Ayutthaya | Travel Guide | Temples, History and the Old Siamese Capital

Quick Answer
Ayutthaya was the capital of the Siamese kingdom for more than four centuries and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site about ninety minutes north of Bangkok. Its ruined temples, including Wat Mahathat with its Buddha head in tree roots, Wat Phra Si Sanphet and riverside Wat Chaiwatthanaram, are best explored by bicycle, tuk tuk or boat. Visit as a day trip, or stay overnight to see the ruins at sunrise, sunset and lit up after dark.

Ayutthaya was once one of the largest and richest cities in the world. European visitors in the seventeenth century compared it with London and Paris, describing gilded temples, palaces and canals crowded with boats.

In 1767, Burmese armies captured and burned the city. The capital moved south, first to Thonburi and then to Bangkok, and the old city was left in ruins.

The destruction was devastating. Temples were burned, palaces looted and much of the population killed or taken away. The city never recovered its former role.

Today, those ruins form one of Thailand's most impressive historic sites. Brick towers, headless Buddha images and crumbling walls stand among parks, lakes and the modern town that grew around them.

Ayutthaya is a place where history feels close. Walking among the ruins, it is easy to imagine the city as visitors described it: crowded, wealthy and shimmering with gold.

This guide explains the history of the city, the temples worth seeing, how to get there from Bangkok and how to get around. It also covers Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, food, where to stay and how to plan a day or an overnight visit.

Whether you have a few hours or several days, the city rewards curiosity. Every ruin has a story, and many lie in quiet corners that tour groups never reach.

Why Visit Ayutthaya

The city offers a rare chance to walk through the remains of a great Asian capital. Many of its temples are vast, and their scale gives a sense of the power and wealth of the old kingdom.

For related travel planning and destination context, explore our Asia guide.

Official planning note: UNESCO documents the historical city and its archaeological heritage. Check the Fine Arts Department and railway operator for current opening hours, fees and transport; respect barriers and sacred objects. Check official guidance.

Ayutthaya also shows the roots of modern Thailand. Its laws, court customs, art and religious traditions shaped the kingdom that followed.

It is easy to reach. Trains, minivans and taxis connect it with Bangkok in about an hour and a half, making it one of the best day trips from the capital.

Many visitors find that a day is not enough. The ruins are spread out, and seeing them at different times of day reveals different moods.

The ruins are spread across an island formed by three rivers. Cycling between them, past lakes and through shaded lanes, is one of the great pleasures of a visit.

The modern town, with markets, schools and shops, has grown around the ruins, so ancient towers stand beside everyday streets.

The city is also a living town. Markets, riverside restaurants, Muslim and Chinese communities and working temples sit alongside the ruins.

Daily life carries on around the ruins. Monks walk to their temples, children cycle to school and vendors sell snacks beside ancient walls.

It complements the rest of Thailand. Seeing Ayutthaya helps make sense of Bangkok's palaces and temples, many of which were built to recreate the lost glory of the old capital.

For travellers heading north, the city makes a natural first stop on the road to Lopburi, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai and Chiang Mai.

A Short History of the Old Capital

King U Thong founded the city in 1351 on an island where the Chao Phraya, Lopburi and Pa Sak rivers meet. Its name comes from Ayodhya, the city of the hero Rama in the Ramayana.

The island site was easy to defend. Rivers surrounded the city, and in the rainy season floods made it difficult for armies to besiege.

Over the next four centuries, the kingdom grew to dominate much of mainland Southeast Asia. It absorbed the earlier Sukhothai kingdom and fought repeated wars with Burma and Cambodia.

Ayutthaya's kings ruled through a complex court system, with laws, ranks and ceremonies that influenced Thai government for centuries.

The city became a great trading centre. Merchants from China, Japan, Persia, India, Portugal, the Netherlands, France and England lived in foreign settlements outside the walls.

The Japanese community was large enough to have its own quarter and soldiers, some of whom served the Siamese kings.

King Narai, who reigned in the seventeenth century, received embassies from France and exchanged envoys with the court of Louis XIV. A Greek adventurer, Constantine Phaulkon, rose to become one of his chief ministers.

Narai spent much of his time at his palace in Lopburi, which he made a second capital. Its ruins can be visited on a day trip.

The city fell twice to Burmese forces. The first conquest, in 1569, was followed by recovery under King Naresuan, who restored independence. The second, in 1767, ended the city's role as capital.

King Naresuan is one of Thailand's greatest national heroes. His victory in an elephant duel at Nong Sarai is remembered in films, monuments and school lessons.

After 1767, King Taksin regrouped Siamese forces and founded a new capital at Thonburi. In 1782, King Rama I moved the capital across the river to Bangkok.

Many treasures, Buddha images and even bricks from the old city were carried to the new capitals, where they were reused in temples and buildings.

In 1991, the historical park was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The listing covers the main ruins on the island and several temples outside it, recognising the city as an outstanding example of Southeast Asian urban design and art.

When to Visit

The central plain is hot for most of the year, and the ruins offer little shade.

November to February is the best time to visit. Mornings are fresh, and cycling between temples is pleasant.

This is the busiest season, especially on weekends and holidays, when Bangkok residents make day trips.

March to May is very hot. Start at dawn, rest at midday and return in the late afternoon.

Some temples have small cafes and shaded seating nearby. Plan your route around these rest stops.

In the rainy season, storms usually come in the afternoon. Late in the season, the rivers can rise and flood low areas, as they did badly in 2011.

The parks and lakes around the ruins are greenest in the rainy season, and the light after a storm can be beautiful.

Heat Tip
Visit the open temples early in the morning or after four in the afternoon. Bring water, a hat and sunscreen, and rest in a cafe or museum at midday.

Getting There From Bangkok

Trains run frequently from Bangkok to the city. Most long distance northern trains now leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, and some local trains still use the historic Hua Lamphong station. The journey takes about one and a half to two hours.

For related travel planning and destination context, explore our Amphawa guide.

Arriving by train is part of the experience, passing rice fields, villages and canals as you leave the capital behind.

Third class tickets are very cheap, with fan cooled carriages and open windows. Some express trains have air conditioned seats.

Trains can be crowded on weekends and holidays. Arrive early to find a seat, especially on the return journey.

Ayutthaya station lies on the east bank of the river, opposite the island. A short ferry crosses to the island, or tuk tuks can take you to the temples.

The ferry crossing takes only a few minutes and costs very little. Tuk tuks and bicycle rental shops wait near the station.

Minivans leave from Mo Chit and other points in Bangkok and drop passengers in the town centre. They are fast but cramped.

Minivans back to Bangkok leave from stops in the town centre and fill up quickly in the late afternoon.

Taxis and ride apps can take you directly from Bangkok, which is convenient for groups and families.

Hiring a driver for the day lets you combine Ayutthaya with Bang Pa-In and return to Bangkok in the evening without changing transport.

River cruises from Bangkok to the city, some with overnight stops, offer a slower and more scenic journey along the Chao Phraya.

Travel Times
Bangkok to Ayutthaya about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours by train. About 1 hour 30 minutes by road. River cruises take most of a day.

Getting Around the City

The historical park covers a large area, so walking between all the temples is not practical. Choose a way to get around.

Many visitors combine methods: bicycles in the morning, a tuk tuk in the heat of the afternoon and a boat at sunset.

Bicycles are the most popular option. Rental shops near the station and in the town centre offer bikes for the day. The island is flat, but traffic on some roads is busy.

Some shops also rent electric bicycles, which help in the heat. Check the brakes and lights before you set off.

Tuk tuks can be hired by the hour or for a set route. Agree the price and the temples you want to see before setting off.

Ayutthaya's tuk tuks have a distinctive shape, with a rounded front sometimes compared to a frog's head. Drivers often know the best photo spots.

Boat trips around the island visit riverside temples such as Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Phutthaisawan and Wat Phanan Choeng. Evening trips pass illuminated ruins.

Boats leave from piers near the night market and some guesthouses. Sunset trips are the most popular.

Electric scooters and motorbikes are available for experienced riders.

Elephant rides around the ruins have been offered for many years. Welfare organisations advise against riding elephants; choose another way to explore.

Wat Mahathat

Wat Mahathat was one of the most important temples in the city, built in the fourteenth century to house relics of the Buddha.

The temple was the seat of the Supreme Patriarch, the head of the Buddhist order, during the Ayutthaya period.

Its most famous sight is a stone Buddha head entwined in the roots of a banyan tree. No one knows exactly how it got there; it may have fallen from a damaged statue and been slowly lifted by the growing roots.

The temple is busiest in the late morning. Arriving early gives you a quieter moment with the famous head.

Visitors are asked to kneel or crouch when photographing the head, so that they are not standing higher than it.

The temple's central prang collapsed long ago, but rows of headless Buddha images and brick foundations show its former scale.

Restoration has stabilised the remaining structures, and paths guide visitors around the site.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet

Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the royal temple within the grounds of the old palace. It was used for royal ceremonies rather than as a monastery.

For related travel planning and destination context, explore our Ang Thong guide.

The site of the old royal palace lies just north of the temple. Only foundations remain, but they show the palace's size.

Its three chedis were built in the fifteenth century to hold the ashes of King Borommatrailokanat and his two sons.

Its three tall bell shaped chedis, standing in a row, contain the ashes of Ayutthaya kings and are one of the most recognisable images of the city.

The temple once held a standing Buddha covered in gold, which was destroyed when the city fell.

The statue was said to be sixteen metres tall and covered in gold. Burmese soldiers melted the gold when they sacked the city.

Viharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit, next door, houses one of the largest bronze Buddha images in Thailand, in a hall rebuilt in the twentieth century.

The image was damaged when the city fell and was restored in the twentieth century. Many Thai visitors come to pay respect and make merit.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

Wat Chaiwatthanaram stands on the west bank of the Chao Phraya, just outside the island. It was built in the seventeenth century by King Prasat Thong.

The king built it to honour his mother, and it is thought to commemorate a victory over Cambodia.

Its central prang, surrounded by smaller towers and a gallery of seated Buddhas, was modelled on Khmer temple design.

Many of the seated Buddhas in the gallery lost their heads, but the rows of statues still create a powerful impression.

The temple is at its most beautiful at sunset, when the brick glows orange. It is also lit up after dark.

Arrive an hour before sunset to explore the site and find a good spot on the riverbank.

Visitors can reach it by bicycle across a bridge, by tuk tuk or on a boat tour.

Wat Ratchaburana

Wat Ratchaburana, near Wat Mahathat, was built in the fifteenth century by King Borommarachathirat II on the site where his two elder brothers were cremated.

The stairs inside the prang are narrow and steep. Take care, especially in wet weather.

Its central prang is one of the best preserved in the city, and visitors can climb inside to see faded murals in the crypt.

The murals in the crypt show Buddha images and floral patterns, among the oldest surviving paintings in Thailand.

In 1957, looters dug into the crypt and stole treasures. The remaining gold objects were recovered and are now in the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum.

Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon

Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, southeast of the island, has a tall chedi built to celebrate King Naresuan's victory in a famous elephant duel against a Burmese crown prince.

For related travel planning and destination context, explore our Cambodia guide.

Visitors often place coins and small offerings in the courtyard and make wishes at the shrine.

Rows of robed Buddha images line the courtyard, and a large reclining Buddha lies in the grounds.

Climbing the steps of the main chedi gives views over the courtyard and surrounding countryside.

The temple is still active, with monks in residence, and is popular with Thai worshippers.

Wat Lokayasutharam

Wat Lokayasutharam has a huge reclining Buddha, about forty two metres long, lying in the open air among the ruins of a vanished temple.

The reclining posture represents the Buddha entering final nirvana, a common theme in Thai temples.

The image is often draped in a saffron cloth by worshippers. It is quieter than the main temples and easy to visit on a bicycle route.

Wat Phanan Choeng

Wat Phanan Choeng, on the river southeast of the island, is older than the city itself. It houses a giant seated Buddha, Luang Pho To, about nineteen metres tall.

Chinese legend links the temple to a princess who died nearby, and offerings of incense and cloth fill the hall around the statue.

The temple is especially revered by the Chinese Thai community, and incense and offerings fill the hall.

Boat tours often stop here, and the riverside setting is lively with worshippers.

Other Temples Worth Seeing

Wat Phra Ram, near the old palace, has a tall prang reflected in a lake.

The temple was built in the fourteenth century on the cremation site of King U Thong, the city's founder.

The lake beside it, Bueng Phra Ram, is now a public park, popular with locals for evening walks.

Wat Phutthaisawan, on the river, has a white prang and a gallery of Buddha images, with a Portuguese settlement site nearby.

The temple has a reclining Buddha in a small hall and murals of Buddhist stories, and is quiet even in high season.

Wat Na Phra Men, north of the island, survived the destruction of 1767 and houses a crowned Buddha image in royal attire.

The temple is said to have been spared because the Burmese army used it as a base during the siege.

Wat Thammikarat has a chedi guarded by lion statues, and Wat Kudi Dao and Wat Maheyong, east of the island, are atmospheric ruins with few visitors.

Roosters, offered by worshippers in thanks for answered prayers, crowd a shrine in the grounds, an unusual and colourful sight.

Foreign Settlements

The city's foreign communities left traces outside the walls. The Japanese village site has a museum telling the story of Japanese traders and soldiers who lived in the city.

The museum uses models and displays to show how Japanese traders and samurai lived and worked in the city.

Visiting these sites by bicycle or tuk tuk adds a different perspective to the temple tour.

The Portuguese settlement, on the riverbank south of the island, has excavated remains of a church and graves.

The Dutch settlement site has a small museum about the Dutch East India Company's trade with Siam.

The Dutch East India Company traded deer hides, rice and sappanwood from Siam, and its records give valuable details about life in the city.

These sites show how international the city was in its prime.

Museums

The Chao Sam Phraya National Museum displays gold treasures found in the crypts of Wat Ratchaburana and Wat Mahathat, along with Buddha images and artefacts.

The gold treasures include crowns, jewellery and Buddha images, showing the wealth of the kingdom at its height.

The Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre explains life in the old capital with models and displays, including village life and foreign trade.

Its displays include models of the city at its height, showing canals, markets, palaces and foreign settlements.

The Chantharakasem Palace, a restored palace on the north of the island, houses a museum with royal and religious objects.

Bang Pa-In Royal Palace

Bang Pa-In, about twenty kilometres south of the city, is a summer palace used by the royal family since the seventeenth century. Most of its buildings date from the reign of King Chulalongkorn.

A memorial stands in the grounds to Queen Sunanda, a wife of King Chulalongkorn who drowned in a boating accident in 1880.

The palace mixes Thai, Chinese, European and Gothic styles. Highlights include a Thai pavilion in the middle of a lake, a Chinese style palace and a lookout tower.

The Aisawan Thiphya-Art pavilion, standing in the middle of a pond, is one of the most photographed buildings in Thailand.

A dress code applies. Cover shoulders and knees, and avoid shorts. Golf carts can be rented to explore the grounds.

Nearby, Wat Niwet Thammaprawat is a Buddhist temple built in the style of a Gothic church, reached by a cable car across the river.

Its stained glass windows and Gothic spire make it one of the most unusual temples in Thailand.

Floating Markets and Attractions

Ayutthaya Floating Market and Khlong Sa Bua Floating Market are modern markets built for visitors, with boats, food stalls and shows.

They are busiest on weekends and holidays, when Thai families visit for food and shows.

Khlong Sa Bua stages a historical water show on weekends, retelling battles from the Ayutthaya period.

Ayothaya Floating Market is near the elephant camp. Choose activities carefully and avoid elephant riding.

These markets are fun for families but feel more like theme attractions than traditional markets.

Life in the Old Capital

At its height, the city was home to hundreds of thousands of people. Canals served as streets, and many residents lived on boats or in houses built on stilts over the water.

The royal palace stood at the north of the island, surrounded by temples, government buildings and the homes of nobles. Markets and workshops filled the rest of the city.

The kingdom's wealth came from rice, forest products and trade. Ships carried deer hides, sappanwood, ivory and rice to Japan, China and beyond, and brought back silk, porcelain, textiles and weapons.

Buddhism shaped daily life. Hundreds of temples served as schools, community centres and places of worship, and many kings sponsored grand new buildings to earn merit.

Foreign visitors left detailed accounts. French, Dutch and Portuguese writers described processions of royal barges, elephant fights and the splendour of the court.

Architecture and Art

The city's temples show a mix of styles. Khmer influence appears in tall, corn cob shaped prangs, while bell shaped chedis reflect Sri Lankan and Sukhothai traditions.

Early temples, built in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, have massive prangs on raised platforms. Later temples have slimmer chedis and more elaborate stucco decoration.

Buddha images from the Ayutthaya period are often crowned and dressed in royal attire, reflecting the idea of the Buddha as a universal king.

Much of the stucco and gilding has been lost, but surviving fragments of carved decoration, murals and lacquerwork show the skill of the city's artisans.

Many bricks were taken from the ruins after 1767 to build new temples and walls in Bangkok, which is one reason some sites are so incomplete.

Restoration and Conservation

The Fine Arts Department has restored many temples since the twentieth century, clearing vegetation, stabilising walls and reconstructing some structures.

Restoration is a balance between preserving ruins and making them understandable. Some purists criticise reconstructions, while others welcome them.

Flooding, especially the major floods of 2011, damaged some sites and showed the risks the historical park faces from rising water.

Visitors help conservation by staying on paths, not climbing on structures and not touching fragile stucco or murals.

Temple Etiquette and Respect

Many of the ruins are still considered sacred. Buddha images, even when damaged, are objects of respect.

Do not climb on Buddha images or chedis, and do not pose for photographs in ways that mimic or mock the images. Signs around the city remind visitors of this rule.

Dress modestly, especially at active temples such as Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Wat Phanan Choeng and Wat Na Phra Men.

Remove shoes before entering any building that houses a Buddha image, and keep voices low near worshippers.

Respect Rule
Thai law and custom treat Buddha images with great respect. Tattoos of the Buddha, sitting on statues or posing beside them as props may cause offence or legal problems.

Cycling Routes

A bicycle is the best way to see the island. Roads are flat, distances are short and many temples are linked by quiet lanes.

A central loop takes in Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Phra Ram, Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Viharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit, all within a short ride of each other.

A western loop crosses the river to Wat Chaiwatthanaram and returns via Wat Lokayasutharam, ideal in the late afternoon.

A southern and eastern loop takes in Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon and Wat Phanan Choeng, though traffic is heavier on the main roads.

Bring a lock, water and a map. Many guesthouses provide maps with suggested routes.

Evening in the City

The main ruins are lit up after dark, creating a very different atmosphere from the daytime. Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Chaiwatthanaram and Wat Phra Ram are among the illuminated sites.

Evening boat tours circle the island and pass lit up temples on the riverbanks.

Night markets sell street food, grilled meats, desserts and fruit shakes. The riverside restaurants are pleasant for dinner with views of the water.

Light and sound shows are held at some temples during festivals, such as the World Heritage festival.

Festivals

The Ayutthaya World Heritage Fair, held in some years around December, celebrates the city's inscription with light and sound shows, markets and cultural performances.

Loy Krathong, usually in November, is celebrated on the rivers and at temples, with candlelit baskets floated on the water.

Songkran, in mid April, includes processions and water celebrations, sometimes with elephants splashing crowds.

Confirm current details with official sources before travelling.

Ayutthaya With Children

The city works well with children who enjoy history and outdoor activities. Cycling between ruins, boat trips and the floating markets are fun for families.

The Historical Study Centre has models and displays that help children imagine life in the old city.

Keep children in the shade and well hydrated, and plan pool time at the hotel in the afternoon.

Teach children to respect the Buddha images and not to climb on ruins.

Budget Tips

The city is very affordable. Third class trains from Bangkok cost little, bicycle rental is cheap and guesthouses offer good value.

Buy a combined ticket for the main temples if it suits your plans.

Eat at the night markets and local restaurants rather than riverside tourist restaurants.

Many smaller temples and ruins are free to visit.

Accessibility

The historical park is mostly flat, and many temples can be viewed from paths. Some ruins have steps and uneven surfaces.

Tuk tuks and private cars are easier than bicycles for travellers with limited mobility.

Bang Pa-In has golf carts and paved paths, making it one of the more accessible sites.

Food in Ayutthaya

The city is famous for grilled river prawns, large freshwater prawns cooked over charcoal and served at riverside restaurants.

Riverside restaurants near the old city and along the Pa Sak River are especially known for them. Prawns are sold by weight.

Roti sai mai, thin sweet roti wrapped around strands of coloured candy floss, is a local speciality sold from stalls near the hospital and around town.

The candy floss is made by hand in colourful strands, and vendors sell it in bags to take away. It is a popular gift for friends in Bangkok.

Boat noodles, once sold from boats on the canals, are served in small bowls with rich broth at shops near the river.

Small bowls are cheap, and many visitors order several to try different flavours of broth and meat.

The night market near Chao Phrom Market and the riverside restaurants serve Thai dishes and seafood at low prices.

Chao Phrom Market, near the river, is busy during the day with fresh produce, snacks and everyday goods.

Muslim communities in the city serve khao mok, roti and curries.

Dishes To Try
Grilled river prawns. Roti sai mai. Boat noodles. Khao mok. Fresh fruit from the market.

Day Trips From Ayutthaya

Lopburi, about an hour north by train, has Khmer temples, King Narai's palace and its famous monkeys. It combines well with an overnight stay in Ayutthaya.

Ang Thong, north of the city, has Wat Muang, with one of the largest seated Buddha images in the world.

Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Centre, south of the city, has workshops, exhibitions and a large freshwater aquarium.

The countryside around the city has rice fields, river villages and smaller temples that are pleasant to explore by car or bicycle.

Many travellers continue north from Ayutthaya to Lopburi, Phitsanulok and Sukhothai, following the route of Thai history.

The Muslim and Chinese Communities

Muslim communities have lived around the city since the Ayutthaya period, when Persian and South Asian traders settled here. Mosques stand in villages along the rivers.

The Chinese community, also present for centuries, maintains temples such as Wat Phanan Choeng and shrines in the town. Chinese New Year is celebrated with lion dances and offerings.

These communities add to the city's food scene, with halal restaurants, roti stalls and Chinese noodle shops.

Photography Tips

Early morning and late afternoon light are best for photographing the ruins. Midday sun is harsh and flattening.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram at sunset and Wat Mahathat in the early morning are classic shots.

Drones need permission and are not allowed at many sites. Check the rules before flying.

Always photograph Buddha images respectfully, especially the head in the tree roots at Wat Mahathat, where visitors should crouch below it.

Health and Safety

The city is generally safe for visitors. The main risks are heat, traffic and stray dogs.

Drink plenty of water and rest during the hottest hours. Heat exhaustion is common among visitors who cycle all day in the sun.

Roads around the island can be busy. Cycle carefully, wear a helmet if one is available and avoid riding after dark.

Stray dogs live around some ruins. Give them space and do not feed them.

Private hospitals in the city handle most problems. The Tourist Police can be reached on 1155.

Where to Stay

Staying overnight lets you see the ruins in the soft light of early morning and sunset, and lit up after dark.

Early mornings are cool and quiet, with mist over the rivers and monks collecting alms in the streets.

Guesthouses and boutique hotels cluster near the historical park, along Naresuan Road and by the rivers. Many rent bicycles.

Some boutique hotels occupy restored teak houses with gardens, and a few riverside resorts have pools and views of temples.

Riverside hotels offer views of temples and boats, especially beautiful at night.

Some guesthouses offer free bicycles, maps and advice on routes, which saves time on the first morning.

Accommodation is good value compared with Bangkok, and booking ahead is only necessary on Thai holidays and long weekends.

Shopping and Crafts

Ayutthaya is known for crafts such as knives and swords from Aranyik village, woven goods and traditional Thai desserts.

Bang Sai Arts and Crafts Centre, south of the city, has workshops where visitors can watch artisans making silk, basketry, woodcarving and pottery.

Night markets sell souvenirs, clothing and snacks. Roti sai mai and dried fruit are popular gifts.

Bargaining is normal at markets but should be friendly and fair.

Long Stays and Slow Travel

The city is a peaceful place for a longer stay. Its pace is slower than Bangkok's, rents are low and the ruins are always nearby.

Some travellers use it as a base for exploring central Thailand, taking day trips to Lopburi, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri and Bangkok.

Guesthouses offer weekly and monthly rates outside peak season.

Suggested Itineraries

One day from Bangkok: an early train, bicycles to Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana and Wat Phra Si Sanphet, lunch, Wat Chaiwatthanaram in the afternoon and a train back in the evening.

Pace yourself. Trying to see every temple in a single hot day is exhausting. Choose six or seven highlights and enjoy them.

Two days: add Bang Pa-In, the museums, Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon and Wat Phanan Choeng, an evening boat trip and sunrise at the ruins.

Three days: add Lopburi on a day trip, or slow down with longer bicycle rides and visits to quieter ruins east of the island.

On the way north: stop in Ayutthaya for a night before continuing by train to Lopburi, Phitsanulok and Sukhothai.

Practical Tips

Dress respectfully. Cover shoulders and knees at active temples and at Bang Pa-In.

Learn a few Thai phrases and greet guesthouse and restaurant staff politely. A smile and a thank you go a long way.

Do not climb on ruins or Buddha images, and respect signs. Never pose disrespectfully with Buddha images.

Carry cash for entry fees, tuk tuks and street food. ATMs are common in the town centre but not at the ruins.

Carry water and sun protection. Shade is limited.

Buy a combined ticket if you plan to visit several of the main temples.

Keep your ticket with you. Staff may check it at each temple included in the pass.

Ayutthaya rewards an early start and a slow pace. Give it at least a full day, or better still a night.

Disclaimer
This guide gives a general overview of Ayutthaya. Opening times, fees and transport change. Check current information before visiting and follow local guidance at historic sites.

Key Takeaways
Ayutthaya was Siam's royal capital from 1351 to 1767 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The historical park covers the island in the rivers and temples just beyond it.
It is about an hour and a half from Bangkok by train or road, making it an easy day trip.
Staying overnight lets you see the ruins at sunrise, sunset and lit up at night with fewer crowds.
Explore by bicycle, tuk tuk or boat, and visit early or late to avoid the midday heat.

Fine Arts Department of Thailand, which manages the historical park

State Railway of Thailand online ticketing

Chao Phraya Express Boat

Frequently Asked Questions