With so many Chao Phraya River Cruise options competing for your choice, how do you determine which is the right one for you? Read our detailed selection guide that will help you choose a perfect Chao Phraya River Cruise that best fits your needs!
1. Overview of the top 9 Chao Phraya River Cruises
| Meetup Location | Cruise | Time |
| River City Pier | White Orchid River Cruise | 7.45 PM |
| Apsara Dinner Cruise | 8 PM | |
| Chao Phraya Princess Cruise * | 7.30 PM | |
| Grand Pearl Cruise | 5.30 PM / 7.30 PM | |
| Wan Fah Dinner Cruise | 7 PM | |
| Si Phraya Express Boat Pier | Loy Nava Dinner Cruise | 6 PM / 8.10 PM |
| Shangri La Hotel | Shangri La Horizon Dinner Cruise | 7 PM |
| ASIATIQUE The Riverfront | Yodsiam Boat | 6 PM / 7.30 PM / 9 PM |
| Anantara Riverside Pier | Manohra Dinner Cruise | 7.30 PM |
Many of the Chao Phraya River cruises depart from the River City Pier but not all of them. Consider which pier and schedule would be the most convenient for you.
* Chao Phraya Princess Cruise has 2 more departure piers – Icon Siam Pier (7:30 PM), Asiatique Pier (7:15 PM). Hotel transfer/Indian buffet is only available on cruises departing from River City Pier.
2. Course Meals or Buffet Meals? And cruise type?
| Dinner Type | Cruise | Menu |
| Buffet | White Orchid River Cruise | Thai / Western |
| Chao Phraya Princess Cruise | Thai / International / Indian | |
| Grand Pearl Cruise | Thai / International | |
| Shangri La Horizon Dinner Cruise | Thai / International | |
| Yodsiam Boat (Snack & Drinks) | Unlimited beer, soft drinks, snacks, and fruit | |
| Course Meal | Apsara Dinner Cruise | Thai |
| Wan Fah Dinner Cruise | Thai / Seafood | |
| Loy Nava Dinner Cruise | Thai traditional / Thai seafood / Thai vegetarian | |
| Manohra Dinner Cruise | Thai |
Dinner Type is another important factor to decide the dinner cruise. Some people prefer a buffet meal over a course meal because you can eat quality food as much as you like. But some people like course meals better because you can have a more relaxing and cozy time during dinner.
Buffet cruises are the modern type of cruise while the course meal cruises are traditional rice barge. They are smaller than the modern cruises but definitely have a more classical vibe to it.
3. Is a hotel pick-up/drop-off service available?
The public transit to the piers is a bit complicated except for the Shangri La Hotel. The hotel is actually very close to Saphan Taksin BTS station. But the other piers such as River City Pier, Si Phraya Express Boat Pier, ASIATIQUE Pier, and Anantara Riverside Pier are quite far from BTS or MRT stations so you have to get on a Chao Phraya Express Boat to get to the piers.
Thus, it is a great idea to go for a dinner cruise which offers a transfer service. It will pick you up & drop you off at the hotel you are staying so you don’t have to worry about traveling part and just relax.
Now was this helpful enough to find your best choice?
