Getting Around Dusit
Dusit is one of Bangkok's most historic districts, home to Dusit Palace and a cluster of royal and cultural sights. It is also, by Bangkok standards, not the easiest part of the city to reach by public transport. The good news is that once you understand the handful of options available, getting in and out is manageable. This guide covers the main ways visitors move around the city and how they apply to Dusit specifically.
How Tourists Move Around the City
Bangkok's transport network is a patchwork of different systems, and visitors typically mix and match depending on where they are going. The rail lines are fast and easy to use for long distances, the river boats are the most pleasant way to travel along the Chao Phraya, and buses fill in the gaps but can be slow and confusing. Taxis are the simplest fallback when you just want to get somewhere without thinking about it.
For Dusit, this mix matters: the district is served by the river, by several bus lines, and by taxis, but it is not directly on the main rail network. Reaching it usually means combining one of these modes with a walk.
Rail, Metro and Tram Network
Bangkok's elevated Skytrain and underground metro are the backbone of the city's public transport. They are useful for covering long distances quickly, and they connect to the Chao Phraya Express Boat at Saphan Taksin station, which is the key transfer point if you are heading to Dusit by river.
For Dusit itself, the rail network is best used as a feeder rather than a direct route. From downtown, you can take the Skytrain to Victory Monument station and continue from there by bus or taxi. From the Silom area, you can ride to Saphan Taksin and switch to the boat.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Plenty of bus lines run through Dusit, and they are a practical option if you are already in the Old City or downtown. The main caveat is that Bangkok buses can be a hassle to navigate if you are unfamiliar with the routes.
- From the Old City: Ordinary and air-conditioned Bus 70 runs directly to Dusit Palace. You can board it at Sanam Luang if you are near the Grand Palace, or on Ratchadamnoen Klang Road if you are near Khao San Road. Get off outside the Royal Elephant National Museum on Uthong Nai Road. It is worth asking a local to confirm your stop, or you may ride past it.
- From downtown: Take the Skytrain to Victory Monument station, then pick up air-conditioned Bus 515, which runs straight to Dusit Palace along Ratchawithi Road.
By Boat
The Chao Phraya Express Boat is one of the most enjoyable ways to approach Dusit, though it will not drop you at the door of the main sights. Thewet pier is the best entry point for the southwestern part of the district; from there it is roughly a 20-minute walk to Dusit Palace.
- Connections: Orange flag boats link Thewet with Tha Chang pier (handy if you are coming from the Grand Palace) and Phra Arthit pier (handy if you are coming from Khao San Road).
- From downtown: Take the Skytrain to Saphan Taksin station and transfer onto the express boat. A single trip from Sathorn (Taksin) in Silom to Thewet takes about 40 minutes and costs 13 baht.
- Which boat: You can take any express boat, since Thewet is among the most important stops, but the yellow flag line is the fastest.
There are other express boat piers in Dusit, but they sit far from the interesting sights, so Thewet is the one to aim for.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
If you would rather not deal with the hassle of buses or the walk from the pier, a metered taxi is by far the easiest option for reaching Dusit. This is especially true from downtown, where you can simply take a metered taxi instead of combining the Skytrain with Bus 515.
Walkability
Walking is part of any visit to Dusit, but you should plan for it rather than assume it. The district's main drawback is the gap between transport stops and the sights: even arriving by boat at Thewet leaves you with a walk of about 20 minutes to Dusit Palace. Once you are in the area around the palace, however, the sights are close enough to explore on foot.
Getting from the Airport into the City
The source material for this guide does not describe airport transfers, so no specific airport routes are covered here. As a general approach, plan to reach central Bangkok first and then continue to Dusit using one of the options above: the Skytrain to Victory Monument or Saphan Taksin, a bus from the Old City or downtown, or a metered taxi for the simplest door-to-door trip.
Practical Summary
- Easiest overall: metered taxi.
- Most scenic: Chao Phraya Express Boat to Thewet pier, then a 20-minute walk to Dusit Palace.
- From the Old City: Bus 70 from Sanam Luang or Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, getting off at the Royal Elephant National Museum.
- From downtown: Skytrain to Victory Monument, then Bus 515 along Ratchawithi Road; or Skytrain to Saphan Taksin, then the boat.
- Ticket note: A single express boat trip from Sathorn (Taksin) to Thewet costs 13 baht.