An Ayutthaya Day Trip From Bangkok [The Ultimate Guide]

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Bangkok has a relentless energy that refuses to drop; the traffic hums, the woks hiss, and it can be nothing short of a sensory overload at times. But just a short train (or boat) ride out of the city, there’s a perfect escape hatch – the historic Kingdom of Ayutthaya.

Once the glorious capital of Siam, Ayutthaya lies just 80km north of Bangkok, close enough to visit between breakfast noodles and sunset beers. When I lived in Bangkok for six months, Ayutthaya was my favourite day trip: easy, soaked in rich history, quiet and serene, with none of the logistical gymnastics of trying to get there.

Ayutthaya is a magical place. It’s where Buddha heads are embraced by the roots of a Banyan tree, where crumbling prangs and chedis lean with confidence, and where the Chao Phraya glistens lazily between temple ruins.

In this guide, we share how to explore the historical sites of Ayutthaya in one whole day, waking up to a Bangkok morning, leaping back 700 years in the day, and be back in time for rooftop cocktails.

A Brief History of Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya, or the Royal Kingdom of Ayutthaya, was once a bustling capital city in the Kingdom of Siam and the largest city in the world in its prime. It was a prosperous international trading hub and was said to be the most beautiful by traders and merchants from Europe.

Ayutthaya was founded in 1350 as the second capital city of the Kingdom of Siam. From the 14th to 18th centuries, the city prospered and became a huge port of trade, as well as the largest center of international diplomacy.

Non-royal life occurred outside the city walls on the banks of the 3 rivers that surround the island of Ayutthaya and feed the outer-lying rice fields

Over the years, many of the ancient buildings have been destroyed due to flooding and wars. But it wasn’t until the Burmese army invaded in 1767 that the capital was burned down, destroying the beauty of the architecture that my eyes now tried to put together with broken pieces and faded gold-laden brickwork. The 289-hectare temple complex became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.

Is Ayutthaya worth visiting?

Ayutthaya lies 85km outside the centre of Bangkok and is easily visited on a day trip, which makes it absolutely worth visiting. Ayutthaya offers visitors something no other attraction in Thailand can; peace and quiet. It’s so quiet you can hear the birds. In all the years I’ve been to coming to Thailand I don’t remember hearing birds. Tuk-tuks, motorbikes, and hawkers yes, but silence enough to hear birds, no.

In Ayutthaya, you will find silence amidst the ancient ruins of what was once the biggest city in the world. As well as this, its history is unmatched, and there are so many stories to tell about this ancient city. Visitors can see hundreds of ruins, a lot of temples, and former palaces, as well as Buddhist monasteries, and statues. If you’re looking for a unique attraction to visit outside Bangkok, this is the best one.

Things to do in Ayutthaya Historic Park

1. Cycle around Ayutthaya Historical Park

Ayutthaya is a large city with so much to see and do. Of course, it’s steaming hot in Ayutthaya; I don’t think Thailand knows any other way, but if you opt to explore the ancient ruins by bike you will be rewarded.

I highly recommend picking up a bike rental from opposite the train station and exploring the following attractions by bicycle. Once you start pedalling, you can feel a gentle breeze that picks up and you slip into a blissful motion.

Our first adventure in Ayutthaya was a bicycle tour through the ancient city. As you ride under trees with leaves shaped like ears, past crumbling ancient temples, and stupors that still retain an inkling of the grandeur of their heyday hundreds of years ago.

I really couldn’t think of a better way to see this World Heritage historical site than on a bike. Not only is it the easiest way to get from ruin to ruin, but it’s enjoyable too. The landscape is all flat, so it didn’t feel like a workout.

Our tour guide led us on a slow and gentle ride, teaching us the history and cultural significance of the temples and palaces we cycle past and stop at.

We cycle outside through covered markets. The smell of sweet roti dessert cooking wafts up my nose and causes my tummy to grumble. The shopping tourists are ambling about and the ding of my bell is not enough to interrupt their haggling for wooden handicrafts, handbags, food, and fruit. I have to shout a warning and disturb my own peace.

You can book bike tours with a knowledgeable local guide, or you can rent bikes yourself from the bike rental shop next to the Chao Prayer River, at the end of Khlong Tho Road. You will then be able to ride back to the temple complex.

Personally, I felt the bike tour was worth paying for, as you get to learn about all the sites as you ride.

2. Admire the Reclining Buddha (Phra Buddha Sai Yat)

I soon settle back into calm when we arrive at the gigantic reclining Buddha, also known as Phra Buddha Sai Yat, draped majestically in orange cloth. Located in the ruins of Wat Lokayasutharam, the Buddha here looks so happy and content.

This colossal reclining Buddha stretches around 42 meters long; his serene face angled toward the sky. The pose is supposed to represent the Buddha’s passing into Nirvana. We took a moment to burn incense sticks and honour his spirit.

3. Explore Wat Phra Si Sanphet

The most famous temple in the complex in Ayutthaya is Wat Phra Si Sanphet, which used to be located inside the Grand Palace of Ayutthaya and served as the royal chapel. It is here that you can sort of see the foundations of the once grand royal palace.

Its known for its three iconic chedis, which housed the ashes of Ayutthayan kings.

4. Wander the tranquil gardens of Wat Phra Ram

If you’re looking for some peace and serenity, make sure to check out the tranquil gardens of Wat Phra Ram, which is a quiet recreation area.

Set beside a tranquil lily-filled pond, Wat Phra Ram was the cremation site of King Ramesuan, linking the temple directly to Ayutthaya’s earliest royal lineage.

5. Watch the sunset from Wat Chai Watthanaram

For sunset views, cycle over to Wat Chai Watthanaram on the west side, just outside Ayutthaya island on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram was built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong to commemorate his mother and celebrate Ayutthaya’s power at its peak. Its known for its Khmer-inspired central prang (it was inspired by Angkor Wat in Cambodia) and surrounding chedis, which creates the most famous and most photographed silhouette of the complex — especially at sunset.

This is one of the most visited temples because it retains much of its original beauty and is perfectly positioned to glow during sunset.

6. See the Buddha’s Head in a Banyan Tree at Wat Mahathat

My favourite place in Ayutthaya was at of the most important temples, Wat Mahathat. The Burmese tore this one up, pilfering the heads of the sitting Buddha statues, leaving behind statues left behind of their erect bodies and empty minds.

Except for one.

Legend has it that this one Buddha head was dropped in haste at the bottom of a banyan tree whose tree roots wrapped around it forever ensconcing it as a holy shrine for Thai people.

It’s a highly spiritual place and even though the head is low to the ground, you still must observe the act of lowering yourself to pay your respects.

7. Go on a Rice Barge Tour on the Chao Phraya River

If you’re tired of cycling due to the heat and exercise, retire to the Chao Phraya River for a leisurely lunch on board a converted teak rice barge.

It was easy to picture the once opulent life whilst taking the river cruise and imagine the feast in front of us was what Kings and royal dignitaries once ate.

It was the perfect afternoon floating along the River of Kings exploring the island of Ayutthaya from the perspective of the once great channel of trade. This was where it all once happened, the hustle and bustle replaced by serenity.

Elaborate wooden stilted homes, crumbling ruins, stupors, and golden ornate temples rose above the banks; once they greeted sailors, traders, and newcomers into town, now they welcome foreigners who arrive with a different reason.

Ayutthaya was once the land of wealth and grandeur laced with spiritual significance, I found myself missing the lost city even though I’d never seen the full replication of it.

8. Enjoy a Thai Massage

You would think that after our bike and boat tour we would have been calling it a day. Almost. That call was to be made a few hours later, after our traditional Thai massage.

The only thing I love more than a feast of Thai food is a Thai massage. I don’t even know where we went, I just jumped out of the van and followed the hands outstretched leading me to the fisherman’s pants and the floor.

I certainly felt like I had morphed into a Royal body after it. Relaxed, stretched, and feeling bloody fantastic. Have I ever told you how much I LOVE Thailand?

9. Visit the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum

Another one of the main attractions of Ayutthaya is the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum. The museum is located outside the historic area, located opposite Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University.

It was named after King Borommarachathirat II, who commissioned Wat Ratchaburana. It has three buildings, each containing items from archeological excavations of the area.

What’s interesting about the museum is that it was funded by the public, and contains precious items found in the complex, such as precious gems from the underground crypt of the prang tower of Wat Ratchaburana.

How to get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is easily accessible by public transportation, meaning you don’t have to join tour groups if you don’t want to. The best way to get to Ayutthaya is…

By train

Ayutthaya is very easy to get to from Bangkok since it’s only an hour away. If you want to visit yourself, you can get a train from Don Mueang, Hua Lamphong, and Bang Sue Station.

There are direct trains that leave directly to Ayutthaya, taking between 30 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on which train you take and from which station.

When getting to Ayutthaya by train, note that the train station is a bit of a way from the complex. The railway station is across the Pa Sak River and you need to get a short ferry across the water to the Ayutthaya Historic Park, but it’s still within walking distance.

You can also take a minivan, which is sometimes more expensive than a train and takes around 2.5 hours due to the traffic. You might prefer this option if you’re looking to stay in Ayutthaya since you don’t need to lug your luggage around train stations. The minibus terminal is within walking distance of the complex.

Of course, you can get a taxi, but this is going to cost you a fortune so we wouldn’t recommend it. We also don’t recommend the public bus as the bus terminal is so far out of town you end up getting a taxi anyway, which costs more money and takes a lot of time.

Ayutthaya boat tour from Bangkok

You can also get a boat, which is a really fun experience, and you can also stop off at the Bang Pa-In Palace and Summer Palace on the way. The boat takes a few hours, so if you plan to visit Ayutthaya in a day, then you might want to take a bus or train back.

Want to visit Ayutthaya and Bang Pa-In Palace and take a boat back to Bangkok?

What is the dress code for Ayutthaya?

If you’re not sure what to wear for Ayutthaya, then we recommend you follow the standard temple guidelines. The dress code is “dress modestly” for the complex, and temple-wear for the temples. This means that your shoulders and knees need to be covered.

Ladies must not wear tight clothing or have their chest, shoulders, and knees on show. Men can wear shorts for the main part of the complex but might be asked to wrap them up when entering the temples.

If in doubt, bring a scarf or wraparound with you so you can cover yourself.

How much does it cost to visit Ayutthaya?

It is free to enter the historic city of Ayutthaya, but you have to pay to enter certain temples. Each temple has its own tickets price, but it’s usually no more than a few dollars. The entrance fee for the temples tends to be between 20-50 baht for foreigners ($0.60 – $1.60 USD).

How much is tuk-tuk in Ayutthaya?

Tuk-tuk drivers charge as much as they please, so you should make sure to negotiate a cost before opting to explore Ayutthaya by tuk-tuk. Typically, the going rate is around 200-400 baht per hour.

How much should I budget for a day in Ayutthaya?

The cost of the train ticket, food, bicycle rental, and entering a few of the most famous temples, should cost you know more than around $15 USD per person.

Final thoughts

Come for the UNESCO-listed wow factor, stay for the quiet moments. In a city as forward-thrusting as Bangkok, Ayutthaya is a gentle reminder to look back. And the best part? You don’t even have to pack an overnight bag.

An Ayutthaya day trip offers peace. Although today it lies in ruins, it still retains much of its original beauty. And you’ll find there are plenty of things to do in Ayutthaya besides checking out the ruins.

It’s one of those experiences you crave where you are slightly off the beaten track. It’s not as impactful or dramatic as the ruins you would find in other places in Southeast Asia such as at Angkor Wat in Cambodia; but its softness seeps under your skin enough so that you probably enjoy it a little more.

One thing is for certain though, it’s a must-visit and a sure highlight on anyone’s Thailand itinerary.

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Original Article on yTravel Blog