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Bangkok & Central

Ayutthaya

The ruined former royal capital, an easy hop from Bangkok. A UNESCO-listed island city of crumbling stupas and the iconic Buddha head cradled in tree roots. A perfect first taste of Thai history.

StayDay trip or 1 nightBest forHistory, Cycling, Day trip
SeasonNov to Feb; go early for cool light
Getting there1.5-hour train, bus, or minivan from Bangkok
Brick prang towers of Ayutthaya’s temple ruins at golden hour
Brick prang towers of Ayutthaya’s temple ruins at golden hour Pexels
Belle
Thai American who travels to Thailand every other year
Where Ayutthaya shines
Row of ancient brick stupas in Ayutthaya Historical ParkPhoto: Pexels
Best way
Ride the ruins

At a glance

Cycle the temple park

Rent a bike to roll between stupas, prangs, and reclining Buddhas across the old island.

Stone Buddha head entwined in tree roots at Wat Mahathat, AyutthayaPhoto: Pexels
Don’t miss
The famous face

Buddha head in the roots

The serene stone head held by fig roots at Wat Mahathat.

Temple ruins reflected in a pond at AyutthayaPhoto: Pexels
Slow it
River city

Sunset by the water

Cap the day with a riverside meal or a boat loop around the island.

Getting there from Bangkok
Best way

Train

Trains leave Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal through the day. Third class is open-window and cheap, second class is air-conditioned and still under 200 baht. Buy at the counter on the day.

1.5 to 2 hrs 15 to 345 baht
Fastest

Minivan or bus

Minivans run from Mo Chit 2 and Future Park Rangsit and leave when full. They drop you near Naresuan Road, walking distance from bike rentals and the central ruins.

1 to 1.5 hrs about 70 baht
Easiest

Private car or day tour

Worth it with kids, in the hot season, or if you want Bang Pa-In Summer Palace on the same day. A driver waits between temples so you skip the midday sun.

Door to door 2,000 to 3,500 baht

Ayutthaya station sits on the far bank. Walk out, turn left, and take the little ferry across for a few baht rather than paying a tuk-tuk to drive the long way around.

Wide shot: brick prang towers of Wat Chaiwatthanaram at golden hour
A city, not a site

The ruins are spread across a whole island city, which is why a bicycle beats a tour bus here.

The temples

Which Ruins Are Worth Your Time

There are dozens. These six are the ones people actually remember, and four of them sit within a short cycle of each other.

On the island Worth crossing for
1

Wat Mahathat

50 baht

The Buddha head cradled in bodhi roots, plus a field of headless stone Buddhas.

Allow 45 min · Go first, before 9am
2

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

50 baht

Three bell-shaped chedis in a row, the royal temple of the old palace.

Allow 30 min · Little shade, go early
3

Wat Ratchaburana

50 baht

Across the road from Wat Mahathat, with a steep stair down into a mural crypt.

Allow 30 min · Not for the claustrophobic
4

Wat Lokayasutharam

Free

A 42-meter (138-foot) reclining Buddha lying in the open with no temple left around it.

Allow 15 min · Easy bike detour
5

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

50 baht

Khmer-style prangs on the west bank, the most cinematic of the lot.

Allow 45 min · Late light or floodlit
6

Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon

20 baht

Saffron-draped Buddhas ringing a chedi you can climb, southeast of the island.

Allow 40 min · Cover shoulders and knees

A combination ticket covering six of the island sites is sold at any of their gates and costs less than paying separately. Ask for it at your first stop.

Buddha head wrapped in bodhi tree roots at Wat Mahathat
The Buddha head in the roots
Where to stay

Best Areas to Base Yourself

Best base

Historic island

Guesthouses along Naresuan Road put you walking distance from the night market and a short cycle from the main ruins. Book ahead on weekends.

For the view

By the river

Small riverside hotels on the outer banks trade walkability for a terrace over the water and easy sunset boats. You will want a bike or a scooter.

No bags

Stay in Bangkok

Most people visit on a day trip and never check in. Fine if you skip the floodlit temples, which are the best reason to stay the night.

Know before you go

Worth doing

  • 07:00 Start at seven. The ruins open early and the heat wins by eleven.
  • Dress Cover shoulders and knees. Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon is an active temple, not a ruin.
  • Ticket Ask for the combination ticket at the first gate you pay at.
  • 50 baht Rent a bicycle for about 50 baht a day. The island is flat and the distances are short.
  • Shade Carry water, a hat and sunscreen. There is almost no shade among the stupas.

Give it a miss

  • Elephant rides. The animals walk on hot asphalt in full sun for the length of the day.
  • Midday temple hopping in April and May, when it regularly passes 38°C (100°F).
  • Trying to see all six temples in two hours. Four done slowly beats six done badly.
  • Paying a tuk-tuk to drive the long way around from the station when the ferry crosses in two minutes.
Pair it with

An easy day trip from Bangkok; combine with Lopburi’s monkeys. See how it all connects on the map and overview.

Keep planning

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About this guide

Written by Belle, a Thai American who travels to Thailand every other year and has family in Bangkok. Everything here comes from my own visits unless the text says otherwise. Prices and journey times are typical cases rather than quotes, so recheck anything time-sensitive before you pay. Brand mentions are never paid placements, and the guide is reader-supported: some links may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

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Photo credits

Photographs on this page that are not mine are used under the licenses below and hosted on this site rather than hotlinked. Uncredited photographs are my own.