Wat Pho opening hours at a glance
Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon) is open every day. Opening is 8:00 or 8:30, and closing is 18:30 or 19:30. Because the times vary, plan to be inside well before 18:30 and check the current timetable before you go.
Do not count on seeing the Reclining Buddha hall, the four great chedis or the ordination hall at the last minute. Start with the one you care about most. Entry is THB 300 for foreign visitors in 2026. For prices and the children's rule, read the Wat Pho tickets page. The temple across the river has its own hours, see Wat Arun tickets and hours.
Wat Pho and its neighbours: hours compared
Opening hours of the places most visitors combine with Wat Pho.
| Place | Hours | Entry 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Wat Pho | Daily, from 8:00 or 8:30 to 18:30 or 19:30 | THB 300 for foreigners, free for Thai nationals with ID |
| Wat Pho massage | 8:00 to 19:30 | Separate rates, see the massage page |
| Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew | Grounds from 8:30 to 16:30, ticket sales until 15:30 | THB 500 for foreigners |
| Museum Siam | Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00, closed Monday | THB 100 for adults |
| Sanam Luang | Daily, 5:00 to 22:00 | Free |
| Pak Khlong Talat flower market | Open 24 hours | Free |
The palace sells tickets from 8:30 to 15:30 daily, so treat 15:30 as the safe limit for buying a ticket. For most visitors, the best order is the Grand Palace in the morning and Wat Pho in the afternoon, which keeps you inside Wat Pho's closing hours. A Grand Palace and Wat Pho combination follows the same order.
Our pick: a day that fits the opening hours
This tour plans the palace and temples within their opening hours.
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.
Wat Pho tours and combination tickets
Guided temple visits, Grand Palace combinations and evening tours in Bangkok, with live prices and availability.
Best time of day for Wat Pho
Early morning or late afternoon is the usual advice.
Early morning
The first hour after opening is cooler and gives you more room around the Reclining Buddha. Arrive at the gate a little before 8:30 and start with the hall in the northwest of the grounds.
Reclining Buddha →Late afternoon
A visit that starts around 15:30 or 16:00 leaves enough time for the main sights if closing is at 18:30. If you add a massage, note that massage hours are 8:00 to 19:30, so book it earlier rather than at the end of the day.
Thai massage →Midday
Midday is the hottest time of the day. If you have to go then, carry water, take breaks and wear light clothes that follow the dress rules.
Dress code →Climate averages for Bangkok show daily highs of 32 to 36 °C in every month, and April is the hottest at 35.7 °C. Rain falls mostly from May to October, with September at 335.9 mm on average. From November to February it is drier. See best time to visit for the full monthly table.
Planning around the hours
Practical points for a half-day visit.
Allow time for the whole grounds
Wat Pho is large. The Reclining Buddha hall, the four great chedis, the ordination hall and the cloisters take more than a quick stop. Leave a generous block of time if you want to walk the grounds without rushing.
Highlights →Evening is for the area, not the temple
After closing, the temple grounds are not part of an evening plan. Sanam Luang stays open until 22:00 and the flower market never closes, so the old town still works for a walk after dark.
Bangkok night tours →Watch for people who say the temple is closed
Near Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, strangers sometimes say a site is closed today and offer a tuk-tuk to other stops. Check the hours above or at the ticket office, and politely decline.
Wat Pho opening hours: frequently asked questions
What time does Wat Pho open?
Wat Pho opens at 8:00 or 8:30, every day. Aim to be at the gate by 8:30 and check the current timetable before you go.
What time does Wat Pho close?
Closing time is 18:30 or 19:30. Plan to finish by 18:30 to be safe, and do not arrive in the last hour.
Is Wat Pho open every day?
Yes. There is no weekly closing day. Before a public holiday or a religious festival, check the current timetable.
Can I visit the Reclining Buddha in the evening?
The hall follows the temple hours, so plan to see the Buddha during the day. Evening tours are a good way to see the old town instead.
What is the quietest time at Wat Pho?
Early morning and late afternoon are the usual recommendation. Treat it as a general tip, not a guarantee.
Is this the official Wat Pho website?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the temple, its massage school or any tourism authority. Times and prices can change, so confirm them at the ticket office.