Hello everyone. This is TKJ@Bangkok. Today, I would like to share with you how to get to Ayutthaya, an area north of Bangkok that is lined with Buddhist ruins.
What is Ayutthaya?
Officially known as Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, it is an ancient dynastic capital and modern city located in the central plains of Thailand, 85 kilometers north of Bangkok. It is also the capital of the province.
Ayutthaya, built around 1350, became the second capital of Siam after Sukhothai. Its ideal location, halfway between China, India and the Malay Archipelago, has revitalized Ayutthaya as a center of trade in Asia and the world for centuries.
By 1700, Ayutthaya had become the largest city in the world with a total population of one million. Many international merchants from various parts of the world, including Arab countries, China, India, Japan, Portugal, Holland, and France, sailed to Ayutthaya, and European merchants praised it as the best city they had ever seen.
Dutch and French maps of Ayutthaya show gold-covered palaces, grand ceremonies, and huge floats of trading ships from around the world, testifying to the authenticity of its development. However, Ayutthaya was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1767 when the Burmese army invaded the city.
Today, only a handful of remaining ruins give us a glimpse of the impressive city built by the people of old. Its main remains are a prang (reliquary) and a large chapel. Most of what remains of the ruins are temples and chapels, as they were built of stone and were strong buildings.
The great cultural value of Ayutthaya’s ruins, however, was officially recognized in 1991 when the historic city became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also close to Bangkok, making it a popular day trip destination for travelers from Bangkok.
Take a shared van to Ayutthaya
Take a bus from Mo Chit Bus Terminal (North Bus Terminal)
The mini bus to Ayutthaya used to leave from Mo Chit Bus Terminal (North Bus Terminal), but now the boarding point has been moved slightly. I heard that it used to be available from Victory Monument BTS station, but it is now closed.
The mini bus stop at the North Bus Terminal is a bit far from the terminal and is shown on the map above. According to Google Maps, it’s called Minibus Station Mochit. It is quite far from Mo Chit BTS station, so take a cab from the station.
Even if you arrive at the North Bus Terminal by mistake, there is a free shuttle bus that will take you to the minibus station.
▽Click here to see how to get to the minibus station on foot from the North Bus Terminal▽
Bangkok to Ayutthaya Mini Bus Basic Information
- Departure time to Ayutthaya: every 30 minutes starting at 6:00 a.m.
- Fare: 60 baht (30 baht per piece if you have large luggage)
- Travel time: 1.5 hours
Arrival point in Ayutthaya
If you take the Lotu bus from the minibus station in Bangkok, it will take about an hour and a half to arrive at the mini bus stop. Keep in mind that this is also where you will take the bus back to Bangkok.
On the map, there are many mini buses stopping in the area circled in red above. There is a Seven-Eleven nearby, which is convenient if you get hungry after arriving or if you need to replenish your water supply before leaving. As for the location, it is located in the middle of the Chao Phraya River in Ayutthaya, where there are many Buddhist monuments, so it is possible to visit the chedis and temples immediately after getting off the train rather than by train.
Ayutthaya to Bangkok by Mini Bus
There is also a mini bus to Bangkok from the place where the lotto mentioned above arrived. The last service to the minibus station at the North Bus Terminal is at 6pm, and the last service to Khao San is at 3pm. The fare is 70 baht.
If it’s mini buses, it’s possible to make a day trip.
Based on the above information, it is possible to take the 6:00 am lotto to Ayutthaya and then take the 6:00 pm lotto to Bangkok for a day trip to Ayutthaya.
Going to Ayutthaya by National Railway Train
Train tickets can be purchased on the day of the trip, but if you have enough time, it is better to make a reservation in advance. There are two ways to make a reservation: at the stations listed below, or online.
timetable
The timetable of the national railway from Bangkok to Ayutthaya on the online booking site is shown below. In addition, there are actually regular trains, which means there are quite a few trains running between Bangkok and Ayutthaya.
| departure time | arrival time | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 5:45 | 6:58 | Special Express |
| 6:40 | 8:25 | Rapid |
| 7:00 | 8:37 | Rapid |
| 8:20 | 9:41 | Express |
| 8:30 | 9:47 | Special Express |
| 10:05 | 11:24 | Express |
| 10:50 | 12:15 | Special Express |
| 13:45 | 15:17 | Rapid |
| 15:20 | 16:56 | Rapid |
| 18:10 | 19:44 | Special Express |
| 18:35 | 20:03 | Express |
| 18:55 | 20:25 | Rapid |
| 19:35 | 21:06 | Special Express |
| 20:00 | 21:40 | Special Express |
| 20:10 | 21:43 | Rapid |
| 20:30 | 21:52 | Special Express |
| 20:45 | 22:17 | Rapid |
| 21:00 | 22:22 | Rapid |
| 21:30 | 22:50 | Express |
| 22:00 | 23:35 | Express |
| 22:45 | 0:16 | Rapid |
Reference: Thailand Railway Ticket.com（ https://www.thairailwayticket.com/eTSRT/default.aspx?language=1）
Purchase train tickets at the station.
All tickets, including regular and rapid trains, can be purchased at the ticket counter at Hua Lamphong station.
Book train tickets online
Tickets for rapid, limited express, and special express trains can be booked online.
Reference：ThaiRailwayTickets.com（ https://www.thairailwayticket.com/eTSRT/default.aspx?language=1）
Ayutthaya Station
If you take the National Railway of Thailand to Ayutthaya, you will arrive at a station outside the Chao Phraya River. If you want to go there for a day trip, you will have to take a tuk-tuk from the train station, or rent a bike or motorcycle in the neighborhood, because it is a bit far from the ruins. Cabs and grabs are rarely available.
Take a cab to Ayutthaya
There is also the option of taking a cab from Bangkok to Ayutthaya, which costs around 1,500 to 2,000 baht for a full day charter. If you are staying at a hotel, it is best to ask for a cab at the front desk of the hotel, as cruising cabs can be a bother.
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