Getting to ICONSIAM by BTS/Gold Line

3 hours ago

2 min read

ICONSIAM sits on the opposite bank of the river from the main BTS network — but between the shuttle boat and the short Gold Line extension, it’s easier to reach than its location suggests.

What it is, briefly

One of Bangkok’s largest and newest riverside malls, known for its floating market-style food hall on the lower floor, a large aquarium, and river-facing terraces. It’s a genuinely different mall experience from the Siam/Sukhumvit cluster, largely because of the river setting.

Getting there

Getting to ICONSIAM

Route	From	Mode	Time	Notes
Boat route	BTS Saphan Taksin (Silom Line), via Sathorn Pier	Shuttle boat	~15–20 min	12 THB, every 15–20 minutes, 9:00–22:50
Gold Line route	BTS Krung Thonburi (Silom Line), transfer to Gold Line	Train	1 stop, ~5 min	Charoen Nakhon station sits directly beside the mall

Picking between the two

Coming from central Bangkok (Siam, Sukhumvit, Sathorn)? The shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier is usually simpler — one transfer, a short river crossing, and it drops you right at the mall’s Pier 1 entrance.

Already on the Silom Line further out, or want to avoid the boat schedule? The Gold Line is a short automated light-rail extension that opened specifically to serve this side of the river — transfer at Krung Thonburi and ride one stop to Charoen Nakhon, which sits directly beside ICONSIAM.

Practical tips for the visit

• The shuttle boat runs on a fixed interval, not on demand — check the schedule so you’re not waiting too long at the pier.

• The Gold Line is a small, separate system — it doesn’t use the same ticket type as the main BTS, so budget for a short separate fare (or check current cross-network ticketing, which has been expanding).

• SookSiam, the ground-floor “floating market” food hall, is worth timing your visit around — it’s one of the most photogenic food halls in the city.

• River-facing sunset views from the mall’s outdoor terraces are a genuine reason to time a visit for late afternoon.

Our take

The Gold Line is the more reliable option if you value predictability — it runs like a normal train rather than a scheduled boat. But the shuttle boat is genuinely part of the appeal for a first visit, giving you a short stretch of river views most visitors wouldn’t otherwise see.

Frequently asked questions

Is the ICONSIAM shuttle boat free? No — it’s a low-cost paid service (around 12 THB), unlike Asiatique’s free shuttle, departing from Sathorn Pier.
Does the Gold Line use the same ticket as the BTS? Not automatically — it’s a separate short system, so check current fare/ticketing integration before you travel, as this has been evolving.
Is ICONSIAM worth visiting if I’ve already done Asiatique? Yes — they’re different experiences; ICONSIAM is a large modern mall with a floating-market food hall, while Asiatique is an open-air night market.