Updated 6 November 2026 · Questions? WhatsApp +66 63 267 3536
Ayutthaya, the old capital of Siam and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is about 80 km north of Bangkok. Most visitors see it in one day: a guided tour picks you up in Bangkok, visits the main temples and brings you back the same evening. Tours start from ฿1,326 per adult.
Ways to visit Ayutthaya from Bangkok
Four ways to do the trip, from a shared day tour to your own car. Prices are per adult and update live from our booking system.
Join tour · hotel pickup
Ayutthaya day tour
About 10 hours
- Hotel pickup from 8:00 AM, back about 6:00–6:30 PM
- Bang Pa-In Palace, Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Mahathat and Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
- English-speaking guide and entry tickets included; lunch not included
฿1,440 per adult
BookBus there, river cruise back
Ayutthaya by bus and Grand Pearl cruise
About 8.5 hours
- Meet at River City, Bangkok; about 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
- Temples by coach in the morning, buffet lunch on the cruise back
- English-speaking guide and admission fees included
฿1,971 per adult
BookAfternoon to night · hotel pickup
Ayutthaya night tour
About 9 hours
- Hotel pickup 11:30 AM–12:10 PM, back about 8:30–9:00 PM
- Temples lit up after dark, then the Ayutthaya night market
- Small group of up to 14 guests, guide included
฿1,326 per adult
BookPrivate · your own car
Private car with driver
You set the hours
- Hotel pickup at the time you choose
- Stay as long as you like at each temple
- Good for families and small groups
Price on request
Get a quoteTaxes included · Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on the tours above · Questions? Ask us on WhatsApp
Ayutthaya day trip: quick answers
| Distance | About 80 km north of Bangkok, 1 to 1.5 hours by road depending on traffic |
| Time needed | A full day (about 8 to 10 hours including the drive), or an afternoon-to-night tour |
| Price | Join tour ฿1,440, bus and cruise ฿1,971, night tour ฿1,326 per adult; private car on request |
| Main sights | Wat Mahathat (the Buddha head in tree roots), Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Bang Pa-In Palace |
| What to wear | Shoulders and knees covered at temples and the palace; comfortable shoes, a hat and water |
| Best time | November to February is cooler. The ruins have little shade, so start early or choose the night tour |
Ayutthaya tours from Bangkok compared
| Option | Best for | Good to know | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Join tour with hotel pickup | First visit, easy day with a guide | Shared minivan; pickup times are a window, not exact; lunch on your own | ฿1,440 |
| Bus there, cruise back | Seeing the temples and the river in one day | Meet at River City; buffet lunch on the boat; back about 4:00 PM | ฿1,971 |
| Night tour | Avoiding the midday heat, photos of lit temples | Starts around noon, back about 9:00 PM; includes the night market | ฿1,326 |
| Private car with driver | Families, small groups, your own pace | You choose the stops and timing; no guide unless you add one | On request |
| On your own by train | Budget travellers who like to plan | Train from Bangkok, then a tuk-tuk or bicycle between temples; you buy each ticket yourself | Lowest cost |
More to see in Ayutthaya
- Wat Phra Si Sanphet: three tall chedis on the grounds of the old royal palace, the best-known view in Ayutthaya.
- Wat Ratchaburana: next to Wat Mahathat, with a large prang you can look into.
- Viharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit: a hall with one of the largest bronze Buddha images in Thailand, beside Wat Phra Si Sanphet.
- Japanese Village: the site of the Japanese trading community of the Ayutthaya period, with a small exhibition.
- Ayothaya Floating Market: a market built for visitors, with snacks and boat rides; easy to add if you have your own car.
Ayutthaya day trip FAQ
Is Ayutthaya worth a day trip from Bangkok?
Yes, if you like history and temples. It is the easiest UNESCO site to reach from Bangkok, and the ruins look very different from the temples in the city. If you only want shopping or nightlife, skip it.
Is half a day enough?
Half a day is tight once you add 2 to 3 hours of driving. A full-day tour or the afternoon-to-night tour gives you time for four or five sights without rushing.
Day trip or overnight?
A day trip covers the main temples. Stay overnight only if you want to cycle around the old city at your own pace or see more of the smaller sites.
Can I go by train?
Yes. Most trains to Ayutthaya leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bang Sue). The ride takes about 1 hour on faster trains and up to about 2 hours on ordinary trains; check the timetable with the State Railway of Thailand before you go. From Ayutthaya station, take a tuk-tuk or rent a bicycle or motorbike between the temples. It is the cheapest way, but you plan the route and buy each entry ticket yourself.
Are entrance fees included?
On the join tour and the bus-and-cruise tour, entry to the sites in the itinerary is included. On your own, each temple and the palace charge a separate fee for foreign visitors.
What should I wear?
Cover your shoulders and knees: temples and Bang Pa-In Palace are still respected sites. Wear shoes that are easy to take off and bring sun protection.
Which option is best for families?
A private car is the most relaxed with children because you set the pace. For a lower budget, the join tour with hotel pickup avoids planning transport.
Not sure which one fits? Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and group size and we will suggest the best option.