So you’re in Bangkok and you’re looking for an adventure outside the city. How about a one day trip to Ayutthaya, How to go there, how expensive it is, how to get around in Ayutthaya?
I’ll answer all of your questions right now, just keep on reading. First, let’s start by talking a little bit about Ayutthaya.
What’s Ayutthaya?
It’s an ancient city, Ayutthaya was founded in 1350. It became a powerful city until 1767.
Ayutthaya used to be a trading port that welcomed merchants from the world, most of them from Europe. It’s said that the city was amazing to the eyes of foreigners, this is because of the many temples and palaces all around the city.
Just like many other cities and towns in the past and present, Ayutthaya fell to the horrors of war. The city was invaded by the Burmese – people from Myanmar- and it was burnt and destroyed.
A lot of Thai people died and the survivors fled the city. There are still many ruins in Ayutthaya, a clear reminder of the old city and a current tourist attraction.
There are about 50 different ruins sites, some of them more popular than others. These are the ones I believe you can’t miss.
Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon
If I had to choose one and only one temple to visit in a one day trip to Ayutthaya this would be the one. The name means, Great Monastery of Auspicious Victory.
In the year 1937 two Ayutthaya princess died of Cholera, the king ordered the cremation of the bodies. He also ordered the creation of a holy stupa and a preaching hall on the cremation site, that’s how this temple came into existence.
Entry fee: 20 Baht
This temple is more than just a holy stupa and a preaching hall. Around it, you’ll find different beautiful Buddha statues. If you enjoy taking photos for sure you’ll enjoy your time here.
Take a look at more pics of Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon.
There’s also a reclining Buddha statue on the premises of Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
This is another popular one in Ayutthaya. It was built in 1630 by king Prasat Thong. The name means Temple of Long Reign and Glorious Era.
At the center of the temple, there’s a 35 meter high Prang (Tall tower) and there are 120 sitting Buddha statues around it.
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Most of the Buddha statues have succumbed to the passing of time and war.
After the destruction of Ayutthaya by the Burmese army, the temple was abandoned, many bricks were stolen and sold and Buddha statues were beheaded.
Buddha statues most likely were painted in Black and Gold when the temple was in its brightest era.
It was until 1987 that the Thai government started restoring the site and they opened it to the public in 1992.
Entry fee: 50 baht
Take a look at more pictures of Wat Chaiwatthanaram
Wat Phra Mongkhon Bophit
This temple doesn’t look as ancient as the previous 2 but it’s definitely a site with a lot of history behind it.
Its name means Buddha of the Holy and Supremely Auspicious, the Buddha statue sitting inside the temple was built in 1538.
The statue was originally housed by a mondop ( square-based building or shrine with a pyramidal roof ) that was hit and destroyed by lighting.
The building caught fire and the roof came down and broke Buddha’s head.
They demolished the mondop and built a new preaching hall (Vihara). The statue was also restored.
Just like the rest of Ayutthaya, the Vihara and the Buddha statue were severely damaged when the Burmese invasion took place.
Restoration of the Vihara and the Buddha statue took place between 1920 and 1931.
Entry fee: 50 Baht
Wat Mahathat
Maybe this is the reason why many do a one day trip to Ayutthaya from Bangkok. Here’s where you find the Buddha’s head.
The meaning of the name is the monastery of the Great Relic. Historians don’t really know when the temple was founded. They think its origin dates back to 1377 approximately.
This temple was used for different religious events and royal celebrations.
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The main tourist attraction in this temple is a Buddha head entwined within the roots of a tree.
No one really knows exactly how it got there, but what they do know is that it wasn’t on purpose, as in Buddhist traditions is not a thing to put Buddha head on the ground.
Some theorize that maybe a thief moved the head from the main temple and hid it by the tree and then he simply did not come back for it. After so many years the roots grew around the head.
Entry Fee: 50 Baht
Wat Lokayasutharam
This is the last temple I’ll mention in this one day trip to Ayutthaya post.
The main attraction in these ruins is a huge reclining Buddha statue. The statue is 37 meters long and 8 meters high.
Tourists and locals visit these ruins, it is common to see people leaving offerings to Buddha.
Right outside the premises of these ruins, you’ll find some small souvenir shops and people selling flowers which you can leave as offerings.
Entry fee: Free
More pictures of Wat Lokayasutharam
How to Get to Ayutthaya from Bangkok?
This is very simple and extremely cheap. I went to Hualamphong railway station in Bangkok and bought a third-class ticket to Ayutthaya for 20 baht.
I got there 10 minutes before the train’s departure. It might be a bit chaotic in the station, but don’t worry just ask someone who works there to tell you on which train you’re supposed to get on.
Once they point you the way just get on the train and find a seat.
The train makes many stops, Ayutthaya station is the one after Ban pho station. The train only stops for around 3 minutes so be quick to get out.
Another thing, some people buy third-class tickets with numbered seats, my ticket had no seats, so 1 or 2 stations after we departed from Hualamphong a girl got on the train and I was sitting on her seat so I had to get up.
So I spent most of the ride standing up. It takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to Ayutthaya from Bangkok.
I took a very early train, at around 8 am, it got very very crowded. Don’t worry if you feel like you have no idea when to get off.
Ayutthaya is the station after Ban Pho, just make sure you’re looking out the window on the left side of the train (stand facing the direction the train is moving towards) and you’ll see the names.
Ayutthaya station is also easy to spot as it has many Thailand flags hanging outside and is quite big compared to the previous ones.
How Much Does it Cost to Go to Ayutthaya?
If you take the third class train is super cheap, 20 baht going there and 20 baht coming back.
Once I was done touring around Ayutthaya I went back to the station and bought a third-class ticket back to Bangkok.
I had lunch at a little restaurant in front of the station, I just crossed over to the other side of the road and found a place selling pad thai and mango shakes.
I paid only 90 baht for my pad thai and a mango shake. Every time I bought bottled water I paid 20 baht.
The big expense was the tuk-tuk I had to hire to take me around, 800 Baht for 4 hours. Which takes me to the following.
I went to Ayutthaya as part of my Songkran weekend. If you’d like to know more about Songkran in Bangkok please click below.
Celebrating Songkran in Bangkok
How to Get Around in Ayutthaya?
This is very simple, you can either hire a tuk tuk driver to take you around the temples and back to the station or you can rent a scooter and do it on your own.
Since I don’t have an international driver’s license I decided to hire a tuk-tuk driver. You won’t have to bother looking for one, they’ll be waiting for you at the station.
The minute they spot a tourist they make their move, they’ll show you all the places they can take you to.
Please don’t ride Elephants, don’t support animal cruelty.
One Day Trip To Ayutthaya Video
Now I just want to finish this post by showing you a little video I put together. You’ll see more of Ayutthaya and hopefully, it’ll make you want to go.
