Ayuthaya

Ayutthaya is a ruined former capital with brick prangs, riverside temples and a Buddha head in tree roots, about 80 km north of Bangkok.

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Ayutthaya is the ruined capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, which held power over a large part of today's Thailand from the 1350s until Burmese forces sacked the city in 1767. The site sits about 80 km north of Bangkok and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will find brick prangs, stone Buddha statues and temples along the rivers. Wat Chaiwatthanaram is on the west bank. One of the best-known sights is a Buddha head held in the roots of a tree at Wat Mahathat.

Ayutthaya suits travelers who want temples without a long trip from the city. A day trip from Bangkok works, and one night gives you time to see the ruins at a slower pace. The cool season, November to February, is the easiest time for walking between sites. The ruins are spread across the old city, so plan on a bike or tuk-tuk to move between them. Plan your river crossing before you set out, and allow at least half a day for the main temples.

Ayuthaya in five

Pick train, minivan or tour before you leaveThe train is the cheapest and the most scenic but slow; a minivan is quicker; a guided day removes the logistics. The choice depends on whether you want the whole day at the ruins or the journey itself.Bangkok to Ayutthaya day trip
Rent a bike or hire a tuk-tuk by the hourThe temples are spread over an island and beyond. Bikes work in the cool season; a tuk-tuk or songthaew tour is better in the heat. Fix the route and price before getting in.Ayutthaya in one day
Cover your shoulders and kneesThese are active religious sites. Wear clothes that cover the shoulders and knees, and do not stand or pose above the height of a Buddha image, including the head at Wat Mahathat.
Go early, and end at the riverMidday heat on the exposed brick is the main problem, so start by opening time and finish with a boat or a riverside temple at sunset. Most ruins close in the evening, so check the hours.
Choose Ayutthaya or Sukhothai on purposeBoth are ruined capitals. Ayutthaya is closer and easier from Bangkok; Sukhothai is greener, quieter and further north. If your route heads north anyway, plan Sukhothai instead of two similar stops.Ayutthaya or Sukhothai

Things to do in Ayuthaya

See all attractions in Ayuthaya

Temple · AyuthayaWat Worachet

Sight · AyuthayaBaan Hollanda

Historic site · AyuthayaWat Kudi Dao

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to AyuthayaPut the places you like in Ayuthaya on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Bangkok (DMK about 1 hr by road; BKK longer)
Getting there: Train, minivan or tour from Bangkok, about 1.5 to 2 hours
Getting around: Bicycle, tuk-tuk, songthaew or boat around the island
Best base: Old city island, riverside guesthouses
Time needed: 1 long day, or an overnight for sunset and the night views

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear3 rainy daysHigh33°Low22°Cool, dry
FebruaryClear5 rainy daysHigh34°Low24°Dry, warm
MarchClear8 rainy daysHigh36°Low26°Hot
AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh37°Low28°Hottest, Songkran
MayRain22 rainy daysHigh35°Low27°Hot, rain starts
JuneRain22 rainy daysHigh34°Low26°Rainy season
JulyRain25 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Rainy season
AugustRain25 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Rainy season
SeptemberRain27 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Wet, flood risk
OctoberRain22 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low24°Rain easing
NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Loy Krathong
DecemberClear3 rainy daysHigh31°Low22°Cool, dry

Average daily high and low in Ayutthaya, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Ayuthaya

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 29°
Humidity: 92%
Wind: 6 km/h
Chance of rain: 33%

Ayuthaya

07:53 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+7

Today34°25°33%Tuesday: Rain. High 34°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 33%.
Wed33°25°71%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 33°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 71%.
Thu32°25°79%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 79%.
Fri32°24°65%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 65%.
Sat32°24°76%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 76%.
Sun32°24°71%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 71%.
Mon32°24°31%Monday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 31%.

Updated 05:02 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 33.76 THB

Amount

Converted to

THB · Thai Baht

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Bang Pa-In and Lopburiabout 20 min to 1.5 hours by roadA palace complex and a monkey-filled old town on the same line.
Bangkokabout 1.5 to 2 hours by train or vanBase in the capital and go home for dinner.Read the guide
Kanchanaburiabout 3 hours by roadA war memorial and waterfall stop to pair on a longer loop.Read the guide

Before you go to Ayuthaya

Ayutthaya day tourTransport, guide and several templesCompare day trips

A night on the islandSunset ruins and quiet morningsCheck availability

eSIM for the Chao Phraya plainTrain times and maps between sitesRead the guide

Cover for a day of heatHeat illness, bike falls, lost bagsRead the guide

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Rules for Ayuthaya, checked

Many nationalities can enter Thailand without a visa for short stays. Check current entry rules on the Thai immigration site before you book.Source
Fill in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online before you land. Immigration asks for it at the airport and at land borders.
Cover shoulders and knees inside temples, including the ruins at Wat Mahathat and Wat Chaiwatthanaram.
Do not climb on Buddha statues or sit on temple ruins for photos. Staff at the historical park can ask you to leave.
Thailand's drug laws are strict, including for cannabis. Check the current rules with the Thai government before you travel.
Dial 191 for police, 1669 for an ambulance and 199 for fire anywhere in Thailand.

All Ayuthaya guides

ItineraryAyutthaya in one day: a temple route by bike or tuk-tukChecked Oct 3, 2026

How toBangkok to Ayutthaya day trip: train, minivan, boat or tourChecked Oct 2, 2026

Head to headAyutthaya or Sukhothai: which ruined capital to visitChecked Oct 1, 2026

Plan around Ayuthaya

All of Thailand

Regions, islands, entry rules and the season map

Read the guide Central Thailand

The plains north and west of Bangkok

Read the guide Kanchanaburi

Bridge on the River Kwai and Erawan falls

Read the guide Bangkok

Where most Ayutthaya trips begin

Read the guide Thailand entry rules

The 30-day exemption and the TDAC

Read the guide

Ayuthaya FAQ

Is Ayutthaya worth visiting from Bangkok?

Yes, it is the best-preserved ruin complex within easy reach of Bangkok, and it works as a long day trip. If you do not like heat or walking on bare brick, start early or choose a tour with air-conditioned transport.

How do I get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya?

By train from Bangkok's main stations, by minivan, or on a guided tour that bundles transport. The train takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. Check the State Railway timetable for the day, because services and stations change.

How many days do you need in Ayutthaya?

One day covers the main temples. Stay a night if you want sunset at the riverside ruins, the evening illuminations and a slow morning before the crowds. Two nights is for slower history lovers.

What should you wear at Ayutthaya temples?

Light clothing that covers the shoulders and knees, comfortable shoes and a hat. The sites are open air and hot, so carry water and sun protection.

Is Ayutthaya or Sukhothai better?

Ayutthaya is closer, more crowded and gives you river temples; Sukhothai is greener and quieter but needs a flight or a long ride from Bangkok. Pick one unless you have a week for the north.