Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya

Built by King U-Thong in 1350, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya represents 400 years of the golden past of the Kingdom of Siam. It remained the capital of Thailand until 1767 when the neighbouring Burmese invaded and destroyed the entire city. Nowadays, visitors can still admire the splendour of these historic ruins which are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on a day-trip from Bangkok, which is only 80 km away. Visit Ayutthaya Historical Park and make sure to inspect Wat Mahathat, Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Yai Chaimongkol and Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan during your time in Ayutthaya.

Ayutthaya highlights

Hong Kong

Often referred to as the gateway to Asia, Hong Kong is a whirlwind of shopping opportunities mixed with stylish bars and trendy restaurants.

Bangkok Grand Palace

Home to the emerald Buddha and other adornments of vast wealth, Thailand’s Grand Palace complex is an iconic tourist attraction in Bangkok.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Give alms at sunrise and hear the mysterious chants of monks at sunset at the most sacred and holiest temple in Northern Thailand.

Elephant Nature Park

Spend time at this unique conservation project in Chiang Mai dedicated to rescuing abused elephants.

Singapore

The perfect introduction to Southeast Asia, Singapore’s multiculturalism is displayed in its legendary cuisine and colouful neighbourhoods.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s diversity sparkles through its multicultural population, heritage cuisine, tropical rainforests, tea plantations, and beaches

Indonesia

With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia caters to every kind of holiday with its endless possibilities for discovery.

Myanmar

Myanmar—a land of belief and tradition steeped in misty sunrises, golden sunsets, jungle-clad ruins, and sacred temples and gleaming pagodas.

Cambodia

Come for the temples but stay for the captivating mood of Cambodia’s idyllic island beaches, charming cities, and mouthwatering cuisine.

Laos

Enlightenment awaits in the spiritual oasis of Laos where glittering Buddhist temples and saffron-robed monks meet pure natural landscapes.

Travel guide

Time to visit

Ayutthaya is generally hot and humid year-round.

November to January: the perfect time to travel to with less chance of rainfall and the temperature remains in the thirties.
Late March and April: the temperature can reach up to 45°C (113°F). From June to September: the stormy and also off-peak season of the year.

Accommodation

There are not many good options here because many tourists choose only a day trip from Bangkok. Most hotels in Ayutthaya are 2 – 3 stars, priced from 10 – 30 USD/night. Some good 4-star hotels cost between 80 and 100 USD/night.

Food

Although Ayutthaya is not renowned for its dining scene, the city has enough food options to keep travelers satisfied. Affordable western food like pasta, pizza, and steak are available at the backpacker strip around Naresuan Soi 1; While the night market is a good place to enjoy local fare. If you want to taste Ayutthaya’s signature food – the giant freshwater river prawns, head to the riverside area along U-Thong Road.

Transport options

Tuk-tuks, taxis, motorcycles, motorcycles, bicycles, boats.

Unlike other destinations, tuk-tuks in Ayutthaya are more popular than taxis, with the price is about 7 USD/hour per after haggling. There are numerous places renting bikes and motorbikes. Daily bike rental costs about 1.5 USD and the motorbike one is about 5 USD. Besides that, taking a boat is a quite pleasant way to contemplate the beauty of temples and sightseeing. A boat trip per hour costs from 17 to 20 USD.

How to get to Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is more than 80km north of Bangkok, so the easiest way to get to Ayutthaya is from this bustling capital city.
Bus
As of 2016, the regular city bus between Ayutthaya and Bangkok no longer exists. Now you need to book minivan instead, which takes about 2 hours (or longer during peak hour). Train Trains to Ayutthaya, departing from Hualamphong Station every hour or so, takes you about 80 to 150 minutes (depending on the type of train).
Boat
There are no public boats to Ayutthaya. You still can book a river cruise, which will most likely include pickup, drop off, and meals.

Meet our experts