Grand Palace and Wat Pho at a glance
Wat Pho stands next to the Grand Palace in Phra Nakhon, so the two fit into one half day. Each has its own ticket. The palace costs THB 500 for foreign visitors and includes Wat Phra Kaew, the temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. Wat Pho costs THB 300. Together that is THB 800 per foreign visitor before any tour fee.
Thai citizens enter the palace free with their ID, as they do at Wat Pho. Palace tickets can be bought at the site or online. The palace has stricter dress rules than the temple, and drones are banned.
You can do the route on your own or on a guided half-day tour. Both work. The choice comes down to whether you want a guide and a fixed plan.
Our picks: Grand Palace and Wat Pho tours
Our take: the private tour includes the palace ticket and hotel pickup. The Chinatown walk includes both entries, and the half-day tour is the budget pick if you buy the tickets on site.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private tour: Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun
- Grand Palace entry
- Hotel transfer
- Guide
Your own guide and hotel transfer with the Grand Palace entry included; Wat Pho and Wat Arun entries come with the matching options.
Check availability →Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Chinatown walk
- Grand Palace entry
- Wat Pho entry
- Hotel transfer
A licensed guide with the entries to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho included.
Check availability →
Half day at the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun
- Guide
- Ferry there and back
- Water
Guided visits of all three with the ferry. The entries are paid on site.
Check availability →Grand Palace and Wat Pho tours
Half-day routes that link the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and sometimes Wat Arun, on foot or by tuk-tuk, with live prices and availability. Check which entrance fees are included before you book.
Ways to see both, compared
Prices for 2026. The tour row describes one example product.
| Option | Cost for a foreign adult | Guide | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| On your own, palace then Wat Pho | THB 500 plus THB 300 | Optional, hire a local guide | Most flexible; you set the pace |
| Half-day group walk with palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun | THB 1,750 join-in | Included | About 4 hours; entry, water, transport and insurance included; minimum age 10 |
| Private variant | – | Included | Tuk-tuk for the private version; price depends on the product |
For most visitors who want both places and a first overview, the group walk is the simplest choice, because entry and guide are bundled. If you prefer your own pace or already know the history, go independently and spend the saved time at Wat Pho. The MRT ticket and join-in pick-up are not part of the group example.
A plan for one morning
- Start at the palace early. Ticket sales run from 08:30 to 15:30. The grounds close at 16:30 in some places and 15:30 in others, so arrive well before 15:30. Earlier is calmer.
- Dress for the palace. No sleeveless, see-through or short tops, no shorts or miniskirts, and no torn or tight trousers. Wearing the palace outfit also covers Wat Pho.
- Check the ceremony calendar. The palace publishes a schedule of ceremonies. Look at it before you go.
- Walk to Wat Pho. The temple is open daily from 08:00 or 08:30 and closes between 18:30 and 19:30, so it works as the second stop. Allow a short buffer for the walk between the two.
- See the Reclining Buddha. Take your shoes off at the hall and keep your feet away from Buddha images. See the Reclining Buddha page.
- Add a massage or a snack. A Thai massage in the pavilion starts at THB 340 for 30 minutes. See Thai massage.
The open space of Sanam Luang lies in front of the palace and is open daily from 05:00 to 22:00. It is free. See things to do nearby for more.
Dress rules side by side
| Item | Grand Palace | Wat Pho |
|---|---|---|
| Shorts | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Sleeveless tops | Not allowed | Not advised; cover your shoulders |
| Trousers and skirts | No miniskirts, torn or tight trousers | Cover your knees |
| Drones | Banned | – |
| Shoes | – | Off before entering the halls |
If you dress for the palace, you meet both sets of rules. Carry a light scarf or shirt for the shoulders in case of doubt.
What you see at each place
Two different kinds of visit.
Wat Pho highlights
Four great chedis, the ordination hall and stone inscriptions.
Wat Pho entrance fee
THB 300 for foreign visitors; free for Thai citizens.
Temple dress code
Cover shoulders and knees; no shorts.
The palace area includes the Chakri Maha Prasat Hall and, next to it, Wat Phra Kaew. Wat Arun, across the river, makes a natural third stop for a longer day: see the Wat Arun and Grand Palace guide. If you want a break by the water, the guide to getting to Wat Arun explains the crossing from Tha Tien.
Grand Palace and Wat Pho: frequently asked questions
How much do the Grand Palace and Wat Pho cost together?
For a foreign adult, THB 500 for the palace and THB 300 for Wat Pho, so THB 800. Thai citizens enter both free with ID. A tour price may include entry, so check the offer page.
Which place should I visit first?
The palace. Its ticket sales end at 15:30, and its dress rules are stricter. Wat Pho stays open until about 19:30, so it works well in the afternoon.
What are the palace opening hours?
Ticket sales run from 08:30 to 15:30. The grounds close at 16:30 in some places and 15:30 in others. Arrive well before 15:30 and look at the ceremony calendar before you go.
What should I wear?
For the palace, avoid sleeveless, transparent or short tops, shorts, miniskirts, torn or tight trousers. Wat Pho asks for covered shoulders and knees and no shorts. See the dress code page.
How long should I plan?
A half day is common. One guided example takes about 4 hours and also includes Wat Arun. On your own, allow more time if you add a massage or lunch.
Is wat-pho.org an official or tour site?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It has no link to the palace, the temple, the massage school or any tour operator.