Ayutthaya Day Trip From Bangkok: Itinerary for 9 Stunning Temples

If you’re visiting Bangkok and want to squeeze in some history, culture and jaw dropping scenery all in one day, an Ayutthaya day trip should be at the top of your list!

Just over an hour from Bangkok, Ayutthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was founded in 1350 and served as the second capital of the Kingdom of Siam.

The city is packed with centuries-old temple ruins, towering Buddha statues and fascinating stories from Thailand’s royal past.

My husband and I spent a full day exploring Ayutthaya by tuk-tuk, sweating buckets, snapping way too many photos and falling in love with this magical city.

Here is everything you need to know to plan your own perfect day in Ayutthaya, from when to go, how to get there and the temples you CANNOT miss!

Some links in this Ayutthaya itinerary are affiliate, if clicked, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Where is Ayutthaya?

Ayutthaya is located about 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Bangkok. Making it an easy day trip from Bangkok. 

It is located on an island surrounded by three rivers – the Chao Phraya, Lopburi and Pa Sak.

Is Ayutthaya worth visiting?

Ayutthaya is 100% worth the visit. The people who will get the most out of a visit here are history and world religion lovers.

However, as a girl with minimal history knowledge on the temple ruins, I LOVED the educational visit to this UNESCO heritage site.

The temple ruins are magical and have been standing for centuries. It is nothing we have in the western world and it transports you to another time.

I think anyone who loves travel and adventure will truly appreciate a visit to Ayutthaya, Thailand.

Best time to visit Ayutthaya

The best time to visit Ayutthaya is during the cool and dry season, from November to February. They say “cool season”, but it is still HOT, stay hydrated!! 

We visited in November and loved it.

Rainy season (June to October) has frequent showers, however, less crowds, so if that’s a priority for you, check it out then!

Keep in mind – Loy Krathong Festival, one of Thailand’s most beautiful festivals happens in November, we were visiting the week of this festival and they were setting up the temples and city to host the cultural event.

We actually spent Loy Krathong in Sukhothai, Thailand which is also known for its historical park and incredible temple ruins. 

How much time do you need in Ayutthaya?

Personally, having spent one day there, I think this is absolutely enough time to see the main temple ruins of Ayutthaya. 

However, if you prefer to go at a slower pace and you really want to enjoy each temple for an hour(s), I recommend two days.

I would have considered more than a day if I understood the level of heat of that day lol…

It was 33°C and felt like 36°C, we had to sit in a restaurant for about an hour midday to avoid the excruciating heat.

The temperature and amount of temples you wish to visit will determine how long to spend, but we were very happy with one day in Ayutthaya.

How to get to Ayutthaya

If visiting on your own, you can either take a bus or a train to Ayutthaya. We started the day by taking a Grab to Don Meaung train station in Bangkok. 

Everything transportation in Asia can be found on 12GO Asia. That was my saving grace app during my 7 months in Asia. I highly recommend you download this app and book your trains and busses here.

We took the train from Don Meung to Ayutthaya. I booked our train tickets one day in advance, however, if you want the cheapest train tickets you should book at least 2-3 days in advance.

On the way there we sat in 2nd class, fan seats only. The train took 1 hour and was quite comfortable, they had the windows open and it was not unbearable, trust me, (from a sweaty gal lol).

They announce when you are about to arrive at Ayutthaya. The entire process was smooth and I was comfortable and felt safe throughout.

You can also purchase train tickets at the train station, and they will be cheaper, but I recommend booking in advance to ensure securing them.

Important Information for your Ayutthaya Day Trip

Hiring a Tuk-Tuk Driver in Ayutthaya

Once you arrive at the train station there will be Tuk-Tuk sales reps wandering around trying to get a sale.

We knew we were going to bargain for a tuktuk to take us around for the day and assumed these sales reps were the drivers. We were incorrect!

The sales reps are looking for the best price and then they connect you with another driver.

Step out of the train station and walk away a bit. Try to find the actual driver of the Tuk Tuk to negotiate a price with them.

All this said, after researching I knew the budget to aim for was from 1000 – 1500 THB for the day, (thank you Reddit).

We ended up getting a TukTuk for 1600 THB (as we were slightly finessed by the rep).

Our driver, Mam, was wonderful – if you are ever in Ayutthaya give her a call or msg her on whatsapp and hire her to take you around. 

I was shocked by how much we were able to fit in throughout the day. I assumed we would only be able to see a few temple ruins but we were able to see everything we wanted and MORE, thanks to Mam!

Ayutthaya Entrance Tickets

When you visit your temple inside Ayutthaya Historical Park, you can buy a pass for 220 THB, which gives you access to multiple wats (temples) within the park.

This is the best option if you plan to see several temples, as it will save you money compared to paying the 50 THB entrance fee at each site individually.

What to wear in Ayutthaya

Since most of Ayutthaya’s sites are active or former temples, you will need to dress respectfully.

This means covering your shoulders and knees with light breathable clothing because it will be HOT!

For reference, I wore a t-shirt, breezy pants and my Teva sandals (my best purchase for my entire Asia trip).

I recommend loose pants or long skirt, a lightweight top, a linen long sleeved top to protect from the sun and comfortable shoes for walking around.

Do NOT forget a hat, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen.

Your tuk-tuk driver will most likely have umbrellas for you to use which is a huge bonus.

Ayutthaya Day Trip Itinerary: Visit 9 Temples

The itinerary below walks you through exactly how we spent our day exploring the temples of Ayutthaya.

No group tour, just us on our own with a tuk tuk driver and plenty of adventure along the way!

Ayutthaya Itinerary Map

Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon 

• Fee: 20 baht
• Hours: Daily, 8:00AM – 5:00PM
• Allotted time: ~40 minutes – 1 hour

Your first stop will be Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon. This Wat is closest to the train station and makes sense to visit first. It is right outside the Ayutthaya historical park. 

It is HOT here. We visited around 9:30 AM and it was already scorching. 

You can walk all the way up the Chedi (the temple’s stupa AKA, bell shaped tower).

We saw so many bats at the top that I ran out of there. The grounds are gorgeous at this Buddhist temple. I took so many photos here and really enjoyed the serene atmosphere.

Wat Phanan Choeng

• Fee: 20 baht
• Hours: Mon – Fri: 8:00AM – 5:00PM, Sat & Sun: 7:00AM – 5:30PM
• Allotted time: ~20 minutes

Wat Phanan Choeng was not even on my list of places to visit in Ayutthaya as it is not a temple ruin but a current temple, however Mam, our tuktuk driver, encouraged us to visit and we are thankful she did.

The Buddha here is enormous. We were in awe by the size and the expansiveness.

While you walk up to the temple, you can make a donation and purchase alms, (givings for the monks).

You don’t need a lot of time here, but it was great to visit an active temple amidst all of the ruins you will see on this Ayutthaya itinerary.

Temple Break: Breakfast

We were already hot and sweaty and needed some energy, so before entering Ayutthaya Historical Park, we went to grab some breakfast (and a smoothie of course).

The following temples listed in this itinerary are part of the Ayutthaya Historical Park. Aside from Mongkhol Bophit and Wat Lokaya Sutha, all temples are part of the 220 baht entrance ticket.

Wiharn Phra Mongkhol Bophit

• Fee: FREE!
• Hours: Daily, 8:00AM – 4:30PM
• Allotted time: 30 minutes

Another active temple in Ayutthaya is Mongkhol Bophit, which is home to another incredibly large bronze Buddha statue, one of the largest in the country.

When we visited it was being restored/worked on so we did not get any photos. However, it was still beautiful to visit.

This temple is right next to Wat Phra Sri Sanphet and an easy stop before visiting the next ruins. 

Wat Phra Sri Sanphet

• Fee: 50 baht, *purchase the 220 baht ticket!*
• Hours: Daily, 8:00AM – 6:30PM
• Allotted time: 30 minutes

Wat Phra Si Sanphet has three main stupas that contain the ashes of King Boroma-Tri-Loka-Nat, King Boroma-Rachathirat III and King Ramathibodi II.

This temple was built on the royal palace premises during the time of King U-Thong.

In the past, it was used for royal ceremonies and as a private temple to the royal family. 

We purchased our 220 baht ticket at the entrance of Wat Phra Sri Sanphet.

Wat Phra Ram

• Fee: 50 baht, *purchase the 220 baht ticket!*
• Hours: Daily, 8:00AM – 6:30PM
• Allotted time: 30 minutes

Located a couple of minutes away from the above temples is Wat Phra Ram temple ruins. The temple has a large and intact prang (what Wikipedia called a corn on the cob shape).

The temple was built where King Ramathibodi I was cremated.  

Elephant Camp

There is an elephant camp next to Wat Phra Ram. You will see many people riding elephants along the streets. Please, DO NOT do this. This is animal abuse.

Seeing this broke my heart. These beautiful animals should not be treated like this. We saw the number of elephants chained up waiting for riders and it was devastating. 

Stop paying for this service so that it will stop.

Wat Maha That

• Fee: 50 baht, *purchase the 220 baht ticket!*
• Hours: Daily, 8:30AM – 6:30PM
• Allotted time: ~40 minutes – 1 hour

Arguably the most popular temple ruins in Ayutthaya and known for the Buddha head nestled in the tree roots, is Wat Maha That.

If visiting Ayutthaya with a group tour, this one is definitely on the list. You won’t miss out on it. It is so unique and unlike any other temples or ruins we saw during our 7 months in Asia.

When surrounding the Buddha head and/or taking pictures around it, ensure that you are below the buddha by bending down, as a sign of respect.

This was one of my favourite temples I saw that day. I will never forget the feeling of seeing the Buddha head in the trees, it was magical.

Wat Ratcha Burana

• Fee: 50 baht, *purchase the 220 baht ticket!*
• Hours: Daily, 8:00AM – 6:30PM
• Allotted time: ~30 minutes 

At this point in the day I was getting SO tired and so hot, we were templed out. However, Wat Ratcha Burana was high on my list. We whipped out an umbrella and trekked it in the heat to enjoy the ruins.

The prang of the temple was still intact and makes for a gorgeous backdrop in photos.

Temple Break: Lunch

We had lunch at Sukunya Bistro, such a cute spot next to the temples with blasting AC. 

It was the perfect place to stop for a quick bite, that turned into an hour of cooling down because it was just SO hot outside.

Highly recommend this restaurant in Ayutthaya!

Wat Lokaya Sutha

• Fee: FREE!
• Hours: Daily, 8:00AM – 4:30PM
• Allotted time: ~10 minutes

I was so disappointed on my visit to Wat Lokaya Sutha, first because my elephant pants ripped straight down the middle and second because the ruins were under restoration.

I understand the need for these important restorations, however, I was SO excited to see the reclining Buddha statue.

We walked around for a few minutes, I made sure to purchase some new elephant pants (haha), and we headed off to our last temple ruins of the day!

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

• Fee: 50 baht, *purchase the 220 baht ticket!*
• Hours: Daily, 8:00AM – 6:30PM
• Allotted time: ~40 minutes

I saved the best for last! Visit Wat Chaiwatthanaram at sunset and you will thank me. The way the sun hits the ruins is GORGEOUS.

Wat Chaiwatthanaram is one of the most popular in Ayutthaya and is on most of the group tour itineraries, however, they are visiting earlier in the day.

The temple grounds, like the rest of them, are so hot during the day, seeing this temple at sunset with very few tourists around was so magical.

Ending Your Day in Ayutthaya

At the end of the day our tuktuk driver Mam brought us back to the train station where we waited for our train.

We purchased a 6:07pm return train to Bangkok, honestly we could have done an earlier train, however, seeing Wat Chaiwatthanaram at sunset was our favourite so I am glad with the timing of our day.

We were knocked out by the time we got back to Bangkok that we both fell asleep in our Grab ride (not the wisest idea), thankfully we made it back to our hotel safely!

Ayutthaya Day Trip Budget

Now that you’ve seen exactly how we spent our day in Ayutthaya, let’s break down the costs so you can get an idea of what to budget for your own trip.

This was our exact budget (travelling in a couple).

Prices in THB and CAD.

Transportation

• Grab to Don Mueang Train Station: 405 THB ($16.23 CAD) per couple
• Train to & from Ayutthaya (booked day before): 400 THB per person ($17 CAD pp) 
• TukTuk for day: 1600 THB ($68.24 CAD) per couple
• Grab from Don Maeung Train Station to Bangkok hotel: 200 THB ($8.53 CAD) per couple

Temple Entrance Fees

• Ayutthaya Entrance Fee (Historical Park Wats): 220 THB per person ($9.37) 
• Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon Entrance Fee: 20 THB per person ($0.85 CAD)
• Wat Phanan Choeng Entrance Fee: 20 THB per person ($0.85 CAD)

Food & Drink

• Breakfast & Lunch: 200 THB per person ($8 CAD) 

TOTAL for our day trip to Ayutthaya: 4026 THB (as a couple) – 2013 THB per person

$172 CAD per couple, $86 CAD per person

Looking back, we spent a little more than some group tours, but the freedom to set our own pace and visit every temple we wanted made the experience absolutely worth it.

Below is some information about joining a group vs. doing the trip on your own.

Should I visit Ayutthaya with a Group Tour or Alone

This blog post should show you that I am a huge advocate for doing this day trip on your own. It is so easy when you break it down and I love going at my own pace / doing my own thing.

When comparing the budget of doing it alone (see above), to group trips, when you first start your research you’ll notice that group tours are about $50 CAD per person. 

However, this is not completely accurate. If you toggle the tours to get free pick up, entrance fees, food included you will notice the prices increase to upwards of $80 CAD.

You will also notice that the group tours do not hit even a fraction of the temples in Ayutthaya. 

If you’re still on the fence about how to visit I broke it down below in pros & cons.

Pros & Cons of Visiting Ayutthaya On Your Own

Pros of Visiting on Own

• Can go at your own pace 
• Can actually visit all of the temples you want to see within a day (at a reasonable pace)
• Can be more affordable and better value for money if planned appropriately

Cons of Visiting on Own

• Some historical context may be missing if not doing the research ahead of time
• Have to be more on guard about timing and ensuring that you are allocating the appropriate time to ensure making it back in time for your Bangkok return
• Have to negotiate with TukTuk drivers – could be a positive if you are confident with this

Ayutthaya Group Tours from Bangkok

If I still did not convince you to do it on your own and the thought of a group tour is easier for you, I am sure they are still great!

Check out these highly rated group tours here, just note I have no personal experience with these tours and cannot recommend them as I have not done them.

Final Thoughts on Your Day in Ayutthaya

An Ayutthaya day trip is the perfect way to step outside of Bangkok’s chaos and into a world of ancient history and timeless beauty.

Whether you choose to explore on your own (which I highly recommend), or visit with a group tour, experiencing these temple ruins is something you will never forget.

For me, the combination of history, culture and adventure (ripping my pants, sweating my ass off and Tuktuk experiences), AND the incredible sunset at Wat Chaiwatthanaram all made Ayutthaya one of the most memorable days of my 7 months in Asia.

Pack your water bottle, light clothes and get ready to be amazed.

I went to Asia for 7 months, stay tuned here for more Asia content!!