Categories > Guides and Tips
Everything You Need to Know about Erawan Shrine
- Where is Erawan Shrine?
- Things to Know
- How to Get to Erawan Shrine
- What to See and Do in Erawan Shrine
- Admire the shrine’s intricate design
- Pay your respects to the shrine’s four-faced Buddha
- Watch the dance performances next to the shrine
- Wash away your bad luck with the shrine’s holy water
- Buy a Buddha amulet for good luck
- Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Erawan Shrine
- Nara Thai Cuisine Erawan
- You&Mee
- Illy Caffe
- Where to Shop in and Near Erawan Shrine
- Erawan Bangkok
- Gaysorn Village
- Central World
- Where to Stay in and Near Erawan Shrine
- Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
- InterContinental Bangkok
- Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri
- FAQs about the Erawan Shrine
Erawan Shrine is the epitome of Hinduism in Thailand, largely a Buddhist nation. A popular shrine, this attracts huge crowds of worshippers paying their respects to Phra Phrom to ask for blessings and pray for good fortune and other favors.
Visitors will find garland offerings, incense sticks, candles, lotus flowers, holy water, and amulets. There’s also a small stage where worshippers can pay dancers to offer a dance of gratitude to the “four-faced Buddha” for fulfilling their wishes.
Where is Erawan Shrine?
Erawan Shrine is at the Ploenchit Road and Ratchadamri Road intersection in Bangkok. It’s next to the Erawan Bangkok shopping mall and Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok.
Things to Know
Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Daily)
Contact Number: +66 2 252 8750
How to Get to Erawan Shrine
Bus: The best way to get to Erawan Shrine is to catch a city bus that can drop you off at the Central World Stop 1. Your target bus should have these numbers: 504, 2, 54, 204, 77, 17, 79, 514, 511, A3, 73, 14, 74, and 505.
This is the cheapest option since the standard bus rates in Bangkok are only 15 to 25 baht.
Train: Another option is to board a Skytrain going to the BTS Chit Lom train station. Chit Lom station is under the Sukhumvit Line and it’s the first station east of the line’s central terminal BTS Siam.
Erawan Shrine is west of Chit Lom station and it’s only a 2-minute walk away. Sukhumvit Line trains arrive every 2 minutes.
Taxi: The fastest way to get to Erawan Shrine is to hail or book a taxi in Bangkok. This option is also convenient because you can find taxis anywhere in the city.
Ask the driver to drop you off at Erawan Bangkok or Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok. We recommend booking a taxi via Grab or Bolt to get fixed rates and avoid overcharging.
Rental Car: If you have an International Driving Permit and a driver’s license, you can self-drive to Erawan Shrine. The shrine is along Ratchadamri Road from the north and south of the city, or Rama I Road from the west and Phloen Chit Road from the east.
You can park your car at the Erawan Bangkok shopping mall. Or you can park at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok if you’re a hotel guest.
What to See and Do in Erawan Shrine
Admire the shrine’s intricate design
Media credit: yasustyle
One of Erawan Shrine’s biggest draws is its intricate gilded design and architecture, so even non-worshippers visit just to admire it. The unique golden four-faced Buddha image, in particular, is the shrine’s most popular attraction and religious relic.
The locals call this Buddha image Phra Phrom and this deity is the Thai version of the Hindu God of Creation Brahma. The shrine features a square platform with 4 intricate pillars at each corner, all adorned with glimmering mosaic-like stained glass patterns.
This creates 4 sides with an open space for each of its heads. Also, Phra Phrom’s eight arms have different postures and items that symbolize the following:
- Bead string – symbolizes control of karma
- Book – symbolizes knowledge
- Cinta mani – a wish-fulfilling jewel symbolizing the Buddha’s almighty power
- Conch shell – symbolizes health
- Flying wheel – symbolizes the power to clear disaster, evil, and gloom
- Flower vase – symbolizes the holy water that grants all requests
- Hand over its chest – symbolizes compassion
- Spear – symbolizes willpower
Pay your respects to the shrine’s four-faced Buddha
Media credit: sampeyanndalem
Local worshippers pray to Erawan Shrine’s four-faced Buddha for everything, so it’s definitely a must-visit because it’s one of the city’s most important religious relics. Each face represents different aspirations, and they follow a clockwise order.
The first face is the one facing the entrance and you pray to it for a good life and career. Meanwhile, the second is for family and relationships, the third is for money and wealth, and the fourth is for health and wisdom.
You must bow three times to the Buddha to pray while following the correct order unless you’re part of an illegal business, so you must follow the opposite order. Garlands, wooden elephant statues, and incense sticks can be bought on-site for offering as well.
Watch the dance performances next to the shrine
Media credit: aller_bien
A visit to Erawan Shrine won’t be complete without seeing the live dance performances in honor of Phra Phrom. Here, you’ll find a small stage where groups of dancers wearing colorful and intricate costumes perform in turns.
Worshippers pay these dancers to join them in prayer and dance to Buddha on their behalf. People can also perform without these dancers, but it rarely happens.
This dance is how devotees show their thanks for Phra Phrom’s blessings and for granting their wishes. You can also buy dancing figurines at the shrine’s pavilion and offer them to the Buddha image to show gratitude.
Wash away your bad luck with the shrine’s holy water
Media credit: deadscream88
Erawan Shrine has a basin full of holy water that worshippers say helps wash away misfortune. In fact, it’s tradition to dip lotus buds in the water when praying for good luck because Lord Brahma is said to have been born from a lotus.
You can ask for lotus buds and flowers at the shrine’s pavilion. However, the shrine’s staff also allow visitors to sprinkle holy water on themselves for good luck, so having a lotus bud and flower isn’t necessary.
Buy a Buddha amulet for good luck
Media credit: jung_woosung
If you want to carry Phra Phrom’s blessings at all times, a Buddha amulet is a must-buy when visiting Erawan Shrine. These amulets are available at the shrine’s pavilion where you also buy garlands, wooden elephant statues, and incense sticks.
The amulet features a miniature Buddha image enclosed in a protective glass. They sell them in different sizes so you can choose one that fits your budget.
You can also sprinkle your amulet with holy water before leaving the temple.
Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Erawan Shrine
Nara Thai Cuisine Erawan
Media credit: punpunsakuza
Address: 494 Phloen Chit Road, Pathum Wan
Phone: +66 2 001 0691
Pricing: ฿฿ – ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for Thai food
Nara Thai Cuisine Erawan is an upscale Thai restaurant inside the Erawan Bangkok shopping mall. It features a vibrant interior with unique and elegantly designed wooden partitions separating each table for added privacy.
This restaurant excels in Thai seafood dishes like their signature Ayutthaya river prawn tom yum soup, deep-fried silver pomfret, and soft-shell crab yellow curry. Of these, our top pick is the soft-shell crab yellow curry.
It has a mild and aromatic coconut curry broth which adds to the overall crabby goodness. Have it with steamed jasmine rice or their special crab fried rice.
You&Mee
Media from youandmeebkk
Address: Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok Lower Level Floor, 494 Ratchadamri Road, Lumphini, Pathum Wan
Phone: +66 2 254 1234
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for Thai food and families
You&Mee is a charming Thai restaurant in Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, so it’s definitely the best option if you’re a hotel guest there. It boasts a warm-toned interior with classy wall art, traditional-style furniture, and earthy floor tiles.
This restaurant is also a 1-minute walk from Erawan Shrine, perfect if you’re famished after your visit. Their extensive Thai food menu and world-class label offerings are a plus.
They also have hotpots and an eat-all-you-can buffet which is great for heavy eaters or for sharing with your family.
Illy Caffe
Media from illycaffethailand
Address: Erawan Bangkok Lower Ground Floor, 494 Phloen Chit Road, Lumphini, Pathum Wan
Phone: +66 63 831 2882
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for breakfast
Illy Caffe is a chain-brand cafe along Phloen Chit Road, making it a convenient food spot near Erawan Shrine. In fact, it’s only 29 meters from the shrine’s entrance, so you can easily get there in less than 1 minute.
This cafe is known for its authentic Italian coffee and sandwiches. The foodies on our team particularly like their all-day breakfast menu consisting of Eggs Benedict, Eggs Florentine, Italian crespelle, smoked salmon avocado toast, and more.
But our favorite is their signature large breakfast with Italian sausage, scrambled eggs, bacon, tomatoes, potatoes, sprouts, mushrooms, and sourdough bread. It’s a great breakfast option before your shrine visit.
Where to Shop in and Near Erawan Shrine
Erawan Bangkok
Media from erawanbangkok
Address: 494 Phloen Chit Road, Khwaeng Lumphini, Pathum Wan
Phone: +66 2 250 7777
Pricing: ฿฿ – ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for high-end shopping
Erawan Bangkok is a large mall next to the shrine, so it’s the perfect place for some quick shopping before or after paying your respects to Phra Phrom. This stylish mall boasts a wide range of high-end designer shops and boutiques.
This includes luxury shops like Cortina Watch, Club 21 Men, Lanvin, Stella McCartney, COMME des Garcons, and more. They also have numerous chic restaurants and a posh Thai-style tea room where you can unwind before, during, or after shopping.
Gaysorn Village
Media from gaysorn.village
Address: 999 Phloen Chit Road, Lumphini, Pathum Wan
Phone: +66 2 656 1149
Pricing: ฿ – ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for high-end shopping
Gaysorn Village, also known as Gaysorn Centre, is a relatively small shopping mall across the street from Erawan Shrine. It’s a luxury mall, so it focuses more on high-end designer shops for clothes, watches, and jewelry.
However, they also have a department store in a separate building, perfect for shopping for everyday necessities and non-luxury items.
Central World
Address: 999/9 Rama I Road, Pathum Wan
Phone: +66 2 640 7000
Pricing: ฿ – ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for families
Central World is one of Bangkok’s most popular shopping malls, and it’s only a 3-minute walk from Erawan Shrine. It’s a massive mall, so expect numerous stores, restaurants, cafes, and family-centered activities and services.
The stores here range from affordable retailers to high-end brands, perfect for shoppers of all budget types. We also like that the mall has stores for all the items you want and need.
This includes clothes, accessories, home decor, electronics, specialty goods, food, toys, and more.
Where to Stay in and Near Erawan Shrine
Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok
Media from grandhyatterawan
Address: 494 Ratchadamri Road, Lumphini, Pathum Wan
Phone: +66 2 254 1234
Pricing: ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 3 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples, families, and shopping lovers
Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok is a luxury hotel next to Erawan Bangkok and Erawan Shrine. Its convenient location makes it the top option for foreigners and worshippers who want easy access to the popular shrine.
The hotel also offers airy modern rooms with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and an excellent view of the surrounding cityscapes. Plus, you can opt for a grander club room with private lounge access and free breakfast and cocktails.
They also have luxury suites with spacious living rooms, kitchenettes, free-standing tubs, and private spa treatment rooms. Moreover, you’re always within arm’s reach of Erawan Bangkok’s high-end designer stores, perfect for sophisticated shopaholics.
InterContinental Bangkok
Media from intercontinentalbangkok
Address: 973 Phloen Chit Road, Lumphini, Pathum Wan
Phone: +66 2 656 0444
Pricing: ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 3 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples, families, and shopping lovers
Intercontinental Bangkok is only a 2-minute walk from Erawan Shrine, so it’s a solid option if you want quick access to this important religious site. The hotel’s high-rise building also offers a superb bird’s-eye view of the city which is a plus.
Moreover, you get a decked-out room with modern amenities for guaranteed comfort. You can also go for a room upgrade or suite to get private lounge access, free breakfast, free evening cocktails, and an added living space.
Other amenities they offer include a stylish Italian restaurant and grill, live music bar, spa, fitness center, and large outdoor pool. Parking is also free which is great if you plan to self-drive to Erawan Shrine.
Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri
Media from grandecentrepoint.ratchadamri
Address: 153, 2 Ratchadamri Road, Lumphini, Pathum Wan
Phone: +66 2 091 9000
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples and families
Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri is a luxury hotel offering a more competitive price for its premium rooms and amenities. It’s a great place for couples and families who want to stay for several days and explore the city beyond just the Erawan Shrine.
Here, you can enjoy chic fully-equipped rooms with elegant wood floors, Thai artwork, and classy picture windows. It also has a high-rise building, so expect a stunning view of Bangkok’s skyline.
The hotel also has a dedicated playroom for kids, so it’s the perfect option for families with small kids!
