If you take one day trip from Bangkok, this is it. The others are further, pricier or more crowded.
Getting there#
| How | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Train | ~1.5 hours | Cheap, frequent, from Krung Thep Aphiwat or Hua Lamphong; check which |
| Minivan | ~1.5 hours | From Mo Chit; faster door to door, less pleasant |
| Tour | Full day | Pricey, includes a guide and often a boat back |
| Boat | Full day | A river cruise one way; scenic, slow, expensive |
Take the train. At Ayutthaya station, walk to the river, cross by the little ferry, and you're on the island.
The half-day itinerary#
Rent a bicycle by the ferry in the cool months or hire a tuk-tuk by the hour otherwise. Wat Mahathat (the Buddha head in the tree roots), Wat Ratchaburana next door, Wat Phra Si Sanphet and the old palace, then out to Wat Chaiwatthanaram on the far bank for the big Khmer-style prang. Boat noodles for lunch at the market near the island's edge. Back on an afternoon train.
The rules#
Go early. The ruins are open ground with no shade, and by noon they're an oven. Dress for temples (shoulders, knees). Don't climb the stupas. Skip the elephant rides.
Costs#
Train and ferry are cheap, bicycles and tuk-tuks are cheap, temple entry is a small fee per site or a day pass. The organised tour costs several times the DIY day. What a Bangkok trip costs has the frame.
Add it to the plan#
Day four of the 3-day itinerary, or the spare day in the 4-day one. Someone from Bangkok will know the better noodle stall and the train that isn't full: post your dates on Roavi Community and a Local Friend may come along for the day.
Day trip to Ayutthaya? Ask Bangkok before you go.
Post your tripFrequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya?
Train is the best: frequent, cheap, about an hour and a half from Krung Thep Aphiwat (Bang Sue) or Hua Lamphong, depending on the service. Minivans from Mo Chit are faster door to door and less pleasant. Organised tours and river cruises exist and cost far more.Is Ayutthaya worth a day trip?
Yes. It's the former capital, UNESCO-listed, with ruins spread across an island you can cycle around in half a day. It's the one Bangkok day trip almost nobody regrets.Should I do Ayutthaya as a day trip or overnight?
Day trip, for most people. Overnight only if you want the temples lit after dark and a cool early morning before the day-trippers arrive.Bicycle or tuk-tuk in Ayutthaya?
Bicycle in the cool months (November to February) if you're happy on flat roads in traffic; a tuk-tuk by the hour the rest of the year, when cycling at noon is a mistake.
