The Chao Phraya River is located in the middle of Bangkok. This river is used by boat taxis and tour boats. Taking the river is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to get around Bangkok
Boat Taxis
There are two boat services available to tourists. The first is the public taxi which is used by locals. This costs 15 baht per ride. There is also a service called “The Tourist Express” which costs 150 baht for unlimited rides. Using the river taxi service is much cheaper than going on a river tour boat. While on the Chao Phraya some of the sights that tourists can see include Khao San Road, Wat Arun and the Memorial Bridge.
The most difficult part of using the river taxi service is finding the departure points. The best way to do this is to ask other tourists for directions. The maps given out by guesthouses and travel agencies tend to be confusing at best. For this reason, tourists should read them carefully.
Other Means of Transportation
In Bangkok, tourists have a few different ways of getting around. They can get a tuk tuk, taxi or take the public bus or train system. Tuk tuks should be avoided as tuk tuk drivers often overcharge their customers. They also stop at numerous jewelry stores and tailors on their way to their destination. Metered taxi drivers are much more trustworthy and reliable. Unfortunately, they are usually very difficult to find. Lastly, the train is efficient, however, it does not cover all areas of Bangkok. This makes river taxis a viable option for tourists who want to get around quickly and cheaply. Because the taxi can take up to an hour and fifteen minutes to do a full loop, using the taxi is also a good way to cruise the river.
