Ayutthaya was the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom. It flourished from the 14th to the 18th centuries. The city was attacked and razed by the Burmese army in 1767 who burned the city to the ground and forced the inhabitants to abandon the city. The city was never rebuilt in the same location and remains known today as an extensive archaeological site. Located 85 km north of Bangkok, you can travel to Ayutthaya easily by train and bus from different cities in Thailand.
Ayutthaya doesn’t have an airport, so we don’t recommend you to travel by flight. Otherwise, you will have to fly to Bangkok first and then transfer into a bus/minivan to Ayutthaya. That way maybe takes as much time as you travel directly by train or bus to Ayutthaya.
In this article, we will explain how to travel to Ayutthaya from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Nong Khai and Ubon Ratchathani.
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Bangkok to Ayutthaya
The fastest way to travel 85 km distance from Bangkok to Ayutthaya is by taking a train. The train ride takes only 1 hour and 30 minutes. This is also an enjoyable option to see the rural scency during your short journey.
You can also take the minivan to get from Bangkok to Ayuthaya. But the ride is not really confortable as you know the regular minivan has only small seats and tiny space between rows.
Bangkok to Ayutthaya by train
From Bangkok, to travel by train to any cities, you must go to Hua Lamphong Railway Station to depart. This is the main railway station in Bangkok. Getting to the central train station is easy with the MRT as it offers direct access to Hua Lamphong at the end of the MRT Blue Line. Alternatively, you can get a taxi or tuk-tuk. Any driver in the city will know how to get to Hua Lamphong train station.
There are many trains connecting Bangkok to Ayutthaya. But in terms of schedule, we recommend the Express 75/76 that takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. It departs in the morning and returns in the afternoon. This schedule makes it well-timed for travelers to visit Ayutthaya Historical Park and return to the capital on the same day.
- Travel time: 1h 30m
- Cost: from 65 Thai Bath (2 USD)
- Point of Departure: Hua Lam Phong Railway Station, 191 Rong Mueang Rd, Khwaeng Rong Muang, Khet Pathum Wan, Bangkok
- Point of Arrival: Ayutthaya Railway Station, 3053, Ho Rattanachai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Tickets for the Bangkok–Ayutthaya route do not sell out, as ticket sales open 1-2 days in advance. But if you buy your tickets at the station right before departure, it does not guarantee the seats. You may have to travel standing in Third class throughout the whole journey. It’s better to book your train tickets in advance, so you don’t have to rush going to the station to buy tickets before it departs.
Bangkok to Ayutthaya by minivan
As Thai Government no longer allows a regular bus to reach Ayutthaya from Bangkok. Passenger can only reach the ancient town by minivan. The journey will take about 2 hours. If you are staying in the Khao San road, you can easily take the bus from Bangkok to Ayutthaya. However, on the way back from Ayutthaya to Bangkok, you must book a train. These two bus companies below don’t operate the return route.
Tara Tour and Travel
This well-trusted company operates two minivans going to Ayutthaya in the morning. You can take the first one in the morning and come back to Bangkok in the afternoon. The buses depart from Khao San road.
- Travel time: 2h
- Cost: 250 Bath (7.8 USD)
- Point of Departure: 23 Samsen Rd, Khwaeng Ban Phan Thom Khet, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
- Point of Arrival: 3/9 Uthong Rd, Tambon Ho Rattanachai, Amphoe Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Thai Sriram
This company operates more minivans from Bangkok to Ayutthaya. Two depart in the morning and two in the afternoon. The buses also leave from Khao San road.
- Travel time: 2h
- Cost: 300 Bath (9.5 USD)
- Point of Departure: 169 Chakrabongse Road, Chana Songkhram, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
- Point of Arrival: 7-11 Thung Ma Kham Young, Baan Mai, Ayutthaya
Chiang Mai to Ayutthaya
To travel the distance 620 km from Chiang Mai to Ayutthaya, we recommend taking a train. The train is the easiest way to access Ayutthaya and it is more comfortable for a long-distance trip.
The bus journey from Chiang Mai to Ayutthaya is one hour faster than the train. However, Ayutthaya bus station is a bit far from the old town center. To go to tourist spots in Ayutthaya you have to take another taxi or tuk-tuk ride.
Chiang Mai to Ayutthaya by train
It takes 9 hours 15 minutes to travel from Chiang Mai to Ayutthaya by train. There are five direct trains leaving Chiang Mai from morning until evening. If you like to travel in the day time, take SP8 train. It’s the Special Express, the fastest train. If you like to travel in the night, take SP10 train. With its schedule, you will arrive in Ayutthaya in the early morning. Its perfect to start your new day.
- Travel time: 9h 15m
- Cost: from 646 Thai Bath (21 USD)
- Point of Departure: Rot Fai Soi 1, Tambon Wat Ket, Chiang Mai
- Point of Arrival: 3053, Ho Rattanachai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Chiang Mai to Ayutthaya by bus
The travel time from Chiang Mai to Ayutthaya by bus is 8 hours. Thai Sriram operates direct bus journeys leaving Chiang Mai in the morning and evening.
Thai Sriram
This company provides cycling seat buses which are pretty comfortable to relax. You can lay down and stretch your legs to sleep during the journey.
- Travel time: 8-9 h
- Cost: 700 Bath (23 USD)
- Point of Departure: 165, Soi 5, Kaeonawarat Road, Tambon Wat Ket, Chiang Mai
- Point of Arrival: 7-11 Thung Ma Kham Young, Baan Mai, Ayutthaya
Phitsanulok to Ayutthaya
Phitsanulok is 300 km away from to Ayutthaya. The best way to travel from Phitsanulok to Ayutthaya is by taking a train. The train journey takes 3 hours 20 minutes and costs from 188 Thai bath (8 USD) with a third class.
Phitsanulok to Ayutthaya by train
There are many trains running from Phitsanulok to Ayutthaya everyday. Because this is short journey, we recommend you to take a day train. The fastest train for this route is SP8. SP8 has only the second class but it is the best choice for you to travel by train in Thailand. Keep in mind that the price of second class is usually double expensive than the third class.
- Travel time: 3h 21m
- Cost: 485 Thai Bath (16 USD)
- Point of Departure: 151/2 Aka Thotsarot, Tambon Nai Mueang, Amphoe Mueang Phitsanulok, Phitsanulok.
- Point of Arrival: 3053, Ho Rattanachai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.
Nong Khai to Ayutthaya
The most popular way to travel the 575 km journey from Nong Khai to Ayutthaya is by train. The train takes 7 to 8 hours with ticket prices starting at 262 Thai bath (8 USD) for a third class.
Nong Khai to Ayutthaya by train
There are 4 regular trains running from Nong Khai to Ayutthaya every day. However, we recommend you to take XE78 or SP26 trains. XE78 train is the fastest train departing in the morning and arrive in the afternoon, a perfect timing. Meanwhiles, SP26 runs in the evening and arrives in the early morning. With this schedule, you can save one night of traveling and hotel.
On the other hand, The XE78 and SP26 are only two trains that have carriages with sleeper berths. For this long journey, it’s better for you to book a sleeper berth ticket.
- Travel time: 7h 49m
- Cost: from 262 Thai Bath (8 USD)
- Point of Departure: 202 Moo 2, Tambol Meechai Nongkhai.
- Point of Arrival: 3053, Ho Rattanachai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.
Ubon Ratchathani to Ayutthaya
To travel the long distance of 566 km from Ubon Ratchathani to Ayutthaya, taking a train is the most convinient way. The train journey takes 7 to 9 hours with the price ticket starting at 215 Thai Bath (7 USD).
Ubon Ratchathani to Ayutthaya by train
State Railways of Thailand operates eight daily trains from Ubon Ratchathani to Ayutthaya. We recommend you to take the SP22 train departing from Ubon Ratchathani in the afternoon and arriving in the evening. This is the fastest train that stops at 13 main stations before arrving in Ayuthaya.
If you like to travel by night, you can take RP140, SP24 or EX68 train. These night trains have carriages with sleeper berths which are more comfortable to travel by night.
- Travel time: 7-9 h
- Cost: from 215 Thai Bath (7 USD)
- Point of Departure: Soi Yooyen, Tambon Warin Chamrap, Ubon Ratchathani.
- Point of Arrival: 3053, Ho Rattanachai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.
How to travel by train in Thailand
For more information about train routes in Thai Land, check our Transportation Guide for Train in Thai Land.
How to travel by bus in Thailand
For more information about bus routes in Thai Land, check our Transportation Guide for Bus in Thai Land.
