Rattanakosin
Rattanakosin: the back story
Neighbourhood guide
About Rattanakosin: the back story
Rattanakosin is the old royal island of Bangkok, ringed by the river and old canals: the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, the National Museum and Sanam Luang, with Wat Arun across the water.
The palace and the temples
The Grand Palace opens its ticket office at 8:30am; Wat Pho is a short walk south, and the ferry from Tha Tien crosses to Wat Arun (TAT).
Eating in the old city
Nusara faces Wat Pho; Jay Fai and K. Panich are near the Golden Mount; Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu is by the Democracy Monument (MICHELIN).
Start early, dress for the temples, and end the day by the river.
Our advice: stay at sala rattanakosin or Chakrabongse Villas to have the river and Wat Arun at your window.
Why it's on our list
- The palace and the temples
- Eating in the old city
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Rattanakosin: the back story before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Rattanakosin: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 12 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest BTS and MRT stations
- Sam YotMRT Blue850 m10 min walk
- Sanam ChaiMRT Blue900 m11 min walk
- Wat MangkonMRT Blue1.8 km22 min walk
Key sights
- The Grand Palace650 mWalk 8 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Wat Pho700 mWalk 9 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Wat Arun1.3 kmWalk 16 minCycle 6 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Chinatown (Yaowarat)1.7 kmWalk 21 minCycle 9 minCar or taxi 13 min
- ICONSIAM3.2 kmWalk 40 minCycle 16 minCar or taxi 19 min
- Jim Thompson House3.4 kmWalk 43 minCycle 17 minCar or taxi 20 min
- Siam Paragon4.2 kmCycle 21 minCar or taxi 23 min
- Lumphini Park5.4 kmCycle 27 minCar or taxi 27 min
- Suvarnabhumi Airport28 kmCar or taxi 119 min
Main railway stations
- Hua Lamphong2.6 kmWalk 32 minCycle 13 minCar or taxi 16 min
- Phaya Thai (Airport Rail Link)4.1 kmCycle 21 minCar or taxi 23 min
- Krung Thep Aphiwat7.5 kmCycle 37 minCar or taxi 36 min