Ayutthaya Historical Park holds the ruins of the old city of Ayutthaya. The city is 71 km from Bangkok by rail, so it is an easy day trip. The main temples open at about 08:00, a combined ticket for six of them costs 220 THB, and you can get there by train, minivan or private car.
Exploring Ayutthaya Historical Park
Ayutthaya was founded in 1350 and became the second capital of the Siamese kingdom. In 1767 the Burmese army razed the city. What remains was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991 as the Historic City of Ayutthaya.
The park is not one site with one gate. The temple ruins are spread across the old city, and each main temple has its own entrance and ticket window, so plan how you will move between them.
Getting to Ayutthaya from Bangkok
| Option | Travel time | Approximate price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local train from Hua Lamphong | About 1 hour 45 minutes | About 15–20 THB | The lowest cost |
| Express or rapid train from Krung Thep Aphiwat | About 1 hour | Depends on class | A faster train with a reserved seat |
| Bangkok Connex from Krung Thep Aphiwat | Just over 1 hour | Up to 50 THB until 31 October 2026 | An air-conditioned commuter train |
| Minivan from Mo Chit | About 1–1.5 hours | Check at the terminal | Travellers staying near Mo Chit |
| Private car with Smile Taxi Service | Depends on traffic | 1,500 THB sedan, 1,700 THB SUV, 2,000 THB van (per vehicle) | Families, groups, door to door |
Train times and third-party prices were checked in September 2026 and can change; confirm them with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) or at the terminal. Smile Taxi Service fares are fixed.
By train
Trains to Ayutthaya now leave from two stations in Bangkok, not only from Hua Lamphong as older guides say.
- Local trains (3rd class) still leave from Hua Lamphong. The fare is about 15–20 THB and the ride takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. There are at least 11 trains a day in each direction.
- Express and rapid trains now leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. They take about 1 hour and need a reserved seat. Fares depend on the class, so check them when you book.
The Seat61 guide to trains in Thailand explains the stations and classes in detail.
By Bangkok Connex train
Since 1 August 2026, the SRT has run a new air-conditioned commuter train, the Bangkok Connex (BNEX), from Krung Thep Aphiwat to Ayutthaya. The ride takes just over an hour.
- On weekdays there are 6 trains, the first at about 05:15.
- At weekends there are 4 trains, the first at about 09:05.
- Tickets are sold at the stations only. There is no online booking and no reserved seats.
- As of September 2026, the introductory fare is expected to be 50 THB at most until 31 October 2026. After that date, check the fare with the SRT or at the station.
Seats are first come, first served, and the launch train was full, so allow extra time.
By minivan
Minivans to Ayutthaya no longer leave from Victory Monument; they moved out in November 2016. As of September 2026, they leave from the Mo Chit van terminal, opposite Mo Chit 2 (the Northern Bus Terminal). The terminal is not right next to BTS Mo Chit station, so allow extra time to get there. The ride takes about 1–1.5 hours, depending on traffic. Check the departure point and the fare at the terminal.
By private car
A private car takes you from your hotel door to the first temple. With Smile Taxi Service, the fare is fixed per vehicle, not per person, one way, with expressway tolls included.
| Route | Sedan (up to 3) | SUV (up to 5) | Van (up to 7) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok to Ayutthaya | 1,500 THB | 1,700 THB | 2,000 THB |
| Ayutthaya to Bangkok | 1,200 THB | 1,500 THB | 2,000 THB |
| Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Ayutthaya | 1,200 THB | 1,500 THB | 2,000 THB |
| Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Ayutthaya | 1,100 THB | 1,400 THB | 1,800 THB |
- Book a sedan from Bangkok to Ayutthaya or from Ayutthaya back to Bangkok.
- Landing in Thailand and going straight to Ayutthaya? Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi to Ayutthaya or from Don Mueang to Ayutthaya. Airport pickups include 60 minutes of free waiting, counted from the actual landing time.
What to know before you book:
- You pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip. If you can only pay by card, message us and we send a PayPal payment link, with a 5% fee 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).
- Extra stops on the way, for example at Bang Pa-In Palace, cost 250 THB per hour. A child seat costs 300 THB.
- Pickups or drop-offs on the Thonburi side of Bangkok, west of the Chao Phraya River, cost 100–200 THB extra.
- An English-speaking driver can be requested when booking, subject to availability.
- For a full day with a driver, message us for a quote.
Our guide How to Get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya compares all the options in more detail.
Must-see temple ruins
Six main temples charge foreign visitors 50 THB each: Wat Mahathat, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Phra Ram and Wat Maheyong. They open every day from about 08:00 (some sources say 08:30) until about 18:00, but closing times can vary from temple to temple, so check at the ticket window. All six are on the combined ticket.
Wat Mahathat
Wat Mahathat is best known for a stone Buddha head held in the roots of a tree. It is one of the most photographed places in Ayutthaya, so go early in the morning if you want fewer people around you. When you take a photo of the Buddha head, keep your own head lower than it.
Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the royal temple inside the grounds of the old royal palace. Its row of three large chedis (bell-shaped stupas) is the best-known view of Ayutthaya.
Wat Ratchaburana
Wat Ratchaburana has a large prang (tower) with a crypt inside. You can go down into the crypt to see old wall paintings.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Wat Chaiwatthanaram stands on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, outside the island of the old city, so you need a bicycle, tuk-tuk or car to get there from the central temples. Its central prang is about 35 m tall. It closes at about 18:00, so for late-afternoon light, arrive well before closing.
Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit
Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit houses a Buddha image almost 12 m high. Entry costs 20 THB and is not on the combined ticket.
Wat Lokayasutharam
Wat Lokayasutharam is known for its reclining Buddha, about 42 m long. It is free to visit.
Entry fees and the combined ticket
| Ticket | Price for foreign visitors | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| One of the six main temples | 50 THB | Single entry to that temple |
| Combined ticket, six main temples | 220 THB | Valid 30 days; cash only |
| Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit, Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Wat Na Phra Men | 20 THB each | Not on the combined ticket |
| Wat Lokayasutharam | Free | Reclining Buddha |
| Bang Pa-In Palace | About 100 THB | On the way from Bangkok; check the fee at the palace |
Ticket prices were checked in September 2026 and can change.
Is the combined ticket worth it? Five single tickets cost 250 THB and six cost 300 THB, so the 220 THB ticket saves money if you visit five or all six of the main temples. For four or fewer, single tickets cost less. Because it stays valid for 30 days, it also works if you split your visit over two days.
Getting around the park
Prices below are approximate and were checked in September 2026, like the ticket prices above.
- Bicycle: about 50 THB a day. It costs little, but it is tiring in the midday heat.
- Scooter: about 200–300 THB a day. Wear a helmet.
- Tuk-tuk: about 200 THB per hour, or about 1,200 THB for a day. Agree on the price and route first.
- River boat tour: a boat trip around the island of the old city takes about 2–3 hours and costs about 200 THB per person.
A one-day plan
- Leave Bangkok early by train, minivan or car, and aim to reach the first temple when it opens at about 08:00.
- Visit the main temples in the morning, while it is cooler, and buy the combined ticket at the first one if you plan to see five or six.
- Rest in the shade and have lunch in the middle of the day.
- In the afternoon, visit Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit and the reclining Buddha at Wat Lokayasutharam, or take a river boat tour.
- Reach Wat Chaiwatthanaram well before it closes at about 18:00.
- Check the time of your train or minivan back before you set off, or book a car for the return.
Important tips
Dress code
- Cover your shoulders and knees at every temple.
- Take off your shoes before you enter temple buildings.
- When you take photos, keep your head lower than Buddha images. Do not climb on the ruins or on Buddha images.
Heat and money
- Carry water, a hat and sunscreen, and do most of your walking early or late in the day.
- Carry cash in small notes. The combined ticket is sold for cash only.
Emergency numbers
Tourist Police 1155, police 191, ambulance 1669, fire 199.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a combined ticket for the Ayutthaya temples? Yes. It costs 220 THB, covers the six main temples and stays valid for 30 days. Buy it for cash at the ticket window of any of the six.
Where do minivans to Ayutthaya leave from? From the Mo Chit van terminal opposite Mo Chit 2 (the Northern Bus Terminal), not from Victory Monument.
What is the new Bangkok Connex train? An air-conditioned SRT commuter train from Krung Thep Aphiwat to Ayutthaya, running since 1 August 2026. The ride takes just over an hour, the introductory fare is expected to be 50 THB at most until 31 October 2026, and seats cannot be reserved.
How much is a tuk-tuk in Ayutthaya? About 200 THB per hour, or about 1,200 THB for a day. Agree on the price and the route before you set off.
How much is a private car from Bangkok to Ayutthaya? With Smile Taxi Service, 1,500 THB by sedan, 1,700 THB by SUV and 2,000 THB by van, per vehicle, one way, tolls included.
To book a car to Ayutthaya or ask for a day-trip quote, message us on WhatsApp.