Ayutthaya, the old capital
Eighty minutes north of Bangkok is a city that was larger than Paris in 1700, burned in 1767, and is now a park of brick ruins and headless Buddhas. We go by bicycle, early, before the coach convoys.
The Ayutthaya day trip from Bangkok costs $78 per person and runs about 12 hours, covering five temple ruins in the historical park by bicycle. Ayutthaya was larger than Paris in 1700 and was burned in 1767. Bicycles, guide, all park fees and a riverside lunch are included.
- Price$78 per person
- Duration12 hours
- Distance80 km north of Bangkok
- IncludedBicycle, park fees, lunch
The route, and why a bicycle
The historical park is a grid of about 4 km with the ruins scattered across it. A car moves you between car parks; a bicycle moves you between the ruins themselves, along the canals, past the houses where people still live among the temples. We ride from Wat Mahathat to Wat Ratchaburana, then out to Wat Chaiwatthanaram on the river.
The famous Buddha head in the tree roots is at Wat Mahathat, and it is the most photographed object in the city. Go at 09:00 and there is a line of people waiting to kneel in front of it. Go at 08:30, which our timing allows, and there are three.
The heat problem
Ayutthaya has almost no shade between the monuments. We ride 08:30–11:30, have a long riverside lunch, then do one more site at 14:30 before driving back. People who try to see everything between 10:00 and 15:00 remember only the heat.
| Stop | Time | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Wat Mahathat | 08:40 | Buddha head in the banyan roots |
| Wat Ratchaburana | 09:30 | Brick prang with a crypt |
| Wat Chaiwatthanaram | 14:30 | Riverside complex, best light |
| Return | 15:30 | Back in Bangkok by 17:00 |
Private car and guide, bicycle hire, all park entrance fees, riverside lunch, water. Not included: tips.
Why a bicycle, and what the ride is like
The historical park is a rough grid about 4 km across, with the ruins scattered between canals, roads and houses where people still live. A car moves you between car parks; a bicycle moves you between the ruins themselves, along the canals, past the school and the noodle stalls. The riding is flat and short — the longest single stretch is 2.5 km — and it is done in the cool of the morning rather than the afternoon.
We ride from Wat Mahathat to Wat Ratchaburana, cross the river, and finish at Wat Chaiwatthanaram on the water, which is the one everybody photographs and nobody is at by 14:30. Bicycles, helmets and water are in the price.
The heat, honestly
Ayutthaya has almost no shade between the monuments, and the brick radiates. The schedule exists because of that: ride 08:30 to 11:30, eat a long riverside lunch under a fan, then do one more site at 14:30 and drive back. People who try to see everything between 10:00 and 15:00 remember the heat and nothing else.
If you are travelling in April or May, we move the whole day 45 minutes earlier and drop one site. If you are travelling with children under eight, we put them in the car between stops and meet the cyclists at each ruin — same price, less complaining.
What is not included
Tips, and the optional boat loop around the island (฿200 per boat, worth it at sunset if you are staying overnight). Everything else — car, guide, bicycles, park fees for all five sites, lunch — is inside the $78.
Before you book
Is it suitable for children?
From about eight, yes — the cycling is flat and short. Younger children do better in a car with short stops than on a bike.
Can we combine it with the floating market?
Yes, as a long day: market at 07:00, Ayutthaya by 10:00. It works but it is 13 hours.
What if it rains?
We switch to the car and cover three sites instead of five. Ayutthaya in rain is atmospheric and empty.
Check your date.
Tell us the day and how many of you — we confirm availability, the boat and the price.
Written and checked by the Travel Thailand Tour team, Bangkok · Last updated · Prices are per person and were correct at the time of writing.