This guide gives you simple opening times, entry fees, dress rules and a time plan. If you are new to the city, read our Bangkok travel planning tips too.

Bangkok to Nakhon Pathom Day Trip at a Glance

The Bangkok to Nakhon Pathom day trip works well as a full-day plan that starts at the Grand Palace at about 8:30 and ends with the drive back to Bangkok at about 18:00. You visit the Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Wat Traimit in Bangkok, then Phra Pathom Chedi and Wat Samphran in Nakhon Pathom.

Here are the key times and prices for each stop. Check them again before you travel, because they can change.

• •Grand Palace: It is open about 8:30 to 15:30 each day.
• •Wat Arun: It is open 8:00 to 18:00 and costs about 200 THB for foreign visitors.
• •Wat Traimit: It is open 8:00 to 17:00 and the golden Buddha costs about 40 THB.
• •Phra Pathom Chedi: It is open about 5:00 to 19:00 and the grounds are free to enter.
• •Wat Samphran: It is open about 6:00 to 18:00 and asks for a donation of about 80 THB.

What to Wear at Thai Temples

All 5 temples ask you to dress with respect. Cover your shoulders and your knees before you enter.

The easy choice is a light shirt with sleeves and long trousers or a long skirt. Thin cotton clothes keep you cool in the heat.

The Grand Palace has strict dress rules, so wear the right clothes from the start. Bring a small bag for your shoes, because you take them off before you enter some halls.

Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha

![Gold spires and ornate halls of the Grand Palace in central Bangkok]

Start here when the gates open. The Grand Palace was the home of Thai kings for many years, and it holds the Emerald Buddha.

You can see royal halls, gold spires and fine Thai building styles up close. Give yourself about 2 hours here, because the grounds are large.

The palace is open about 8:30 to 15:30 each day, but it can close for royal events. Check the ticket price and the opening hours before you go.

If a stranger tells you the palace is closed, do not follow them. Walk to the gate and check for yourself, and read our guide to Bangkok tourist scams to avoid.

Wat Arun by the Chao Phraya River

![Tall tower of Wat Arun beside the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok]

Next, go to Wat Arun, also called the Temple of Dawn. It stands on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River.

The tall tower is covered with colorful decoration, and the view from the river is a favorite for photos. A short boat ride across the water takes you to the temple.

Wat Arun is open from 8:00 to 18:00 each day. Foreign visitors pay about 200 THB, and you must cover your shoulders and knees.

You can climb part of the tower, but the steps are narrow and steep. Go slowly and take care, especially when you stop to take photos.

Wat Traimit and the Golden Buddha

![Large solid gold Buddha image inside the hall at Wat Traimit in Bangkok]

Wat Traimit is near Chinatown, also called Yaowarat. It is known for a large solid gold Buddha image, and it is a calm stop after the busy palace.

The temple is open 8:00 to 17:00 each day. The golden Buddha costs about 40 THB, and a combined ticket with the museum costs about 100 THB.

The museum is closed on Mondays. If you visit on a Monday, you can still see the golden Buddha, so plan your time around it.

The museum explains how the golden Buddha image was found. It also tells the story of Chinatown and its Thai and Chinese roots. If you have little time, see the Buddha and skip the museum.

Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom

After Bangkok, drive west to Nakhon Pathom. Phra Pathom Chedi is the main sight in the city, and it is a very tall stupa. It is one of the most important Buddhist sites in Thailand.

The temple grounds are open about 5:00 to 19:00 each day. You do not pay to enter the grounds, but you can buy flowers, candles or incense as offerings.

Walk around the base of the stupa and enjoy the quiet space. It feels calm after the busy streets of Bangkok. Cover your shoulders and knees here too.

Wat Samphran and the Dragon Tower

![Giant dragon wrapped around the tall pink tower at Wat Samphran in Nakhon Pathom]

Wat Samphran is the most unusual stop of the day. A huge dragon is wrapped around a tall pink tower, so it looks very different from other Thai temples. Many visitors come here for photos.

The site is open about 6:00 to 18:00 each day. The path around the dragon tower asks for a donation of about 80 THB.

Try to arrive at about 16:00 and not later than 17:30, so you do not rush. This is a working temple, so dress with respect and speak softly.

Time Plan and Getting Around

Here is a simple time plan for the day.

• •Morning: Start at the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha at about 8:30.
• •Late morning: Take a boat to Wat Arun and take photos.
• •Early afternoon: Visit Wat Traimit and see the golden Buddha.
• •About 14:00: Leave Bangkok for Nakhon Pathom and visit Phra Pathom Chedi.
• •About 16:00: Arrive at Wat Samphran and walk the dragon tower path.
• •About 18:00: Drive back to Bangkok and end your day.

This is a full day, and Bangkok traffic can slow you down. If you are short on time, skip Wat Traimit and keep the other 4 stops.

Bring water, sun cream and a hat, because you walk a lot outdoors. Keep your phone charged for maps.

A private car is the easiest way to reach Nakhon Pathom. The drive from Bangkok often takes 1 hour or more, depending on traffic. Public transport is possible, but it is slower between the 2 Nakhon Pathom temples.

If you prefer a guide in Bangkok, see our Bangkok temple and mall day tour for ideas.

Need a private car with a driver? AsiaBuddy arranges car rental and airport transfers with no deposit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time should I start this day trip?

Start at about 8:30 at the Grand Palace. This helps you avoid the biggest crowds and the midday heat.

What should I wear to the temples?

Cover your shoulders and your knees at all 5 temples. A light shirt with sleeves and long trousers or a long skirt is an easy choice.

Can I visit all 5 temples in 1 day?

Yes, but it is a full day with little free time. If you feel tired or traffic is heavy, skip 1 stop, such as Wat Traimit.

Is it easy to do this trip by public transport?

Public transport can take you around central Bangkok, but a private car is easier for Nakhon Pathom. A car also saves time between the 2 Nakhon Pathom temples.

Do I need to pay at every temple?

Most stops charge an entry fee or ask for a donation, but the grounds of Phra Pathom Chedi are free. Check the Grand Palace ticket price before you go, because it is not listed in this guide.