Bangkok Canal Taxi ( Ferry Services )

Tourists know about Chao Phraya river taxi that operates along the Chao Phraya river  by  travelling from Sathorn Pier ( near Saphan Taksin BTS Station ) or River City to Tha Chang Pier where the  iconic Grand Palace is located when they take on a half day river tour package. 

However the  canal (referred to as 'klongs' in Thai) ferry, which is the fastest way to commute between the new commercial districts to Bangkok Old City (Rattanakosin) remains unknown to most tourists. *The Old City (Rattanakosin) is where Bangkok's most spectacular and revered historical attractions located.   

Known as Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat service, the ferry can be found chugging up and down Bangkok's largest canal that cut through the city's traffic-congested commercial districts.  The ferry operates from 5:30am to 8:30pm daily on weekdays (7pm at the weekend) with a one way ticket ranging from 8 to 20 baht  depending on distance.

The canal ferry has an exclusive use of this large artery of water with a frequency ranging from 5-20 minutes that makes it the best way to commute from Asoke, Pratunam or MBK to Bangkok Old City (Rattanakosin)

Commute on the Klong ferry is a unique Bangkok way of travelling and the best way to take a glimpse of the  local Thais who are living along the canal way. I LOVE the canal. I enjoyed the canal walk along  Sapan Hua Chang Pier to visit the Muslim Quarter and Jim Thomson House; admiring the graffiti arts; stepping back to the good old days memories ….. 

However the service has a checkered reputation due to the highly polluted water and ferry haphazard operation.  It is NOT recommended for individual who is a) hygiene conscious, b) wearing skirt,  c) physically challenged / weak physique, and d) traveling with infants or young children.

The most relevant piers that a tourist may need to know :   


Asoke - near Phetchaburi MRT station
Pratunam – near central world plaza, serve as the interchange
Sapan Hua Chang - near MBK Center and Jim Thomson Museum
Panfa Leelard - terminal, near Wat Saket ( Golden Mount Temple ).
Note : Commuter from Asoke to Panfa Leelard needs to alight at Sapan Hua Chang ( Interchange )  to take a different ferry



For more information on canal ferry  :
http://khlongsaensaep.com/lines-route-map.html