9 Temples day trip in Bangkok : Do like thais do

Thai people are mainly Buddhist. We go quite often to a wat, which means temple, to pay respect to Buddha images, make a wish, do meditation, and offer prayers.

Golden Buddha statues line the peaceful cloister corridors where we pause to pray and meditate.

On special occasions, we love to visit 9 temples in a day to make merit, a cherished ritual known as Wai Phra 9 Wat. In Thai, the number nine is pronounced “Gao,” which also sounds like the word for stepping forward or making progress. We believe that completing this journey brings good karma, success, and positive energy into our lives. There are 9 sacred temples in Bangkok clustered around the historic Rattanakosin Island and Thonburi riverbank, each carrying a unique auspicious blessing connected to its name.

Before setting out, remember to follow the traditional Bangkok temple dress code and etiquette:

• Wear clothes that cover both your shoulders and your knees (avoid singlets, crop tops, short shorts, or torn jeans).
• Slip off your shoes before stepping across the raised threshold into any ordination hall or shrine.
• Keep small cash notes handy for entrance tickets, floral garlands, incense, and merit-making donation boxes.

Getting from one temple to another is easy and lets you enjoy classic Bangkok transportation like cross-river ferries, local canal boats, or tuk-tuks. You can also hop on the MRT blue line at Sanam Chai station to reach the river district effortlessly. Let’s see how we do this sequential route step by step:

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1. Wat Phrakaew (The Emerald Buddha Temple)

• Blessing: To gain wealth, great honor, and prosperity. Wat Phra Kaew sits inside the Grand Palace complex and is the most sacred temple in Thailand. (Foreign visitor entry is 500 THB, which includes the Grand Palace grounds).

A giant Yaksha guardian stands watch beside the intricately carved gables of Wat Phra Kaew.

Intricate golden mosaics and spires shimmer in the sun within the Grand Palace complex.

The statue of the hermit doctor Jivaka Komarabhacca welcomes worshippers seeking good health.

• Walk west to Tha Chang Pier and take the cross-river ferry to the Thonburi bank for about 5 THB directly to Wat Rakhang Pier.

2. Wat Rakhang Khositaram

• Blessing: To be admired, famous, and widely loved. Rakhang means a temple bell, so ringing it sends clear, resonant sounds far and wide into the world. Entry to this working riverside temple is free.

Delicate gold leaf and mirrored glass adorn the sacred halls across our temple route.

Glittering eaves and mythical naga motifs rise gracefully toward the sky at Wat Rakhang.

Intricate wall murals depict celestial beings praying in tiered rows inside the ordination hall.

• Take a local riverboat south along the Thonburi side toward Wat Arun and Wat Kalayanamitr (around 30 THB for short hops or combined pier transfers).

3. Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

• Blessing: A glorious, rising life full of brightness, as Arun signifies the radiant morning sun. Foreign visitor entry is 200 THB.

Looking out over the Chao Phraya River toward the historic palaces on the opposite bank.

Wat Arun's towering central prang rises over the riverbank, inlaid with colorful ceramic mosaics.

• Take the local shuttle boat or hop downstream to Wat Kalayanamitr Pier, just a few minutes south along the river.

4. Wat Kalayanamitr

• Blessing: Loyal friendships, good companions, and safe travel wherever you wander, as kalayanamitr means a true and trusted friend. Admission is free.

• Take the boat back toward Wat Arun Pier, catch the cross-river shuttle (around 5 THB) back across to Tha Tien Pier, and walk an easy two minutes to Wat Pho.

5. Wat Pho (Temple of Reclining Buddha)

• Blessing: To live peacefully, contentedly, and with lasting health, as Pho references the sacred Bodhi tree of enlightenment. (Foreign visitor ticket is 300 THB).

• Catch a metered taxi (the flag fall begins around 35 to 40 THB) or negotiate a tuk-tuk ride (usually around 60 to 100 THB for short city hops) heading north to Banglamphu and Wat Chana Songkhram.

6. Wat Chana Songkhram

• Blessing: Victory and the strength to overcome life’s obstacles and rivals, as Chana Songkhram translates to winning the battle. Admission is free.

• Walk around 10 minutes through the pleasant Banglamphu neighborhood, or take a short taxi or tuk-tuk ride across to Wat Bowonniwet Vihara.

7. Wat Bowonniwet Vihara

• Blessing: To attract good fortune and pure guidance, as its royal monastic heritage represents supreme excellence. Admission is free.

• Take a quick metered taxi ride or tuk-tuk over to the base of Wat Saket (about 60 to 80 THB).

8. Wat Saket (The Golden Mount)

• Blessing: Good spiritual foundation and clear foresight, accompanied by panoramic city views as you climb the leafy artificial hill. (Foreign visitor ticket to climb the stupa is 100 THB).

• Walk about 10 minutes west down Bamrung Mueang Road straight to Wat Suthat and the iconic Giant Swing.

9. Wat Suthat and the giant swing

• Blessing: Broad wisdom and great vision, as that means clear sight and insight. (Foreign visitor ticket is 100 THB).

We recommend starting around 8:00 AM at Wat Phra Kaew so you beat both the midday heat and the main tour crowds. Keep in mind that opening hours vary between these sites. Wat Phra Kaew stops ticket sales at 15:30 with gates closing at 16:30, while Wat Arun stays open until 18:00, Wat Pho until 19:30, and Wat Suthat welcomes visitors until 20:00. Pacing yourself according to these closing times makes finishing all nine temples smoothly achievable.

Is it okay if you cannot finish all nine temples in one single day? It is completely fine: if nine temples feel too strenuous in the Bangkok heat, a condensed five-temple route (Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Rakhang, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and Wat Suthat) gives you a wonderful, authentic day of merit-making. The most meaningful part of the tradition is the calm mindfulness and respect you bring with you, not the total number of sites checked off a list. Whatever your background or faith, visiting these temples will leave you with peaceful memories that stay with you forever!

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