World Heritage Tour to Ayutthaya

You can travel from Bangkok to Ayutthaya by train, bus or minivan, all of which take about two hours. It is recommended that you take the train, which is smooth and you can have a different experience while enjoying the beautiful scenery on the way.
► Train Hours: 4:20 – 22:25
► Frequency: every 1 or 2 hours
► Duration: 77 minutes to 2 hours
► Fare: THB 15 to 345

There are many kinds of trains in Thailand, including Ordinary, Rapid, Express and Special Express. The prices vary with the train types and speed. You are advised not to take the ordinary train, which are prone to delays. It is recommended that you take the train No. 7, which is the fastest of all trains and leaves at a suitable time in the morning.

Recommended Train: No. 7
► Departure: 8:30 from Hua Lamphong Railway Station, Bangkok
► Arrival: 9:47 at Ayutthaya Railway Station
► Duration: 77 minutes
► Ticket Price: THB 345 for 2nd Class AC Seat

How to Buy Tickets
You can buy tickets for the next 60 days in advance through the official website, or at the railway stations during off-season. There are several types of seats on Thai trains. There are 3rd Class Seat, 2nd Class Air-conditioned Berth, 2nd Class Air-conditioned Seat, and 1st Class Air-conditioned Berth. Ticket prices for trains from Bangkok to Ayutthaya range from THB 15 to 345. A 3rd Class Seat on the cheapest ordinary train costs only THB 15. The No. 7 train, however, has only 2nd Class AC Seats, priced at THB 345. It is recommended that you choose this train to Ayutthaya, and on the way back, if you want to save money, you can buy a cheaper seat in an ordinary train.

Departure Station: Hua Lamphong Railway Station, Bangkok
From downtown Bangkok, you can take the MRT Blue Line to Hua Lamphong, and get out from the Exit 2 to find the Hua Lamphong Railway Station right there.

Arrival Station: Ayutthaya Railway Station
At 9:47 you will arrive at the Ayutthaya Railway Station, which is not far from the central city, and you can rent a tuk-tuk or take a motorcycle or bicycle to visit the main attractions.

Ayutthaya’s core scenic area is on an island surrounded by three rivers: the Chao Phraya River, the Lop Buri River, and the Pa Sak River. The whole city is like a museum. The Ayutthaya Dynasty built palaces, temples and pagodas here in its glory days, when the sculpture and architecture were at their peak. Later, when the city was occupied by Myanmar, many buildings were burned down, leaving only some ruins. You can spend a day visiting some of the most famous sites, such as the Wat Mahathat, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Lokaya Sutharam, and Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon.

Option 1: Hire a Tuk-tuk – Highly Recommended
The Ayutthaya Railway Station is located east of the main city island. To get around the city efficiently, a tuk-tuk trip is ideal, allowing you to visit seven or eight major sights. Hiring a tuk-tuk with driver costs THB 250 to 300 per hour, that is to say, it will cost THB 1500 to 2000 for 6 or 7 hours. If two to four of you travel together and share the cost, it’s a good deal. There are many tuk-tuks at the gate of the railway station. You can negotiate the price with the drivers.

Option 2: Rent a Motorcycle – Good Choice
If you want to rent a bicycle or motorcycle to visit the city, make sure you go cross the river after leaving the railway station. After getting out of the station, cross the road and walk down a path to see a pier along the Pa Sak River. Someone on the bank charges THB 5 a person for the ferry traveling across the river in a minute. Once ashore, there are motorcycles and bicycles for rent. There are also rental spots near bus stations and hotels around the island. If you are traveling alone or in two people, and if you can ride a motorcycle, then it is recommended that you rent a motorcycle, which is labor-saving and more efficient. Your passport is needed. The rent is THB 200 a day, with a full tank, and you need to return with a full tank.

Option 3: Rent a Bicycle – Not Recommended
After leaving the train station and taking the ferry west across the river, there are also many places to rent bicycles, but the reason not recommended is that it is too hot! Although bikes can be rented for as little as THB 80 a day, it is not a good idea to cycle from temple to temple on a hot day. You’ll get tired and can only visit four or five sites.

About Entrance Ticket
Some of the attractions in the Ayutthaya Historical Park are free, while some temples or sites charge THB 20 to 50. You can buy a separate ticket, or if you are efficient and can visit many sites, you can buy a pass for THB 220.

The main attractions are concentrated in the Historical Park area on the island, and a tuk-tuk or motorbike can take you around 5 or 6 sites in 4 hours. Take a tuk-tuk for 10 minutes to arrive at the Wat Ratchaburana, where you can start your visit in the following order. The travel time from one of the following temples or sites to another is approximately 2 to 5 minutes.

★ Wat Ratchaburana
This is an ancient Buddhist temple featuring a magnificent tower built by the 7th king of the Ayutthaya Dynasty and the tombs of former kings and princes.
- Opening Hours: 8:00-16:30
- Recommended Time for a Visit: 30 minutes

★ Wat Mahathat
This is one of the oldest and most important temples in Ayutthaya, famous for the Khmer stupas and a spectacle of Buddha’s head wrapped in bodhi roots. According to the Thai Buddhist culture, if you are taking a picture with the Buddha’s head, you need to crouch down so that your head is lower than the Buddha’s head.
- Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00
- Recommended Time for a Visit: 45 minutes

Note for Lunch:
After visiting the Wat Mahathat, it’s almost time for lunch. There are several restaurants you can choose from on the east side of the temple, including Coffee Old City, Sukunya Somtum, Prang View Ayutthaya, and Pa Lek Boat Noodle. After a short break, you can continue the tour by tuk-tuk or motorbike for 3 minutes west to reach the Wat Phra Ram.

★ Wat Phra Ram
It is a crumbling temple with many ornate stupas of different styles, including a large Khmer stupa shaped like corn on the cob.
- Opening Hours: 8:00-16:30
- Recommended Time for a Visit: 30 minutes
- Tip: Just south of the temple lies the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum, which you can skip if you don’t have enough time.

★ Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit
Built in 1357, this temple is best known for housing a huge gilt bronze seated Buddha.
- Opening Hours: 9:00-16:30
- Recommended Time for a Visit: 30 minutes

★ Wat Phra Si Sanphet
It is a royal temple housing the remains of King Borommatrailokkanat and his two sons. Its exquisite architecture and majestic stupas have earned it the nickname ‘The Second Angkor’. It features three restored bell-shaped earth structures used to store cultural relics.
- Opening Hours: 8:00-16:30
- Recommended Time for a Visit: 30 minutes

★ Wat Lokaya Sutharam (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
Although the temple buildings were destroyed, the remaining reclining Buddha is still stunning. This is the largest reclining Buddha statue outdoors in Ayutthaya, smiling peacefully in the sun. It is open for free.
- Opening Hours: 8:00-16:30
- Recommended Time for a Visit: 30 minutes

Note:
If you have more time, take a tuk-tuk or motorbike for 4 or 5 minutes northeast to the Old Royal Palace for a simple visit. If you’re short on time, just head out of town and visit two other famous temples.

Drive south along the Chao Phraya River from the Wat Lokaya Sutharam or the Old Royal Palace, and you’ll reach the Wat Chaiwatthanaram in about 10 minutes. There are several scenic spots off the island, which are far away, so you need to plan your time.

★ Wat Chaiwatthanaram
This is the best place to watch the sunset in Ayutthaya. Situated on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, it is one of Ayutthaya’s most picturesque temples. In the center is a large Khmer stupa, surrounded by many smaller stupas and sitting Buddhas. The appearance of the temple is very complete and beautiful, which is perfect for taking photos. Across the street from the entrance is a shop where you can rent traditional Thai clothes. If you like, you can pay THB 200 to change into the characteristic clothing and take interesting pictures under the big stupa.
- Opening Hours: 8:00-18:30
- Recommended Time for a Visit: 30 minutes

A 15-minute drive east along the Chao Phraya River is the Wat Phanan Choeng, another riverfront temple, famous for a giant statue of a sitting Buddha. If you’re pressed for time, just skip it and continue your tuk-tuk or motorcycle ride for another 5 minutes east, you’ll reach the last site of the day – the Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon.

★ Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
It has the best view in the city. In addition to the giant recline Buddha and stupas, there is a very tall stupa that visitors are allowed to climb. Go to the top for a panoramic view of Ayutthaya’s various historic sites. There is a well at the top of the stupa where you can flip a coin and make a wish.
- Opening Hours: 8:00-18:30
- Recommended Time for a Visit: 30 minutes

Just 8 minutes north of here is the railway station, from where you can catch a train back to Bangkok.

Note for Dinner:
If you have enough time before your scheduled train leaves, you can find a restaurant near the railway station for dinner, or you can pack some food and eat on board if you are short of time.

There are five trains from Ayutthaya to Bangkok after 18:00. The latest train leaves at 21:42. All trains will arrive at Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Railway Station. You can choose the right train according to your own needs.

Train Number	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Train Type
8	18:06	19:25	Special Express DRC
210	18:48	20:35	Ordinary
102	19:16	21:10	Rapid
146	19:25	21:10	Rapid
22	21:42	22:55	Special Express DRC