Ayutthaya – the ancient capital of Siam (video)
Ayutthaya is the ancient capital of Siam. It is located 80 km north of the current capital of Thailand. This historic place is an excellent destination for a trip from Bangkok. If you have some time left, you can also spend a night there. Then you can continue journey to the north, for example to Sukhothai or Chiang Mai.
Ayutthaya has a special and rich history. In 1767 the city was abandoned after destruction by the Burmese. This historic riverside city is home to the spectacular and impressive remains of ancient temples.
What can you see in Ayutthaya?
There are plenty of landmarks and ancient temples scattered around Ayutthaya. You can visit these as part of an organized trip. What is certainly possible is to explore the city by bicycle. There are also tuk-tuks that can take you to the sights you would like to visit.
Ayutthaya Historical Park is located opposite the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum. This historic park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains many temples. The temples Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Mongkhon Bophit, Wat Na Phra Meru, Wat Thammikarat, Wat Ratburana and Wat Phra Mahathat are close to each other and can be easily visited on foot. The visit to the rest of the historical park is best done by bicycle.
What can you do there?
The three rivers Prasak, Chao Phraya and Lopburi encircle the ancient temples. In Ayutthaya you can take a boat trip along some of the most important sights. By renting a longtail boat, you can see the many temples that are situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.
Although many temples are close together, the heat and humidity make it tiring to walk. It may be easier to rent a tuk-tuk or bicycle. With most hotels and guest houses this can be arranged cheaply. You can also take an elephant ride (although there is increasing protest against this kind of entertainment, as the back of an elephant is very fragile). The mahouts and elephants are dressed in traditional robes from days gone by. If you make a trip from Bangkok, you can also do part of the journey by boat.
Every year in December the 'Ayutthaya World Heritage Site Celebration' takes place in Ayutthaya's historical park with an impressive show of light and sound.
Where can you spend the night?
Many tourists visit Ayutthaya as a day trip or excursion from Bangkok. Therefore, there are not many luxury hotels in this ancient city. The tranquility and charm of the city has therefore been preserved. Most accommodations near the ancient temples are relatively cheap and basic. The more luxurious accommodations are a little further away. As in many other places in Thailand, many stray dogs live in the city. In Ayutthaya, the problem with stray dogs seems to be a bit more serious. In the evening and at night they can form aggressive packs. To avoid any problems, it is best to travel to and from your accommodation by motorcycle taxi or tuk-tuk.
Compare rates and reviews of hotels in Ayutthaya »
Transportation
The train from Bangkok
From Hualamphong train station in Bangkok, you can travel to Ayutthaya in about 90 minutes by train. The price for a one-way ticket is low and varies. This depends on the amount of comfort you need (the cheapest third class seats are hard wooden seats).
Upon arrival at Ayutthaya train station, walk to the main entrance. Then you walk to the nearby pier. Here you can take the ferry across the Pasak River. Most major attractions and accommodations are across the Pasak River.
For the timetable and fares of the trains from Bangkok to Ayutthaya, see the Northern Line.
Bus
The buses to Ayutthaya leave continuously at regular times. They depart from the Northern Bus Terminal at Mo Chit in Bangkok. The journey time depends on the traffic and the number of stops. On average, the journey takes about one and a half to two hours. You pay less than 100 baht.
Minibus
The minivans depart from the Victory Monument in Bangkok. They will take you to Ayutthaya in about an hour. This is an option if you are traveling with little luggage. There is not much space on board the vans. Some of the drivers also appear to be in training for a future career in Formula 1.
Boat
There are no boats from the public transport companies to Ayutthaya. A number of private companies fill this gap and offer boat trips. A typical trip from Bangkok is a cruise to Ayutthaya. The trip includes lunch and a tour of the main temples. The return journey does not go by boat, you travel back to Bangkok via the normal route.
Thailand blog tips:
- Travel to Ayutthaya by train, it's fun and cheap.
- Rent a bike on site, it's too hot to walk.
- With a boat trip you can see the temples built on the shore.
- Watch out for stray dogs after dark.
Watch a video about Ayutthaya here:
On an old Dutch map it is called Iudea (probably made by a minister). And that brings us to another tip. Also visit the Holland House. A small museum on the site of the former trading post of the VOC, of which a number of remains can still be seen
We have been to Ayutthaya several times, it is standard when we are in Thailand to visit this city at least once, it is a wonderful city not only for the temples, but you can also enjoy shopping.
Tomorrow we leave for Thailand again for two months, so we will definitely be there again this month.
Highly recommended but not cheap (around 10.000 baht) the river cruise you will be picked up at your home or hotel in Bangkok in the morning around three o'clock you will leave on the Chao Prhaya river towards Ayutthaya, in the evening the boat will moor at a beautiful and quiet village in the middle of nature very romantic, and then you go to dinner.
In the morning you have breakfast and then you go by longtail boat to all the sights of Ayutthaya and then you go back to BKK by bus. A very nice cruise that I would like to do again, but as I already said, it is quite pricey.
From Bkk there is enough transport and a lot of offer, the first few times we went by taxi, and I must say the price was not too bad, we lost around 800 baht for a single trip, but still a lot more expensive than with the mini bus with a ticket of 60 baht.
The latter was an experience, it was very early in the morning that we were standing on the side of the road at half past five or so.
Because we didn't get on at the Victory monument then, I don't remember exactly where it was, there were a lot of Thai workers waiting to go to work by minibus.
We joined them and before I knew it we were in a packed minibus between the workers, which was funny in itself because you try to talk a bit, and because my wife is Thai and a morning person and also with everyone is easy to chat with, I was soon in a chicken coop.
Only the driver, as it seems to be the driver of a minibus, drove like crazy, it seemed that he was on the run.
Once we arrived in Ayutthaya, our tuktuk that we had already arranged from Bangkok was already waiting for us, it took us all day from 8 am to 1500 pm everywhere for XNUMX baht.
We also visited the Holland house, but that was still under construction at the time, it is a small museum built in a beautiful garden, and if I remember correctly you also had to pay an entrance fee.
The stray dogs are indeed a big problem you see them everywhere especially at the temples, our tuktuk driver had less trouble with it you could see that he was used to it because every dog that came too close received a rock kick from him.
Because my girlfriend lives near Ayutthaya, I have already done this trip by train for a long time, you can only forget the 90 minutes if you travel with the "ordinary" train then you are on the road for at least 2 hours, currently costs 15 baht.
You can also choose the express with air conditioning and a reserved seat costs something like 250 bath and is only slightly faster than the ordenary.
I prefer not to take a minivan for safety and comfort reasons, I would like the government to put a limit on the number of passengers and speed.
Nice location and made of wood. No air conditioning. Slept well.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g303897-d655433-Reviews-Baan_Lotus_Guest_House-Ayutthaya_Ayutthaya_Province.html
I took a boat from Bangkok towards Ayutthaya and then took a van to the hotel. The boat trip is part of a day trip to a temple. Because I went alone and didn't have lunch, the van was free. Nice trip
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Information…
Several lines stop in Ayutthaya….
Northern & Northeastern line'
http://thairailways.com/time-table.intro.html
Beautiful place. Been living there for 7 years now and I'm not bored yet...
Highly recommended for the tourist but also for the expat, partly due to the VOC past of Ayutthaya.
And it's close enough to Bangkok for the 'entertainment'.
Good evening Jacob,
My name is Fred van Lamoen and I have also been living in Ayutthaya for 1 years as of June 7. We came to live in Ayutthaya about the same time. I live in Wattoom, close to naresuan the great monument. Where do you live?? I am married to an accounting teacher at the vaccational college here in Ayutthaya. She has been retired since November 2020. Would you like to come and have a chat or I will come to you. I would really like it. This is the first time I read such post on thailand blog.
Goodbye and maybe see you soon
Fred van lamoon
Holdoeeeeeeee