Ayutthaya was the capital of Siam from 1350 until 1767, and its temple ruins are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is 71 km from Bangkok by rail, close enough for a day trip.
Introduction to Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya was the second capital of Siam. The key dates are in the timeline below.
The old city stands on an island, and river boat tours go around it. The temples are spread out, so plan how you will get from one to the next.
Historical Background
Timeline of Ayutthaya
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1350 | Ayutthaya is founded |
| 1350–1767 | Ayutthaya is the capital of Siam |
| 1767 | The Burmese army razes the city |
| 1991 | UNESCO inscribes the Historic City of Ayutthaya as a World Heritage Site |
Getting to Ayutthaya
From Bangkok
| Option | Leaves from | Travel time | Approximate price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local 3rd-class train | Hua Lamphong | About 1 hour 45 minutes | About 15–20 THB |
| Express or rapid train | Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal | About 1 hour | Check with the railway; a reserved seat is needed |
| Bangkok Connex (BNEX) train | Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal | Just over an hour | Introductory fare of up to about 50 THB until 31 October 2026 |
| Minivan | Mo Chit van terminal, opposite Mo Chit 2 | About 1–1.5 hours | Check at the terminal |
| Private transfer (Smile Taxi Service) | Your hotel or address | Door to door | 1,500 THB sedan, 1,700 THB SUV, 2,000 THB van |
Third-party prices and times were checked in September 2026. They change, so confirm them with the operator before you travel.
Train. The local 3rd-class train from Hua Lamphong is the cheapest way to reach Ayutthaya. There are at least 11 trains a day in each direction. Express and rapid trains now leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. They are faster, but you need a reserved seat.
Bangkok Connex. Since 1 August 2026, the State Railway of Thailand has run an air-conditioned commuter train, the Bangkok Connex (BNEX), between Krung Thep Aphiwat and Ayutthaya. There are 6 trains on weekdays (the first leaves at about 05:15) and 4 at weekends (the first leaves at about 09:05). Tickets are sold at the stations only. You cannot book online or reserve a seat, and the first train on the launch day was full, so leave extra time in your plan. As of September 2026, the introductory fare is reported to be no more than 50 THB until 31 October 2026; check the fare and the timetable with the State Railway of Thailand.
Minivan. Minivans no longer leave from Victory Monument; they moved in November 2016. They now leave from the Mo Chit van terminal opposite Mo Chit 2 (the Northern Bus Terminal), about a 10-minute walk from BTS Mo Chit.
By Private Transfer
A private car takes you from your door in Bangkok to your hotel or the first temple in Ayutthaya. Smile Taxi Service fares are fixed, per vehicle (not per person) and one way, with expressway tolls included. There is no meter.
| Route | Sedan | SUV | Van |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok → Ayutthaya | 1,500 THB | 1,700 THB | 2,000 THB |
| Ayutthaya → Bangkok | 1,200 THB | 1,500 THB | 2,000 THB |
| Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) → Ayutthaya | 1,200 THB | 1,500 THB | 2,000 THB |
| Ayutthaya → Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) | 1,200 THB | 1,500 THB | 2,000 THB |
| Don Mueang Airport (DMK) → Ayutthaya | 1,100 THB | 1,400 THB | 1,800 THB |
| Ayutthaya → Don Mueang Airport (DMK) | 1,100 THB | 1,400 THB | 1,800 THB |
| Pattaya → Ayutthaya | 2,700 THB | 3,000 THB | 3,500 THB |
| Ayutthaya → Pattaya | 2,600 THB | 2,800 THB | 3,000 THB |
A sedan takes up to 3 passengers with 2 bags, an SUV up to 5 passengers with 4 bags, and a van up to 7 passengers with 5 bags. The fare is the same for one passenger or a full car.
- Book a sedan from Bangkok to Ayutthaya
- Book a sedan from Ayutthaya to Bangkok
- Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Ayutthaya
- Book a sedan from Don Mueang Airport to Ayutthaya
- Book a sedan from Pattaya to Ayutthaya
You pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip. If you can only pay by card, message the team and they will send a PayPal payment link; a 5% fee is added. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup. After that, a cancellation or change costs 25% (less than 24 h), 35% (less than 12 h) or 50% (less than 2 h) of the price, and a no-show 100%, also when you pay the driver in cash (details). An English-speaking driver can be requested when you book, subject to availability. A child seat costs +100 THB on request.
Airport pickups include 60 minutes of free waiting, counted from the actual landing time, and a name sign at the arrivals gate costs +100 THB on request. Pickups or drop-offs in Bangkok west of the Chao Phraya River (the Thonburi side) cost +100–200 THB. If you also need the ride back, ask by message about the discount for return trips.
Bang Pa-In Palace lies on the way from Bangkok, and its entrance fee is 100 THB. To stop there during a transfer, book an extra stop: it costs +250 THB per hour.
For every option in detail, read How to Get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya.
Must-Visit Temples and Ruins
The six main temples charge foreigners 50 THB each. They open daily from about 08:00 (some sources say 08:30) to about 18:00, and some may close earlier. Some other temples charge 20 THB, and Wat Lokayasutharam is free.
| Temple | Fee for foreigners | On the combined ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Wat Mahathat | 50 THB | Yes |
| Wat Phra Si Sanphet | 50 THB | Yes |
| Wat Ratchaburana | 50 THB | Yes |
| Wat Chaiwatthanaram | 50 THB | Yes |
| Wat Phra Ram | 50 THB | Yes |
| Wat Maheyong | 50 THB | Yes |
| Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon | 20 THB | No |
| Wat Na Phra Men | 20 THB | No |
| Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit | Sources differ; check on site | No |
| Wat Lokayasutharam | Free | No |
Fees and opening hours were checked in September 2026; confirm them at the ticket window.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Its central prang (a tall tower) is about 35 m high.
Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit
This hall houses a Buddha image almost 12 m high. Sources do not agree on its entrance fee, so check it on site.
Wat Lokayasutharam
The reclining Buddha here is about 42 m long, and it is free to visit.
Wat Mahathat, Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Wat Ratchaburana
These three are on the combined ticket and are the main sights on most visits. When you photograph a Buddha image, keep your head lower than the image.
Tickets: Is the Combined Ticket Worth It?
A combined ticket costs 220 THB and covers the six main temples marked "Yes" in the table above. It is valid for 30 days and is sold for cash at the ticket window of any of the six.
Six single tickets cost 300 THB in total, so the combined ticket saves money if you visit five or more of the six. Because it stays valid for 30 days, you can also spread your visits over two trips.
Getting Around the Historical Park
| Transport | Approximate cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Bicycle | About 50 THB a day | Travellers on a budget who start early |
| Scooter | About 200–300 THB a day | Experienced riders |
| Tuk-tuk | About 200 THB per hour or about 1,200 THB a day | Groups and anyone who wants to avoid the heat |
| River boat tour | About 200 THB per person, about 2–3 hours | Seeing the island from the water |
A bicycle is cheap and flexible, but the heat grows through the day, so ride in the morning. Agree on the tuk-tuk price and the list of temples before you set off. If you arrive by private car, the transfer ends in Ayutthaya; for a full day with a car and driver, see the tours and day trips or ask for a quote on WhatsApp or LINE.
Suggested Itineraries
Half Day
- Wat Mahathat
- Wat Ratchaburana
- Wat Phra Si Sanphet
- Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit
Full Day
- Morning: Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, then Wat Mahathat and Wat Ratchaburana
- Midday: a break out of the sun, or a river boat tour around the island
- Afternoon: Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit and Wat Lokayasutharam
- Late afternoon: Wat Chaiwatthanaram, before it closes (at about 18:00, but check on the day)
As a Day Trip from Bangkok
Leave Bangkok early so that you reach the first temple soon after it opens at about 08:00. On weekdays the first Bangkok Connex train leaves at about 05:15, but on weekends the first one leaves at about 09:05. For an early start at a weekend, check the timetables of the local and express trains, or go by car.
Practical Tips
- Heat: carry water, a hat and sunscreen, and see the outdoor ruins early or late in the day.
- Dress: cover your shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes before you enter temple buildings.
- Cash: ticket windows take cash, so bring enough baht for tickets and transport.
Emergency Numbers
Tourist Police 1155, police 191, ambulance 1669, fire 199.
FAQ
What is the cheapest way from Bangkok to Ayutthaya? The local 3rd-class train from Hua Lamphong costs about 15–20 THB and takes about 1 hour 45 minutes.
Is there a combined ticket for the Ayutthaya temples? Yes. It costs 220 THB, covers six main temples, is valid for 30 days and is sold for cash at any of the six ticket windows.
When was Ayutthaya founded and destroyed? It was founded in 1350 and razed by the Burmese army in 1767. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.
Can I book a seat on the Bangkok Connex train? No. Tickets are sold at the stations only, and seats are first come, first served.
How much is a private transfer from Bangkok to Ayutthaya? With Smile Taxi Service it costs 1,500 THB by sedan, 1,700 THB by SUV or 2,000 THB by van, per vehicle, tolls included.
To travel to Ayutthaya by private car, book your transfer on the booking page or message us on WhatsApp or LINE.