Bangkok to Ayutthaya: Train, Van, Taxi or Boat?

By NaJade · DJ in Bangkok · Published October 19, 2026

The cheapest way from Bangkok to Ayutthaya is the train from Krung Thep Aphiwat station: around 20 baht in third class and roughly 50–80 minutes. Minivans from Mo Chit 2 cost about 150–220 baht, a Grab is roughly 900 baht, and river cruise tours start around 1,850 baht. Ayutthaya is about 80 km north, an easy day trip.

Ayutthaya was the capital of Siam for over 400 years, and its ruined temples are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the day trip I recommend most to friends visiting Bangkok — close enough to do in a day, different enough to feel like a real break from the city. Getting there is cheap and simple once you know which station to use.

Take a morning train from Krung Thep Aphiwat for about 20 baht, cross the river by ferry to the old island, and rent a bike or a tuk-tuk to see the temples. Major sites charge foreigners 80 baht each, or buy a combined ticket. Go early: the afternoon heat is brutal and most sites close at 6pm.

Every Way to Get There, Compared

Option	Time	Cost	Best for
Third-class train (Krung Thep Aphiwat)	50–80 min	About 20 baht	Budget travellers, the classic experience
Bangkok Connex direct train	About 75 min	Launched at 50 baht in 2026	Air-con comfort; limited departures
Ordinary train (Hua Lamphong)	1.5–2 hours	About 15–20 baht	If you stay near Chinatown
Minivan (Mo Chit 2)	1.5–2.5 hours	About 150–220 baht	Frequent departures
Grab	About 1.5 hours	Around 900 baht	Groups, families, door to door
River cruise tour	Full day	From about 1,850 baht	Coach one way, boat the other

Fares and timetables change. The State Railway of Thailand publishes current schedules, and you can buy most third-class tickets at the station on the day.

Taking the Train, Step by Step

Go to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bang Sue). Take the MRT Blue Line to Bang Sue. Most long-distance trains north now leave from here rather than Hua Lamphong.
Buy a ticket to Ayutthaya at the counter. Third class is unreserved; second class with a seat costs a little more.
Check the departure board. Around 16 trains a day head north from early morning; any train that stops at Ayutthaya works.
Get off at Ayutthaya station, which is on the east bank, just outside the historic island.
Walk to the ferry pier opposite the station and cross the river for a few baht, or take a tuk-tuk for about 150 baht to the historical park.

If you want air-con and a direct run, the new Bangkok Connex service launched in 2026 with a handful of daily departures. For the MRT leg, getting around Bangkok explains your options — or use Grab to reach the station.

Getting Around Ayutthaya

Bicycle: about 60–100 baht a day from shops near the ferry. Flat roads, but very hot by midday.
Tuk-tuk: agree the route and price before you set off; hourly hire is common.
On foot: the central temples are close-ish, but walking all of them in the heat is a lot.
Boat tour: late-afternoon long-tail boats circle the island and stop at riverside temples.

Ticket Prices and Opening Hours

Site	Foreigner price	Notes
Wat Mahathat	80 baht	The Buddha head in the tree roots
Wat Phra Si Sanphet	80 baht	Three iconic chedis, former royal temple
Wat Ratchaburana	80 baht	Climbable central prang
Wat Chaiwatthanaram	80 baht	Riverside, best at sunset
Combined ticket	Around 300 baht	Covers several major sites

Most sites open around 8am to 6pm. These are religious sites as well as ruins, so cover shoulders and knees — see what to wear in Bangkok and Thai etiquette. Background on why the city matters is on the UNESCO World Heritage page for Ayutthaya.

Tips for a Better Day Trip

Leave Bangkok by 8am. The ruins have little shade, and by 1pm the heat is serious.
Go in the cool season — November to February is the most comfortable.
Carry water and small notes. Many vendors and boats are cash only.
Stay for sunset at Wat Chaiwatthanaram if you can; take a Grab or late train back.
Do not climb on Buddha images or pose disrespectfully with them. It is offensive and can be illegal.

For more ideas beyond Ayutthaya, see the best day trips from Bangkok.

A Note From NaJade

The first time I went to Ayutthaya I was killing time before an evening gig, and I almost didn’t go because it sounded like a tour-bus thing. It isn’t. I took the cheap train with my headphones on, watched the city turn into rice fields, and spent the afternoon on a rented bike between temples that are six hundred years old. It is the quietest I have felt in Thailand. Go early, go slow, and don’t try to see everything. Three or four temples properly beats ten in a sweaty rush. I made it back to Bangkok in time for soundcheck, sunburnt and very happy.

More: day trips from Bangkok, Bangkok to Hua Hin, Bangkok to Chiang Mai, the best time to visit Bangkok, and what to wear in Bangkok.

Video: CHEAPEST WAY To Travel From BANGKOK To AYUTTHAYA: $1 Train Ride in Thailand! (YouTube)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya?

For most visitors the train is best. Third-class trains from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal cost about 20 baht and take roughly 50 to 80 minutes, with around 16 departures a day. Groups who want door-to-door comfort can take a Grab for about 900 baht. Minivans from Mo Chit 2 are a middle option at 150 to 220 baht.

Which Bangkok station has trains to Ayutthaya?

Most northbound trains, including those stopping at Ayutthaya, now depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal at Bang Sue, reachable on the MRT Blue Line. A smaller number of slow ordinary trains still leave from the old Hua Lamphong station. Check the departure board, as any train stopping at Ayutthaya will do.

How much does Ayutthaya cost for a day trip?

On a budget, expect around 600 to 1,000 baht per person: about 40 baht for return train tickets, 80 baht per major temple or a combined ticket of around 300 baht, plus bike rental, ferry, food and water. Hiring a tuk-tuk, taking Grab or joining a river cruise tour will raise that considerably.

Is one day enough for Ayutthaya?

Yes, one day covers the main temples comfortably if you start early. Many travellers see four to six sites by bike or tuk-tuk and return to Bangkok by evening. Staying overnight lets you see the temples at sunset and early morning, when it is cooler and quieter, which some people prefer.

What should I wear to Ayutthaya temples?

Cover your shoulders and knees, as the ruins include active religious sites. Light, loose clothing works best in the heat, along with comfortable shoes, a hat and sunscreen. Avoid climbing on Buddha images or posing disrespectfully next to them, which is considered offensive and can lead to fines.

Can I take a boat from Bangkok to Ayutthaya?

There is no regular public boat service, but several companies run full-day river cruise tours, usually travelling one way by coach and the other by boat along the Chao Phraya River. Prices start at around 1,850 baht per person, typically including lunch, a guide and temple visits.

About the Author

NaJade is a Bangkok-based DJ playing progressive house, melodic EDM, pop, and Thai music across clubs, rooftops, and weddings in Thailand — and has lived in the city long enough to have made every one of these mistakes at least once. Find him on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

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