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Bangkok's Grand Palace Complex and Wat Phra Kaew Tour
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Bangkok's Grand Palace Complex and Wat Phra Kaew Tour

By Tour East
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Visit Bangkok’s Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew on a fascinating tour exploring highlights of the city’s royal and religious architecture. Get a glimpse of the onetime home of Siam’s royal family, whose buildings blend Thai and European design. Then, enter the palace temple to see the Emerald Buddha, among Thailand’s most sacred relics. A local guide sharing detailed information about the sights, entrance fees, and convenient hotel pickup in an air-conditioned bus makes this tour an excellent value.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 99 per group
Duration: 3h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More

Highlights
  • See two of Bangkok’s top cultural highlights: Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
  • Visit rooms used for royal ceremonies and learn about Thailand’s religious rites
  • Convenient morning and afternoon departures available
  • Includes pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle at select Bangkok hotels

  • Admissions to the Grand Palace, the temple (wat Phra Kaew) and the chapel (Emerald Buddha)
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Hotel pickup
  • Local English Spoken Guide
  • Entry/Admission - The Grand Palace
  • Entry/Admission - Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew)
  • Entry/Admission - Gems Gallery International Manufacturer
What's not included
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities

Meet a driver at your hotel in Bangkok and board an air-conditioned bus. Then, travel to one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods, where the Grand Palace stands near the banks of the Chao Phraya River. There, follow in the footsteps of Siamese kings and queens as you visit the Royal Funeral Hall and Royal Coronation Hall, grand spaces still used on ceremonial occasions. Enter Wat Phra Kaew, also called the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, to pay your respects to a historic Buddha that’s carved from solid jade. This tour concludes near the Grand Palace at the Gems Gallery, convenient to top sites, attractions, and restaurants in historic Bangkok.

Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
    Pickup details
    • Please be aware that the pick-up for this tour is included and covers all the hotel located in the following areas: (Silom Road, Thai Cultural Centre, Phaya Thai, Huai Khang, Bang Rak, Sathorn, Surawong Road, Rajdamri Road, Ram Buttri Chana Songkhram, Luangsuan Road, Khaosan Road) For hotel pick-ups outside of this area, an additional charge may be applied or a closer meeting point pick-up may be suggested to you by our Team upon reception of your booking.
    Hotel pickup offered
    During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.
      End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

        • Wheelchair accessible
        • Pushchair accessible
        • Near public transportation
        • Infants must sit on laps
        • Infant seats available
        • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
        • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
        If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3685BKK11C

        • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
        • Dress Code: There are strict dress codes for visiting the Grand Palace. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is Thailand's most sacred site. Visitors must be properly dressed before being allowed entry to the temple. Men must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves - no sleeveless tops. If you're wearing sandals or flip-flops you must wear socks (in other words, no bare feet.) Women must be similarly modestly dressed. No see-through clothes, bare shoulders, etc. It is also recommended to avoid bright colors
        • Restroom facilities available
        • You must provide your hotel details at time of booking, failure to do so may result in cancellation
        • Most travellers can participate
        • At least 2 people are required for this activity to take place. Single traveler may book this product, but is subject to availability and cancellation if minimum number of people is not met on the activity day.
        • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 99 travellers

        • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

        If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3685BKK11C

        From
        AU$101.86
        per adult
        Select date and travellers
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        About the operator
        Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
        • Tour East
          1,982
          Bangkok, Thailand
          Joined in August 2011
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          Great fun whichever package you choose.
          We were picked up from our hotel right on time, then taken to the jetty to board the speedboat. We swiftly proceeded to the floating pier for the paragliding. We were then taken to the snorkelling boats moored at sea, for a full hour. After that it was off to the island for lunch and a relaxing swim and sun bathe for 3/4 hours. (Free sun bed and shade) Then the speedboat took us back to shore at 3.00p.m. After reaching the jetty at Pattaya, we were taken back to our hotels. No waiting, no hassle. The speedboat was adequately powered by 2 x 250 bhp Honda outboards.
          Written 8 January 2025
        • 676carls
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          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Private tour to the Bridge over the River Kwai
          This was our second trip in just two days (the first being the floating and train markets, along with a visit to the coconut farm), and once again, it was an incredible experience today. Again opting for the private hire option was absolutely the right choice upon this trip to the bridge over the River Kwai. Adul, our tour guide today, went above and beyond to make us feel truly special—nothing was ever too much trouble for him or the driver. We also enjoyed a wonderfully arranged stop for food, which was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. Adul embodies the qualities of a true gentleman at every turn. We can’t recommend this experience highly enough and extend our heartfelt thanks to Adul! Carl & Paula
          Written 7 January 2025
        • Sharon B
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          High recommendation
          Our guide was beyond kind, knowledgeable, and considerate of our groups various needs and questions. Would unconditionally recommend.
          Written 5 January 2025
        • MorganJ48
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Foodies recommended
          We had the lunch cooking class, the cooking school is not far from the city, convenient transfer from our hotel. Beautiful indoor outdoor kitchen, hands on cooking. Can strongly recommend this. Learned lots of techniques and basics in Thai cooking
          Written 2 January 2025
        • O4736EHtaniah
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          A fabulous tour
          An absolutely fabulous day. It was just the two of us with the tour guide and driver. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and answered all of our questions about the history and culture of Thailand. Lunch was amazing in a beautiful, natural setting. I highly recommend this tour.
          Written 29 December 2024
        • miahE7500UZ
          0 contributions
          4.0 of 5 bubbles
          Temples, reclining Buddha and boat
          Very good communication and they picked me up at my son's residence rather than a listed hotel. The locations to visit and the boat ride back was just great. Very nice buffet. 2 things though: The bus's AC kept going from 16* to 23* alternating back and forth. I closed the vents but I was very cold driving to the first temple- which was over an hour due to traffic. Also, an explanatory guide d tour of the temples, like I saw being done for other groups, would have beenso much better. The signs were mostly only in Thai.
          Written 28 December 2024
        • Roving652700
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Great tour and a great day
          This tour for sire worths the time and money. Everything went well and as planned from pick up to drop off. The island is a great place to relax with beautiful view. The lunch was good and with respect to what we had paid, it was quite good and reasonable. I recommend this tour both to couples, families and solo’s.
          Written 25 December 2024
        • jonjU7177PF
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Interesting and informative tour
          Has a wonderful time touring the palace and temple. Our guide was knowledgeable and engaging. Would recommend as a good cultural experience.
          Written 24 December 2024
        • R2480LQandys
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Ayatthaya Temples
          We were lucky enough to visit this historic city with my girlfriend's family, who have lived in Bangkok for many years but, there are many tour operators that provide either private tours or group tours, that include not only this magnificent part of Thai history but other locations enroute. I whole heartedly recommend a trip to this incredible ancient city, which for over 400 years was Thailand's capital. This used to have palaces as splendid and as spectacular as the Grand Palace in Bangkok. It is now sadly in ruins after it was destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. As well as the Ancient Palace, Wat Chai Watthanaram Temple (which is very photogenic) and the enormous Wat Mahatat Temple, on the eastern side of Phraram Park in the city centre, which will blow your mind, there is also the Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre, where you can learn so much more about this incredible place. We walked a lot throughout our trip so I would definitely advise taking plenty of water. There is an air of tranquillity throughout this city. An overriding peacefulness that leaves you feeling calm and at ease with the world. I'm writing this quite a long time after visiting but if memory serves me correct it's about a two hour drive from the centre of Bangkok. One other bit of advice is that you are respectfully asked not to sit on any of the stones. I completely recommend a visit.
          Written 23 December 2024
        • williamcW8551PT
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        • Da5idk
          0 contributions
          1.0 of 5 bubbles
          Avoid !
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          Written 19 December 2024
        • O470LBhannahn
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          Written 11 December 2024
        • nelungunasekera
          0 contributions
          1.0 of 5 bubbles
          A waste of money on an over-hyped nightmare .
          This was a nostalgic trip to the floating market I first visited over 30 yrs ago, together with trips on the klongs (canals) along which people lived in houses on stilts. What a nightmare! I spent Bt1500.00 on a taxi there & back and Bt2000.00 for a longboat and saw loads of tourists crammed into longboats which were all crammed together on the canals - with more vendors in shops, built along the filthy canals, clamouring for your attention. There is nothing authentic about such tourist hotspots in Thailand any more. While residents do buy from vendors in boats, the vast majority of vendors merely paddle around for tourists to buy stuff n take photos of them.
          Written 2 December 2024
        • timbM2923GV
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          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Excellent tour
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        See all 1,982 reviews
        These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

        Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


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        4.0
        4.0 of 5 bubbles32 reviews
        Excellent
        18
        Very good
        8
        Average
        2
        Poor
        0
        Terrible
        4

        fabriggs18a
        Tennant Creek, Australia40 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Mar 2020
        Our friendly tour guide was very knowledgeable about the Grand Palace. Without him I think it would have been just a maze of buildings. He told us the stories behind the buildings. The complex itself, which started in the late 1700s, is amazing. It is over 150 acres, but some areas are not open to tourists. Each "palace" was built or added to by a different king, and our guide gave us just enough information to make it interesting, but not too complicated. The opulance, colour, decoration, etc is something you have to see to believe. The Emerald Buddah is only small, but when you consider it is made from 1 piece of emerald stone, its impressive. There is a bit of walking involved, and some stairs, but as active people in our 70s, it was no problem. I would highly recommend this tour.
        Written 9 March 2020
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Catherine G
        Bangkok, Thailand8 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jan 2020 • Family
        Our guide, Jenny, was fabulous! So knowledgeable, friendly and kind. This is one of those places to visit for the historical background and cultural significance. It’s hot and crowded, but toughen up and listen to your tour guide to learn. My children and I enjoyed the information and the beauty of this palace.
        Written 9 January 2020
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        LifeofJohn
        Brigantine, NJ165 contributions
        4.0 of 5 bubbles
        It was short-experience but very memorable . Our group was held by a very professional and knowledgeable guide named Jim, he showed us many great attractions and interesting stories. Especially his sense of humor very impressed me by every situation, I wish we could spend more time together. Strongly recommend this trip for anyone.
        Written 10 March 2020
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Carlye M
        Los Angeles, CA46 contributions
        1.0 of 5 bubbles
        July 2023
        Mediocre experience. Put it this way, the best part was that they showed up on time. The guide did not speak very good English and I didn't feel like I learned anything. She barely told us anything about where we were. I would not recommend this tour at all.
        Written 27 July 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Alfred Newman
        Bangkok, Thailand5 contributions
        4.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jan 2020
        Our trip to the Grand palace was on Saturday afternoon session. Myself, my wife and my two kids came to the meeting point at the scheduled time and our guide was waiting there for us. We were picked up by the tour van and went to the grand palace. it was very hot crowded sunny day in the grand palace. Our guide tried to avoid the crowds as much as possible. We saw the emerald Buddha and the mural paintings decipting ramayana on the walls of the palace, which was really good with different demonic figures. We took some rest by sitting in the tree shades. We've packed some fruits and juices from home which kept us hydrated all the time. The palace was maintained very clean. After finishing the trip. we were dropped safely on the same place where we boarded. Thanks once again to toureast for a wonderful trip. Look forward to have another good one with toureast.
        Written 5 January 2020
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Canteleg
        Rome, Italy10 contributions
        1.0 of 5 bubbles
        There’s a scam going on: someone in the street will tell you the Palace and temples are closed to foreigners till 11pm. Not true!!!Then someone else will offer you a tuk tuk tour at very convenient price but will also take you to a gem stone factory and a textile factory or will explain to you how to get a private boat tour at a local price..... to kill time until the palace opens to foreigners. NOT TRUE!!! The palace complex is never open to Thais only.

        Written 5 January 2020
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Mark M
        Seattle, WA20 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Apr 2023
        The driver and guide drove us in an air-conditioned van to the palace complex. The guide was knowledgeable and friendly. He was responsive and able to answer many questions we had about history of the palace and temple complex. We were able to bypass the ticket lines and walk through to the sites due to the tour booking and having the guide. My only complaint is that the Presidential Palace is not open to go inside to tour, only to see from the outside.
        Written 18 April 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us! We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the air-conditioned van ride to the palace complex and that your guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Also, we are pleased to know that our guide was able to answer many of the questions that you had about the history of the palace and temple complex. Furthermore, we are pleased to hear that you were able to bypass the ticket lines and walk through to the sites due to the tour booking and having the guide, which saved you time and hassle. While we understand your disappointment about not being able to go inside the Presidential Palace, we hope that the other sites you visited were still enjoyable and that you were able to appreciate the beauty and history of the palace complex. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and we hope to welcome you back on another tour in the future!
        Written 8 May 2023
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        GFYVR
        Vancouver, Canada26 contributions
        4.0 of 5 bubbles
        Mar 2020
        This is a beautiful historic place and it was a pleasure to visit it for the afternoon and see all the gorgeous Thai buildings. There is a ramp to get into the complex however there are no ramps to get out once you go into the Grand Palace area. Kind of strange!
        Written 18 March 2020
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thank you very much for your valuable review and for sharing your experience. We look forward to welcoming you again in the near future.
        Written 8 April 2020
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Rene H
        1 contribution
        1.0 of 5 bubbles
        Sept 2018 • Couples
        No show,no refund, please save yourself the hassle with this company.paid for pm trip they changed to am and we agreed to this then they were a no show. Now saying no refund available. Save your time money don't book with these.
        Written 27 September 2018
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Annie C
        Canberra, Australia30 contributions
        1.0 of 5 bubbles
        Oct 2019 • Couples
        Please request not to be taken on this tour if KEN is taking it. We (Australian couple) have just had a horrible experience with this tour guide along with a young couple from the USA 🇺🇸 . While the Grand Palace was absolutely beautiful and we had another tour with the same company a couple of days ago (different guide), be very cautious. Our three hour tour including the Royal Temple, Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha was very rushed, did not allow us to take enough photos, we had no access to souvenir shops, or much verbal information. It was over in just 1 1/4 hours from arrival to departure and the first couple were back at their hotel before 10:30am, and ourselves by 11am. The tour was scheduled to last until 12 noon. We were not “allowed” to go back to take photos or buy souvenirs at the Palace complex as we were told by Ken we had apparently already passed them!

        The guide was extremely rude and unprofessional in his approach telling the young American honeymooning lady when she asked a question rudely “I already told you that”, which had occurred in the van well prior to the site of the tour. This meant she was fearful of asking other questions while on the tour. When we both asked after leaving the Palace site in the van if we were now going to the Gems 💎 Gallery mentioned on our respective tour information ℹ️ the guide became insistent that as my partner and I had seen it in a prior tour, the other couple (who hadn’t been there) could not go as there was no need to do so. We indicated several times we were willing to go again, and his response included rude and angrily expressed retorts such as “are you going to buy gemstones” to “you’ll have to get your own transport back to the hotel”. Both of us said it was on our tour information but the guide told us we were now going in a different direction and why didn’t we ask him before this.

        The guide’s rudeness extended to dropping the young couple back at their hotel abruptly and slamming the door, and then he disappeared without telling us he was leaving or saying goodbye and thank you etc. So all in all we had an unexpected and unpleasant experience with this tour, and felt especially bad about the young honeymooners whose trip was undoubtedly spoiled by this behaviour.
        Written 15 October 2019
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Dear Anne Marie, We thank you for your feedback and for your time. We take the lead to write down your very kind answer/feedback following the investigation on your misadventure, Once again thank you very much for your review which was used as a reminder to all of what should be done to make our guest experience the best and why we love doing it. The Tour East Team -- From: Anne Marie Clarke - Wed, Oct 16, 7:31 PM To: Tour East Thailand, Patsunee, Mam, Wannakan "Thank you very much Chris and Tour East Management. We are most grateful for your detailed and timely consideration of our complaint and reply to myself and my party. In particular we would like to thank you for your thoughtful gesture to provide us with a specialty experience tomorrow on our River Kwai Tour. In total we have had 5 tours booked through Tour East. We are very much looking forward to the tour tomorrow, and I am sure we will benefit from your assistance to us. Can we also express our appreciation to Ms Mam for her recommendation to us for the Cruise yesterday evening which was an exceptional choice for us. We had an amazing time with wonderful food, views and entertainment. Mam also organised a very good table for us on the upper deck near the musicians and that was fantastic. We will make sure we put a review on Trip Advisor to mention it was booked through Tour East. It has been a highlight and we really would recommend it to others. Thank you again Mam. Once again, thank you for your kind response and generous gesture. Kind regards Anne”
        Written 24 November 2019
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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        *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

        Bangkok's Grand Palace Complex and Wat Phra Kaew Tour provided by Tour East

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