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There’s nowhere in Bangkok that shines brighter than the Grand Palace. It’s a place where rooftops glisten like dragon scales and where gold leaf is draped across stupas that dazzle in the sunlight. The meticulous craftsmanship of the official residence of the Thai Royal Family can only be described as fit for a King, and it’s certainly the crown-jewel of Bangkok as far as attractions go.
When I lived in Bangkok for six months, I quickly learned that it was a city of contrasts: I’ve seen monks scrolling on smartphones, motorbikes propped up against temple railings, and more than my fair share of shopping malls. The Grand Palace is a place where time stands still. It’s a rare piece of history that has remained unchanged for three hundred years, a rarity in today’s world.
If you’re thinking of visiting The Grand Palace, but not sure if it’s worth it or what to see there, this guide is for you. It may not be for everyone – it’s busy and hot, and compared to other attractions in Bangkok, quite expensive for foreigners.
So to help you decide whether to add it to your itinerary, we are sharing everything you need to know about visiting this cultural gem in Bangkok.
Video Highlight: The Grand Palace, Bangkok
If you’re short on time or don’t feel like reading, you can watch us explore the Grand Palace in the following video. Press play to see the Grand Palace, or subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss more travel videos.
Is the Grand Palace worth visiting in Bangkok?
If it’s your first time in Bangkok, the Grand Palace is definitely worth visiting. The complex is one of the oldest in the city, having been built in 1782 during the Chakri dynasty, making it one of the most important historical attractions in the city.
It’s also the official residence of the Thai Royal Family. Although the current Thai King lives in the Dusit Palace complex, the Grand Palace is still the ceremonial residence and the place used for functions.
The complex has several temples, museums, and stunning buildings to witness, including the Wat Phra Kaeo or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, so don’t be fooled into thinking it’s a quick stop. Although it can be expensive for some tourists to visit, it does require at least half a day to see it all, and you probably wouldn’t want to see any other attractions that day after sensory overload here, so you do have lots to see and explore.
How much is the entrance fee for Bangkok’s Grand Palace?
We’ve already mentioned that the Grand Palace is one of the most expensive attractions for tourists, but it’s still Thailand, a famously affordable country to visit, so you’d still only be looking to pay around $14 USD for a ticket. For Thai people, it’s free, so only international visitors pay a fee for tickets.
As of December 2025, the price to enter the Grand Palace was 500 baht for foreigners, which includes entrance to Wat Phra Kaew, The Royal Thai Decorations and Coins Pavilion, and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textile. You can purchase tickets from the main gate or online in advance. Here is a skip the line ticket option. You may also want to combine it with this guided walking tour (admission fee not included)
Things to see in the Grand Palace
The Grand Palace complex has a combined area of 218,400 square meters, so there’s lots to see within its four walls. It’s divided into four main courts, separated by numerous walls and gates: the Outer Court, the Middle Court, the Inner Court, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Inside the complex, you have several buildings, shrines, and temples to see. The Dusit Maha Prasat Palace, which was used as an audience hall, is located adjacent to The Piman Rattaya Throne Hall.
Behind this, is the Buddha Ratanasathan, a small museum in the complex with stunning artworks and relics. On the other side of the complex you have the Wat Phra Kaew Museum, and of course the Wat Phra Kaew, or Temple of the Emerald Buddha in English.
Behind the Wat Phra Kaew is the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles.
Top tip: while you’re in the area, walk across the road to visit Wat Pho, or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. This is one of Bangkok’s other top attractions.
Our experience of The Grand Palace in Bangkok
Tim, our local guide, was explaining to us on the ride over that the Grand Palace is at the top of the list for first-time visitors to Bangkok.
It’s true, and I had already known and experienced this on my own first visit ten years ago, but today was different. We were repeat visitors, and not travelling as a couple, but as parents with Kalyra and Savannah on their first visit to Bangkok.
The moment you arrive outside the palace walls and enter the gates you are quickly struck by the sheer size and popularity of what is Thailand’s most sacred site and complex of temples, throne halls, and Government residences. As we enter the complex it’s crowded, it’s hot, and guided tour groups are jostling left and right excited to enter the official royal residences of the Kings of Thailand since construction began under King Rama Ι way back in 1782 (except for King Rama V who chose to live elsewhere in the city).
It was thought that King Rama I moved the royal court from Thonburi on the West to the east of Bangkok for protection, which explains the fort-like walls around the complex. It took us about five seconds to be reminded that this would be a REAL introduction to Thai history and life for our kids.
As we wandered the complex jostling with what seemed like the whole population of Bangkok trying to take photographs, Kalyra kept asking “When do I get to meet the Buddha?” and I kept thinking “just stay close to me so I don’t loose you!” The crowds were relentless. Kalyra is great traveller, and has been fortunate to experience many things in her first five years, but she struggled in big crowds and was just holding it together.
Meanwhile, miss Savannah was taking it all in from the comfort of her stroller.
Everywhere you turn, in every courtyard and at every bend, the beauty of the place amazes and takes your breath away. I remember being very impressed on that first visit and this second visit was no less mesmirizing. The statues and buildings are huge!
Kalyra is just dwarfed by this entry way. Along with the sheer size comes the details and craftmanship.
We’d been exploring the complex for maybe an hour or so and the question of “when do I get to see the Buddha?” continued and Kalyra became increasingly restless, which was totally understandable given the trying conditions.
Soon it came time to witness the worshipers lighting candles and sticks of incense in a ritual which they raise to their head while bowing.
Tired and independent Kalyra was having none of the help suggested by Mummy and Daddy and totally lost it when it was explained that NO she couldn’t carry out this ritual by herself and she needed to step aside and respect the locals.
Nothing like having your five year old lose it at the most sacred temple in Thailand!
But we all regained our composure, after a five minute time out, and carried on with the rest of the proceedings, including a visit with the Buddha. Lesson learned!
At the end of the day, we had an incredible time visiting the Grand Palace as a family.
Besides the experience of showing our kids this important and sacred place for Thai people, the locals absolutely adored both Kalyra and Savannah (must have been the blonde hair blue eyed novelty) and couldn’t stop taking photos with us.
HOT TIP: If you’re a travelling family, and you have just arrived in a new country late the previous night after a long flight, make the first day a free day! Don’t plan any activities. Allow your kids to adjust to the time zone and the environment. Don’t be like us and drag them to a hot and crowded environment. Read more about our travel with kids tips here.
Getting to The Grand Palace
One of the easiest ways (and most enjoyable) to get to the Grand Palace is by taking the boat. Take a Chao Phraya River Express Boat to Tha Chang Pier (Tha Chang Wang Luang Pier), and from here it’s a short walk to the front of the palace.
Alternatively, you can take the MRT to Sam Yot Station and walk for about 15-20 minutes. There is no BTS Skytrain station near the palace, so if you don’t want to take the boat or MRT, then you’ll have to get a taxi/ride-share.
Download Grab or Bolt to book taxis or motorbikes, rather than using yellow taxis from the street, so you can agree a price beforehand. Taxi drivers sometimes turned off the meter (it’s the law in Bangkok that they have to turn it on), but they often don’t do this so they can charge whatever they like at the end. Plan ahead as traffic in Bangkok can be horrendous.
As for buses, you can reach the Grand Palace on bus numbers 3, 9, 44, 47, 53 and 82.
What is the dress code for the Grand Palace?
Though the royal palace is not a temple, it is treated as such. A strict dress code still applies, especially for women.
Men must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves (no tank tops, vests, or sleeveless shirts. If you’re wearing sandals or flip-flops you must wear socks (in other words, no bare feet.) Women must be similarly modestly dressed. No see-through clothes, or tight-clinking clothes. Make sure you have your knees and shoulders covered.
If you show up improperly dressed, there is a booth near the entrance that can provide clothes and wraparounds to cover you up properly (for a deposit).
And if you think they are relaxed about this, think again. If you’re wearing a long skirt that covers your knees but it has a slit up one side, they will tie it together for you with an elastic band. This is a rule that is always enforced, so be sure to dress politely or bring a sarong. Better yet, just wear trousers.
What is the best time to visit the Grand Palace?
The Grand Palace is open from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM, and you might be thinking getting there for opening time would be the ideal thing to do. Not quite. From my experience, most tour groups like to arrive bang on opening time, so it’s actually really busy at this hour.
Plan for around 10.00 AM, when the tour groups have made their way around and are looking to leave, and it’s still before the midday sun. This would be the ideal time to visit as there crowds will be more dispersed (there will always be crowds) and the sun isn’t too hot.
Ideally, avoid the afternoon. I really mean it when I say the Grand Palace is hot. It’s a hot city all year round, but the complex feels especially warm because of the white marble floor (not to mention the reflection of the jewels on the murals, chedis and stupas), which reflects the sunlight. Throughout the day it seems to just absorb the heat and feel like an oven.
Of course, some people don’t mind this, but if you are someone who struggles with heat, my recommendation is to go in the morning.
Final thoughts
The Grand Palace is a must-see attraction in Bangkok for any first-time visitor. The sheer size, elegance, craftsmanship, and intricate detail that goes into the architecture is incredible to see.
Our guide Tim says “every visitor to Bangkok should see the Grand Palace.” And we agree.
It’s crowded, it’s hot, and your younger children may temporarily lose it, but it’s completely worth it. No visit to Bangkok would be complete without visiting the city’s most famous landmark.
More Thailand Travel Tips
Are you visiting other parts of Thailand? Then you may like these resources:
Are you planning on visiting the Grand Palace in Bangkok? What are you most excited to see? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Original Article on yTravel Blog