How to Visit Ayutthaya from Bangkok

Just over an hour from the bustling city life and modern temples of Bangkok, you can discover the ancient city of Ayutthaya in Thailand. Ayutthaya was once the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, which flourished from 1350 until its destruction by the Burmese in 1767. Today, Ayutthaya is an important archaeological site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a must visit for your Bangkok itinerary.

Worried about the best way to travel from Bangkok to Ayutthaya? I was too, but I found a super seamless way to visit that I’m going to share with you.

In this post, I’m going to show you the cheapest, fastest, and most convenient ways to visit Ayutthaya from Bangkok in Thailand!

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Where is Ayutthaya?

Ayutthaya is a historic city located 80 kilometers, roughly 50 miles, north of Bangkok. Due to its proximity to the major city of Bangkok, many tourists make Ayutthaya a stop on their Bangkok itinerary. However, many don’t know all the different options to get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya.

Below I am going to break down the easiest, the fastest, and the most cost effective, and the most convenient ways to reach Ayutthaya from Bangkok city center.

How to visit Ayutthaya from Bangkok

Getting to Ayutthaya from Bangkok by Train – the cheapest way

This option is what I would suggest as the train in Bangkok is a reliable and affordable option. From the main train station in Bangkok (Hua Lamphong Railway Station), you can take a direct train (no switching trains, but the train will make multiple stops) to the Ayutthaya main train station.

Trains to Ayutthaya run regularly throughout the day from Bangkok’s main station, and the journey typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the type of train you select (express or ordinary).

This is by far the cheapest way to get to Ayutthaya as the ordinary, 3rd class ticket only costs 12 THB (roughly 35 cents). The 3rd class seats are unassigned and did not include A/C, however the train was equipped with a fan. We didn’t mind the lack of A/C one bit, as the breeze from the open window was perfect!

Getting to Ayutthaya from Bangkok by Bus – the fastest way

Buses also run regularly between Bangkok and Ayutthaya from the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit) in Bangkok to Bangsue Grand Station in Ayutthaya. Taking a bus from Bangkok to Ayutthaya is the fastest option as the journey is around 1 to 1.5 hours and costs roughly 50 THB.

However, we did not choose this option because the train station is generally more centrally located and was just a short walk from our hotel. Getting to the bus terminal in North Bangkok would have cost us more money and time. Also from our research, the bus station in Ayutthaya seemed further from the attractions than the train station.

I would check the bus times versus the train times to see which suits your itinerary best.

Getting to Ayutthaya from Bangkok by Tour – the easiest way

If you prefer a more comfortable journey without the uncertainties of public transportation, you can hire a private taxi or join a guided tour that includes transportation.

I would advise against hiring a taxi for one-way only, as it could be difficult to find a taxi to take you back to Bangkok. A one way trip to Ayutthaya would cost you around 1,000 THB. Instead I would agree on e two-way price which would include driving you around Ayutthaya Historical Park, which should cost around 2,500 THB.

If you want a seamless trip to Ayutthaya, directly from your hotel in Bangkok and back, I would suggest booking a private or shared tour. Below you can find some highly rated tours (I know traveling can be unpredictable – so all experiences recommended can be cancelled 24-hours beforehand for a full refund):

From Bangkok: Ayutthaya Temples Tour with Lunch

From Bangkok: Ayutthaya & Ayothaya Floating Market Day Trip

Ayutthaya Full-Day Trip with Private Driver

From Bangkok: Ayutthaya Day Tour by Bus with River Cruise

How to Get Around Ayutthaya

Once you arrive in Ayutthaya, there are various modes of transportation available for getting around the city, including tuk-tuks, bicycles, and motorbike rentals. We decided to hire a tuk-tuk driver since we were short on time before the temples closed for the day, and wanted to pack in as much as possible.

Outside the train station there will be tuk-tuk drivers waiting to take you around the city. The going rate seems to be 200 THB per hour. The tuk-tuk drivers will also have a map of all the possible attractions in Ayutthaya, and you can just point to the ones you want to go to if you are afraid of communicating with the drivers,

If you are planning to join a private or shared tour, you don’t have to worry about getting around Ayutthaya as all transportation is included.

The Top Attractions to Visit in Ayutthaya

There are over 40 temples in the Ayutthaya Historical Park, but if you are only visiting as a day trip from Bangkok, you will need to pick 3-4 temples to visit. Below I have listed the most impressive and notable wats to visit if you are short on time in Ayutthaya.

Note that it is possible to ride elephants around the Ayutthaya Historical Park grounds, however I strongly suggest that you look into the effects of riding elephants. As I don’t support riding elephants for tourism, or any other animal tourism, I have not included this as a top attraction below.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

Wat Chaiwatthanaram was built by King Prasat Thong as the first temple during his reign. The King must have been trying to build himself some good fortune as the temple’s name translates to ‘temple of long reign and glorious era’ in Thai.

This temple was my favorite in Ayutthaya Historical Park with its beautiful pagodas, connected by passages you can walk through, and the marvelous 35-meter high chedi in the center.

Temple open times: 8:00 – 18:00

Foreigner ticket cost: 50 Baht

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

Located within the grounds of the former Royal Palace, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, or ‘Temple of The Buddha Si Sanphet’ was the largest and most important Ayutthaya temple in its day. Only kings were permitted to visit certain parts of this temple and it was mainly used for royal ceremonies.

This site is rather small today, with three restored towers and other ruins to walk around. This site can be visited in about 15 minutes, but we probably spent about 30 minutes here photographing the towers from different angles.

Outside the grounds, you can also see the more modern Wat Phra Mongkhon Bophit (pictured below), which resembles the temples you would likely see in Bangkok.

Temple open times: 8:00 – 18:00

Foreigner ticket cost: 50 Baht

Wat Maha That

At its height, the Maha That temple enshrined Buddha relics and used to be the residence of the Leader of Thai Buddhist monks. Today, you can still see many buddha statues but this temple is most well known for a happy accident. The head of a buddha statue fell off one statue naturally due to deterioration, and has grown into the roots of a nearby tree.

Temple open times: 8:00 – 18:00

Foreigner ticket cost: 50 Baht

Wat Lokayasutharam (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)

Wat Lokayasutharam or ‘Temple of Earth’ is most well known for the 42-meter long statue of the Reclining Buddha. This temple is usually the first stop on the group tours, so I would suggest visiting towards the end of your itinerary.

We actually skipped this temple, and only visited the three listed above during our half-day trip to Ayutthaya. However, I have included it here as it is one of the major stops for most people.

Temple open times: 8:00 – 19:00

Ticket cost: Free!

Ayutthaya FAQs

Here are the quick tips and frequently asked questions about visiting Ayutthaya.

Is it possible to visit Ayutthaya on a day trip from Bangkok?

Yes, it is entirely possible to visit Ayutthaya on a day trip from Bangkok. With convenient transportation options available, you can explore the top attractions in Ayutthaya within a day.

However, to fully appreciate the historical significance and beauty of the site, consider spending more time if your schedule allows.

Are there any accommodations in Ayutthaya?

It came as a surprise to me that Ayutthaya had so many accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. You can find guesthouses, hostels, boutique hotels, and resorts in the city.

If we had more time to spend in Ayutthaya, I would have booked a room at the Sala Ayutthaya, because it is within walking distance of the Ayutthaya Historical Park, and the design is impeccable.

Photo via Expedia.com | Book here

What is the best time of year to visit Ayutthaya?

The best time of year to visit Ayutthaya is during the cool and dry season, which typically runs from November to February. The weather during this period is still hot, but not AS hot as the summer season!

I would double check the weather if you are traveling during the rainy season (July to October), as the site can become muddy, and heavy rains might disrupt your travel plans.

What is the best time of day to visit Ayutthaya?

If you are staying in Ayutthaya, I would try to be at the temples by 8am when they open to beat the crowds. Most tour groups leave from Bangkok at 7:30 arriving at the park around 9am.

We started out to Ayutthaya after a slow morning and grabbing lunch, so our train from Bangkok didn’t leave until 1pm, arriving in Ayutthaya at 2:30pm. Since most of the tour groups are gone by 3pm, we found the crowds to be very manageable in the late afternoon during peak season (December). Not to mention the late afternoon lighting at the temples was gorgeous in December!

Final Thoughts!

I hope that you now have all the tools you need to plan your trip from Bangkok to Ayutthaya, Thailand. If you are currently planning a trip to Thailand and have any questions, drop them in the comments below. For more travel inspiration and tips, follow me on Instagram for current updates.

Looking for more Thailand inspiration? You may also enjoy these posts:

• The Only 4-Day Bangkok Itinerary You will Need
• Chinatown Bangkok Street Food Tour Review

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