🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Ayutthaya is a place you can genuinely explore by bike, because many of the major temples sit inside the fairly flat old city, and the distances between them are short — a few minutes of pedalling and you're at the next stop. A lot of people pair these two activities: rent a bike and ride the temples in the morning, then put on a Thai costume for photos at the ruins in the late afternoon when the light softens. We've pulled together real shops, rough prices, a route, and the etiquette all in one place.
Where to rent a bike, and what it costs
Bike rental shops in Ayutthaya cluster across from Wat Mahathat and Wat Ratchaburana, with another group near Ayutthaya train station (on the east side of the river). If you arrive by train, walk out of the station, cross over by ferry to the old city, and you'll find rental shops right from the pier. A standard bike runs around ฿50–60 per bike per day. Most come with a key and chain lock, and shops usually ask to hold your ID card or passport in place of a deposit.
Rental shops by the train station
A cluster of shops near Ayutthaya train station, good for anyone arriving by train — cross over by ferry and you can rent right away. Bikes start around ฿60/day, and many shops open roughly 8am–6pm.
Rental shops inside the old city
Shops along Naresuan–Pa Thon roads, near Wat Mahathat and Wat Ratchaburana — just a few steps from where you park and you're off. They have both bikes and motorbikes to choose from.
Pick your bike before you pay
Take it off the kickstand and ride a loop in front of the shop. Check the front and rear brakes and that the tyres aren't soft, and that you can set the seat to the right height for your legs — you'll be riding all day, and a badly fitted seat gets sore fast. A front basket is handy for stashing water and your stuff.
Want more out of Ayutthaya? Book tours & activities
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.
A temple-cycling route through the old city
The main temples in the old city sit close together, and the distance from one to the next is usually just a few minutes' ride. The popular route starts with the cluster of temples in the centre of the island, then works outward to the temples beyond the old city walls toward the end.
The central old-city temple cluster
Moving beyond the central cluster
Plan around the sun
Ayutthaya is hot with strong sun for most of the year. The best windows for cycling are 8am–11am and after 3:30pm. From midday to 2pm you're better off resting in the shade or at a cafe. Carry water with you the whole time.
Where to rent a Thai costume for photos
The most famous spot for Thai-costume photos is in front of Wat Chaiwatthanaram, on the west bank of the river. There you'll find a row of costume rental shops — get dressed, cross the road, and you can shoot inside the temple. The other area with shops is around the central old-city temple cluster, which is convenient if you're pairing it with cycling.
Costume shops in front of Wat Chaiwatthanaram (e.g. Aiyara)
The cluster of shops in front of Wat Chaiwatthanaram has costumes from several eras plus accessories to choose from. Costume rental runs around ฿200–500 per outfit, with makeup add-on ฿50, hair ฿100, and parasol rental ฿50. You can rent for the whole day, and they hold your ID card in place of a deposit.
Costume + hair & makeup + photographer package
If you want nice photos without shooting them yourself, many shops offer packages that include a photographer, from around ฿200 per person (it works out cheaper split among a group). That covers the costume, simple hair and makeup, and the image files. The all-in cost per person usually lands around ฿500–600.
Costume shops in the central old city
Shops around the Wat Mahathat–Wat Phra Si Sanphet cluster — good if your day is focused on cycling the old-city temples and you'd rather not travel all the way over to Wat Chaiwatthanaram. Prices are similar.
Get ready so the photos come out well
Wear a thin tank top or fitted top underneath — it makes getting into the costume easier and more comfortable. Choose shoes you can slip off easily, since some spots require you to remove them before entering. Check with the shop what the price includes before you pay (some charge makeup, hair, and parasol separately), and confirm the return time.
Photo etiquette at temples and ruins
- Dress respectfully — the ruins are religious and historical spaces. A Thai costume is appropriate already, but don't let it be too revealing; if you enter a wihan with a principal Buddha image, cover your shoulders and knees.
- Don't climb the ruins — don't climb walls, stupas, or Buddha bases for photos. Centuries-old brick is fragile and easily damaged, and some spots have clear signs forbidding it.
- No inappropriate poses or photos with Buddha images — don't point your feet, climb up to sit on a lap, or strike mocking poses with a Buddha image. If you photograph alongside a Buddha, always sit or stand lower than it.
- Respect others — it's crowded on holidays, so don't stand in the middle of a path shooting for ages and block people. Pick angles that don't get in the way, and watch that your tripod doesn't topple onto anyone.
- Take your rubbish and gear with you — pack out your water bottles, bags, and props. Don't leave them around the base of a stupa.
- Drones need permission — flying drones in heritage zones is restricted. Don't fly your own without checking the rules first.
Entry fees for the major temples are mostly around ฿50 per temple (foreign-visitor pricing differs at some). If you plan to walk through several temples in one day, there's a combined ticket that covers multiple temples — ask at the ticket booth whether they have one, since it works out cheaper than buying each separately. General opening hours are roughly 8am–6pm, and Wat Chaiwatthanaram has evening lighting on certain days too.
Want a full-day Ayutthaya plan with hotels and food included?
See the Ayutthaya travel guide →