Do you believe that in just one day from Bangkok, you can see the legendary Buddha statue lying in the tree roots, sit in a chill coffee shop by the river, and eat fresh seafood right at the market? I didn’t believe it… until I joined this Bangkok Ayutthaya Day Tour: Discover Ayutthaya Discovery Day Tour from Bangkok.
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Ayutthaya – the ancient capital only about 1.5 hours drive from Bangkok – has been on my bucket list for a long time. Instead of trying to figure out how to take the train or bus, I decided to book a day tour to be more comfortable. And the result is… oh my god, it saves time, I get to listen to the tour guide tell many interesting stories about the temples, and I also have a cool private car to take me to each destination.
Ayutthaya Full-Day Private UNESCO Heritage Tour
In this article, I will review the whole experience: from impressive temples to lovely cafes by the river, and even small tips to help you have the most complete trip.
Review of the “Extremely Chill” Bangkok Ayutthaya Day Tour Itinerary
Morning: Private Car Picks Up at Hotel in Bangkok
That morning, around 9:30, the private car and tour guide arrived in front of the hotel. No need to drag your suitcase or worry about catching the wrong train, I just climbed on the car and sat comfortably in the cool air conditioning. The car was clean, the seats were comfortable, and there was even cold water available. I took a nap, and when I opened my eyes, the scenery had gradually changed to the peaceful atmosphere of the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. The “happiness” of the day tour started from this moment.
Witnessing the Buddha Statue in the Tree Roots at Wat Mahathat
I had seen the Buddha statue “growing” from the tree roots on so many postcards, but in real life, I really got goosebumps. The statue was nestled in the canopy of large roots, its face calm, looking both mysterious and serene. The tour guide said that it was a relic left from the war, when the body of the statue was destroyed, leaving only the head stuck in the roots.
Ayutthaya Full-Day Private UNESCO Heritage Tour
After listening to the story, I felt that the space here carried the weight of time. In addition to the famous Buddha statue, the temple also has many ruins: old brick towers, half-broken stone statues… all of which made me feel like I was walking in a city that had “slept” for centuries.
“Chill a Little” at the Riverside Coffee Shop – Lunch
Ayutthaya Day Tour World Heritage, Lion Park, Boat Trip&More by AKGO
After sunbathing outside the temple, sitting in a coffee shop by the river at Baan Mai Rim Num is truly “soul-saving”. At Baan Mai Rim Num, in addition to fruit juice and coffee, the shop also has some lovely cakes. I tried the coconut cake – light, fatty, fragrant, and eaten with a glass of iced tea, it was extremely “tasty”. If you go at noon, order traditional milk tea – strong, moderately sweet, authentic Thai flavor.
Lunch included in the tour is usually a basic Thai set: tom yum soup, stir-fried chicken with basil, stir-fried vegetables, white rice. The tour guide suggested adding som tam (papaya salad) to eat with it for a truly local flavor. I found the food not too fussy but delicious enough, filling and to my taste.
Check-in Wat Chai Watthanaram Temple
Ayutthaya Day Tour World Heritage, Lion Park, Boat Trip&More by AKGO
If Wat Mahathat has a slightly mystical beauty, Wat Chai Watthanaram overwhelms me with its grandeur. This temple was built in the 17th century, modeled after Cambodia’s Angkorian architecture, so it is both familiar and unique. In the middle is the towering main tower, surrounded by small towers forming a beautiful symmetrical circle.
Standing at any angle, you can take a “virtual life” photo that is standard for a postcard. The tour guide also showed me some brick walls that still had faint carvings – looking at them, I wondered how glorious this place was hundreds of years ago.
Small tip: right at the gate, there is a service to rent traditional Thai costumes (chut thai), priced at about 150-200 baht. Many tourists wear them to take photos in the middle of the temple, which looks super suitable for the “ancient capital” vibe. I saw a group wearing yellow and red Thai costumes, which looked much more sparkling in photos! If you love virtual life, you should definitely try it.
Ayutthaya Day Tour World Heritage, Lion Park, Boat Trip&More by AKGO
Ayutthaya Day Tour World Heritage, Lion Park, Boat Trip&More by AKGO
Rak Na Ayutthaya – Fields & Long Bamboo Bridge
At first, I didn’t expect much from this stop, but unexpectedly it was extremely “photogenic”. The entire Rak Na area is a lush green field, with a lotus pond blooming with bright pink flowers, looking from afar like a painting. In the middle of the lake, there is a long bamboo bridge, walking on it creaks, and the cool wind blows, giving an extremely chill feeling.
My group of friends and I took turns posing and taking photos here until we forgot about time. This is definitely a “virtual life paradise” on the journey, both different from the vibe of ancient temples and giving a feeling of being close to nature.
Ayutthaya Prawn Market – Filled with Fresh Seafood
If you love to eat, you cannot miss this shrimp market. As soon as you enter, you can smell the fragrant grilled seafood, the shrimp are big, red, and full of trays. Here you can choose shrimp, fish, squid right at the counter, then have them cook on the spot, hot while blowing on it and eating.
Ayutthaya Day Tour World Heritage, Lion Park, Boat Trip&More by AKGO
I tried a portion of grilled shrimp and fried squid, I must say it was “extremely delicious”, and much cheaper than eating in Bangkok. The must-try here is charcoal grilled shrimp: big shrimp, firm meat, dipped in Thai spicy and sour sauce, “forget the way home”. There are also steamed crab, crispy fried fish and grilled squid with seafood sauce – I tried a small plate and wished I had room to order more.
A Little About Ayutthaya History
Ayutthaya was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam (present-day Thailand) for more than 400 years (1350–1767). It was once one of the most prosperous cities in Asia, famous for its bustling trading port, where merchant ships from China, Japan, India and Europe flocked to visit.
At its peak, Ayutthaya had more than 400 temples and palaces, built magnificently with a blend of Thai, Khmer and Western influences. However, in 1767, the city was destroyed by the Burmese army, leaving behind the red brick ruins that we see today – both dilapidated and magnificent.
Ayutthaya Day Tour World Heritage, Lion Park, Boat Trip&More by AKGO
That is why the entire Ayutthaya relic complex has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and is a must-see destination if you want to learn more about Thai culture and history.
Why did I choose a Private Tour to Ayutthaya?
Ayutthaya Day Tour World Heritage, Lion Park, Boat Trip&More by AKGO
At first, I also planned to go to Ayutthaya by myself to save money: take the train from Bangkok, then rent a bicycle or tuk tuk to go around the temples. But thinking again, a day in the hot Thai weather, worrying about finding the way, and afraid of missing a spot, then… well, I “pay” to book a tour to be sure. The reason I chose the day tour to Ayutthaya is quite simple:
- Private car, cool air conditioning: Sit in the car and sleep, open your eyes and you’re at the temple.
- Super enthusiastic tour guide: Not only takes you around, but also tells you all the historical stories and interesting anecdotes.
- Flexible schedule: If you want to stop longer to take pictures, or stop at a cafe, it’s all ok.
No need to worry about tickets, food and drink: All included, just go and enjoy.
In general, the day tour gives me the feeling of “VIP for a day”, both leisurely and full of experiences, no need to worry about calculating.
Tips for Taking an Ayutthaya Tour From Bangkok
- Dress politely when entering the temple: Long pants, shoulder-covering shirt. If not, bring a thin scarf to wrap around.
- Sunscreen & wide-brimmed hat: The Thai sun is no joke, especially when visiting outdoor monuments.
- Bring a small bottle of water: The tour has free water, but you should bring your own bottle to drink along the way.
- Rent traditional Thai clothes at Wat Chai Watthanaram: Take virtual photos that are extremely suitable for the vibe, cheap but super sparkling.
- Mosquito spray: When passing through a lotus pond or an area with lots of trees, the mosquitoes are quite “enthusiastic”.
- Prepare small cash: Some restaurants and local markets do not accept cards.
- Go early to avoid the crowds: Famous spots like Wat Mahathat quickly get crowded, going early will make it easier to take beautiful photos.
- Visiting many places in a day, so don’t try to go too fast, take some time to rest and enjoy.
Before the trip, I thought Ayutthaya was just a few ancient temples. But after a day, I understood why this place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: sacred, close, with a chill corner and delicious food. If you are looking for a “full-flavored” journey – with culture, nature, delicious food and beautiful photos – then the Ayutthaya tour is definitely an option not to be missed. Try it once, you will find yourself having a “wow moment” like me.
Ayutthaya Day Tour World Heritage, Lion Park, Boat Trip&More by AKGO
Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Bangkok you can refer to
- Bangkok City & Temples Tour by Tour East
- Classic Bangkok Tour: Floating Market, Elephant Village, Asiatique, & More by AK Travel
- Bangkok Landmarks Day Tour: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Chao Phraya River & More
- Bangkok Sky Train (BTS) One Day Pass
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- Safari World Bangkok Ticket
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- Mahanakhon SkyWalk Ticket in Bangkok
- Chao Phraya White Orchid Cruise in Bangkok
- Ancient City Bangkok and Erawan Museum Ticket
- Private City Transfers between Bangkok and Pattaya, Ayutthaya, Hua Hin & More by TTD
- Bangkok Day Tour: Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha
- [SALE] 4G Sim Card (Thailand Pick Up) for Thailand
- 4G Pocket WiFi (Bangkok and Phuket Airports Pick Up) for Thailand
Are you finding more Bangkok travel guide: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out our Bangkok travel blog — The fullest Bangkok travel guide blog for a budget trip to Bangkok (BKK).
