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The ruins of the kingdom of Ayutthaya are an amazing place to cycle around and learn a little more about the history of Thailand. They are located 80 km from Bangkok. It is an ideal getaway if you come from the mega city and want to visit this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site. The kingdom of Ayutthaya was once considered the most spectacular city on earth. It was the ancient capital of Thailand. In the 16th century the kingdom extended into what is now Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. It was a regional power for 417 years. It was destroyed by Burmese invaders in 1767. Ayutthaya's architecture is a fascinating mix of Khmer (Angkor Wat style) and Sukhothai style.
How to get to Ayutthaya from Bangkok?
On tour
There are hundreds of tours from Bangkok that take you to Ayutthaya for the day with a guide. If you want you can book it in English and in advance from here.
Collective
They depart every 30 minutes from Mo Chit Bus Station. The journey takes 1 to 2 hours depending on traffic. The fare is $60 baths ($2 USD).
By train
Trains to Ayutthaya depart every 20 minutes from 4.20am to 10.45pm from Bangkok train station. The journey takes between 1 1/2 hrs and 2 hours.
The fare is between $15 and $70 baths ($0.50 and $2 USD), depending on the class you choose. As it's a short trip, it doesn't make much sense to go in the most expensive class.
The train station in Ayutthaya is about 4 km from the ruins. If you are travelling with luggage you have the possibility to leave it at the station.
How to get to Ayutthaya from Kanchanaburi?
It's super easy to get from Kanchanaburi to Ayutthaya, you'll have to take a bus and a mini van.
First from Kanchanaburi bus station you have to take a bus to Suphanburi Province, 80km from Kanchanaburi. It's a public bus, so don't expect air conditioning or very comfortable seats. It costs between $80 and $100 baths ($2.5 and $3 USD) and takes 2 hours. Yes, it takes a long time for only 80km!
From Suphanburi station you have to take a minivan to Ayutthaya. So look for a local and tell him where you want to go and he will help you find the van you need to take. Suphanburi is 40km from Ayutthaya. In theory, the minivan fare is $50 baths (1.5 USD) but we couldn't get it for less than $100 baths ($3 USD). The minivan leaves the station every 1 hour.
Imoirtante: From Kanchanaburi you must leave before 13hs in order to take the minivan to Suphanburi.
How to tour the temples of Ayutthaya?
Bicycle
It is the most economical way to tour the temples, as well as giving you a lot of freedom. The temples are all quite close to each other. There are only two that are a little further apart, but the distance is optimal for cycling. The daily rental fee is $50 baths ($2.5 USD). There are plenty of places to rent them, especially hotels.
Tuk Tuk
Another slightly more expensive option is to arrange for a tuk tuk to take you to the temples. Prices start at $1,000 baths ($30 USD), but it's always possible to negotiate and get a cheaper price.
Ayutthaya Prices
There is no single entrance ticket to the entire Ayutthaya "complex". Each temple has its own entrance fee of between $20 baths and $50 baths ($0.70 and $1.55 USD).
There is the possibility to buy a combined ticket for $220 baths ($7 USD) which includes entrance to: Wat Mahathat, Wat Racha Burana, Wat Phra Sanpetch, Wat Phra Ram, Wat Chai Watthanaram and Wat Mahe Yong. This ticket can be purchased at any of these temples.
Dress code for touring the temples of Ayutthaya
Like all sacred places, it is necessary to have your knees and shoulders covered . In Ayutthaya, this rule is only for women, as men are allowed to enter in Bermuda shorts and muscle shirts....
Temples to visit in Ayutthaya
Wat Mahathat
It is one of the most famous temples in Ayutthaya, as the famous Buddha's head is entangled in the roots of a tree.
This temple was one of the most important during the reign of Ayutthaya, but was destroyed in the Burmese invasions of 1767. It has the particularity of adopting the Khmer style typical of Cambodia.
Something that caught our attention about this temple is that almost all the Buddhas are beheaded. It is said that when the Burmese invaded Ayutthaya they beheaded all the Buddhas as it was believed that the royalty hid their treasures, jewels and relics inside. Another theory is that the Burmese beheaded them to reduce the will of the Thai people to prevent them from rising up against the Burmese empire in the future.
About the Buddha's head on the tree, the roots that support it are said to be from the sacred tree of life, the same tree where the Buddha sat until he received enlightenment. It is believed that the roots protect the head and raised it a few centimetres off the ground.
- PRICE $50 BAHT | INCLUDED IN THE COMBINED TICKET
- HOURS FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM
Wat Ratchaburana
This temple also shows the Khmer influence on the culture of the Kingdom of Siam. It was built in memory of the brothers of King Boromracha II in the 15th century. When their father died, the two elder brothers decided to have a battle to see which would take the throne. Both died in the battle and the throne went to the king's youngest son.
Columns, walls and some stupas remain from that time, along with the Prang or central tower.
- PRICE $50 BAHT | INCLUDED IN THE COMBINED TICKET
- HOURS FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM
3- Wat Phra Si Sanphet
It is the most important temple in Ayutthaya and was located on the perimeter of the royal palace. The monks did not live in this temple but it was used exclusively for important royal ceremonies such as the oaths of allegiance. It also served as a private chapel for the royal family.
It has three impressive stupas that were the resting place of the ashes of the first three kings of the kingdom.
It had a 16-metre high Buddha covered in gold, believed to have been melted down by the Burmese after the invasions. It also had many relics, several of which were looted by the Burmese themselves.
- PRICE $50 BAHT | INCLUDED IN THE COMBINED TICKET
- HOURS FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM
4. Wat Chaiwatthanaram
This is one of the best preserved temples in Ayutthaya and was our favourite while visiting this amazing place.
It is a Khmer-style temple, so it probably reminds you a lot of the temples of Angkor. It was built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong in honour of his mother.
It is a bit far from the other temples but it is possible to go there by bicycle and, if not, you can also take a tuk tuk.
Tip: It's perfect to visit at sunset.
- PRICE $50 BAHT | INCLUDED IN THE COMBINED TICKET
- HOURS FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM
Wat Phra Ram
It is located in the historical park of Ayutthaya. It is a small temple with an imposing Prang and a few stupas.
Tip: It is perfect for watching the sunrise as the sun rises exactly behind the prang.
The entrance fee is $50 baths ($1.55 USD) and is included in the combined ticket.
Opening hours: 8 AM to 6 PM.
6. Reclining Buddha of Lokayasutharam
It is a reclining Buddha 42 metres long and 8 metres high. It is the largest Buddha image in Ayutthaya.
- FREE ENTRANCE
- 24 HOUR SCHEDULE
7. Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
This temple is also very well preserved. It was one of the first to be built in 1357. It has a 7-metre reclining Buddha, a Chedi that you can climb and admire the view of the city, as well as dozens of Buddha statues that are usually covered with yellow robes.
- PRICE $50 BATHS
- HOURS 8 AM TO 6 PM
8. Wat Phu Khao Thong
This temple has an all-white chedi, over 50 metres high, which can be climbed. It was built by the Burmese to commemorate their victory over Ayutthaya.
- FREE ENTRANCE
- 24 HOUR SCHEDULE
