Ayutthaya Thailand Guide: All you need to know
Found in 1350 by King U-Thong and the capital of Siam, Ayutthaya was one of Asia‘s most prosperous cities with many temples, palaces, and pavilions.
A trip to Thailand would be a huge miss without spending a day or two in Ayutthaya, exploring the ruins, and learning about the historical aspects of this ancient city.
Best places to stay in Ayutthaya
We find Naresuan Rd, and nearby is the ideal area to stay in Ayutthaya. It’s more lively than in other places at night, and there are many bars and restaurants to dine in.
We stayed at Baan Lotus Guest House and enjoyed our stay. Our host was friendly and helpful, and our room was basic but enough.
Some other great places to stay in Ayutthaya are Baan Thai House and Tamarind Guesthouse.
How to get to Ayutthaya Thailand
From Bangkok
Ayutthaya is about 85 km north of Bangkok, so depending on your budget and time, you can travel from Bangkok to Ayutthaya by train, bus, or hire a private car.
From Sukhothai
After exploring Sukhothai, visiting another historical park is a great idea. You can take a bus directly to Ayutthaya, which takes approximately 6 hours.
Related article: Ayutthaya vs. Sukhothai: Which ancient city is better?
Getting around Ayutthaya
By bicycle
We love cycling around Ayutthaya!
You can rent your bikes at your hotels or near the Railway station. The rental rate is around 30 – 50 baht per day.
By tuk-tuk
You can see tuk-tuks in many places in Ayutthaya, especially around the railway station near Chao Phrom Market and other tourist attractions.
One ride in town can cost up to 50 baht and 50- 100 baht if you want to go outside town.
You can expect to pay 1000 – 1200 Baht to visit four main attractions. Don’t forget to bargain for the best price before getting on the tuk-tuk.
By boat
If you arrive at Ayutthaya train station, you can get a boat to the old town.
Many tour companies offer boat rides along Wat Phananchoeng, Wat Phutthaisawan, and Wat Chaiwatthanaram.
Should you travel to Ayutthaya on your own or by tour?
You must wonder whether you should take a tour to Ayutthaya or travel alone.
In general, taking a tour and traveling by yourself have their advantages.
If you are familiar with traveling abroad and do not want to be confined to the tour program, you should visit by yourself. It would be best if you stopped by the Thailand tourism office for brochures and tips.
However, if this is the first time you travel to Thailand or with young children and the elderly, it’s ideal to sign up for a tour.
It will save you from the hassle of getting transportation, finding places to eat, and places to go. Also, you can learn more about the attractions with the help of your tour guide.
The best time to visit Ayutthaya
The ideal time to visit Ayutthaya is from November to February.
March to May is the hottest time, while June to September is the rainy season.
You should spend one night in the city to start the trip early in the morning and avoid the crowd.
Best places to visit in Ayutthaya Thailand
There are many attractions in the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, but mainly temples and royal ruins, and the design architecture is quite similar.
Here is the list of the must-visit places:
- Wat Mahathat: it’s famous for the Buddha’s head under the Bodhi tree
- Wat Ratchaburana: It’s designed to build on the scale of Mount Meru in India.
- Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bonhit: it houses one of the largest bronze Budhha images in Thailand.
- Wat Phra Si Sanphet: it’s most photographed with the three aligned chedis
- Wat Phra Ram
If you have more time, some other places to visit are Ayutthaya Floating Market, Wat Chaiwattharanam (stunning, especially at sunset), and Chao Sam Phraya National Museum.
One-day Ayutthaya itinerary
You can visit the ancient capital of Ayutthaya in one day and see most of it based on the itinerary below.
- 7:30 am: Breakfast.
- 8 am: See the Buhhda’s head at Wat Mahathat.
- 9 am: Visit Wat Ratchaburana.
- 9:45 am: Visit Wat Phra Si Sanphet.
- 11 am: See the Buddha in Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bonhit.
- 11:30 am: Have lunch and relax.
- 2 pm: Visit Chao Sam Phraya National Museum.
- 4 pm – 6:30 pm: Take a boat tour to see Wat Phananchoeng, Wat Phutthai Sawan, and Wat Chaiwatthanaram.
- 7 pm: Have dinner at the night market.
- 9 pm: Listen to live music and have a few drinks or travel back to Bangkok.
Ayutthaya admission fee & opening hours
Most of the temples in Ayutthaya open from 8 am to 5 pm.
You can purchase a package ticket, including six temples, at 220 baht. The temples include Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Phra Ram, Wat Chaiwatthanaram, and Wat Maheyong.
What to pack for Ayutthaya Thailand
Bring a hat, sunglasses, and water because you have to move between many points in the hot climate in Thailand.
Wear appropriate clothes that cover your knees and shoulders when visiting temples and shrines here.
What to eat in Ayutthaya
River shrimp
This dish will be a highlight of your trip to Ayutthaya. When coming to the ancient capital, do not miss the delicious fresh shrimp with a big size.
Because of its size and mesmerizing flavor, this price can be pretty high, but it is worth the money. You can try them at the riverfront restaurants in Ayutthaya.
Boat noodles
You can’t leave Ayutthaya without enjoying the boat noodles, the specialty in this ancient capital of Thailand.
The starting point of this dish is simply the noodles sold and served on boats circulating through canals and rivers. Later, due to demand, it was also sold in street eateries.
Boat noodles are usually served in small bowls, and you can choose the ingredients to put into the bowl, creating your flavor.
Festivals in Ayutthaya
Below is the list of festivals you can join in Ayutthaya, with the most popular one being the Songkran festival, which happens annually from the 13th to the 15th of April.
- Bang Sai Arts & Craft Annual Fair (late January – early February)
- Songkran Festival (April 13 -15)
- Khao Phansa Aquatic Festival
- Boat racing (October – November)
- Loi Krathong Festival (November)
- Bang Sai Loi Krathong (November)
- Ayutthaya World Heritage Fair (December)
I was in Bangkok in January but missed going to Ayutthaya! I met someone who went and she said it was really hot there as there aren’t a lot of shady spots. So I can’t imagine going in March or other hotter months! Thanks for sharing the tips – I’m going to bookmark it for next time :)