ICONSIAM Pier is one of the busiest Chao Phraya River piers in Bangkok, frequently used by tourists and locals who come to spend time at the luxurious ICONSIAM shopping mall or board one of numerous Chao Phraya River dinner cruises starting from here. Discover everything you need to know about ICONSIAM Pier, such as boat routes, timetables, tickets, how to get there, and the best things to do and places to stay nearby.
Located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, ICONSIAM is one of the most luxurious shopping malls in Bangkok, which is also a popular tourist destination in the Thai capital.
Piers at ICONSIAM
There are actually several piers at ICONSIAM:
ICONSIAM Pier 1 is the southernmost pier (on the right end of the riverbank), where you can board the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat and other public boats operated by Chao Phraya Express Boat, the ICONSIAM shuttle boat to Sathorn Pier, and check into some of the dinner cruises that open check-in tables in the roofed area of the pier.
ICONSIAM Pier 2 is the pier that can be seen directly in front of the main entrance of the shopping mall. However, to get there, you need to walk around the huge fountain that separates the shopping mall and the river. Pier 2 is mainly used to board the Chao Phraya River dinner cruise boats.
ICONSIAM Pier 3 is the pier connecting Pier 2 with Pier 4 and used by some of the hotel boats.
ICONSIAM Pier 4 is the larger pier in the northern part of the riverbank (on the left side from the main entrance). There you can board the Thai Smile Boat, the ICONSIAM shuttle boat to Si Phraya Pier, and several hotel boats.
ICONSIAM Pier 5 is a small, northernmost pier that is used by smaller boats.
Boats to board at ICONSIAM Pier
You can board different types of boats at ICONSIAM Pier, as taking a boat to ICONSIAM is a popular way to get there. Discover the shuttle boat, hotel boat, and public boat services, as well as the Chao Phraya River dinner cruises that can be boarded at ICONSIAM Pier.
Chao Phraya River dinner cruises
Taking the Chao Phraya River dinner cruise is one of the most exclusive things to do in Bangkok, as you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city bathed in lights with the atmosphere of a festive dinner.
ICONSIAM Pier is a popular Bangkok river cruise departure point, where you can board the following Chao Phraya River dinner cruises:
If you want to explore all the options, discover other river cruises in Bangkok and use our tips for choosing the cruise that suits your preferences and travel plans the best.
Chao Phraya Tourist Boat
Chao Phraya Tourist Boat, also known as Blue Flag Boat, is the most popular boat option for tourists, as this boat route connects ICONSIAM with all the main tourist attractions along the river. By boarding the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat at ICONSIAM Pier, you can visit the most famous tourist attractions in Bangkok, such as the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, the Flower Market, Chinatown, Khao San Road, and Asiatique the Riverfront.
The best thing about this Bangkok boat service is that it can be used for single trips as well as like the hop-on hop-off boat by purchasing a one-day pass.
The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat departs from ICONSIAM Pier to Phra Arthit daily from 09:04 to 19:19 with a 30-minute frequency. You should board the boat going in this direction to get from ICONSIAM to Khao San Road, Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, and most of the other tourist destinations.
Boats going in the opposite direction (to Sathorn Pier) also run every 30 minutes, with departures from ICONSIAM Pier scheduled from 08:56 to 18:56. When taking the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat this way, you can reach the BTS Skytrain station. During late afternoon hours (15:56–18:56), the boat route is extended, and you can also get to Asiatique The Riverfront.
Chao Phraya Express Boat
The Chao Phraya Express Boat is the main public boat service operating along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. The company operates several boat routes with a different number of stops and varied timetables, as some of them operate on weekdays and during rush hour only. The routes are recognized by the color of the flag the boat flies.
Orange Flag Boat
Orange Flag Boat is the most frequent Bangkok public boat service on the Chao Phraya River, which runs from Nonthaburi Pier, located north of the city, to Wat Rajsingkorn Pier, which is found just before Asiatique.
Yellow Flag Boat
The original route of the Yellow Flag Boat doesn't have a stop at ICONSIAM Pier. However, starting from 16 January 2025, during the daytime, the Yellow Flag boats are changing the Orange Flag boats, and therefore, between 09:40 and 15:00, they also make a stop at ICONSIAM.
Red Flag Boat
Red Flag Boat service is running from Nonthaburi Pier to Sathorn Pier and makes a stop at ICONSIAM Pier. However, these boats are only available on weekdays and during the morning rush hour only.
While the above-mentioned public boat routes include a stop at ICONSIAM Pier, sometimes this stop is suspended, and boats drop passengers on another side of the Chao Phraya River. From there, you need to take the ICONSIAM shuttle bus to cross the river.
If you are planning to use public boats and the BTS Skytrain frequently, save time and make traveling easier by purchasing a Rabbit Card ticket online and conveniently picking it up at the airport.
Thai Smile Boat
Thai Smile Boat, previously known as MINE Smart Ferry, is an electric public boat service operating on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. It's a more environmentally friendly alternative to the Chao Phraya Express Boat.
Thai Smile Boat is currently operating two electric boat routes along the river. One of them, the City Line (Green Line), makes a stop at ICONSIAM Pier on the way between Siam Charoen Nakhon Pier and Phra Pinklao Bridge Pier.
The electric boats to Phra Pinklao (north of ICONSIAM) run from 08:30 to 18:00 and to Siam Charoen Nakhon (south of ICONSIAM) from 09:30 to 19:00. Boat departures are scheduled every 30 minutes, with additional boats offered during the daytime on weekends and public holidays.
ICONSIAM shuttle boat service
Previously, the ICONSIAM shopping mall was providing a free shuttle boat service between ICONSIAM Pier and Sathorn and Si Phraya piers on the other side of the Chao Phraya River. Starting from 1 May 2023, the free shuttle boat service was canceled, and now these shuttle boat services are provided by private boat companies for a fee.
ICONSIAM shuttle boat to Sathorn Pier
One of the ICONSIAM shuttle boat routes is managed by Supatra Boat and connects ICONSIAM Pier 1 with Sathorn Pier.
Sathorn Pier, also known as the Central Pier, is the main public transportation hub on the Chao Phraya River, as it is easily reachable by the BTS Skytrain due to the location next to BTS Saphan Taksin Station.
The shuttle boat is operating from 09:00 to 23:00, with a boat normally leaving every 15-20 minutes.
ICONSIAM shuttle boat to Si Phraya Pier
The ICONSIAM shuttle boat route to Si Phraya is managed by the Thai Smile Boat company, which is offering electric boats on the Chao Phraya River and connects ICONSIAM Pier 4 with Si Phraya Pier.
Si Phraya Pier is the pier located on the other side of the river, next to the Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok. On the way between these piers, the shuttle boat also makes a stop at CAT Tower Pier (NT Building).
The shuttle boat is also operating from 09:00 to 23:00.
Hotel shuttle boats to ICONSIAM Pier
The largest Bangkok Riverside hotels are normally offering a free shuttle boat service for their guests, and ICONSIAM is one of the most common destinations that can be reached by the hotel shuttle boats.
Hotels that are offering the service of a shuttle boat to ICONSIAM:
The Siam Hotel - a stunning, luxury hotel, replete with exquisite art & antiques and set amidst 3 acres of lush gardens on the Chao Phraya River.
Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel - an elegant 5-star hotel offering the finest contemporary Thai-style decoration with floor-to-ceiling windows in all guest rooms, showcasing unobstructed river views.
The Peninsula Bangkok - a truly distinct urban resort with rooms that offer breathtaking views of the Chao Phraya River and the city beyond.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel – a remarkable hotel, maintaining classic, Thai-influenced elegance and unique resort style for more than 147 years.
Shangri-La Bangkok - an enchanting riverside retreat with direct access to the SkyTrain, ferries, and buses.
Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok - a 5-star hotel by the Chao Phraya River.
The Salil Hotel Riverside – Bangkok – a luxurious hotel set alongside the majestic Chao Phraya River in the heart of downtown.
Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River - a riverside urban resort in the heart of Bangkok, where you can enjoy sweeping river views.
Capella Bangkok – a riverside hotel mingling the effortless class of a grande dame with the intimacy and personality of a boutique.
For the current shuttle boat schedule, check at the hotel.
Boat tickets at ICONSIAM Pier
Depending on the boat you are looking to take at ICONSIAM Pier, you might need to buy a ticket before boarding the boat.
Tickets to Bangkok dinner cruises departing from ICONSIAM Pier should be booked in advance. It can be easily done via the following link: Chao Phraya River dinner cruise tickets.
Unless you have a Rabbit Card, to board any of the boats operated by Chao Phraya Express Boat, you need to purchase a ticket at the ticket counter.
To board the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat, you need to purchase either a single-journey ticket or a one-day pass. Single-journey tickets are only available at the ticket counter, but day passes can be conveniently booked online without waiting in the line at the ticket office.
Ticket Counters
At ICONSIAM Pier, public boat tickets need to be purchased at the “Boat Ticket Service” booth, which is located at the right end of the River Park, next to ICONSIAM Pier 1 (see below).
At the “Boat Ticket Service” booth, there are two ticket counters of different companies:
The ticket counter on the left sells tickets for Supatra Boat, which is the ICONSIAM shuttle boat going to Sathorn Pier (BTS Saphan Taksin Station).
The ticket counter on the right sells tickets for the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat (Blue Flag) and other Chao Phraya Express Boat routes (Orange Flag, Yellow Flag, and Red Flag).
Make sure to wait in the correct line, as each ticket counter only sells tickets for the specific boat company.
Tickets for the ICONSIAM shuttle boat to Si Phraya Pier, which is managed by the Thai Smile Boat company, are normally purchased at the time of disembarking the boat on the other side of the river.
Thai Smile Boat tickets for the City Line can be purchased on board the boat. You can also use a HOP Card to pay the fare for Thai Smile Boat as well as Thai Smile Bus.
To board hotel shuttle boats, tickets are not needed, but most of them are reserved for hotel guests and visitors. Some of them might even need you to pre-book a pickup from ICONSIAM Pier.
Popular destinations from ICONSIAM Pier
The most popular destinations that can be reached by boat from ICONSIAM:
- Sathorn Pier
- Wat Arun
- Grand Palace
- Chinatown
- Asiatique
- Khao San Road
All these popular spots along the Chao Phraya River, as well as several other destinations, can be conveniently visited by purchasing a Chao Phraya Tourist Boat one-day pass.
ICONSIAM to Sathorn Pier
Sathorn Pier, located under the King Taksin the Great Bridge on another side of the river, is the central pier of the Chao Phraya River public boats. At Sathorn Pier, you can transfer to the BTS Skytrain at the nearby BTS Saphan Taksin Station and then extend your trip to other Bangkok areas, like Silom, Siam, Sukhumvit, Chatuchak, and others.
To get from ICONSIAM to Sathorn Pier, you can take the ICONSIAM shuttle boat, Chao Phraya Tourist Boat, any of the boats offered by Chao Phraya Express Boat, or the City Line boat of Thai Smile Boat. Taking the shuttle boat is the cheapest option.
ICONSIAM to Wat Arun
Wat Arun, known as the Temple of Dawn, is a Buddhist temple situated on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. Thanks to its riverside location, Wat Arun is one of the most stunning temples and one of the best-known landmarks in Bangkok.
To get from ICONSIAM to Wat Arun directly, you need to take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat or the City Line boat of Thai Smile Boat to Wat Arun Pier.
The Orange Flag Boat and the Yellow Flag Boat don't stop at Wat Arun, so to get there by Chao Phraya Express Boat, you would need to drop off at Tha Tien Pier and use the river-crossing ferry service.
ICONSIAM to the Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is an impressive complex of buildings that was an official residence of the Thai kings for 150 years. The complex also houses Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is regarded as the most important and sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand.
To get from ICONSIAM to the Grand Palace, you can take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat, Chao Phraya Express Boat, or Thai Smile Boat to Tha Chang Pier (N9), which is the pier nearest to the entrance of the palace complex.
ICONSIAM to Chinatown
Bangkok Chinatown, locally known as Yaowarat, is one of the oldest and most unique cultural areas of Bangkok, which was established by Chinese merchants in the 1780s. The streets of Chinatown are full of colorful buildings and decorations as well as Chinese-style attractions, restaurants, and markets.
To get from ICONSIAM to Chinatown, you can take the Blue Flag Boat, the Orange Flag Boat, the Yellow Flag Boat, or the City Line of Thai Smile Boat to Ratchawong Pier (N5).
ICONSIAM to Asiatique
Asiatique The Riverfront Destination, occupying a large complex of old warehouses on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, feels more like an open-air shopping mall than a night market. Here you can shop for souvenirs, dine at numerous restaurants, enjoy the views from the highest Ferris wheel in Bangkok, or spend an evening watching the most popular ladyboy show in the city, Calypso Cabaret.
Asiatique Pier is a popular spot for boarding Bangkok river cruises, as many of them depart from there daily.
To get from ICONSIAM to Asiatique, you can take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat directly to Asiatique Pier or use a combination of the ICONSIAM shuttle boat and the Asiatique shuttle boat with a transfer at Sathorn Pier. However, both these options are available from 16:00. If you want to get there earlier, you can take the Orange Flag Boat or the Yellow Flag Boat to the last stop on the route (Wat Rajsingkorn Pier) and walk to Asiatique from there.
ICONSIAM to Khao San Road
Khao San Road is the most popular location in Bangkok among backpackers and solo travelers who like to connect. The area is located just north of Bangkok Old Town, with the city's most important attractions within walking distance.
To get from ICONSIAM to Khao San Road, you can take the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat or one of the Chao Phraya Express boats (Orange Flag or Yellow Flag) to Phra Arthit Pier (N13), which is the pier nearest to the backpacker street.
How to get to ICONSIAM Pier
To get to ICONSIAM Pier, you can take a shuttle boat from Si Phraya Pier, CAT Telecom Pier, or Sathorn Pier. The route from Sathorn Pier is the most popular, as it can be reached by the BTS Skytrain via Saphan Taksin Station.
The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat and the city's public boat services, such as the Orange Flag Boat and Yellow Flag Boat (at daytime only) or the City Line by Thai Smile Boat, can also be used for traveling to ICONSIAM from different riverside areas in Bangkok.
Another option is taking the BTS to Krung Thonburi Station and then transferring to the Gold Line Train, which takes you right to ICONSIAM.
Several bus routes, including the Bangkok hop-on hop-off bus, also pass by ICONSIAM.
Things to do near ICONSIAM Pier
ICONSIAM shopping mall is the main attraction in the area, as it's a famous shopping complex with hundreds of high-end shops and restaurants and even an indoor floating market, which is perfect for those who want to taste a variety of Thai dishes at affordable prices.
Don't forget to book your free ONESIAM Global Visitor Card that will let you enjoy exclusive discounts and services at a variety of stores inside the ICONSIAM and 5 other shopping complexes of the group.
Before getting there, also get familiar with exclusive dining packages that combine value with exceptional quality and are specially designed to let you savor the best that ICONSIAM food venues have to offer.
Located next to ICONSIAM, on top of the Millennium Hilton Bangkok, Three Sixty is a top-notch rooftop bar divided into two parts: the outdoor bar is located on the 31st floor, where you can see 360-degree views across the river and most of the city and enjoy the sounds of jazz, while the indoor bar is on the 32nd floor, where you will get dinner in a shady, garden-like atmosphere with a panoramic view of the Chao Phraya River.
To prepare for a perfect night out at one of the most popular rooftop bars in Bangkok, explore the special offers for snacks and drinks at Three Sixty bar, as you can get very good deals for free-flow drinks online. At the same time, the exclusive F&B packages at Three Sixty Jazz Lounge let you indulge in high-quality food and beverages at a valuable price, making it the perfect destination for a refined night out.
Hotels near ICONSIAM Pier
The most popular accommodation options near ICONSIAM Pier are:
Millennium Hilton Bangkok (also check the special offer for the hotel on Agoda).
Hilton Garden Inn Bangkok Riverside (also check the special offer for the hotel on Agoda).
The Peninsula Bangkok (also check the special offer for the hotel on Agoda).
Other Bangkok Chao Phraya River Piers
The Chao Phraya River pier map can be found here: Bangkok River Pier Map.