“Where can the Chao Phraya Express Boat take me?” (Routes and fares)

 “Where can the Chao Phraya Express Boat take me?”

      Nowadays, with the many transportation options available in the capital city, people can plan their trips with a network that fits their lifestyle. There’s a great variety of choices, from a private car to public transportation, such as motorcycle taxis, tuk-tuks, taxis, public vans, and buses. 

      However, the above options may give us a headache with traffic jams on the road. Even traveling by train, which is convenient and saves time, is not ideal if you have to get to areas that are not yet covered. Therefore, traveling up and down the river is another option, especially the “Chao Phraya Express Boat" which makes it possible to travel from the suburbs in Nonthaburi or nearby provinces to the center of Bangkok in just a few hours. 

       The Chao Phraya Express Boat includes four routes, according to different flag colors: orange, yellow, green-yellow, and red (information announced on 8 February 2023).

1. Boats with an orange flag run every Monday – Sunday, back and forth from Nonthaburi (Phibulsongkram 3) to Wat Ratchasingkhon. The fare is 16 baht at a flat rate. 

• On weekdays, the first departure sets out at 6:00 a.m. and the last trip is at 6:10 p.m., departing every 15-50 minutes. The first return trip starts at 6:20 a.m. and the last return trip is at 6:10 p.m., departing every 20-50 minutes.
• On Saturday - Sunday and public holidays, the first departure leaves at 8:00 a.m. and the last trip starts at 5:00 p.m., departing every 30-40 minutes. The first return trip starts at 8:30 a.m. and the last return trip is at 5:30 p.m, departing every 30-40 minutes.

2. Boats with a yellow flag run every Monday - Friday, from Nonthaburi (Phibulsongkram 3) to Sathorn. The fare is 21 baht throughout the line.

• The first departure of the morning run to Sathorn is at 6:00 a.m., and the last trip starts at 8:05 a.m., departing every 15-20 minutes.
• The first return trip, from Sathorn back up to Nonthaburi, starts at 5:05 p.m., and the last return trip starts at 7:05 p.m., departing every 10-30 minutes.

3. Boats with a green-yellow flag run every Monday - Friday,  from Pak Kret Pier to Nonthaburi and to Sathorn. The fares are 14 baht for the Pak Kret - Nonthaburi route, 21 baht for the Nonthaburi - Sathorn route, and 33 baht for the Pak Kret - Sathorn route.

• The first boat departs from Pak Kret at 6:10 a.m., and the last trip starts at 7:45 a.m., departing every 20-25 minutes.
• The first return trip from Sathorn is at 4:00 p.m., and the last trip starts at 5:45 p.m., departing every 20-25 minutes.

 4. Boats with a red flag are the latest express, air-conditioned boats, running every Monday – Sunday, from Nonthaburi (Phibulsongkram 3), in the morning, to Sathorn, and back from Sathorn in the afternoon. There are only four trips a day (including round-trip) with a fare of 30 baht at a flat rate (regular fare of 50 baht at a flat rate).

• The first departure, from Nonthaburi, starts at 6:50 a.m., and the last trip starts at 7:10 a.m.
• The first return trip starts at 5:00 p.m., and the last trip starts at 5:30 p.m.

   Anyone who is interested in traveling by Chao Phraya Express Boat is welcome to check service hours by calling 0 2449 3000, or see the details at the Chao Phraya Express Boat website, https://www.chaophrayaexpressboat.com.