Ayutthaya
The capital of Siam for 417 years, sacked in 1767 and left as a field of brick stupas and headless Buddhas. Ayutthaya is an hour and a half from Bangkok and the best day trip in the country.
Ayutthaya is the ruined capital of the Siamese kingdom, 80km north of Bangkok, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It works as a day trip from Bangkok or an overnight, and needs a car or bicycle between the sites.
The historical park
The ruins are spread over a large island; a bicycle is the right way to do it. Wat Mahathat's Buddha head in the tree roots, Wat Chaiwatthanaram at sunset and Wat Phra Si Sanphet are the three not to miss.
Getting there
Third-class train from Hua Lamphong takes 90 minutes and costs almost nothing — it is half the experience. We usually drive back in the evening so you are not tied to the timetable.
Where to stay in Ayutthaya
Most people visit Ayutthaya as a day trip, which is a mistake if you want the ruins at sunrise. If you stay, the choice is the riverside near the park or the modern town a kilometre east.
- Riverside, west of the park$$
Best for: One night, sunrise over ruins
Walk to Wat Mahathat and Wat Ratchaburana before 8am; restaurants on the water.
- Town centre (east of the moat)$
Best for: Cheap rooms, night market
The night market and local food; 15 minutes by tuk-tuk to the main ruins.
Price bands are for a double room per night in high season: $ under THB 1,800 · $$ 1,800–4,500 · $$$ 4,500–10,000 · $$$$ above 10,000. We book hotels in every band and inspect them in person.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Coming by train and planning to walk — the ruins are spread over 5km
- Visiting between 11am and 2pm when there is no shade anywhere
- Skipping the museums, which explain what the ruins actually were
Is it worth it?
Worth a full day and much easier from Bangkok than Sukhothai. The ruins are extensive and genuinely impressive, especially Wat Mahathat and Wat Chaiwatthanaram. Hire a guide or you will be looking at brick without context.
Things to see in Ayutthaya
UNESCO site
Ayutthaya Historical Park
The ruins of the Siamese capital: brick stupas, headless Buddhas and the famous head in the tree roots at Wat Ma…
Palace
Bang Pa-In Royal Palace
A riverside summer palace of Thai pavilions, Chinese towers and a European-style hall, all arranged around a lak…
Temple
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
A Khmer-style temple on the west bank of the Chao Phraya, best seen at sunset from across the river.…
Tours that include Ayutthaya
Bestseller
4.9 (145)
Thailand Highlights
Bangkok · Ayutthaya · Chiang Mai · Phuket
Private
4.9 (80)
Best of Thailand
Bangkok · Ayutthaya · Sukhothai · Chiang Mai
Private
4.9 (100)
Thailand Grand Tour
Bangkok · Kanchanaburi · Ayutthaya · Sukhothai
Private
4.9 (155)
Ayutthaya by Vintage Rail
Ayutthaya
Experiences here
Common questions
Yes. It is 1.5 hours by train or minivan and a full day covers the main sites comfortably.
Bicycle for the central sites (50 baht a day), or a car with driver for the full circuit (1,500–2,000 baht). Tuk-tuks run between sites for 100–200 baht.
It is worth it if you want to see the ruins at sunrise and sunset, which is when they are at their best. Most people day-trip.
50 baht per temple, or a 220 baht pass for six sites. A guide is 1,500–2,000 baht for the day.
Last updated: October 2026 · JoyoTour editorial team
Add Ayutthaya to a longer trip
Most travellers combine it with two or three other places. Tell us your dates and we will suggest the route.