The Grand Palace is the walled royal complex on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok’s old town, Rattanakosin, founded in 1782 when the capital moved here. Inside its walls stands Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand, so one visit covers both. As of October 2026 a ticket costs 500 baht (about US$15) for foreign visitors and includes Wat Phra Kaew and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles; children under 120 cm go free. It opens daily 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with tickets sold until 3:30 p.m. A strict dress code applies at the gate. Allow two to three hours.
Right now in Grand Palace
- Sun25–32°C77–89°F3 mm rain
- Mon24–31°C76–87°F6 mm rain
- Tue25–32°C77–89°F5 mm rain
Why the Grand Palace matters
In 1782 King Rama I, founder of the Chakri dynasty, moved the capital across to the east bank of the Chao Phraya, using the canals to the west as the new city’s defenses, and ordered a palace that would be both his home and the seat of government. Like the royal palaces of the earlier capitals, Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, it combines residential halls, throne halls, government offices and a royal temple. Today the grounds cover 218,000 square meters inside crenellated walls, and the palace is still used for royal ceremonies.
Wat Phra Kaew is the palace’s Chapel Royal. Rama I installed the Emerald Buddha here and named the temple Wat Phra Sri Rattanasasadaram, the Temple of the Auspicious Buddha Image Crafted from a Precious Stone. It has every building of a Buddhist monastery but no living quarters, because no monks live here. Three times a year, at the start of the hot, rainy and cool seasons, the King changes the Emerald Buddha’s golden seasonal attire in a ceremony kept by the kings of the Chakri dynasty.
What you’ll see
- Wat Phra Kaew and the Emerald Buddha: the ordination hall (Phra Ubosoth) where the small, green Buddha image sits high on a gilded altar, surrounded by golden chedis, a gilded stupa, guardian giants and a cloister painted with scenes from the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Ramayana. Twelve open pavilions on marble bases line the hall to the north and south, where worshippers sit for sermons on Buddhist holy days.
- The throne halls: the Chakri Maha Prasat, which mixes a European-style building with tiered Thai roofs, and the white Dusit Maha Prasat with its tall spire, seen from the palace courtyards.
- The Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles: in the Ratsadakorn-bhibhathana Building inside the palace grounds, opened in 2003 to show royal and traditional Thai textiles. Entry is included in the ticket.
Tickets and how to visit
From the Grand Palace’s official website, as of October 2026:
- Tickets: 500 baht for foreign visitors, including Wat Phra Kaew and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. Children under 120 cm go free, and Thai citizens enter free with their ID card.
- Hours: daily 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; tickets are sold from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- How to book: buy at the ticket office on the day or online through the official website, up to one month ahead. Online tickets cannot be refunded or moved to another date.
- Audio guide: 200 baht, in English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Mandarin and Thai. You leave your passport or a credit card while you have it.
- Closures: the palace can close for royal ceremonies. It publishes open and closed days on the schedules page of its website, so check there before you go rather than relying on anyone outside the gates.
- Drones: flying a drone over the palace is not allowed.
What to wear
The Grand Palace is a place of deep reverence for Thai people, and the dress code is checked at the entrance. The official list of clothes that are not allowed is: sleeveless shirts, vests, short or crop tops, see-through tops, shorts and hot pants, torn pants, tight pants, bike pants, miniskirts, culottes (“pants skirts”) and sleepwear. A shirt with sleeves and long pants or a long skirt in a light fabric is the easy choice in the heat. Inside the Emerald Buddha’s hall, take off your shoes, keep your feet pointed away from the altar and keep your voice low.
How long to allow and when to go
Two to three hours is enough for Wat Phra Kaew, the courtyards and the textile museum. Arrive at 8:30 a.m. opening time: the morning is cooler, and the crowds and tour groups build through the day. The courtyards have little shade, so bring water, sunscreen and a hat. Remember that ticket sales stop at 3:30 p.m., an hour before closing.
Getting there
The palace is on Na Phra Lan Road. The most pleasant way in is by river: take the BTS Skytrain to Saphan Taksin (exit 2), walk down to Sathorn Pier under the bridge and ride the orange-flag Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Chang (N9), right by the palace, or to Tha Tien (N8) near Wat Pho. From MRT Sanam Chai (exit 1), buses 3, 9, 44, 47, 53 and 82 run to the palace; many other city buses pass it too. If you take a tuk-tuk, agree the fare before you get in.
Combine it with
Wat Pho and its giant Reclining Buddha are about 450 meters south, a 10-minute walk, and from Tha Tien pier a short cross-river ferry reaches Wat Arun on the Thonburi bank. Together they make a classic first morning in the old town. For the rest of the city, from the canals to Chinatown, see our Bangkok travel guide, and for the whole country our Thailand travel guide.
Grand Palace FAQ
How much does the Grand Palace cost?
500 baht (about US$15) for foreign visitors as of October 2026, including Wat Phra Kaew and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. Children under 120 cm go free.
Is Wat Phra Kaew included in the Grand Palace ticket?
Yes. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha stands inside the palace walls, and the 500-baht ticket covers both.
What are the Grand Palace opening hours?
Daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with tickets sold until 3:30 p.m. It can close for royal ceremonies, which are listed on the official schedules page.
What is the dress code for the Grand Palace?
No sleeveless shirts, vests, crop tops, see-through tops, shorts, torn or tight pants, bike pants, miniskirts, culottes or sleepwear. Covered shoulders and long pants or a long skirt are the safe choice.
Can I buy Grand Palace tickets online?
Yes, on the official website, up to one month before your visit. Online tickets cannot be refunded or changed, so you can also simply buy at the gate on the day.
How do I get to the Grand Palace by boat?
Take the BTS to Saphan Taksin, walk to Sathorn Pier and ride the orange-flag Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Chang (N9), next to the palace.