Do I need to buy a separate ticket for Wat Phra Kaew?
No. Wat Phra Kaew is included in the 500-baht Grand Palace ticket for foreign visitors. The ticket also includes the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles.
Wat Phra Kaewวัดพระศรีรัตนศาสดาราม
Bangkok · Royal temple within the Grand Palace complex
Wat Phra Kaew is the royal temple inside Bangkok’s Grand Palace where the Emerald Buddha is enshrined. The grounds bring together sights of very different scale and style, from the small image on its high altar to golden chedis, monumental guardians and gallery murals that tell a connected story.
Admission to Wat Phra Kaew is included with the Grand Palace ticket, so you do not need a separate temple ticket. Along with the Emerald Buddha, explore the Ramakien murals in the galleries and the decoration outside the halls for a closer look at Thai royal art and Buddhist architecture.
Location and getting there
Address
Na Phra Lan Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
Finding the Grand Palace entrance
Wat Phra Kaew is inside the Grand Palace complex in Bangkok, so enter through the visitor entrance for the palace. Tha Chang Pier is listed as a boat access point. There is no separate entrance just for the temple; visitors enter as part of the Grand Palace visit.
Essential visitor information
- Grand Palace admission
- 500 baht for international visitors · Includes Wat Phra Kaew and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles
- Children
- Free if under 120 cm
- Ticket sales
- 08:30–15:30
- Online tickets
- Available from one month before your visit
- Operated by
- Bureau of the Royal Household
Tickets and booking
Trip.com · Tickets and booking
Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew combined admission
Reference prices for international visitors, shown in US dollars on the English booking site.
- Adult
- US$14.90
- Child
- US$14.90
- One combined ticket covers both the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew.
- The same price applies to visitors at least 120 cm tall; admission is free for children under 120 cm.
Prices depend on your visit date, availability and selected option. The booking page shows the final price and inclusions.
View options and book on Trip.comAffiliate link: ThaiLiveNow may earn a commission if you book through this link.
What can you see?
The Emerald Buddha on a high altar
The Emerald Buddha sits in a meditative pose high on a golden wooden altar. The Grand Palace lists its height as 66 cm, including its base. It is small compared with the surrounding buildings, yet it is one of Thailand’s most deeply revered images.
The image has three sets of seasonal garments for the hot, rainy and cool seasons. On appointed lunar-calendar dates, the King performs a ceremony to change the garments. Made with gold and jewels, the robes also show the changing work of royal artisans through the seasons.
The Ramakien story across the gallery
The galleries surrounding the temple buildings show 178 scenes from the Ramakien, Thailand’s national epic. The story of Prince Rama rescuing Sida unfolds through scenes of gods, people, monkeys and giants, with palaces and forests along the way.
The murals show more than grand battles: everyday life inside and outside the palace appears alongside animals. Even if you do not know the full story, take time to look at the figures’ poses and clothing, and the buildings and forests. It is a rewarding stop for anyone traveling with an interest in art.
Six pairs of giants and a golden chedi
The giant guardians at the doors represent characters from the Ramakien. Six pairs face the main hall as a sign of reverence toward the Emerald Buddha, according to the Grand Palace. Compare their different colors, faces and headdresses.
The bell-shaped Phra Si Rattana Chedi was built during the reign of Rama IV to enshrine a Buddha relic. It was originally white, then covered in gold-colored mosaics imported from Italy during the reign of Rama V. Look closely at the mosaic surface as you walk around the chedi.
Visit the temple as part of a Grand Palace itinerary
The 500-baht Grand Palace ticket for international visitors includes Wat Phra Kaew and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. You can continue from the temple to the palace buildings and textile museum, but admission does not grant unrestricted access to the interior of every building.
Royal ceremonies and worship still take place here. Dress according to the Grand Palace clothing rules, and follow on-site instructions in areas restricted for events or other reasons. To avoid confusion with temples of the same name elsewhere, navigate to Wat Phra Kaew inside Bangkok’s Grand Palace.
Before you visit
Sleeveless tops and short bottoms are not allowed
Entry is restricted for clothing such as sleeveless tops, short tops, see-through clothing, shorts and miniskirts. Torn or tight-fitting trousers and pyjamas are also prohibited. Wear long bottoms and a top that covers your shoulders.
Online tickets cannot be changed or refunded
Online tickets cannot be refunded or changed to another date or time. Buy after your travel plans are set, and double-check your visit date before paying.
Visitor entrance and day-of restrictions
Since 2024, the operator has listed Mani Noppharat Gate as the visitor entrance. On days with royal events or temporary restrictions, follow the entrance instructions for that day. Drone flights over the Grand Palace are prohibited.
Recommended clothing for visiting the temple
Visitors of all genders are advised to wear clothing that covers the shoulders and knees. A sleeved top with long trousers or a skirt that covers the knees is a practical choice. Please dress modestly rather than wearing a sleeveless top or short bottoms.
Audio guides are rented separately
A personal audio guide is available to rent for 200 baht, separately from the Grand Palace ticket. It is offered in eight languages: English, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Spanish and Thai; Korean is not available. You must leave a passport or an Amex, Mastercard or Visa credit card as a deposit. Ask the rental desk about availability and deposit requirements on the day.
Frequently asked questions
What can I see besides the Emerald Buddha?
You can see the gallery murals depicting the Ramakien in 178 scenes, six pairs of giant guardian figures facing the main hall, and the gold-mosaic-covered Phra Si Rattana Chedi. The Emerald Buddha is on a high altar, so take in the small details you can see from below as well as the larger buildings around the grounds.
Is an English-language audio guide available?
Yes. The Grand Palace’s personal audio guide is available in English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Thai, but not Korean. Rental costs 200 baht. You must leave your passport or one of the listed types of credit card as a deposit.
Related places and travel information
Sources checked:
Official sources · 7
- royalgrandpalace.th — place and visitor information ↗
- royalgrandpalace.th — visitor FAQ ↗
- Grand Palace of Thailand — the Emerald Buddha ↗
- Grand Palace of Thailand — the Ramakien galleries ↗
- Grand Palace of Thailand — giant guardian figures ↗
- Grand Palace of Thailand — Phra Si Rattana Chedi ↗
- Tourism Authority of Thailand — temple etiquette and dress ↗
Sharing image credit: Nawit science / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0