Bangkok to Ayutthaya by Train: A One-Day Trip Guide
Ayutthaya is one of the most fascinating historical destinations to visit from Bangkok and a perfect choice for a day trip. Once the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom, the ancient city is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its impressive temple ruins, Buddhist statues and historic architecture.
Taking the Train from Bangkok to Ayutthaya
I decided to travel from Bangkok to Ayutthaya by train, starting my journey at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station. The station is well connected to Bangkok’s MRT network, with Chatuchak Park MRT Station providing a convenient connection from the city centre. Before travelling, you can check different train and bus options and timetables on 12Go, which makes it easy to compare departure times and ticket options.
I spent just one day exploring Ayutthaya, but if you want to visit the main temples and historical sites at a more relaxed pace, I would recommend staying for almost two days. The train journey itself was a great experience, and you can choose between air-conditioned carriages or the more traditional fan-cooled carriages. Travelling by train gave me the chance to enjoy the scenery and experience a different side of Thailand before arriving in the historic city of Ayutthaya.
Arriving in Ayutthaya by Train: From the Station to the Temples
Finally, I arrived at Ayutthaya Railway Station after a train journey of around one hour from Bangkok. As soon as I left the station, several local drivers approached me offering tuk-tuk rides and different tours around the ancient city. They were keen to find customers, but I decided to explore Ayutthaya on my own and experience the city at my own pace. I crossed the road from the station and took a small local boat across the river. The boat ride was very inexpensive, costing around 5 baht, and it was a great way to begin my Ayutthaya day trip.
After crossing the river, I walked for about 15 minutes before reaching my first two historical sites and temples. The weather was extremely hot that day, so I needed to drink plenty of water and stop regularly for fresh fruit. Fortunately, there were many small shops along the way where I could buy cold drinks and snacks. Walking around the ancient ruins in the heat was tiring, but it also made the experience feel like a real adventure as I explored Ayutthaya independently.
Starting My Visit to the Ayutthaya Temples
There are many historic temples and archaeological sites to explore in Ayutthaya, with several important attractions located in different parts of the ancient city. Opening hours and entrance fees can vary depending on the site, so it is worth checking the details before starting your Ayutthaya day trip. With so many temples and ruins to see, one day can feel quite short. I managed to visit four sites during my trip, but by the afternoon I was already starting to feel tired. If you want to explore Ayutthaya at a more relaxed pace, spending two days would give you more time to discover the main temples and historical sites.
I started my visit with one of the most famous sights in Ayutthaya: the Buddha head surrounded by the roots of a large tree at Wat Mahathat. This remarkable Buddha head has become one of the most recognisable images of Ayutthaya, and its unusual setting makes it a fascinating place to see and photograph. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the sandstone Buddha head became surrounded by tree roots after falling from its pedestal during the fall of Ayutthaya. For me, this was one of the most impressive and memorable sights of my Ayutthaya temple visit.
Exploring Ayutthaya: The History Behind the Ancient Temples
Ayutthaya was founded around 1350 and became the second capital of the Kingdom of Siam after Sukhothai. For more than 400 years, it grew into a powerful and cosmopolitan city and an important centre of trade, diplomacy and culture in Southeast Asia. Its location on an island surrounded by three rivers helped protect the city and supported its development as a major trading centre.
In 1767, Ayutthaya was attacked and destroyed by the Burmese army, and the city was never rebuilt in the same location. Today, the impressive ruins of its temples, monasteries and ancient monuments form the Historic City of Ayutthaya. Walking among these ancient ruins gives visitors a fascinating glimpse into the history and former splendour of the old Siamese capital.
Walking Among the Elephants in Ayutthaya
To reach the next Ayutthaya temples, I had to walk for around 20 minutes, so I decided to stop for lunch along the way. I enjoyed a delicious plate of fried chicken with rice, followed by a small tofu snack. After lunch, I continued exploring Ayutthaya and had the chance to walk among the elephants, which gave me a different perspective of the local atmosphere and made the experience even more memorable.
Along the way, I also discovered a lovely little oasis overlooking the river. It was the perfect place to take a break from the heat, enjoy a refreshing smoothie or coffee and relax before continuing my Ayutthaya day trip. After spending hours exploring the ancient temples and ruins, this peaceful riverside spot was exactly what I needed before visiting the next historical sites.
My Last Ayutthaya Temples: Finishing My Temple Tour
Finally, I reached my last Ayutthaya temples of the day. After exploring several historical sites, I realised that it is difficult to visit all the temples in Ayutthaya in just one day, especially if you want to take your time and enjoy each place. Some of the temples also require you to climb stairs to reach higher levels, where you can enjoy beautiful views and take some amazing photos of the ancient ruins. Standing among the historic temples and stone structures gave me a wonderful feeling of Ayutthaya’s ancient atmosphere
By the end of the day, I was tired but very happy with my Ayutthaya day trip. I had explored several impressive temples, experienced the local atmosphere and taken plenty of photos. Finally, I returned to Ayutthaya Railway Station and took the train back to Bangkok, ending a memorable day exploring one of Thailand’s most fascinating historical cities.
