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If you have plans to visit Thailand chances are good that you will first arrive in Bangkok. While Bangkok is an amazing city it would be complete mistake if you didn’t take the time to visit Ayutthaya.

Ayutthaya sits about 75km north of Bangkok and was once the capital of Thailand from the 1300’s to the 1700’s before falling to Burma and being destroyed. What’s left today are the remnants of ancient temples waiting for you to explore. I’ll show you exactly how to get to Ayutthaya from Bangkok.

Where is Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is about 1.5 hours north of Bangkok and is fairly easy to reach. There are multiple ways of traveling to Ayutthaya from Bangkok including by bus, train, and even hiring a driver.

There is a lot to see in Ayutthaya and getting to Ayutthaya Thailand is pretty easy. We’ll explore all of the many ways of how to get to Ayutthaya Thailand from Bangkok.

A map showing the city of Bangkok and the ancient capital of Thailand, Ayutthaya - how to get to Ayutthaya

Why You Should Visit Ayutthaya

As the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam, Ayutthaya is UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Thailand. Ayutthaya is full of ancient temples, many of them in ruins, but the relics that are left tell the story of Thailand’s glorius past.

One of the most popular ancient sites to see in Ayutthaya is Wat Mahathat. This temple is one of the most iconic sites in Ayutthaya and even if you don’t know the temple by name, you’ve likely seen a photo of it.

It was a photo of this Buddha head entwined in the tree roots that made me want to visit Ayutthaya. Once a photographer, always a photographer! I needed to add this image to my collection. ๐Ÿ™‚

A black and white photo of a Buddha head entwined in the tree roots of a Banyan tree at the Wat Mahathat temple in Ayutthaya Thailand

Whether you love to visit historical sites or want to visit for the photo opportunities, Ayutthaya is the perfect place for both. The history, architecture, and cultural landmarks makes visiting Ayutthaya Thailand the ideal destination for all travelers.

How to Get to Ayutthaya

Okay, you’ve decided to add Ayutthaya to your Thailand itinerary and now it’s time to figure out exactly how you’ll get yourself there. You can reach the historical city by car, train, bus, and even by boat so let’s look at all of these options.

Getting to Ayutthaya Overview

TrainBus/VanCar RentalTaxiBoat
Duration30m – 1.5 hrs1.5 – 2 hrs1 – 1.5 hrs1 – 1.5 hrs5 – 6 hrs
Cost$2-5$3-5$10-30 a day$35-70 a car$60

Travel to Ayutthaya by Car

If you’re already planning on renting a car during your time in Thailand then driving yourself to Ayutthaya makes perfect sense. There are a lot of places to visit in Thailand and not being confined to someone elses timeline is always ideal. It becomes an even cheaper option if you’re traveling with others and can split the cost.

Depending on where you pick up your rental, you can be in Ayutthaya in as little as 1 hour.

Check out the price of renting a car through Discover Cars. It’s who I use when I rent a vehicle in another country. Just remember that in Thailand they drive on the left side of the road AND you’ll need to have an International Driving License.

Also note that when renting a car it will always be cheaper to return the car to the same location rather than dropping it off in another city. Keep this in mind if you do plan to rent a car. There will be several pickup locations throughout Bangkok so you can find one close to where you are.

Travel to Ayutthaya by bus

There are dozens – more like hundreds – of buses, or passenger vans, that travel between Ayutthaya and Bangkok every single day. This is how we traveled to Ayutthaya from Bangkok and they are comfortable, have air conditioning (a must), and can seat up to 12 people.

There are multiple areas in Bangkok that you can catch one of these buses. Depending on where your pickup location is, you may be picked up and taken to a larger bus terminal where others will be picked up.

The bus typically doesn’t leave until all seats are full. You are allowed to bring a small piece of luggage at no charge but if you have a large suitcase you will need to purchase a seat for your bag. Luckily, it only costs around $3-5 a seat so it won’t be a large expense.

You can find all the pickup locations for booking your bus to Ayutthaya on the 12GO site where you book your seat. The bus will take anywhere from 1.5-2 hours but you may have to wait at the station for others to fill the seats. You should try to book the earliest bus you can so you can get to Ayutthaya early in the day.

Travel To Ayutthaya By Train

Getting to the city of Ayutthaya from Bangkok by train is easy. Again, you can purchase your train ticket online or in person. I would suggest purchasing your ticket online at least a few days before you leave to make sure there are seats. There shouldn’t be a problem getting a seat but if you’re traveling during the busy season or a weekend, it’s always better to purchase in advance.

A train at a train station in Thailand with people standing and sitting on the platform waiting to board - Getting to Ayutthaya

Leaving Bangkok by Train

There are two train stations in Bangkok that travel to Ayutthaya: Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station (aka Bang Sue Grand Station) and the Don Mueang Train Station. There are other smaller stations throughout Bangkok that may end up traveling to/through these stations so if you want to start out at another one you can.

Trains to Ayutthaya run from around 6:30am to midnight and will take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours. Faster trains cost a little more but most trains only cost $2-3 each way. You should be prepared for the train to NOT run on time. Like the buses, book an early train to avoid long delays.

Pay attention to the seating options when you book your ticket. Some seating classes have air conditioning and some don’t. Trust me, spend the extra $1 for AC.

Travel To Ayutthaya By Taxi

Another option for traveling to Ayutthaya from Bangkok is by hiring a taxi. Yep, you can hire a taxi or another form of private transportation to take you to Ayutthaya but it will be the most expensive option. But, sometimes the extra cost for convenience is worth it. This means you can get picked up at your hotel in Bangkok and leave whenever you want.

You can book your private transportation which will cost between $35-$70 a car which you can split with others in your group.

Travel To Ayutthaya By Boat

The final option for traveling to Ayutthaya from Bangkok is by boat. This isn’t your typical way of getting around Thailand, certainly not the fastest, but it’s definitely unique. It’s a great way to see life along the Chao Phraya River as you pass temples and riverfront villages.

A longtail boat traveling down a river in Thailand - traveling to Ayutthaya

If you have an extra day to spare and want a leisurely alternative to trains and buses, this is the way to go. A typical boat cruise will take 3-4 hours each way depending on the type of boat and where you start your journey.

You can take the Slow Boat Tour from Bangkok to Ayutthaya, which will take about 6 hours, arriving around 3pm and then stay in Ayutthaya for a few days. You can also take the Slow Boat Tour from Ayutthaya to Bangkok, which takes about 5 hours, in the afternoon arriving back in Bangkok in the evening.

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