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Ayutthaya is a popular day trip destination from Bangkok, thanks to the numerous temple ruins in the historical park of the ancient royal city. Some visitors arrive by boats along the Chao Phraya from Bangkok, while others come by train, taxi, or bus. But they all have one thing in common: they want to experience the UNESCO World Heritage Site with their own eyes.
Ayutthaya – Tips for Temples and Other Attractions
For us too, the temples in Ayutthaya are always a highlight, but the city also has a few more things to offer. In this article, we’ll show you why it’s worth staying a few nights in Ayutthaya and what you can do there.
How to Get to Ayutthaya
To get to Ayutthaya, there are several options. However, there are currently no flights available, so you would have to travel by plane via Bangkok. You can find tickets and prices at Skyscanner.
We describe the journey from Bangkok, but you can also travel from many other parts of the country, such as Chiang Mai. The most expensive option from Bangkok would be to rent a taxi. Prices start at about 2000 Baht, and the journey takes about 1 ½ hours, depending on where you are in Bangkok.
The second option is the bus or minivan, either from Khao San Road or Mo Chit Bus Terminal. The price ranges from 90 to 150 Baht, and the journey takes about 2 hours.
However, our favorite is the train ride. You can depart from Hua Lamphong Station in Bangkok or the train station right next to Don Mueang Airport. The journey takes about 1 to 1 ½ hours and costs 20 Baht from Hua Lamphong and 15 Baht from Don Mueang Airport.
You can buy tickets directly at the ticket counters of the train station. Alternatively, you can buy them online at 12go.asia, where you can find all the information about bus and train connections, including schedules, prices, and tickets.
Info: You can also travel from Bangkok by boat. The price here is about 1400 Baht per person, and the journey takes 5 hours. However, this takes a very long time and is expensive, which is why we won’t go into further detail.
Accommodations in Ayutthaya – Our Hotel Tip
The Baan Bamai Boutique Hotel is located on the island part of Ayutthaya near the historical park. It is therefore the perfect starting point to explore the temples of the ancient royal city. The rooms are nestled in a small garden and feature free Wi-Fi, television, refrigerator, and other amenities. Every evening, the hotel provides a small breakfast as a courtesy. Additionally, you can rent a bicycle on-site to explore Ayutthaya on two wheels.
You can find another wide selection of hotels in Ayutthaya here.
1. Temple Visit
Among the sights in Ayutthaya, the temples naturally take first place. This is the reason why most visitors come to the city. Here, you will find most tourists at the famous temples such as Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana, or Wat Phra Si Sanphet.
But even outside the historical park of Ayutthaya, there are many old temple ruins, some more and some less well-preserved, to discover. One of these unknown gems is Wat Choeng Tha, where I didn’t encounter a single other visitor.
For some of the temples, you have to pay an entrance fee of between 20 and 50 baht per person. However, many of the unknown temples can be visited for free. It is always a highlight when we visit Ayutthaya.
Note: If you prefer to visit the ruins of Ayutthaya with a local guide to learn more about the history, then we can recommend a bicycle tour or a tour with the Tuk Tuk.
2. Bang Lan Night Market
Near Wat Mahathat on Bang Lan Road, the Ayutthaya Night Market takes place every evening. However, the lively market sees relatively few tourists, as most are already on their way back from Ayutthaya with their day tours.
There are various stalls selling electronic items or clothing, but most of it revolves around food. This means you’ll find all sorts of Thai dishes, from noodle soups to papaya salad to desserts. Perfect for dinner.
The Bang Lan Night Market is open every evening from 5.00 PM to 10.00 PM, and if you’re staying in Ayutthaya, be sure not to miss it.
3. Museum Visit
Not only the temples, but also some of the museums in Ayutthaya bring you closer to the history of the city. They are also a great destination if you happen to have a rainy day. To learn more about the history, the Chan Kasem National Museum and the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum are suitable.
In addition, there is, for example, Baan Hollanda, which deals with Dutch influence in Ayutthaya, but also the Portuguese Village or Japanese Village, which show other cultural influences.
Another small highlight for museum lovers would be the Thai Boat Museum. This is a private collection of old, traditionally built Thai boats. Some of them are in miniature versions, but you can also find well-preserved ones in their original size.
4. Bike Tour
You can also combine a bike tour in Ayutthaya with a visit to the temples. But even outside the city center, you can explore the beautiful landscape or even remote temples, such as Wat Phu Khao Tong.
Bikes are available for rent in many hotels or shops, as this is a popular way to see Ayutthaya. A bike costs 50 Baht per day, allowing you to reach places that you can’t access with a tour.
5. Ayothaya Floating Market
If you have never visited a floating market in Thailand, you can check out the Ayothaya Floating Market. Otherwise, it doesn’t have much in common with traditional floating markets in Thailand, as it was built specifically for tourists.
Most visitors here are Thais or Chinese, and you rarely see Western tourists. You can take a boat tour through the floating market, which is included in the price, or stroll leisurely along the walkways with many shops and restaurants. A brief visit to Ayutthaya’s floating market is worth it, but only if you haven’t seen another floating market in Thailand yet.
The Ayothaya Floating Market is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and costs 200 Baht per person, including a free boat ride through the market.
Note: In addition to the Ayothaya Floating Market, there is the Elephant Village, where you can ride elephants. However, we advise against this! Riding on the back of an elephant is torture for them, and these majestic animals suffer enough in captivity. It’s better to refrain from doing so.
6. Boat Tour
You can not only take boat tours from Bangkok to Ayutthaya (or vice versa), but also explore the city’s canals. This way, you get to experience Ayutthaya from a different perspective.
There are ultimately two different options. Firstly, there are two-hour tours available that take you along the river to three Ayutthaya attractions. This tour costs 200 Baht per person. It’s especially beautiful in the late afternoon when most day tourists have already left, and Ayutthaya exudes a wonderful tranquility.
The second option is to rent your own long-tail boat. The entire boat costs 500 Baht, and you can decide individually what you’d like to see. With several people, a private boat is definitely worth it.
You can book the tours directly at some places along the canals or at one of the hotels or travel agencies in Ayutthaya.
7. Try Boat Noodles
Kuai Tiao Ruea, as Boat Noodles are called in Thai, are a specialty, especially in Ayutthaya. They have a unique taste and are served in a broth made from pig’s blood. It may sound strange at first, but it tastes really delicious.
In addition to the noodles, there is usually pork or beef as meat, as well as small meatballs. The noodles and meat are mixed with pickled soybeans and some other herbs. So you don’t need to add seasoning to the noodle soup.
In Ayutthaya, you’ll find many Boat Noodle restaurants, but they usually serve small portions. While a noodle soup costs only 30 Baht, you usually need 2-3 to get really full.
By the way, this type of noodle soup is called Boat Noodle because it was served on boats in the canals around the city a long time ago. Definitely give it a try!
8. Bang Pa-in Palace
South of Ayutthaya lies the Bang Pa-in Palace, the royal summer palace. It is situated on a small island and mainly attracts Thai tourists. The first palace was built as early as 1632, although it was constructed much later in its current form.
You can visit the beautifully maintained garden or the residence of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), alongside the famous floating pavilion on site. Admission is 100 Baht per person, and it is open daily from 8.00 AM to 4.00 PM.
For more information about the Bang Pa-in Palace, you can visit Thaizer, a truly comprehensive and well-managed Thailand blog in English.
9. Hua Ro Market
The Hua Ro Market, sometimes also written as Hoaro Market, is a local fresh produce market that has existed in Ayutthaya for over 200 years. But you don’t just get fresh vegetables and other ingredients for cooking on-site, but also many pre-prepared dishes, making the market a great place to stop for a meal.
You can also buy many dried items at the Hua Ro Market: fish, squid, or similar. A visit is worthwhile, at least if you bring your appetite.
The fresh food market is open from 4.00 AM to 6.00 PM, and the Hua Ro Night Market is open from 5.00 PM to 9.00 PM. Thus, you can visit the market almost around the clock.
Ayutthaya Sights: Tours and Tickets
Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know the attractions of Ayutthaya in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Ayutthaya’s sights.
Do you have any tips for a stay in Ayutthaya? What makes the city special for you? Leave us feedback in the comments.
Photos: Photo 11 – Bang Pa In Palace: Roy from Thaizer
