Ayutthaya, Thailand: travel guide
Ancient Siam's grand capital — UNESCO World Heritage ruins of temples and palaces scattered among canals and rice paddies.
- Country
- Thailand
- Currency
- THB
- Time zone
- Asia/Bangkok
- Nearest airport
- DMK
Top places to visit in Ayutthaya
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
Temple · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · entry THB 20
Huge chedi and rows of reclining Buddha statues, built to commemorate a royal elephant duel.
Wat Mahathat Ayutthaya
Temple · 4.7 rating · about 1.3 h · entry THB 100
Home of the famous Buddha head entwined in banyan tree roots. The most atmospheric Ayutthaya ruin.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Temple · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · entry THB 100
Grand 17th-century Khmer-style temple on the Chao Phraya riverbank — spectacular at sunset.
Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Temple · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · entry THB 100
Former royal chapel with three iconic chedis holding ashes of early Ayutthaya kings.
Bang Pa-In Royal Palace
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · entry THB 100
Royal summer retreat with Thai, Chinese and European-style pavilions on a river island.
Elephant Kraal Ayutthaya
Heritage · 3.8 rating · about 0.8 h · entry THB 50
Restored 400-year-old teak stockade used to corral wild elephants. Only one remaining in Thailand.
Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · entry THB 150
Houses gold treasures recovered from Wat Ratchaburana's crypt, including royal regalia.
Wat Ratchaburana
Temple · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · entry THB 100
Early 15th-century 35-metre prang with original Ayutthaya murals visible inside the crypt.
Ayutthaya Night Market
Market · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h
Evening market near the ruins serving traditional Thai dishes. Boat noodles are essential.
Wat Maheyong
Temple · 4.8 rating · about 0.5 h
Atmospheric elephant-base chedi ruin used for meditation retreats.
Wat Phanan Choeng
Temple · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h
Riverside temple with a revered 19 m golden seated Buddha from 1325.
Ayothaya Floating Market
Market · 3.9 rating · about 1.5 h
Recreated floating market with canal boats, food stalls and shows.
Things to do
- Ayutthaya Historical Park Bicycle Tour Cultural · 4 h · from THB 620 per person
- Ayutthaya Sunset River Cruise Sightseeing · 1.5 h · from THB 690 per person
- Ayutthaya Day Trip from Bangkok Sightseeing · 9 h · from THB 960 per person
- Ayutthaya Temple Tuk-Tuk Tour Sightseeing · 4 h · from THB 520 per person
- Wat Chaiwatthanaram Sunset & Costume Photoshoot Cultural · 2.5 h · from THB 410 per person
- Ayutthaya Island Boat Tour Sightseeing · 2 h · from THB 340 per person
- Ayothaya Floating Market & Food Walk Food · 2 h · from THB 280 per person
- Wat Mahathat & Ayutthaya Temples Guided Walk Cultural · 3.5 h · from THB 520 per person
Day trips and tours
- Ayutthaya Temples by Bicycle 7 h · from THB 480
- Ayutthaya Sunset River Cruise & Temple Lights 3.5 h · from THB 550
Where to stay in Ayutthaya
- Island Area about THB 1,800 per night
Ancient capital with riverside accommodation
Hotels
- Centara Ayutthaya 4-star · THB 2,200 to THB 4,200 per night
- Iudia on the River 4-star · THB 2,500 to THB 5,500 per night
- Baan Thai House 4-star · THB 1,600 to THB 3,400 per night
- The Cavalli Casa Resort 4-star · THB 2,200 to THB 4,800 per night
- Kantary Hotel, Ayutthaya 4-star · THB 2,200 to THB 4,200 per night
- Sala Ayutthaya... Niwas Ayutthaya 4-star · THB 2,000 to THB 4,200 per night
Where to eat
- Baan Ta Ko Rai Thai · about THB 375 per person
- Ruan Thai Kung Pao Thai, Seafood · about THB 375 per person
- Baan Ton Sai Thai · about THB 375 per person
- Here Kae Pork Satay Thai, Barbecue · about THB 120 per person
- Pa Lek Boat Noodles Thai, Noodles · about THB 60 per person
- Pranom Shredded Chicken Noodles Thai, Noodles · about THB 120 per person
- Joong Borikan Thai · about THB 375 per person
- Roti Sai Mai Abeedeen-Pranom Sangaroon Thai, Desserts · about THB 120 per person
Getting around
- Bicycle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Motorbike Rental main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Tuktuk main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Generic tourist overcharge
Major tourist zones
Tourists are quoted significantly above local price.
How to avoid it: Verify prices upfront. Use registered taxis/apps.
Best time to visit Ayutthaya
- May 35°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for May: 213.8 mm, 12.4 days with >=1 mm (nearest TMD normals station DON MUANG AIRPORT (WMO 48456), 49 km away - used as a proxy, no station at Ayutthaya).
- Jun 34°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for June: 190.7 mm, 12.5 days with >=1 mm (nearest TMD normals station DON MUANG AIRPORT (WMO 48456), 49 km away - used as a proxy, no station at Ayutthaya).
- Jul 34°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for July: 180 mm, 12.9 days with >=1 mm (nearest TMD normals station DON MUANG AIRPORT (WMO 48456), 49 km away - used as a proxy, no station at Ayutthaya).
- Aug 33°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for August: 183.4 mm, 14.1 days with >=1 mm (nearest TMD normals station DON MUANG AIRPORT (WMO 48456), 49 km away - used as a proxy, no station at Ayutthaya).
- Sep 33°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for September: 300 mm, 16.7 days with >=1 mm (nearest TMD normals station DON MUANG AIRPORT (WMO 48456), 49 km away - used as a proxy, no station at Ayutthaya).
- Oct 33°C · WMO 1991-2020 normal for October: 192.4 mm, 11.9 days with >=1 mm (nearest TMD normals station DON MUANG AIRPORT (WMO 48456), 49 km away - used as a proxy, no station at Ayutthaya).