tha Tien–Wat Arun cross-river ferry; the fare is about ฿5 and it runs roughly 05:00–19:00.

Should I visit Koh Kret on a weekday or a weekend?

On Saturday–Sunday and public holidays all the shops are open and it's at its liveliest, but it's crowded. Weekdays are quiet and peaceful, great for relaxed cycling, but some shops are closed. Pick whichever suits your style.

Can this be done as a one-day trip?

Yes. If you only have a day, choose one half — a morning river cruise and temples in Bangkok's old city, or a full day at Koh Kret. But if you want the boats, the temples, and the island all in one go, I'd suggest 2 days/1 night so you're not rushed.

Related

🗺️ Nonthaburi Travel Guide🏨 Top 10 Nonthaburi Hotels🏝️ The Full Koh Kret Guide

Copyright & Image Takedown Policy

Thailandaddict is created to review and share travel experiences. Where an image is sourced from elsewhere, we credit the source. If you are the copyright owner and prefer that your image not appear on this site, please contact us and we will gladly remove the image or correct the information.