How Long To Visit The Grand Palace?

[aphcoinc]

We will be visiting the Grand Palace on Wednesday Feb. 24th. If we arrive by 8:30 (at the opening), how long would it take to visit it? We are on a cruise and will have to be back at Kong Toey by 1:00PM. We want to make sure we have time to visit every part of it. Thank you for your advice.

[OZEMADE]

Went there a month ago, it will take you all day and I mean all day. All males have to wear long pants and women have to be reasonably dressedie no shorts and low cut dresses with boobs hanging out. I dont know where you are coming from but be there early.

[dddave]

If you are here for only one day and want to make the most of your time (which means not spending hours in a taxi) Pair up with some other people and hire a LONGTAIL boat. That is, one of those long, narrow boats with the engine on the back that speed up and down the Chao Phraya river. It will probably cost about B1000 per hour (bargain hard!) but the boat can take you directly to the Palace in short order. You may also elect to have him give you a tour of some of the side klongs that go off the river, they are a fascinating look at the way Bangkok used to be.

To really see the Palace will take the better part of the day.

Be aware; don't believe ANYTHING Tuk-Tuk drivers or so called guides or anybody who approaches you says: the area around the palace is scam city and they are very skillful.

There are also RIVER EXPRESS boats that run regularly from Sephan Taksin pier next to the Sephan Taksin SKYTRAIN station. Get off at stop #9 for the Palace

[britmaveric]

2-3hrs tops.

[tonititan]

I would never spend all day there. Every time I've been, I think we were out of there within 2 or 2.5 hours. That is without a guided tour. I guess if you're really a history buff you might stretch it out to an hour, but I think that for the average person, a couple hours is enough. I don't think you'll have problem getting to your cruise in time.

[Nio]

Before you go read www.bangkokscams.com for the Grand Palace Scam or mark my words, you will get scammed and have your whole day messed up

This is hugely important

There are 400 Grand Palace and surrounding area photos at visualthailand.com if you really want to see what it looks like before going

This may help you make up your mind how long you want to spend there after you actual see the actual photos of the place

[londonthai]

in the morning there should be pretty empty - to walk through 30 minutes, but if you would like to see in detail half a day. Free guides at 10am and 12pm are not worth waiting - their english is unprehendable

[phetaroi]

First of all, the spectacular part is Wat Phra Keo. The Grand Palace itself is mostly off-limits. I agree with those who say 2-4 hours. Could you spend the whole day there? Well, as much as I enjoy the place -- and it is simply fantastic -- I can't imagine an all-day visit.

[moe666]

Wat Po is a better look see more interesting with the relining Buddha.

[tonititan]

Before you go read www.bangkokscams.com for the Grand Palace Scam or mark my words, you will get scammed and have your whole day messed up

This is hugely important

So true! I had read about some of the common scams (being told it's closed, being told I cannot enter without a guide, etc.). Every single time I have been to the Grand Palace, people have tried these on me! Thank goodness I knew what to expect. I'm not usually a big "watch out for scams" person, but in this case, I definitely think it pays to be prepared. Good luck!

[Penangkaki]

Took me about 1-1/2 hours just for Wat Phra Kaew.

[Meridian007]

Good suggestions. I would add that the length of time also depends on whether you are going on a weekend or weekday, since you are going on a Wednesday, you should be fine. Thai holidays are the worst time to go, as the place will be unbelievably packed.

Try to get there as early as possible, (your set idea of 8:30AM is good), I agree that the fastest way to get there is by boat, and the cheapest is by the express boat from Saphan Thaksin Pier. Once you get to Tha Chang Pier (#9), follow the other foreigners to the palace, or print out a map from here. That way you won't get caught by the guide scams, because you won't have to ask for help.

Good luck!

[PattayaParent]

You could see the Grand Palace, Wat Po and Temple of the Golden Dawn in the time you have.

They're all close to each other.

[thaihome]

As time is of the essence for you and some how I doubt a few hundred baht makes a lot of difference, what I think you should do is get to the river pier under the Saphan Taksin BTS station at about 7:30-8:00AM and hire one of the licensed English speaking guides and your own long tail boat. They will then take you up the river stopping along the way for brief walkarounds at various sites, including a quick tour of the Grand Palace.

To me is this far away the most efficient way to see the major sightseeing places in Bangkok.

Might cost a few thousand baht, but you will have a knowledgeable guide to explain what you are seeing, you won’t get lost, you won’t get sidetracked to a jewelry store or tailor and someone will make sure you get back to your ship in time.

TH

[SantiSuk]

Wat Po is a better look see more interesting with the relining Buddha.

Exactly what I was thinking!

OP cannot go at the best time though - around 5:30pm for a foot massage at the back and a walk around when the light is fading and the tourists have gone. Magical. That together with a riverboat or klong long tail ride is my recommendation for anyone with very limited time in Bangkok. Add Chinatown for a tearoom stop and a sortie down the bazaar and you have a wonderful day out.

The scamming and the hordes at Wat Sa Keaw (I just want to plant those <deleted> tt drivers) make me hesitant to go back for a second visit, even though I have been in and out of Bangkok scores of times over 15 years

[phetaroi]

Wat Po is a better look see more interesting with the relining Buddha.

Exactly what I was thinking!

OP cannot go at the best time though - around 5:30pm for a foot massage at the back and a walk around when the light is fading and the tourists have gone. Magical. That together with a riverboat or klong long tail ride is my recommendation for anyone with very limited time in Bangkok. Add Chinatown for a tearoom stop and a sortie down the bazaar and you have a wonderful day out.

The scamming and the hordes at Wat Sa Keaw (I just want to plant those <deleted> tt drivers) make me hesitant to go back for a second visit, even though I have been in and out of Bangkok scores of times over 15 years

While there is a lot to see at Wat Po (and I enjoy that temple), it doesn't have the historical importance or variety that Wat Phra Keow does. To miss Wat Phra Keow is to miss the temple that has the talisman of the Thai nation...and it you think Thais don't still believe that, you need to go and take another look.

Wat Sa Keaw???

[thaihome]

...

Wat Sa Keaw???

The OP could never make it to Wat Sa Keaw and see Luangpho Thong in the time they have. From Klong Toie it would take about 2.5-3 hours drive each way.

TH