Dinner Cruise Guide

Take the upper, open-air deck if the weather is clear and you want unbroken views of Wat Arun and the Grand Palace. Choose the air-conditioned lower deck if it is raining, if you feel the heat, or if you are travelling with young children or anyone prone to seasickness. In the cool season the upper deck is the popular call.

Smart casual. A collared shirt or a light dress is always fine. Most premium operators turn away flip-flops, beach shorts and tank tops, so leave the beachwear at the hotel. Carry a light layer, since river evenings and the upper deck run cooler than the city.

November to February, the cool, dry season, gives you calm water, clear skies and comfortable open-air seating. The heavy rains from May to October can close the upper deck and blur the skyline, though cruises still sail. Whatever the month, pick a sailing near sunset.

Reach the pier 30 to 45 minutes before departure. Queues build at the busy piers and boats leave on time. Allow extra for Bangkok traffic and for locating the right jetty, as several cruises share one pier. See our how-to-reach page for directions from central Bangkok.

Some boats do cater to Indian travellers. The Chao Phraya Princess, for example, offers vegetarian, Indian and Halal options alongside the Thai and international buffet. It is not universal, so confirm your requirement when you book. Our full dinner cruise comparison notes which boats serve Indian food.

Soft drinks and water usually come with the buffet. Beer and cocktails are charged separately on most cruises, roughly 100 to 150 baht for a beer and 200 to 300 baht for a cocktail. A few premium boats include unlimited beer. Carry a photo ID, since staff may ask before serving alcohol.