Exploring the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya, Thailand | Places to visit in Thailand outside of Bangkok

Places to visit outside of Bangkok

Bangkok is totally a great city for traveling as it has warm/hot weather, tasty food, historic and religious temples, flower and night markets, and so much more. I almost forgot to mention the cost is pretty great, too!

If you’re considering traveling outside of Bangkok, I would absolutely recommend taking a train to Ayutthaya for a day trip.

Where: Ayutthaya, Thailand — about 80 kilometers north of Bangkok.

Why visit Ayutthaya? Ayutthaya “The Historic City” was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, and a prosperous international trading port, from 1350 until razed by the Burmese in 1767. The ruins of the old city now form the Ayutthaya Historical Park, an archaeological site that contains palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries and statues. The historic park is on an island between 3 rivers and you could ride a tuk or take a day to explore this ancient park and the many ruin sites.

How to get from Bangkok to Ayutthaya? I visited the Bangkok Train Station, purchased a train ticket for the next day, and then took the train for a two-hour ride directly to Ayutthaya Station.

How to get around in Ayutthaya? When you visit Ayutthaya, I remember there were tuk tuk drivers offering to give tours. If you’re traveling in a group or not an experienced solo traveler, I think that’s a great idea to take a tour — as they already know all the best places!

How many days to spend in Ayutthaya? If you have a tight schedule and really only want to visit the ancient ruins and park, then I would suggest one day.

My day trip outside of Bangkok: Ancient Ruins in Ayutthaya, Thailand

I took the train for a day trip to Ayutthaya, the historic city about 80 kilometers north of Bangkok, Thailand. I learned a lot of history and culture on my trip! I was also able to check an item off my travel bucket list: Seeing the iconic Buddha head in tree roots!

Here are some must-see attractions in Ayutthaya, Thailand:

Wat Mahathat: This temple is known for its iconic Buddha head entwined in tree roots.

Wat Yai Chai Mongkol: One of the most important temples in Ayutthaya, it features a large reclining Buddha statue.
Ayutthaya Historical Park: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to many ancient temple ruins and is a great place to explore on foot or by bike.
Chao Sam Phraya Museum: This museum provides a great overview of Ayutthaya’s history and culture.
Bang Pa-In Royal Palace: Located just outside of Ayutthaya, this palace was once used by Thai kings and features a mix of Thai, Chinese, and European architecture.