Ayutthaya


About 80 kilometers north of Bangkok lies the old royal city of Ayutthaya. Here you will find magnificent ruins of palaces, fascinating temples and fortifications that testify to the faded splendor of the once Ayutthaya period. The ruins of the ruined and abandoned Old City are now protected as Ayutthaya Historical Park, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are the city's main attraction.

Hotel recommendations


In Ayutthaya, there are many smaller, cozy guesthouses near the temples.

getting there


Ayutthaya has no airport. The best way to reach the city is by land or by train - or boat / boat from Bangkok.

Arrival from Bangkok:
In Bangkok there are 2 airports to choose from (Don Muang, where only domestic flights take off and land and Suvarnabhumi International)

Minibus connections run from Victory Monument Square in Bangkok to Ayutthaya. From the airport take bus number 551 (Suvarnabhumi Airport - Victory Monument) or the BTS Skytrain to the Victory Monument. The minibuses are at the side of the roundabout and cost about 80 Baht per ride. The journey takes about an hour depending on traffic.

Public buses also depart every 20 minutes from Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Moh Chit) directly to Ayutthaya. First class air-conditioned buses cost 45 baht, second-class busses 35 baht. The journey takes about two hours, as there are public buses, several stops are approached. Also during the rush hour in the morning and in the evening there are often traffic jams on the streets to Bangkok / Bangkok.

The most scenic way to Ayutthaya is the arrival by train. All North-Northeast lines depart from Bangkok Hua Lamphong Train Station and stop in Ayutthaya. The journey takes between 1.5 and 2 hours. The second class tickets cost 280-300 Baht (advance booking of seats is possible). The tickets of the third class cost only 150 Baht, but a seat reservation is not possible here.

 

Ayutthaya station is located on the "mainland" east of the historic city center, which is island-like, as it is bordered by the rivers Chao Phraya and Pa Sak. The best way to get there is the central Naresuan Road (Wat Maha That) across the street from the train station. From here, go straight on and at the next big intersection, turn right to the ferry and cross the river Pa Sak. This trip costs about 5 baht.

The taxi ride from the Airprort to Ayutthaya (about 125 km) costs about 1,000 Baht.

You can also rent a car at the airport. The drive from Suvarnabhumi Airport takes about 1.5 hours. Here are all the usual lenders to choose from (Thai Rent a Car, AVIS, Budget, Europcar, Sixt and Hertz). Depending on the season, the prices vary greatly and often smaller vehicles are fully booked in the main season. The best way is to book the car already in your homecountry.

From Don Muang Airport (Domestic Airport):
From Don Muang you can take the train (Northern Line) directly to Ayutthaya. The journey takes about 54 minutes. The ticket costs from THB 280.

 

Arrival from Koh Phangan / Koh Tao / Koh Samui:
Here it is advisable to book a ticket in one of the small travel agencies that are found everywhere in the tourist centers. The travel price includes a pick-up service directly from the hotel. With the mini bus we continue to the pier and from there by boat / ferry to Surat Thani (Phangan & Samui) or Chumphon (Koh Tao). From the pier, take the minibus or the so-called "VIP Bus" or "Aircon Bus" to the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) in Bangkok. The journey to Bangkok takes between 13 and 16 hours. Change to the bus "Mo Chit" at Sai Tai Mai. This drives to Ayutthaya. Due to the air conditioning, it gets really cold in the buses. It is best to take a warm sweater or jacket with you for the ride. The entire route then takes about 17 hours.
From Koh Samui you can also travel comfortably by plane to Bangkok. This is best to the Don Muang airport and then take the train directly to Ayutthaya.
From Koh Tao / Chumphon, you can take the ferry from the ferry to Bangkok Hua Lamphong. From there it's on the next train to Ayutthaya. This journey takes about 11.5 - 12 hours.

Arrival from Phuket:
Again, it is advisable to book a ticket in one of the small travel agencies. The travel price includes a pick-up service directly from the hotel. The mini bus continues to the bus station in Phuket Town and from there by VIP bus to the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) in Bangkok.

Depending on traffic, the journey takes between 14 and 18 hours. Change to the bus "Mo Chit" at Sai Tai Mai. This drives to Ayutthaya. Due to the air conditioning, it gets really cold in the buses. It is best to take a warm sweater or jacket with you for the ride. Or optional from Phuket by bus to Chumphon, change to the train to Bangkok Hua Lamphong. From there it's on the next train to Ayutthaya. This journey takes about 14 hours.

From Phuket you can alternatively travel by plane to Bangkok, Don Muang airport.

Arrival from mainland Tailand (for example Krabi, Khao Lak, Pattaya, Hua Hin):
Again, you can book the pick-up service directly from the hotel again. With the mini bus it goes on to the bus station and from there with the VIP bus on to the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai) in Bangkok. Change to the bus "Mo Chit" at Sai Tai Mai. This drives to Ayutthaya.

From Krabi you can alternatively travel by plane to Bangkok, Don Muang Airport.

From Pattaya you can travel by bus to Bangkok "Mo Chit", there change to the next bus to Ayutthaya. The bus ride takes about 4.5 hours, depending on the traffic. Or you can take the train to Bangkok Hua Lamphong. From there it's on the next train to Ayutthaya. This journey takes about 5.5 hours.

From Hua Hin, take the train to Bangkok Hua Lamphong. From there it's on the next train to Ayutthaya. This journey takes about 5 hours.

sightseeing and attractions


Ayutthaya Historical Park

impressions