Nayika C., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ayutthaya

Ancient Ruins and Timeless Temples

Ayutthaya is a city in Thailand known for its ancient temples and historical ruins. Once the capital of the kingdom from 1350 to 1767, it now attracts visitors interested in history and culture. The old city sits on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, with many well-preserved sites like Wat Mahathat and Wat Ratchaburana. Local markets sell traditional crafts and street food. Ayutthaya balances its past significance with modern life while remaining accessible to travelers seeking insight into Thailand’s heritage.

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City in Thailand

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.3

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	4

Read details

3/5

English is moderately spoken, especially in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants. Communication can be more challenging in local markets or with older residents.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Ayutthaya Summary

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Outstanding for ancient temple ruins. Cycle between historic sites, explore crumbling stupas, take river boat tours and photograph sunset temples.

Place score

7.1

Best at:

Historic sites

Guided tours

Street food

Architecture

Ruins

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

❤️ 8

Couples

Thailand – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Thai Baht (THB) £1 ≈ THB 44.95
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in Thailand, especially in major cities. Mobile payments such as Line Pay, GrabPay, and Apple Pay are common. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory in Thailand, but it is appreciated. In restaurants, leaving 10% is common. Taxi fares are rounded up, and small tips for hotel staff are encouraged.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in Thailand, though alcohol is available in licensed venues like bars and restaurants. Laws around drinking in public can be strictly enforced in some areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, including shopping centres and restaurants, but designated smoking areas are common.

Songkran (13–15 April)	Thai New Year celebrated with water fights
Father's Day (King Bhumibol Memorial Day) (5 December)	Honours the late King Bhumibol, with ceremonies across the country

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 191 (Police), 1155 (Tourist Police), 1669 (Ambulance), 199 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Grab, Bolt
Other:	Thailand is known for its vibrant culture, beautiful beaches, and rich history. Popular activities include visiting temples, experiencing the vibrant nightlife, and enjoying the country’s diverse cuisine.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Ayutthaya, Thailand

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Oct

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - Feb., Nov. - Dec.
Shoulder season:	March
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Chao Phraya river flooding is possible September to October, some temples and roads can be under water

Songkran (13 to 15 April): water festival, many shops and restaurants close, transport is packed

Loy Krathong, with lantern and krathong floating on the river, takes place on the full moon night in early to mid November

Don't miss

🪷 Explore the ancient ruins of Wat Mahathat and its iconic Buddha head in tree roots
🏯 Visit Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Ayutthaya’s grand royal temple complex
🚤 Cruise along the Chao Phraya River to view the city’s temple skyline
🚴‍♀️ Cycle through the historical park and discover centuries-old stupas
🌅 Watch the sunset over Wat Chaiwatthanaram’s riverfront ruins
🍜 Sample authentic Thai dishes at Ayutthaya’s riverside night market

You've been here?

Why travel to Ayutthaya?

Ayutthaya is a history lover’s dream, with its UNESCO-listed ruins, ancient temples and fascinating stories from the days of the Siamese kingdom. It's perfect for a day trip from Bangkok or a more immersive stay. You can explore crumbling yet majestic temples, take a boat ride along the river and indulge in local Thai delicacies at the vibrant night market. Just be prepared for the heat – visiting in the early morning or late afternoon is best!

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Ayutthaya Historical Park
2 Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
3 Wat Mahathat
4 Wat Phra Si Sanphet
5 Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon Worawihan

🎡Places for activities

1 Boat Trip Around Ayutthaya
2 Ayutthaya Elephant Palace & Royal Kraal
3 Baan Hollanda
4 Thai Boat Museum
5 Wat Phutthaisawan

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Chao Phraya River

🛍️Shopping

1 Tops Market
2 Krung Kao Floating Market
3 Na Wang Night Market
4 Krungsri Market

🎈Events

Ayutthaya World Heritage Fair
Loy Krathong Festival
Songkran (Thai New Year)
Buddhist Lent Festival
Chinese New Year Celebrations
Royal Kathin Ceremony
Elephant Back Procession
Local Boat Races
Ayutthaya Film Festival
Traditional Thai Arts Festival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Rent a bike or tuk-tuk. Sites spread across large historical park.
Visit Wat Mahathat early morning to see Buddha head in tree roots before crowds arrive.
Dress modestly for temples; cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes when entering.
Take a sunset boat tour along Chao Phraya River for stunning views of riverside ruins and Wat Chaiwattanaram.

How to travel to Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is around 80 km north of Bangkok. You can reach it by train from Hua Lamphong Station, by bus from Mo Chit terminal or via a river cruise along the Chao Phraya River for a scenic route.

Access summary

From Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK): Airport Rail Link + train, roughly 2–2.5 hours.
From Bangkok city: Frequent trains usually 1–2 hours from Krung Thep Aphiwat.
Popular day trip: many travelers combine train in, minivan back.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya has a mix of budget guesthouses, boutique hotels and a few higher‑end resorts. Staying near the Historical Park offers convenience and easy access to main attractions.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Centara Ayutthaya

9.4

Classic Kameo Hotel & Services Apartment

Kantary Hotel Ayutthaya

Sunday Ayothaya Hotel

7.7

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is easy to explore by bicycle, tuk‑tuk or boat. Bicycles are popular for navigating the historical park and tuk‑tuks are great for getting around quickly. River cruises offer a unique perspective of the city.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-63 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 63% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to THB) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Tha Khlong, Thailand - 30 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£27	£58	£164
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£11	£30	£75
🍝 Food per day	£13	£24	£73
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£5	£15

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£9
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.40
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.40
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.70
☕ Cappuccino	£1.70
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.80

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.65
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£9.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.05

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£5.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£27
🤧 Cold medication	£2.20
💇 Basic haircut	£6

Safety information overview

General safety

Ayutthaya is generally safe for tourists. Petty theft is rare, but always keep an eye on your belongings. Be cautious when exploring isolated temple ruins, especially after dark.

Health & Medical

Basic medical facilities are available, but serious medical needs may require a trip to Bangkok. Bring essential medications and stay hydrated, as the heat can be intense.

Accessibility

Many historical sites have uneven ground and steps, making accessibility difficult for those with mobility issues. The newer attractions and main markets are more accessible.

Tap water

Avoid drinking tap water. Stick to bottled water, which is widely available and inexpensive. Be mindful of ice in drinks and prioritize hydration, especially in the heat.