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Bangkok to Ayutthaya
Day Trip

Ayutthaya sits just over an hour from Bangkok, which makes it an easy cross-province trip you can do in a single day without staying overnight. The tricky part is picking the way that matches your style. The train is cheap and scenic, the van is fast and flexible, and the boat suits anyone who'd rather see the riverside temples without much walking. We've laid out plans for all three, with real departure times and a temple-hopping route we've timed to fit one day.

🚆 Train ~1 hr🚐 Van from Mo Chit⛵ Riverside temple cruise
Bangkok to Ayutthaya Day Trip

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Ayutthaya is a former royal capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The draw is the cluster of ruined temples in the historical park, packed onto the city island within walking distance of each other. It's about 70–80 km from Bangkok, and however you go, a one-way trip runs roughly 1–2 hours. Leave early and head back in the evening and you'll have a comfortable 5–7 hours for temples, enough for all the main ones.

Before you decide, take a quick look at these three options, then pick the plan that fits you best.

Which way should you go?

1

Train — cheapest, with the most atmosphere

Good for: budget travellers · solo or couples

Long-distance trains leave Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station (Bang Sue) several times a day and take about an hour to reach Ayutthaya station. From there you hop on a quick ferry across to the city island. The upside is the low fare and the ride past open rice fields. The downside is that some trains come from far-off provinces and can run late, so leave yourself a buffer on the way back.

CheapestNo booking
Tickets THB 15–345 each way, depending on class
2

Van — fast and flexible

Good for: those in a hurry · early out, late back

You board at the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit Mai), near BTS Mo Chit / MRT Chatuchak. Vans leave every 20–30 minutes once they fill up and take about 1.5 hours, dropping you right in Ayutthaya town. The upside is frequent departures and no fixed schedule to plan around. The downside is that vans get crowded and some drivers go fast, so pack motion-sickness pills if you're prone to it.

FrequentFlexible
Fare around THB 70–100 each way
3

Boat — an all-in-one trip

Good for: an easy day · special occasions

These are mostly cruise packages from Bangkok, sailing up the Chao Phraya River to Ayutthaya. They usually include a coach transfer for one leg and a meal on board. It suits anyone who wants to sit back and see the riverside temples without planning anything. The downside is that it costs a lot more and you'll get less time on foot among the temples than with the other two options.

Most relaxedMeal included
Packages around THB 1,800–3,500 per person

How to choose without regret

If you want maximum temple time on a budget, take the train or van and explore the city island yourself for the most hours on foot. The boat works better as a special-occasion trip than as a serious temple day out.

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Plan A — by train (budget route)

The classic and most popular route. Leave early from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station, reach Ayutthaya before mid-morning, and you'll have almost the whole day for temples. The times below are based on regularly running long-distance trains, but check the latest State Railway of Thailand (SRT) schedule before you go, as it changes from time to time.

Train plan

Day trip, out early and back in the evening

07:00
Arrive at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station (Bang Sue)Take the MRT to Bang Sue Central Station. You can buy tickets at the counter on the spot; 3rd-class seats don't need to be booked ahead.
07:50
Board Rapid Train 111 (or Express 75 at 08:45)About an hour on board, with rice fields and suburbs rolling past the window.
09:00
Arrive at Ayutthaya station, cross to the city islandFrom the station, walk to the nearby ferry pier. The crossing costs just a few baht. Once on the island side, rent a bike or motorbike, or hire a tuk-tuk for the day.
09:30
Wat Mahathat — the Buddha head in the tree rootsThe highlight everyone comes to photograph. Entry 50 baht, open 08:00–17:00. Come early while the crowds are thin.
10:30
Wat Ratchaburana — climb down into the cryptRight across from Wat Mahathat, an easy walk. You can climb the main prang and view the murals inside the crypt. Entry 50 baht.
11:30
Break for boat noodles / roti sai maiAyutthaya is known for roti sai mai (cotton-candy roti) and boat noodles. You'll find shops easily around Hua Ro or anywhere on the city island.
13:00
Wat Phra Si Sanphet + Wihan Phra Mongkhon BophitThe three chedis in a row are Ayutthaya's emblem. Entry 50 baht. Right next door, the large Phra Mongkhon Bophit Buddha is free to visit.
14:30
Wat Chaiwatthanaram (riverside)A Khmer-style riverside temple, at its best in the softer late-day light. Entry 50 baht. It's about a 10-minute tuk-tuk ride from the city island.
15:45
Head back to Ayutthaya station, with time to spareTake the ferry back across. You can pick up roti sai mai as a souvenir at the station. Long-distance trains can run late, so leave a buffer rather than miss it.
16:30
Take the train back to BangkokThere are several evening trains. Pick one that ends at Bang Sue Central so you can connect to the MRT easily. You'll reach Bangkok around 18:00–19:00.

About train ticket prices

Long-distance trains have several classes. 3rd class is the cheapest at just a few tens of baht, while air-conditioned 2nd class runs into the hundreds. For a short hop like Ayutthaya, 3rd class is perfectly comfortable, so there's no need to pay more.

Plan B — by van (fast and flexible)

Good if you're a slightly later riser or don't want to be tied to a train schedule. Vans run frequently all day from the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit Mai), which is a different place from BTS Mo Chit, so you'll need a short connecting ride. Allow extra time to get to the terminal.

Van plan

Leave later, flexible on the return time

08:30
Head to the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit Mai)Get off at MRT Chatuchak / BTS Mo Chit, then take a motorbike taxi or bus to the terminal. It's not the same place as the BTS station.
09:00
Board the van to AyutthayaThe Ayutthaya ticket counter is on the lower floor. Vans leave every 20–30 minutes once full. Fare is around 70–100 baht.
10:30
Arrive in Ayutthaya townThe van drops you in town, closer to the city island than the train does. Hire a tuk-tuk for the day or rent a bike and start exploring right away.
10:45
Wat Mahathat + Wat RatchaburanaStart with this pair, an easy walk apart: the Buddha head in the tree roots and the prang with its crypt. Entry 50 baht each.
12:00
Lunch break — boat noodles / grilled river prawnRiverside spots around the city island are known for grilled river prawns. If the budget allows, try a plate.
13:30
Wat Phra Si Sanphet + Phra Mongkhon BophitThe three chedis are the city's emblem and photograph well in the afternoon. Walk on to Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit, which is free.
15:00
Wat ChaiwatthanaramSit and take in the riverside temple in the softer light. If you have time left, stop at nearby Wat Lokayasutharam (the open-air reclining Buddha).
16:30
Souvenirs + market strollDrop by a night market or a roti sai mai shop before heading back, and pick up something to take home.
17:30
Take the van back to BangkokReturn vans run into the evening, more flexible than the train. You'll reach Mo Chit around 19:00, though evening traffic can slow things down.

Van pointers to keep in mind

Mo Chit Mai (the Northern Bus Terminal) is a different spot from BTS Mo Chit, so you'll need a connecting ride; allow 15–20 minutes. And if you get carsick easily, grab a front seat and bring pills along.

Plan C — by boat (the easy trip)

This one is a cruise up the Chao Phraya River from Bangkok to Ayutthaya. Most are book-ahead packages, usually arranged as boat one way and coach the other (or vice versa), since cruising both ways takes more than a single day. It suits anyone who'd rather sit back and watch riverside life than do a lot of temple walking.

Boat plan

Boat out, coach back (typical package)

07:30
Board the boat at a Bangkok pierThe boarding point depends on the operator, often a riverside pier. Confirm the meeting spot with the organiser ahead of time.
08:00
Cruise the Chao Phraya + breakfast / buffet on boardAlong the way you'll pass riverside life, temples, and communities on both banks. Some packages include a guide who shares the history.
12:30
Arrive in Ayutthaya, head ashore for templesTours usually walk you through 2–3 main temples, such as Wat Mahathat and Wat Phra Si Sanphet, per the programme.
15:00
Snack / souvenir breakMany packages stop at a souvenir spot or café before the return journey.
16:00
Take the air-conditioned coach back to BangkokMost return legs use a tour coach or van to save time, getting you back to Bangkok in the evening.

How to book a boat trip

There are many boat operators and prices vary a lot, from the low thousands up to several thousand baht. Check clearly whether the price includes meals, temple entry fees, and the return coach, and read genuine reviews before paying, since quality differs quite a bit.

Before you go

  • Dress modestly — Ayutthaya's temples are ancient monuments, so cover your shoulders and knees. The sun is strong, so bring a hat and water.
  • Bring cash — most temple entry is 50 baht each, paid in cash on the spot. If you're visiting several, the combined 6-temple pass at 220 baht is better value.
  • Getting around the city island — rent a bike for a few hundred baht a day, or hire a tuk-tuk by the hour. The main temples are close enough to walk or cycle between.
  • Start early — temples close around 17:00–18:00 and the afternoon sun is fierce, so the early morning and late afternoon are far more comfortable for walking.
  • Leave a buffer for the return — especially for long-distance trains, which can run late. Don't schedule anything in Bangkok too tightly afterward.

Travelling with family or older relatives

Most convenient

Hire a car/taxi for the day

The easiest option for a family, with no changing between vehicles. Agree a flat all-day rate with the driver up front.

Less walking

Hire a tuk-tuk in town

Once you reach Ayutthaya, hire a tuk-tuk by the hour to run between temples so you avoid long walks in the sun. Good for older travellers.

Want to extend your trip in Bangkok or find a place to stay before or after Ayutthaya?

See the Bangkok travel guide →

FAQ

Can you really do Ayutthaya as a day trip from Bangkok?

Easily. It's only about 70–80 km, and a one-way trip takes roughly 1–2 hours. Leave around 7–8 a.m. and head back in the evening and you'll comfortably fit in 4–5 of the main temples.

Train or van — which is better for visiting Ayutthaya?

The train is cheaper and more scenic, starting from just a few tens of baht in 3rd class, though some trains can run late. The van leaves every 20–30 minutes, is more flexible on your return time, and drops you closer to the city island, with a fare of around 70–100 baht. Choose based on whether price or flexibility matters more to you.

Which Bangkok station do trains to Ayutthaya leave from?

Most long-distance trains now leave Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station (Bang Sue), which connects to the MRT, rather than the old Hua Lamphong. Popular day-trip trains are Rapid Train 111 at 07:50 or Express 75 at 08:45.

How much is temple entry in Ayutthaya?

Main temples like Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and Wat Chaiwatthanaram charge 50 baht each for foreign visitors. If you're visiting several, the combined 6-temple pass at 220 baht is better value. Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit is free.

What time do Ayutthaya's temples close?

Most open around 08:00 and close between 17:00 and 18:00, depending on the temple. Aim to finish your temple visits before 17:00 to be safe, and dodge the fierce afternoon sun by exploring in the morning and late afternoon.

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