Ayutthaya Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Ayutthaya. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• UNESCO's Ayutthaya Historical Park: Full-Day Tour from Bangkok

• Private Excursion to Floating Market and Ayutthaya World Heritage

• In and Around Bangkok Private Tour Guide with Custom Experience

• Private Excursion to Ayutthaya, UNESCO World Heritage Site with Boat Tour

• Bangkok: Private Ayutthaya and Bang Pa-In Summer Palace Tour

For international visitors, it costs 50 baht for admission to temples within the historical park, such as Wat Mahathat and Wat Phra Si Sanphet. Entry fees are charged separately at each structure, but you can opt for a 220 baht combo ticket that bundles them together.

Yes, Ayutthaya is a UNESCO–listed site with enduring cultural significance. It's well worth taking a day trip from Bangkok to see the sprawling temple complexes, gilded Buddha statues, and ancient artwork away from the city center. Many guided tours not only provide important context, but include round-trip transportation for easier logistics.

Per one customer who booked the Private Excursion to Floating Market and Ayutthaya World Heritage, "This trip was so much fun ... Visiting the historic city was interesting and the reclining Buddha was beautiful! Our guide Army was excellent in sharing information and navigating the crowds! Our driver Mark was always there to meet us with a cold water and a refreshing towel. Awesome job by both."

Yes, there are guided tours—most depart from Bangkok and include convenient round-trip transfers. Many tours include a 1-hour boat trip around the temples of Ayutthaya Historical Park and the city, while others combine it with a morning visit to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

Yes, riding a bike is a popular way of exploring Ayutthaya Historical Park, as it allows you to cover more temples in less time. There are guided bike tours of the complex available, or you can hire a bicycle from one of the city’s many rental stores.

The must-see temples and ruins are Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, one of the best-preserved structures; Wat Phra Mahathat, where tree roots have famously grown around the head of Buddha; and Wat Phanan Choeng, home to one of Thailand’s oldest Buddhist statues.

Ayutthaya is hot and humid year-round, but the heat reaches its peak between March and May before the rainy season from July–October. Remember, these ancient Buddhist temples are not air conditioned, so dress accordingly without being disrespectful. The best time of year to visit for pleasant weather is November or February, either side of the Christmas crowds. Arrive as close to its morning opening time as you can.

It’s easy to get to Ayutthaya from Bangkok using public transport. You can catch the train from Hua Lamphong railway station, which takes 1.5–2.5 hours, depending on the service. You can also take one of the minibuses from Bangkok Northern bus terminal, which typically depart every 30 minutes or when full.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting Ayutthaya. According to travelers, these are some of the top Bangkok attractions:

• Grand Palace

• Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)

• Bangkok Chinatown

• Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market

• Temple of the Dawn (Wat Arun)

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in and around Bangkok.