A Buddha the length of a hall
Walk into the main hall at Wat Pho and you need a moment to take it in. The Reclining Buddha is covered in gold leaf and stretches almost from one end of the building to the other, with the soles of its feet inlaid in mother-of-pearl. Most people stand at the head, walk slowly along to the feet, and only then notice how much of the temple is still waiting outside: tall chedis covered in coloured ceramic, quiet cloisters lined with seated Buddha images, and small courtyards that feel a long way from the traffic.
Wat Pho is also known as the home of traditional Thai massage, and the temple's massage school still teaches on the grounds. It sits in Rattanakosin, Bangkok's old royal quarter, right behind the Grand Palace and across the river from Wat Arun. That is the same part of town as Khaosan Road, which is why a Van Pattaya to Wat Pho ride costs the same as our old-town fare.
Heat, temple dress and narrow old-town streets
From Pattaya, plan on two to two and a half hours to reach Bangkok, and the old town lies on the far western side of the centre, so an early start pays off. Mornings are cooler, and the stone courtyards hold the heat as the day goes on. Around the palace and the temple the streets are tight and full of tour coaches, tuk-tuks and taxis, so your driver drops you as close to the entrance as traffic allows and agrees a pick-up spot with you on WhatsApp before you walk in.
- Cover shoulders and knees; a light scarf or sarong in your bag saves a lot of fuss
- Wear shoes you can slip off easily — they come off at the door of each hall
- Carry water and a hat, as much of the compound is open to the sun
- Want the Grand Palace or a river stop as well? Map the stops in our trip planner and we price the whole day in chat
A temple day for two, or for three generations
Every price is for the vehicle, not per head, with tolls and fuel already included. Two people with day bags travel happily in a sedan, and smaller cars start from ฿1,400. Bring the grandparents, the cousins and a cool box, and the Toyota Commuter van makes more sense: nine real seats, space for eight bags, and everyone arrives at the temple at the same time instead of in separate taxis. The van Pattaya to Wat Pho fare is ฿2,200 one way. If you would like the same driver to wait and bring you home, ask for a return price; it is fixed in chat before you go, and you pay in cash at the end of the day.
Planning to stay a night in the old town rather than ride straight back? Plenty of guesthouses and riverside hotels sit a short ride from the temple, and the driver can drop you there instead of at the gate. Send the address when you book and we confirm in chat whether it falls under the same old-town fare.