In a nutshell
- Ayutthaya is a historic town in Thailand, about 70 kilometers north of Bangkok — and one of the country’s most important temple cities.
- In this article, Fee & Marcel from Nomads Hit the Road share all their essential tips for Ayutthaya — from top highlights and hotel picks to getting there from Bangkok.
- The top must-sees are Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Mahathat, and Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon — all doable in a single day.
- We recommend spending the night — the temples are much quieter in the early morning and evening. Our top pick: Baan Tye Wang Guesthouse.
Is Ayutthaya Worth It?
Yes, Ayutthaya is a fantastic destination in Thailand — especially if you’re into temples and Buddhism. The city holds enormous historical significance for the religion, and you can learn a lot about Thailand’s past here.
We wouldn’t travel all the way to Thailand just for Ayutthaya, but as a day trip from Bangkok or a stopover on the way north, it’s absolutely worth your time.
The Most Beautiful Sights in Ayutthaya
Almost all the top things to do in Ayutthaya revolve around its temples, and you can explore most of them in a single day. They’re all close together and easily reachable on foot or by bicycle.
The standout highlights are the temples Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Mahathat, and Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon. You can tick off all of Ayutthaya’s must-sees in one day.
Here are the most important places to visit in Ayutthaya — listed in the order that works best for getting around:
- Wat Mahathat
- Wat Ratchaburana
- Bueng Phra Ram Park
- Wat Phra Ram
- Wat Phra Si Sanphet
- Wat Lokaya Sutharam
- Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
- Wat Chai Watthanaram (if you have two days)
- Ayutthaya Floating Market (if you have two days)
Highlights in Ayutthaya on a Map
For a better overview, we’ve marked all the key sights in Ayutthaya on a map.
Wat Mahathat
What you need to know: Wat Mahathat dates back to the 14th century and was one of the most important temples in the Kingdom of Ayutthaya. The central tower (Prang) symbolizes the power of religion, and sacred relics of the Buddha were kept inside. It’s best known for the Buddha head that has become entwined in the roots of a banyan tree — and it’s one of the most iconic images in all of Thailand.
Is it worth it? Yes! The Buddha head in the tree is a photo you simply have to take when you’re in Ayutthaya. That said, it wasn’t quite as impressive in person as we had imagined.
Admission: Tickets cost 50 Baht (about 1.30 €, locals pay less) — buy them at the entrance in cash.
Wat Ratchaburana
What you need to know: Wat Ratchaburana was built in 1424 by a king in honor of his brothers — both of whom died fighting over the throne. At the time it was an important spiritual center, and even today its Prang is very well preserved.
Is it worth it? Honestly, it’s just okay. We found the other Ayutthaya temples considerably more interesting. If you’re short on time, you can skip this one without missing much.
Admission: Tickets cost 50 Baht (about 1.30 €, locals pay less) — buy them at the entrance in cash.
Bueng Phra Ram Park
What you need to know: Bueng Phra Ram Park is a great spot to cycle through or stroll across when you’re moving from Wat Ratchaburana to Wat Phra Ram. The park features a lake that was once a royal swamp, and it’s the perfect place to catch your breath between temples.
Is it worth it? Yes — it’s a lovely break from temple-hopping, and the green setting is really refreshing.
Admission: Free
Wat Phra Ram
What you need to know: Wat Phra Ram is a late 14th-century temple located next to the Royal Palace of Ayutthaya. It served primarily as a place of meditation and religious practice. Its defining features are the tall central Prang and the chedis (a key element of Buddhist temple architecture). The complex has been renovated several times over the centuries.
Is it worth it? It’s okay. The complex is smaller than Wat Mahathat or Wat Phra Si Sanphet. It’s lovely, but easy to skip if you’re pressed for time.
Our personal tip: Arrive shortly before closing time at 6:30 PM and you’ll have the grounds almost entirely to yourself. When we visited, we were literally the only ones there.
Admission: Tickets cost 50 Baht (about 1.30 €, locals pay less) — buy them at the entrance in cash.
Wat Phra Si Sanphet
What you need to know: Wat Phra Si Sanphet stands on the grounds of the Royal Palace and was the most important temple of the Ayutthaya royal family — used exclusively for religious ceremonies. The three bell-shaped chedis are its most iconic feature, each containing the remains of a king.
Is it worth it? Absolutely. The chedis are seriously impressive, and a visit here gives you real insight into Thailand’s political and religious history. Don’t skip this one.
Admission: Tickets cost 50 Baht (about 1.30 €, locals pay less) — buy them at the entrance in cash.
Wat Lokaya Sutharam
What you need to know: Wat Lokaya Sutharam is known for its enormous 37-meter-long reclining Buddha statue. The rest of the temple complex is largely in ruins, and not much is known about its origins.
Is it worth it? Yes — it makes for a great change of pace from the other Ayutthaya temples, since the architecture is so different. It’s not as grand as the reclining Buddha at Wat Pho in Bangkok, but still well worth a stop.
Our personal tip: Explore the area around Wat Lokaya Sutharam by bike. You’ll stumble across some really cool spots well off the tourist trail.
Admission: Free
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
What you need to know: Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon is one of the most celebrated temples in Ayutthaya. Built in 1357 for monks returning from Sri Lanka, its landmark is a striking 62-meter-tall chedi. Nearby, you’ll find a reclining Buddha statue that visitors often adorn with flowers and incense.
Is it worth it? Absolutely. It’s one of the most impressive spots in the whole Ayutthaya day trip — don’t miss it.
Our personal tip: Visit Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon on your way back to Bangkok — it’s located outside the city center, not far from the train station, so it fits perfectly as a last stop.
Admission: Tickets cost 50 Baht (about 1.30 €, locals pay less) — buy them at the entrance in cash.
Wat Chai Watthanaram
What you need to know: Wat Chai Watthanaram sits just outside the center of Ayutthaya, right along the river. The setting makes for great photos — especially at sunset, when the whole complex is bathed in golden light.
Is it worth it? Yes, the complex and its riverside setting are seriously beautiful. That said, we’d only recommend it if you have two days in Ayutthaya.
Admission: Tickets cost 50 Baht (about 1.30 €, locals pay less) — buy them at the entrance in cash.
Ayutthaya Floating Market
What you need to know: At the Ayutthaya Floating Market you’ll find a wide variety of traditional Thai dishes, snacks, souvenirs, and handicrafts — sold from boats and market stalls. You can also take a boat tour through the market. For a less touristy experience, check out the Wat Tha Ka Floating Market instead.
Is it worth it? It’s fun, but not a must-see for us. If you’re curious about floating markets, it’s a nice add-on — just don’t make it the centerpiece of your trip.
Our personal tip: If floating markets are on your bucket list, you can book a day trip from Bangkok that includes the Ayutthaya Floating Market.
Admission: Free
Where to Stay in Ayutthaya
Even if you can cover the main highlights in a single day, we really recommend spending a night in Ayutthaya.
That way you can explore the temples in the morning and evening, when the day-trippers have already left or haven’t arrived yet — and the atmosphere is completely different.
Our top pick for where to stay in Ayutthaya is the Baan Tye Wang Guesthouse. It’s set a little away from the center, in a green area near Wat Lokaya Sutharam.
We stayed here ourselves and really loved it. Bicycles were available to borrow for free, and breakfast in the morning was genuinely delicious.
The value for money is excellent, and the rooms are large and comfortable.
All Our Hotel Recommendations for Ayutthaya
Good & affordable
Better
How to Get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya
You have several options for getting from Bangkok to Ayutthaya. We recommend taking the train.
From Bangkok to Ayutthaya by Train
The best place to board is Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok. Trains in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class run here regularly.
Reliable timetable information isn’t easy to find online, so our advice is to simply head to the station and take the next available train.
We went with a 3rd class train since it was the first one leaving (it departed from the opposite platform at Bang Sue Junction).
Third class was perfectly fine for a one-hour ride. The ticket only cost us 14 Baht (about 30 cents).
From the Train Station to the Center of Ayutthaya
From Ayutthaya train station, it’s about 4 kilometers to the center where the temples are. You can grab a tuk-tuk at the entrance, or rent a bicycle or scooter.
For a day trip especially, we’d suggest going with a bicycle. It’s the quickest and most flexible way to hop between sights.
Good to know about Ayutthaya train station: Most staff speak English. There are restrooms on-site, though they’re not the cleanest.
By Bus/Minivan from Bangkok to Ayutthaya
As an alternative to the train, minibuses also run to Ayutthaya. They depart from the new minibus terminal at Mo Chit Bus Terminal.
The journey takes about one and a half to two hours, and tickets typically cost between 60 and 100 Baht (about 2 dollars) per person.
- Minibuses are more comfortable than trains or larger buses.
- Minibuses usually drop you off right in the city center of Ayutthaya.
- Depending on traffic, the journey can be slower than by train.
By Taxi/Grab to Ayutthaya
If you’d rather travel in comfort, you can book a taxi or Grab. You’ll be taken directly from your hotel in Bangkok to the center of Ayutthaya.
Prices vary depending on the time of day. Expect to pay around 1,000 Baht (about 27 dollars) per ride.
Guided Tour to Ayutthaya from Bangkok
Even more convenient is booking a guided tour. Then you don’t have to worry about getting around at all, and you’ll have a guide on hand to bring the temples and history of Ayutthaya to life.
View the guided tour to Ayutthaya from Bangkok
Frequently Asked Questions About Ayutthaya
Where's the best place to eat in Ayutthaya?
If you’re spending the night in Ayutthaya, head to the Ayutthaya Night Market in the center of town.
Just keep in mind it’s a row of outdoor food stalls rather than a full market — the proper night market that used to exist here has since closed.
For a sit-down meal, the Garden Side Restaurant is really good — we’d definitely recommend it.
How much time do you need in Ayutthaya?
A day trip is enough to see the main attractions in Ayutthaya.
Two days is even better — you’ll have time to explore at a relaxed pace and catch the temples in the quieter morning and evening hours.
When was Ayutthaya the capital of Thailand?
Ayutthaya served as the capital of the Kingdom of Siam — present-day Thailand — from 1351 to 1767. For over 400 years, it was one of the most powerful political and economic centers in all of Southeast Asia.
Who destroyed Ayutthaya?
Ayutthaya was completely destroyed on April 7, 1767, by the Burmese army (from present-day Myanmar) during a war between Siam and Burma.
The invaders looted and burned the city to the ground, bringing the Ayutthaya Kingdom to an end.
