Ayutthaya — Photo by Alex Kovacheva
Thailand

Ayutthaya

Ancient Siam's majestic temple ruins

About Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya was once one of the largest cities in the world, capital of the Siamese kingdom for 417 years. The UNESCO ruins are just 80km from Bangkok — an easy day trip or overnight escape into history.

Best forHistoryCyclingDay Trip

Watch Before You Go

A PERFECT Itinerary for Ayutthaya (Paddy Doyle)

Ayutthaya Travel Guide — ALL Top Sights & Temples

Ayutthaya Day Trip Guide from Bangkok

Accommodation฿200
Food & Drink฿180
Transport฿100
Activities฿120
Daily Total฿600
Calculate Your Budget →

Price Breakdown

CategoryBudgetMid-RangeComfort
Accommodation฿200฿600฿2,000
Food & Drink฿180฿350฿600
Transport฿100฿250฿400
Activities฿120฿300฿500
Total / day฿600฿1,500฿3,500

Where to Stay

2 areas in Ayutthaya — each with a different vibe and price range

🏛

Old Island (Historic Park)

TemplesCyclingHistory

Stay inside the river island for maximum access to ruins. Rent a bicycle and you can see everything. Limited food options at night — the charm is in the quiet ancient atmosphere.

฿300–1,500/night

🌊

Riverside

Boutique staysViewsDining

Hotels along the Chao Phraya River with views of illuminated temples at night. More upscale options, good restaurants. Close to the night market. Worth the splurge for one night.

฿800–3,000/night

Things to Do

via GetYourGuide

More Activities & Prices

Wat Mahathat (Buddha head in roots)

Most photographed spot in Ayutthaya.

฿50

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

Best at sunset. Khmer-style temple.

฿50

Cycling the ruins

Bicycle rental ฿50/day. Flat and easy.

฿50

River boat tour

See temples from the water.

Book on GetYourGuide →
฿500

Tourist Traps to Skip

  • ×Tour buses from Bangkok — much cheaper and more flexible to go independently.
  • ×Elephant rides around temples — unethical and unnecessary.

How to Get There

Train

Bangkok →

1.5h

฿15 – ฿245

Book on 12Go →
Minivan from Mo Chit

Bangkok →

1h

฿60 – ฿100

Local Tips

Rent a bicycle (฿50/day) — temples are spread out but flat terrain.

Start early (7am) to beat heat and tour bus crowds.

Temple dress code: cover shoulders and knees.

Train from Bangkok is ฿20 (!) — cheapest day trip ever.

Night market by the river is excellent and cheap.

Related Destinations

Bangkok

Bangkok

Central Thailand

from ฿1,200/day

Sukhothai

Sukhothai

Northern Thailand

from ฿900/day

Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi

Western Thailand

from ฿1,000/day

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