Sirius Black
Boats and ferries are a great and affordable way to visit famous historical attractions and temples in Bangkok. They can be confusing at first, but once you learn the basic they're very easy to use.
Travelling along the waters of the grand Chao Phraya River is a great way to get around, since most of Bangkok's major tourist attractions can be accessed from the river. The Chao Praya River Express operates the express boat river taxis, a regular boat service that goes up and down the river. Think a bus but on water. The express boats are divided into 5 different categories which are differentiated by coloured flags. The service is fairly cheap, depending on where you want to go and the type of boat used. However, it can be crowded during peak traffic hours, so avoid rush hours. There are piers located along the riverside for easy access and if you happen to be staying at a Luxury Hotel in Sathorn that isn't close to the riverside, like the Anantara Sathorn Bangkok hotel for example, you can take the skytrain to the pier.
The river crossing ferries are large flat boats that basically resemble a raft with a roof. The ferries operate from 32 separate locations located along the riverside and simply carry passengers across to the opposite side. There's usually limited seating on these boats so be prepared to stand for the short journey across the river.
These boats are found running up and down Bangkok's largest canals or 'klongs', as they are referred to in Thai. These large noisy boats have exclusive use of the canal waterways so traffic isn't a problem. However, the frequency of boats can change throughout the day, ranging anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes. The boats are a vital mode of transportation for office workers travelling to the suburbs, so if you're travelling during early morning or late afternoon, don't expect to find any seating.
The eye-catching long tail boats are accessible through private hire for a more personalised tour of the Chao Phraya River and around the canals. There's no set price for a ride on a long tail boat since most journeys are specially customised according to a prearranged route and prices are based on the time or distance. Because of the lack of clear pricing, most visitors are putt off from taking a ride in one of these colourful boats. However, if you reserve a boat a day ahead through a reputable company, the journey is well worth the effort.
The 5-star hotels located along the riverside offer a dedicated, free shuttle boat service to guests. The shuttle ferries them to and from the respective hotel and Sathorn Central Pier (which connects to the Skytrain). The best part is, even if you're not staying at one of the hotels, the shuttle service is still free of charge.
