Getting There from Bangkok in Ayutthaya

Part of the Ayutthaya travel guide — see every topic in All Ayutthaya Guides.

Ayutthaya is about 80 km north of Bangkok, so it is an easy day trip or a short stay. The train is cheap and simple. Vans are fast. River cruises are slow but scenic. This guide compares the options and explains how to get from the station to the old island.

By train

The train is the classic way to go. Faster trains to the north leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, Bangkok's big new station at Bang Sue. They reach Ayutthaya in roughly one hour to one and a half hours. You can book seats on these trains. Some slower ordinary trains still leave from the old Hua Lamphong station in central Bangkok. They are very cheap, have fans instead of air conditioning, and take about one and a half to two hours. Tickets for ordinary trains are sold at the counter on the day. Schedules change, so check the State Railway of Thailand website or ask at the station before you go.

From the station to the island

Ayutthaya station is on the east bank of the Pa Sak river, across from the old island. The quickest way across is a small ferry from a pier a short walk from the station. Boats run every few minutes during the day and cost very little. Many bike rental shops sit near the pier on both sides. You can also cross by the road bridge just south of the station, or take a tuk-tuk. Tuk-tuk drivers wait outside the station and offer tours of the ruins by the hour. Agree on the price and the stops before you start.

By van or bus

Minivans and buses to Ayutthaya leave from the Northern Bus Terminal, called Mo Chit 2, in north Bangkok. They run often through the day and take about one and a half to two hours, depending on traffic. Vans drop you in the town, usually near the middle of the island. This is a good choice if you stay near Mo Chit, or if the train times do not suit you. Traffic leaving Bangkok can be slow at rush hour and on Friday evenings. Taxis and ride-hailing cars can also take you from Bangkok, which is easy for groups who share the cost.

By river

For a slow and scenic trip, take a day cruise up the Chao Phraya river from Bangkok. Most cruises go one way by boat and return by coach. Many stop at the Bang Pa-In palace on the way. It is the most expensive option, but it turns the journey into part of the trip. Book ahead, because cruises do not run every day. There is no regular public boat service between Bangkok and Ayutthaya, so a cruise or tour is the only way to arrive by river.

Day trip or overnight

You can see the main ruins in one long day from Bangkok. Take an early train, rent a bike, and come back in the evening. But staying one night is much more relaxed. You can see the ruins in the soft morning and evening light, take a sunset boat trip, and eat at the night market. Hotels range from simple guesthouses near the station to riverside resorts. Weekends and Thai holidays are busier, so book ahead at those times. Ayutthaya also sits on the main rail line north, so you can continue to Sukhothai or Chiang Mai after your stay.

Getting There from Bangkok at a glance

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