Go on an Ayutthaya day trip from Bangkok and explore ancient ruins and once-mighty temples!
Ayutthaya, the old capital of Thailand, has long been a popular day-trip destination from Bangkok.
Today, the historic city of Ayutthaya, which was designated as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, offers visitors a glimpse of the glorious but tragic history of Ayutthaya Kingdom.
For those who wish to take in all the best sights that Ayutthaya has to offer in one day, the best way is taking a tour. You can pre-book your Ayutthaya day trip from Bangkok here.
▷▷ Book an Ayutthaya Tour by White Orchid Cruise / Bus Tour Only (+Lunch) ◁◁
How to go from Bangkok to Ayutthaya
Located 80 kilometers north of Bangkok, Ayutthaya is close enough to make a day trip, taking roughly one and a half hours from Bangkok.
Visitors can either take a bus or train from Bangkok and then take a tuk-tuk or rent a bicycle to explore the city of Ayutthaya. Sure, these can be your options but for added insights and a hassle-free journey, we suggest booking a tour.
If you want to book a tour, here’s a very well-organized and most comprehensive day tour from Bangkok to Ayutthaya offered by Trazy.com, Asia’s #1 Travel Shop, which covers round-trip transportation from Bangkok, lunch, English speaking guide and entrance fees.
Taking travelers to the Ayutthaya’s best historical attractions, this tour is perfect for those who want to go on an Ayutthaya day trip!
▷▷ Book an Ayutthaya Tour by White Orchid Cruise / Bus Tour Only (+Lunch) ◁◁
And for those who want a luxurious Ayutthaya day trip taking a nice cruise ride back to Bangkok, here’s another great tour!
▷▷ Book an Ayutthaya Tour by Grand Pearl Cruise (+Lunch Buffet) ◁◁
Plus, for those who prefer to go on a customized Ayutthaya tour for themselves, you can book a private taxi tour to Ayutthaya here.
▷▷ Book an Ayutthaya 1 Day Private Taxi Tour ◁◁
Moreover, if you want to visit two of Central Thailand’s must-see spots in one day, here is a special tour to recommend! You will ride a boat through the famous Damneon Saduak Floating Market and explore Ayutthaya including the 4 Buddhist temples starting from Bangkok.
▷▷ Book an Ayutthaya & Damnoen Saduak Floating Market 1 Day Tour ◁◁
Highlights of the Ayutthaya Day Trip
For those interested in taking this Ayutthaya day trip, here are the highlights!
1) Bang Pa-In Palace
Bang Pa-In Palace, also known as the Summer Palace, was originally built by the Ayutthayan King Prasat Thong in 1632 but was abandoned after the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767. It was restored into a Versailles-style garden filled with European-style buildings in 1872-1889.
The palace and its grounds are maintained in an immaculate shape and worth a visit. When you go to Bang Pa-In Palace, try going up to Sages’ Lookout (Ho Withun Thasana). It is a lookout tower that looks like a lighthouse. You can enjoy the nice view of Bang Pa-In Palace from there.
| Entrance Fee: 100 baht
| Opening Hours: 08:30 – 16:30 (last entry 15:30)
| Location: Bang Pa-In District, about 20km south of Ayutthaya City
| Tips:
• As at all royal sites, proper dress is required.
• Golf carts rental is available: 400 baht for the first hour, 100 baht per additional hours.
2) Wat Mahathat
Wat Mahathat is a large temple that was thoroughly ruined by the Burmese. It was built before Ayutthaya became the Siamese capital. This temple features a Khmer-style prang (a tall tower-like spire) and rows of headless Buddhas.
This is also where you can spot the famous banyan tree that has grown around a Buddha’s head. This is an iconic landmark of Ayutthaya today. When taking pictures of the Buddha’s head, make sure you kneel to show respect.
| Entrance Fee: 50 baht
| Opening Hours: 08:00-18:00
| Location: Ayutthaya Historical Park, corner of Chikun and Naresuan Roads
3) Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Wat Phra Si Sanphet is the largest temple in Ayutthaya, known for its distinctive row of restored chedis (Thai-style stupas, more rounded appearance).
Housed within the grounds of the former royal palace, the temple was used only for royal religious ceremonies. It once had a 16m high Buddha covered with 340 kg of gold, but the Burmese set fire to the statue to melt the gold and destroyed the temple in the process.
The royal palace can also be accessed from the same entrance at Wat Phra Si Sanphet, but it only has a few free-standing buildings remaining.
| Entrance Fee: 50 baht
| Opening Hours: 08:00-18:00
| Location: Ayutthaya Historical Park, on Naresuan Road
4) Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit
Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit is an impressive building that houses a large bronze cast Buddha statue. During the fall of Ayutthaya, the building and the image were destroyed by fire. The building was restored to its original glory in 1956.
Although it houses a Buddha statue, Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit is not a temple (wat) because it is the only free-standing structure.
| Entrance Fee: Free
| Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00
| Location: Naresuan Road, south of Wat Phra Si Sanphet
5) Taking a Cruise back to Bangkok
Those who are interested in making their way back to Bangkok from Ayutthaya with a cruise can choose among these 2 cruise options.
Both cruises offer a delicious buffet lunch on the cruise, in the meantime, you can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Chao Phraya River.
| Cruising Time: 13:00-16:00
| Location: From Wat Chong-lom Pier (Nonthaburi) to River City Bangkok
Oh, and one more thing!
There is a special chance you definitely don’t want to miss. Admire Ayutthaya from above with bird’s eye view! You can take a private helicopter and see the stunning architectures including 4 great Buddhist temples from an aerial perspective. The tour starts and ends at your hotel in Bangkok so you can enjoy Ayutthaya more conveniently!
▷▷ Book an Ayutthaya Private Helicopter Tour ◁◁
For more tours and travel deals, make sure you visit Trazy.com, Asia’s #1 Travel Shop, today!
Photo Credits
Grand Pearl Cruise Official Website
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