Thailand has some of the best-known landmarks in Asia, from the Grand Palace in Bangkok to the ruined royal cities of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai. Many travellers also visit Angkor Wat and other sites in the region from Thailand. This guide covers fees, opening hours and transport as of September 2026, when some routes across the borders have changed.
Entrance fees and opening hours below were checked in September 2026. They can change, so confirm them with the site before you go.
Thailand's Landmarks at a Glance
| Landmark | Fee for foreign visitors | Opening hours | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Palace, Bangkok | 500 THB | 08:30–16:30 | Central Bangkok |
| Wat Pho, Bangkok | 300 THB | About 08:00–19:30 | Central Bangkok |
| Ayutthaya temples | 50 THB each, or 220 THB for six | About 08:00–18:00 | Train, minivan or car from Bangkok |
| Sukhothai Historical Park | 100 THB per zone | 06:30–19:30 (to 21:00 on Saturdays) | About 427 km north of Bangkok |
Landmarks in Bangkok
The Grand Palace
The Grand Palace grounds include Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
- Tickets: 500 THB, sold from 08:30 to 15:30.
- Opening hours: daily, 08:30–16:30.
- Best time: arrive at 08:30, when it opens, before the midday heat.
Wat Pho and Wat Arun
Wat Pho is in the same old-city area as the Grand Palace, so many visitors see both in one morning. The ticket is 300 THB, and the temple is open from about 08:00 to 19:30.
From Tha Tien pier, a cross-river ferry goes to Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, about every 10 minutes. We could not confirm the current Wat Arun entrance fee or ferry fare, so check them at the pier.
Getting to the Bangkok landmarks
If you land at Suvarnabhumi Airport, a Smile Taxi Service transfer to your Bangkok hotel costs 600 THB by sedan, 800 THB by SUV or 1,100 THB by van: book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi to Bangkok. From Don Mueang Airport the fare is 600 THB by sedan, 800 THB by SUV or 1,000 THB by van: book a sedan from Don Mueang to Bangkok. Pickups or drop-offs west of the Chao Phraya River (the Thonburi side) cost 100–200 THB extra.
To see several landmarks in one day, the full-day Bangkok Tour (up to 10 hours) costs 2,700 THB by sedan, 3,000 THB by SUV, 3,700 THB by van or 4,000 THB by VIP van. See the tours and day trips page.
Ayutthaya Historical Park
Ayutthaya was founded in 1350 and became the second capital of Siam. The Burmese army destroyed the city in 1767, and its ruins were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991.
Tickets: the main temples (Wat Mahathat, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Phra Ram and Wat Maheyong) charge foreign visitors 50 THB each. A combined ticket for all six costs 220 THB and is valid for 30 days. It is sold for cash at the ticket window of any of the six temples. It saves money if you visit at least five of them. The temples open daily from about 08:00 to 18:00.
Free to visit: Wat Lokayasutharam, with its reclining Buddha about 42 m long.
Getting around: bicycles cost about 50 THB a day, and a tuk-tuk about 200 THB per hour or about 1,200 THB for a full day.
How to get to Ayutthaya
- Local train: 3rd-class trains from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong station cost about 15–20 THB and take about 1 hour 45 minutes. There are at least 11 trains a day in each direction.
- Express and rapid trains: these leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, take about 1 hour and need a reserved seat.
- Bangkok Connex: since 1 August 2026, this air-conditioned commuter train of the State Railway of Thailand runs from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Ayutthaya in just over an hour. As of September 2026, there are 6 trains on weekdays (the first at about 05:15) and 4 at weekends (the first at about 09:05); check the times at the station. Tickets are sold only at the station, and seats cannot be reserved, so allow extra time in case a train is full. The fare is capped at 50 THB until 31 October 2026.
- Minivan: minivans leave from the Mo Chit van terminal opposite Mo Chit 2 (the Northern Bus Terminal), not from Victory Monument. The ride takes about 1–1.5 hours.
- Private car: Smile Taxi Service drives from Bangkok to Ayutthaya for 1,500 THB by sedan, 1,700 THB by SUV or 2,000 THB by van: book a sedan from Bangkok to Ayutthaya.
For all the options, see How to Get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya.
Sukhothai Historical Park
Sukhothai Historical Park is about 427 km north of Bangkok.
- Tickets: 100 THB per zone for foreign visitors (Thai visitors pay 20 THB), plus 10 THB for a bicycle. The combined ticket for all zones was withdrawn in January 2020.
- Opening hours: 06:30–19:30, and until 21:00 on Saturdays.
- Getting there: Bangkok Airways flies daily from Suvarnabhumi to Sukhothai Airport (THS); the flight takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. Smile Taxi Service has no fixed fare to Sukhothai, so ask for a quote on WhatsApp. See also How to Get from Bangkok to Sukhothai.
More Landmarks in Thailand
- Phra Pathom Chedi, Nakhon Pathom: at 120.45 m, this is the tallest stupa in Thailand. The present bell-shaped structure was completed in 1870. There is no fixed Smile fare to Nakhon Pathom, so ask for a quote.
- Hellfire Pass, Kanchanaburi: about 70 km from Kanchanaburi town, with an interpretive centre and a walk through the railway cutting. Bangkok to Kanchanaburi town costs 2,000 THB by sedan, 2,300 THB by SUV or 2,800 THB by van: book a sedan from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi. For Hellfire Pass itself, ask for a quote. See also How to Get from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi.
- Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple), Chiang Rai: as of September 2026, foreign visitors pay 200 THB in cash at the gate, and the temple is open 08:00–18:00. A Smile transfer from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai costs 2,500 THB by sedan, 3,000 THB by SUV or 3,800 THB by van: book a sedan from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. See also How to Get from Bangkok to Chiang Rai.
Landmarks in Neighbouring Countries
Before you plan a trip across a border, read your government's current travel advice for each country.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The land borders between Thailand and Cambodia, including the Aranyaprathet–Poipet crossing, were still suspended on 24 September 2026. Going to Siem Reap by bus or private car is not possible now, and the UK government advises against all but essential travel within 20 km of the border.
To visit Angkor from Thailand, fly to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI). It opened on 16 October 2023, replaced the old Siem Reap airport, and is about 50 km east of Siem Reap town. Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways fly from Suvarnabhumi, and Thai AirAsia flies from Don Mueang. Check that your flight is operating before you travel.
- Cambodia e-visa: USD 30 plus a USD 7 fee, from the official site www.evisa.gov.kh.
- Angkor 1-day pass: USD 37 (the latest confirmed price). Check the current price with the official Angkor ticket office before you go.
Bagan, Myanmar
Bagan is in Mandalay Region. The UK government (advice updated 4 August 2026) advises against all but essential travel to Mandalay Region and against all travel to Kayin State, which includes the Myawaddy crossing opposite Mae Sot. For now, Bagan is not a practical side trip from Thailand.
Vietnam
Vietnam has offered e-visas to all nationalities since 15 August 2023: USD 25 for a single entry or USD 50 for multiple entries, valid for up to 90 days. Many European nationals, and visitors from Japan and South Korea, can stay 45 days without a visa.
Practical Tips for Visiting Landmarks
- Dress for temples: cover your shoulders and knees, take off your shoes inside temple buildings, and keep your head lower than Buddha images when you take photos.
- Avoid the heat: visit outdoor sites early or late in the day, and carry water, a hat and sunscreen.
- Save the emergency numbers: in Thailand, call the Tourist Police on 1155, the police on 191, an ambulance on 1669 and the fire service on 199.
Booking a Private Transfer
Smile Taxi Service fares are fixed, per vehicle (not per person) and one way, with expressway tolls included. A sedan takes up to 3 passengers with 2 bags, an SUV up to 5 with 4 bags, and a van up to 7 with 5 bags.
- Airport pickups include 60 minutes of free waiting, counted from the actual landing time.
- You pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip. If you can only pay by card, message the team for a payment link (an extra fee for creating and handling the payment link may apply).
- 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).
- Not every driver speaks English. You can request an English-speaking driver when you book, subject to availability.
See every route and fare on the price list, or start at the booking page.
FAQ
How much does the Grand Palace cost? The ticket is 500 THB. The palace is open daily from 08:30 to 16:30, and tickets are sold until 15:30.
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.
Can I travel overland from Bangkok to Angkor Wat? Not at the moment. The Thailand–Cambodia land borders were still suspended in late September 2026, so fly to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI).
Do I need a visa for Vietnam? Many European nationals, and visitors from Japan and South Korea, can stay 45 days without a visa. Other visitors need an e-visa: USD 25 for a single entry or USD 50 for multiple entries.
To book a transfer to any of these landmarks, or to ask for a quote, message the team on WhatsApp.