Exploring Bkk's Sansad Boat Timings And More!

Bangkok, Thailand, is known as the Venice of the East due to its extensive canal system. The city's waterways are an important part of its transportation system, with water buses and express boats offering an affordable and efficient way to get around. The Chao Phraya Express Boat, for example, operates along the Chao Phraya River, connecting both banks of the river and providing access to many of Bangkok's top attractions. The Saen Saep Boat Service is another popular option, offering a unique and interesting way to experience the city's canals and avoid heavy traffic. This service has been in operation since 1990, carrying around 60,000 passengers daily along an 18-kilometre route through the city. For those looking for a more scenic experience, river dinner cruises are also available on the Chao Phraya River.

Bangkok's Chao Phraya Express Boat

The Chao Phraya Express Boat offers five types of boats, differentiated by the colour of their flags: Blue, Orange, Yellow, Green Yellow, and Red Flag. Each type of boat stops at different piers along the route, with varying frequencies and timings. For example, the Blue Flag Boat is a tourist boat service that runs from Phra Arthit Pier to Sathorn Pier, while the Orange Flag Boat is the most frequent service, running from Nonthaburi Pier to Wat Rajsingkorn Pier.

The boats provide a convenient and affordable means of transportation for locals and tourists alike. They can be used for commuting within the city or for sightseeing, as many of Bangkok's top attractions are located along the river. Tickets can be purchased at desks at the piers or, in some cases, on board the boats.

The Chao Phraya Express Boat service is a great way to explore Bangkok's waterways and avoid the city's heavy traffic. It offers a unique perspective of the city, connecting modern attractions with the historic sites of the Thai capital.

Saen Saep Boat Service

The Saen Saep Boat Service is a water-based transportation system in Bangkok, Thailand. The service consists of long, narrow boats that ferry passengers through the city's congested neighbourhoods. The boats offer an affordable and efficient mode of transportation, with tickets costing between 8 and 20 baht, bought with cash on board.

The service operates along the 18-km Saen Saep Canal, constructed during the reign of King Rama III (1824-1851) for military purposes. Over time, it evolved into a vital transportation artery in Bangkok. The express boat service began on 1 October 1990, operated by Family Transport Co., Ltd., aiming to provide an alternative to Bangkok's congested roads.

The boats have a capacity of 40-50 passengers, with seating at the front and standing room at the back. During peak times, they can become extremely crowded, with passengers even standing on the sides or roof. The service has numerous stops along the canal, making it easy to reach various locations in the city. The route runs between the Pom Prap Sattru Phai and Min Buri districts, with the Pratunam pier serving as a transfer station between the western and eastern lines.

The Saen Saep Boat Service is a unique and interesting way to experience Bangkok's waterways and avoid heavy traffic. It offers a glimpse into the "Venice of the East" feel Bangkok once had with its extensive canal system. The introduction of electric boats on the Minburi extension in 2022 showcases a move towards sustainability, and there is also a push for better safety measures.

The operating hours of the Saen Saep Boat Service are:

• Weekdays: 06:00 - 20:00 (or 05:30 - 20:30, according to another source)
• Saturdays: 06:00 - 19:00
• Sundays: 07:00 - 18:00

Bangkok's water transport system

Bangkok, Thailand, has an extensive water transport system, serving passengers crossing or travelling along the Chao Phraya River, as well as certain canals. Water transport still plays an important role in the transportation system of Bangkok, a city known as the "Venice of the East".

The Chao Phraya Express Boat service is a water bus that carries passengers along the Chao Phraya River, regularly serving 34 stops from Rat Burana to Nonthaburi. The boats operate from 06:00 to 19:00, with a frequency of 5 to 15 minutes. The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat or Blue Flag Boat is a special tourist boat, with an English-speaking guide pointing out sights along the route. It runs between Sathorn Pier and Phra Arthit Pier, stopping at nine piers to give access to nearby tourist attractions. The Blue Flag Boat operates daily from 08:30 to 19:15, with a frequency of approximately 30 minutes.

The Saen Saep Boat Service is another water-based transportation system in Bangkok, operating along the Saen Saep Canal. The service consists of long, narrow boats that ferry passengers through the city's congested neighbourhoods. The boats offer an affordable and efficient mode of transportation, with numerous stops along the canal, making it easy to reach various locations in the city. The Saen Saep Boat Service is a unique and interesting way to experience Bangkok's waterways and avoid the city's heavy traffic.

In addition to these larger services, there are also cross-river ferries, private long-tail boats, and shuttle boats operated by riverside hotels. The cross-river ferries run as a shuttle between opposite sides of the river at certain piers, with a fare of 3-5 baht. Private long-tail boats can be hired for a tour or a single trip, with hire rates between 1000 and 2000 baht for a 2-hour tour for a group of four.

BKK Boat river cruise options

BKK Boat Cruises are a great way to explore Budapest on a budget. The city's shipping company offers stunning views of the city's architecture from the Danube River and is a great way to mingle with the locals.

The D14 Ferry

The D14 ferry is the only BKK boat service currently operating in Budapest. This route runs between Csepel-Királyerdő and Soroksár, Molnár-sziget. The D14 ferry provides a short but functional connection across the river.

The D11, D12, D2 Cruises

The D11 and D12 cruises run from Kopaszi-gát to Rómaifürdő, crossing the historic city centre and seven bridges that span the river. You can see most of Budapest's important buildings, including the Hungarian Parliament, the foot of Gellert Hill with the Citadel, and the Várkert Bazár. These cruises also reach the Palace of Arts, the National Theatre, and the Roman coast.

The D2 cruise operates at one of the most spectacular points in the capital, between Kossuth Lajos Square and Batthyány Square.

Tickets and Timetables

Season tickets and ordinary tickets can be purchased in advance at BKK Customer Centres, ticket offices, BKK vending machines, or from staff. A boat trip costs 750 HUF for adults and 550 HUF for children. Dogs and bicycles can be carried on board for an extra ticket. Tickets for the ferries are available from 170 HUF, with student and pensioner tickets costing 110 HUF.

The current timetable is available on the BKK website, with three seasonal timetables: spring-autumn, summer, and winter. In spring and summer, you can go on longer routes that are scheduled more frequently, while autumn and winter typically have shorter routes with greater tracking times.

Chao Phraya River Cruises, Bangkok

If you are searching for BKK boat cruises in Bangkok, there are a variety of options for exploring the city's waterways.

Chao Phraya Express Boat

The Chao Phraya Express Boat is a very useful means of transport for commuting and sightseeing. Bangkok's top attractions, such as the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho, can be found along the river.

The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat is a great option for exploring Bangkok's attractions along the river. It offers a hop-on, hop-off service with some boats featuring an open deck. The route connects the district of Khao San Road with the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, the Flower Market, Chinatown, ICONSIAM, and Asiatique the Riverfront.

Saen Saep Boat Service

The Saen Saep Boat Service is another water-based transportation system in Bangkok that operates along the Saen Saep Canal. The boats are long and narrow, offering an affordable and efficient mode of transport. This service provides a unique way to experience Bangkok's waterways and avoid heavy traffic.

Dinner Cruises

There are also several dinner cruise options on the Chao Phraya River, offering international and Thai buffets, live music, and entertainment. These cruises offer stunning views of Bangkok's top attractions, including the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and the Rama VIII Bridge.

Private Boat Events

Bangkok Island offers private boat events, such as weddings, corporate events, and ticketed events. This tropical-themed ship holds up to 320 guests and usually boards at Wat Worachanyawas on Charoen Krung 72.

Floating Markets

Bangkok also offers floating market tours, such as the Taling Chan Floating Market, which can be reached by teak boat.

Whether you're in Budapest or Bangkok, there are plenty of BKK boat river cruise options to choose from, offering a unique perspective on these vibrant cities.

Bangkok canal boat schedule

Bangkok has a number of canal boat services, including the Khlong Saen Saep Boat Service, the Chao Phraya Express Boat, and the Saen Saep Boat Service. Here is the schedule for each of these services:

Khlong Saen Saep Boat Service

The Khlong Saen Saep Boat Service operates along the Khlong Saen Saep Canal in Bangkok. The service runs from Monday to Sunday and has different operating hours on weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays/public holidays. The boats run from early morning to evening, with specific times depending on the day of the week and the pier.

• Monday to Friday: First boat from Wat Sriboonreung Pier at 05:30, last boat at 19:15; First boat from Pratunam Pier at 06:00, last boat at 19:45.
• Saturday: First boat from Wat Sriboonreung Pier at 06:00, last boat at 18:30; First boat from Pratunam Pier at 06:30, last boat at 19:00.
• Sunday/public holiday: First boat from Wat Sriboonreung Pier at 06:00, last boat at 18:00; First boat from Pratunam Pier at 06:30, last boat at 18:30.

Chao Phraya Express Boat

The Chao Phraya Express Boat operates along the Chao Phraya River and has several different routes and timetables depending on the type of boat. The boats run from early morning to evening, with specific times depending on the day of the week and the type of boat.

• Blue Flag Boat: Daily from 08:30 to 19:15, approximately every 30 minutes.
• Orange Flag Boat: Daily, weekdays from 06:00 to 09:40 and 15:00 to 18:10; Saturdays and public holidays from 07:30 to 09:40 and 15:15 to 17:40; Sundays from 08:30 to 09:40 and 15:20 to 17:40.
• Yellow Flag Boat: Monday to Friday, 06:00 to 08:10 in the morning and 17:15 to 19:05 in the evening, every 15 to 30 minutes.
• Green Yellow Flag Boat: Monday to Friday, 06:00 to 07:50 in the morning and 16:00 to 17:45 in the afternoon, every 15 to 30 minutes.
• Red Flag Boat: Monday to Friday, 06:50 to 07:40 in the morning, every 15 to 20 minutes.

Saen Saep Boat Service

The Saen Saep Boat Service operates along the Saen Saep Canal in Bangkok and runs from 06:00 to 20:00 on weekdays, 06:00 to 19:00 on Saturdays, and 07:00 to 18:00 on Sundays.

While I cannot confirm the specific schedule for this service, it is known that the boats run during these hours and that tickets are bought with cash onboard.

Frequently asked questions