Looking to take a day trip to Ayutthaya from Bangkok? You’ve come to the right place! As much as I love the hustle and bustle of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, it’s always nice to get a break from the big city. A perfect day trip from Bangkok, even for those with a limited amount of time, is a quick trip to Ayutthaya. The site was declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1991 and offers a series of incredible temples to visit. The Ayutthaya temples are also considerably less crowded than many of those in the rest of Thailand. Ayutthaya was the former capital during the Kingdom of Siam.

visiting the ayutthaya temples

A Guide to a Day Trip to Ayutthaya

How to Get to Ayutthaya

The city is easily accessible by train from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong station. Ticket prices depend on the type of seat and trip length. Tickets can be purchased on the day of, however I recommend buying your return ticket as soon as you arrive in Ayutthaya as tickets do sell out, even in the low season. On our way there we opted for a standing ticket (or non-specified seat) on a hour train. This type of ticket costs approximately 20 baht ($0.60). For the way home we purchased a reclining seat as our train would take two hours, and the price increased to 65 baht ($2).

Getting Around the Ayutthaya temples

The most common method of getting around the temples of Ayutthaya is by tuk tuk. The going rate at the train station is 900-1000 baht ($27-30), however you can always bargain. For cheaper rates follow the street perpendicular to the train station, where you can hire a driver for 200 baht ($6)/hour. This price does not include entrance into the temples however. Although it is bit pricey, taking a tuk tuk allowed us to see a lot more than if we had rented bikes. Additionally, you can fit up to four passengers for the same price so bring (or make) some friends along for the journey!

 woman sculpture in tree in thailand ayutthaya temples in thailand

What to Do in Ayutthaya

The tuk tuk drivers will present you with a list of the top temples to visit. The temples all cost 50 baht ($1.50 USD) to enter, with the exception of Wat Yai Chai Mongkon and Wat Lokayasutharam which are a bit cheaper. Here is a list of the Ayutthaya temples that should definitely be on your must-visit list:

 girl in front of large buddha at ayutthaya temples day trip to ayutthaya thailand

Where to Eat on a Day Trip to Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is known for both their king river prawns and their famous boat noodles. You’ll find numerous restaurants serving boat noodles. However, Klong Srabua Boat Noodle is claimed by many to be the best. You have the choice between beef or pork noodles, with both options priced at under $1 USD a bowl.