The Best of Ayutthaya in a Day
Ayutthaya was the 2nd capital of the Kingdom of Siam between 1350 and 1767.
Our first visit to Ayutthaya was 10 years ago. We had come on a daytrip and had been so incredibly impressed by the temples we had seen on that visit that this time I scheduled 3 nights (2 full days) in Ayutthaya. In hindsight that was a mistake. I’ll explain that further below.
How to get to Ayutthaya by yourself
Train is the cheapest option. Buy a 3rd class seat – it’ll cost you about 30 Baht (about $1 US) and will take on average 2 hours from Bangkok’s centrally located Hua Lamphong Railway station. And there are tons of trains doing the route throughout the day.
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How to see the Highlights of Ayutthaya
Hire a Tuk Tuk when you arrive in Ayutthaya. It’s the easiest way to see a whole bunch of temples in a day. When you get off the train you’ll have Tuk tuk drivers asking you if you want to hire them. Pick one you like. The going rate is 200 Baht an hour, or 1000-1500 Baht for most of a day. Tell them the temples you want to visit (that’s the next section).
You can also take a day tour from Bangkok which is the easiest thing to do. I’ll cover that further below.
Temples you HAVE to see in Ayutthaya
1. Wat Mahathat (the temple with the Buddha head in a tree)
One of the oldest temples (built in the 13th century). Wat Mahathat was the most important temple in the kingdom and Royal ceremonies were held there. Today there are lots of ruins and Buddhas with their heads chopped off. The consensus is that this was done by the Burmese when they sacked the city in 1767 (although I’ve heard others say that this was the work of looters). The temple is also the site of the most famous photo opportunity in Ayuthaya – the Buddha head located within the roots of a giant tree.
2. Wat Ratchaburana (the temple with the incredible prang)
This temple has the most incredible Khmer-style prang (tower-like spire) in Ayutthaya. When King Intharacharthirat died in 1424, two of his sons killed each other fighting for the throne. A 3rd brother took power and had this temple built in their remembrance. You can climb inside the prang for nice views.
3. Wat Phra Sri Sanphet (the temple with the 3 Chedis)
A large temple complex with a row of 3 huge Chedis. This temple used to be in what was the Royal Palace of Ayutthaya and at the time it housed a 16 meter high gold-covered Buddha image (which was destroyed and melted down). Note: Right next to the chedis is a modern hall containing Phra Mongkhon Bophit, a 12 meter Buddha image. Make sure to visit it while you’re here.
4. Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon (the temple with a huge amount of Buddhas)
A large, very photogenic temple complex with rows of restored Buddhas looking over a huge chedi (which you can climb for great views). Lots to see, including a large reclining Buddha and many smaller chedis. Note: Very close to Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon is Wat Phanan Choeng, a modern complex which houses a beautiful 14.25 meter high Buddha. It is a favorite of Thais who come here to pray.
5. Wat Chaiwatthanaram (the huge river temple complex)
A huge Khmer-style temple complex located along the river. It has a huge main prang surrounded by 4 chedis and over 120 seated Buddhas. This temple is a favorite of visitors who come here, rent a traditional Thai custom, and spend the day taking selfies of themselves around the temple grounds.
The above 5 temples are “must sees” in Ayutthaya.
I figure you need anywhere between 4 and 5 hours to visit these temples if visiting by Tuk Tuk (allowing for a leisurely pace).
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Want to add a few more temples?
I would suggest:
– Wat Phra Ram. Temple complex with huge prang right next to Wat Phra Sri Sanphet.
– Wat Thammikarat. Lion figures around a chedi. Huge amount of roosters (based on a legend of a wager over a cock fight )
– Wat Lokaya Sutha. A huge reclining Buddha.
By the time you’ve finished all the above you’ll be ready to take the train back to Bangkok.
So why would I not recommend an overnight stay in Ayutthaya?
We stayed 3 nights in a small family run place near the Historic Center. We felt a bit stuck at times.
1) Outside of the temples, Ayutthaya is just not a very pretty place and when night falls you don’t want to be out. Streets are dark and I don’t think we’ve seen any town with as many stray dogs.
2) No Tuk Tuks or Taxis run at night. Our host recommended going to a restaurant at the river – but failed to tell us how to get there except to walk. When asked she said there was no taxi or tuk tuk service to call.
3) You can see all the main temples in a full day.
Really, there just isn’t any reason to stay in Ayutthaya overnight.
Instead, I would book a Day Trip from Bangkok. There are many options.
- With a Private Driver. Note the price is per group, so it is very affordable if you are 2 or 3 people.
- This very popular tour takes you to Ayutthaya in the morning, then back to Bangkok where you are taken on a river cruise that takes you past all the major temples in the capital. So you see the best of both Ayutthaya and Bangkok in one day.
Related: Ayutthaya or Sukhothai – which to Visit? Our vote
Related: The Hypothetically Perfect Day in Bangkok
Related: Songkran in Pattaya. And on actually enjoying Thailand’s “Sex Capital”
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Frank, you brought back so many memories. We went in June of 2015. I had hired a guide and driver before arriving in Thailand. My husband had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. With the heat, he needed a refuge between temples. We did all the temples you listed. The guide and driver, picked us up, at our hotel in Bangkok. We did the Bang Pa-In Palace as well. I was not impressed with the Ayutthaya city either. We would go back to the temples again. Mainly because it is picturesque. We were going to do a cruise up the river to do the palace and temples. Research on line said not to do the cruise. I’m glad we did it on our own.
Thank you for the great feedback. One of the things we noticed this time is how many more tourists there were – especially Chinese tour groups. Tourism is definitely changing. And compared to Sukhothai Ayutthaya gets a lot of visitors…
You are very right about the heat. Glad you and your husband enjoyed your visit. We went to the river – I wouldn’t recommend the river cruise either, the geography in that part of Thailand flat and featureless and doing it in a boat I would think slow and boring. A guide and driver is the way to do it.
I took my daughter’s there and we stayed one night which was great as prices were so cheap for a good hotel. Found a good local cafe with awesome green curry for dinner We hired a tuk tuk for the day and were pleased three driver was helpful and took us where we asked, no shops! Great write up guys!
I’ve had good luck with Tuk Tuk drivers as well Jane. I usually go for the older people and in this case we had a nice husband/wife team in their 60s who drove us around for a day and took us to a whole bunch of temples (maybe too many…I think they were trying to stretch it out a bit 🙂 ) It’s the best way to see Ayutthaya.
Glad you enjoyed Ayutthaya.
Hi Frank,
I agree with you that the many huge rooster statues on display were a bit strange to look at.
I’ve never seen anything like that either.
Oh, yes, dogs can be cute and yet encounter with mad dogs in public places can be a scary experience.
I don’t think photos give it justice Wendy – there were TONS of those roosters and it seemed strange having worshippers going up to them and praying.
We’ve been in Malaysia a week now and haven’t seen street dogs. But there are tons in Thailand. I wonder why that is??
Oh, really? I am really surprised to hear that you’ve been in Malaysia a week already! I thought you were still in Thailand!
Where about are you in Malaysia now? Hope you have a comfortable journey and a pleasant experience travelling down south.
I wish I could be your tour guide but unfortunately I am not a qualified tour guide.
Thanks Wendy! We’ll be in Ipoh today. I’m running about 2 weeks behind on my posts 🙂
Interesting to know that you will be in Ipoh because my grandma used to bring me there to visit my grand-uncle and his family’s house when I was very young, which was ages ago. I have not been there for a long time. I guess it might be a bit different now.