🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
What makes this trip work is the contrast across two days. Day one is old-city Ayutthaya — red brick, slumped chedis, a Buddha head wrapped in tree roots, the ancient ruins of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Day two switches tone to the living temples of Ang Thong: a long reclining Buddha, a colossal seated Buddha, and riverside temples where locals actually come to make merit. Both provinces share the same river, the Chao Phraya, which threads their old-city stories neatly together.
Before you set off
Driving yourself is by far the easiest way to do this trip, because the Ang Thong temples are spread across different districts and public transport between them is a hassle. If you don't have your own car, renting one or hiring a van by the day from Ayutthaya is a lot smoother. Budget for fuel and tolls too.
Day 1 — Old-City Ayutthaya
Day one centres on Ayutthaya's old island inside the historical park. The main temples are clustered close together, just a few minutes' drive apart. Each site has its own entry fee of around 50 THB, or you can buy a combined ticket. Wear comfortable walking shoes, since you'll be covering a lot of brick paths and grass.
Ayutthaya old island
Where to stay tonight
Spending the first night in Ayutthaya town is the easiest call, because the next morning you can drive straight up to Ang Thong. Options run from cheap riverside hostels to resorts with river views. Pick somewhere near the old island and you'll have dinner and a walk through the night market within easy reach.
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.
Day 2 — The Ang Thong temple run
On the second morning you leave Ayutthaya and head north into Ang Thong province. It's about 40 kilometres from Ayutthaya's old island to Ang Thong town, along the highway that runs beside the Chao Phraya River. These temples are working temples where locals make merit every day — not the ancient ruins of day one — and most of them are free to enter.
Ayutthaya → Ang Thong
The temples you shouldn't miss on either run
Wat Mahathat (Ayutthaya)
The Buddha head in the bodhi tree roots — the lasting image of Ayutthaya that everyone comes to see. The grounds also have several prangs and slumped chedis to wander among.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram (Ayutthaya)
A Khmer-style riverside temple, central prang ringed by smaller chedis. A favourite for Thai-dress photos, and beautiful in the evening light and when it's lit up at night.
Wat Muang (Ang Thong)
Luang Pho Yai, the largest Buddha statue in Thailand, about 95 metres tall and visible from a distance. There's a model heaven-and-hell zone to walk around the grounds.
Wat Khun Inthapramun (Ang Thong)
An open-air reclining Buddha about 50 metres long, stretched across an open courtyard. An old temple where locals come to ask for luck and fortune.
Wat Pa Mok Worawihan (Ang Thong)
An old reclining Buddha about 22.6 metres long with a beautiful face, set by the river near the Ayutthaya border. The first temple worth stopping at as you cross into Ang Thong.
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon (Ayutthaya)
A big chedi you can climb for the view, with a row of yellow-robed Buddhas and a white reclining Buddha. People come to make merit and ask for blessings.
Routes and getting around
- Bangkok → Ayutthaya — about an hour and a half by car, or take a train/van from Mo Chit or Rangsit. But once in town you'll need to rent a car or motorbike to get around.
- Ayutthaya → Ang Thong — about 40 kilometres along the highway beside the Chao Phraya River, an easy drive. Wat Pa Mok makes the perfect first stop, sitting right in the middle.
- Within Ang Thong — the temples are in different districts: Wat Muang is on the west side, Wat Khun Inthapramun is over in Pho Thong. Your own car is by far the most flexible. Expect to drive 60–80 kilometres a day.
- Ang Thong → Bangkok — the return takes about an hour and a half to two hours depending on traffic. Leaving Ang Thong in the late afternoon helps you dodge the evening rush.
Pace your day right
Don't cram in more than 5–6 temples a day — each one deserves a proper walk-through, not just a quick photo stop. If you only have one day, trim it to Ayutthaya's three standout temples, then head up for Wat Muang and Wat Khun Inthapramun as the Ang Thong highlights, and that's plenty.
Tweak the plan to your style
For the Thai-dress photographers
Lean into day one in Ayutthaya — rent traditional Thai outfits and shoot at Wat Chaiwatthanaram and Wat Mahathat, then head up to Ang Thong at an easy pace on day two.
For the merit-makers
Cut the time at the ruins and add the full Ang Thong temple run — Wat Muang, Wat Khun Inthapramun, Wat Chaiyo and Wat Ton Son, all in one day.
For families
Wat Muang's model heaven-and-hell zone gives kids something to walk through, and Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon has wide open grounds to run around. Build in frequent snack breaks along the way.
Plan a full Ayutthaya trip — see all the hotels and temples
See the Ayutthaya travel guide →