🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The historical island of Ayutthaya is small enough to cycle or drive around with ease, and most of the major temples sit within a few kilometres of each other. So we set day one for the temples on the island itself, day two for crossing off the island to Wat Chaiwatthanaram and the cafes along the Chao Phraya, then close out day three with Bang Pa-In Palace before driving home. If you're visiting on a weekend, leave the first evening free in case the night-lit ruins are running.
Day 1 — Temples on the Historical Island
Day 1
Wat Mahathat, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Lokayasutha, then night-lit ruins
08:30
Leave Bangkok by car, van, or train and arrive in Ayutthaya; check in at a guesthouse on the island and drop your bagsIt's about a 1.5-hour trip from Bangkok. If you take the train to Ayutthaya station, hop on a songthaew or motorbike taxi across to the island.
10:00
Start at Wat Mahathat to see the Buddha head wrapped in the bodhi tree roots — the image everyone pictures when they think of AyutthayaOpen 08:00–18:00. Entry is 10 THB for Thais, 50 THB for foreigners. When taking photos, don't sit or stand higher than the Buddha head.
11:30
Walk on to Wat Phra Si Sanphet with its three Sri Lankan-style chedis in a row — once the temple inside the old royal palace groundsIt sits right next to Viharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit, so you can pay respects to the large bronze Buddha in the same spot.
13:00
Break for lunch at Pa Lek Boat Noodles, a Michelin Guide spot in the Tha Wasukri areaOpen 08:30–17:00, closed Wednesdays. Bowls run 15–20 THB, so ordering several won't dent your wallet.
15:30
Head to Wat Lokayasutha to see the large open-air reclining Buddha — far less crowded than the temples in the main zoneFree entry, great for photos in softer light. There are flowers, incense, and candles for sale at the entrance.
18:30
If it's a Friday–Sunday night, head back to Wat Mahathat or Wat Chaiwatthanaram to see the ruins lit up after darkThe Ayutthaya Sundown event runs during certain parts of the year, Friday–Sunday roughly 18:00–21:00. Check the historical park's announcements before you go.
Day 1 tip
The temples on the island are within walking distance of each other, but the Ayutthaya sun is brutal. Rent a bicycle or electric scooter for 50–250 THB a day and tackle the temples in the morning and late afternoon, avoiding the scorching midday heat.
🎟️Book the activities in your Ayutthaya trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
🎟️ See all Ayutthaya tours & activities (Klook) Day 2 — Off the Island + Riverside Cafes
Day 2
Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, then cafes by the Chao Phraya
08:00
Get to Wat Chaiwatthanaram early — its Khmer-style central prang sits right on the river, and it's the temple where people love to rent Thai costumes for photosOpen 08:00–18:00. Entry is 10 THB for Thais, 50 THB for foreigners. Costume rental shops around the temple start at about 200–400 THB per outfit.
10:30
Drive over to Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, with its big chedi you can climb for a view all around and a long reclining Buddha along one sideOpen 08:00–17:00, entry around 20 THB. The stairs up the chedi are fairly steep, so wear comfortable shoes.
12:30
Have lunch on the mainland, then stop by Mae Pom for roti sai mai — a famous old-school local specialty to take homeRoti sai mai is sold by the pack, 20–30 THB each, perfect as a gift to bring back — though it tastes better fresh.
14:30
Cross over toward Wat Phutthaisawan and pick a cafe along the Chao Phraya, with riverside chedi viewsThis side has Sayama Cafe and small spots tucked under old wooden Thai houses, across from Wat Phutthaisawan — quieter than on the island.
17:30
Wrap up the day at Baan Pomphet, a cafe and restaurant on a bend in the river with wide sunset viewsGo in the evening for the best light. It gets busy on weekends, so book ahead or arrive before sunset.
RiversideSayama Cafe
A small riverside cafe under an old wooden Thai house, across from Wat Phutthaisawan. Quiet and good for ducking out of the afternoon sun.
Wide viewsBaan Pomphet
A restaurant and cafe on a river bend, with an open wooden building and panoramic views. Popular in the evening.
European feelLa Loubère
A riverside cafe and restaurant decorated in European style, where you can linger over coffee with river views.
Day 3 — Bang Pa-In Palace Before Heading Home
Day 3
Check out, then visit Bang Pa-In before driving back to Bangkok
09:00
Check out and grab an easy breakfast around the island before setting offBang Pa-In is about 20 km south of the island, roughly a 30-minute drive.
10:00
Visit Bang Pa-In Palace, taking in the Aisawan Thiphya-Art pavilion in the middle of the pond and the mix of palace buildings in different stylesOpen daily 08:00–17:00 (tickets sold until 15:30). Entry is 50 THB for Thais, 100 THB for foreigners.
12:00
Rent a golf cart or walk the palace grounds, stopping at the Withun Thatsana tower you can climb for a view all aroundThe grounds are large and involve a lot of walking, so a golf cart is better value with a group. Dress modestly — no shorts or sleeveless tops; cover-ups can be rented at the entrance.
13:30
Have lunch around Bang Pa-In, or head back into town for a meal before getting on the expresswayIf you haven't picked up gifts yet, stop by a market or a roti sai mai shop on the way back.
15:00
Set off back to Bangkok, avoiding the Sunday evening window when traffic tends to clog up heading into the cityIf you're driving back on a holiday evening, leave a little extra time for traffic on the Asia Highway expressway.
Before Bang Pa-In
Bang Pa-In is a royal residence, and the modest dress code is genuinely enforced. Wear trousers or a skirt that covers the knees, and skip sleeveless tops and shorts. If you turn up underdressed, the palace rents cover-up cloths at the entrance.
Budget and Getting Around
- Temple & palace fees — for everything in this plan, expect around 100–150 THB per person for Thais and 300–350 THB for foreigners.
- Getting around town — bicycle rental is 50–80 THB a day, electric scooters 150–250 THB, or hire a tuk-tuk by the hour.
- Accommodation — guesthouses on the island start in the high hundreds to around a thousand baht, with riverside hotels going higher. Staying on the island makes temple-hopping easiest.
- Souvenirs — roti sai mai, woven-leaf fish, and Thai sweets from the markets. Buy them on your last day for the freshest pick.
