By rail
Ayutthaya station, ~1.5 h from Bangkok
Southeast Asia · Thailand
Ayutthaya, Thailand
Ruined temples of a former royal capital
Getting there
By air
Don Mueang, Bangkok (DMK), ~65 km
Best time to visit
November to February — cooler days for walking the ruins
Don't miss
Wat Mahathat's Buddha head in the tree roots
Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Bang Pa-In Palace
Things to do
Cycling between the ruins
A boat ride around the island city
The evening illuminations
Where to eat
What to pack
Sun hat, water, clothes covering shoulders and knees
A quieter corner
Wat Chaiwatthanaram at sunset, seen from across the river
Questions travellers ask
How long is the train from Bangkok to Ayutthaya?
Trains reach Ayutthaya station in about 1.5 hours from Bangkok. Flying in? Don Mueang, Bangkok (DMK) is about 65 km away.
When is it most comfortable to explore Ayutthaya's ruins?
November to February, when cooler days make walking the ruins easier. Bring a sun hat, water, and clothes covering shoulders and knees.
What's a good way to get around Ayutthaya?
Cycle between the ruins or take a boat ride around the island city. For sunset, watch Wat Chaiwatthanaram from across the river.
What local treats should I try in Ayutthaya?
Boat noodles along the river, and roti sai mai, Ayutthaya's candy-floss crêpes.
About Ayutthaya
- Riverside
Where it is
Ayutthaya lies on the central plain of Thailand about 65 km north of Bangkok, its old city an island ringed by the Chao Phraya and Pa Sak rivers and the Khlong Mueang canal.
History
Founded in 1351 by King U Thong, Ayutthaya was the capital of Siam for more than four centuries and grew into one of the great trading cities of Asia, with settlements of Portuguese, Dutch, Japanese, Chinese and Persian merchants. A Burmese army captured and burned the city in 1767, and the capital moved south to Thonburi and then Bangkok.
People
Ayutthaya's people speak Central Thai, and the province has long-established Thai Muslim communities. Rice farming and river fishing have long sustained the plain around the old city, and the village of Aranyik is renowned for its knives.
Known for
- The three chedis of Wat Phra Si Sanphet
- The Buddha head in tree roots at Wat Mahathat
- Wat Chaiwatthanaram on the riverbank
- Bang Pa-In Royal Palace
- Grilled river prawns and roti sai mai
Did you know?
Wat Chaiwatthanaram, built by King Prasat Thong in 1630 as the first temple of his reign, follows the Khmer style, with a central prang about 35 m high ringed by four smaller towers.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.