Ayutthaya Temples and Bang Pa In Summer Palace Day Tour
Highlights
- Six Ayutthaya temples, including Wat Mahathat and the Buddha head in the tree roots
- Bang Pa In Summer Palace, where Thai, Chinese and European architecture meet
- The reclining Buddha at Wat Lokaya Sutha
- UNESCO World Heritage historical park
- Thai lunch included, vegetarian on request
Description
Ayutthaya was the capital of Siam for four hundred years, and one of the biggest cities anywhere in the world until the Burmese sacked it in 1767. What survives is a plain of brick prangs and headless Buddhas that UNESCO lists as World Heritage, spread across an island where the rivers meet. This tour takes in six temples rather than the usual four. The list runs Wat Yai Chaimongkhon with its long rows of Buddhas draped in saffron, Wat Mahathat where the stone Buddha head sits held in the roots of a fig tree, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit, Wat Lokaya Sutha with its huge reclining Buddha, and Wat Phu Khao Thong. Lunch comes at a local restaurant in the middle of it all, at 12:30. For more background and practical advice, see our Ayutthaya guide.
Pricing
This tour requires a minimum of 2 persons per booking
Highlighted reviews from travelers
See all reviews →- Step 1
06:15 to 07:00 Hotel pickup
Pickup from your hotel in the central Bangkok area, then on to the meeting point at Khaosan Road.
Leave Khaosan Road and drive north to Ayutthaya.
Wat Yai Chaimongkhon, Wat Mahathat, Wat Phra Si Sanphet and Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit.
Thai lunch at a local restaurant.
Wat Lokaya Sutha, known for its reclining Buddha, then Wat Phu Khao Thong.
The royal summer palace and its gardens.
Depart Ayutthaya for the drive back.
Drop-off at Khaosan Road, or Sam Yot MRT station on request.
Included
- Return trip by air-conditioned minivan
- English-speaking local guide
- Entrance fees for all six temples
- Bang Pa In Summer Palace entrance fee
- Thai lunch, vegetarian on request
Not included
- Drinking water
- Travel insurance
- Hotel drop-off (150 THB per person, minimum 2 people)
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees for temple visits
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun protection
This tour starts at one of these meeting points. Pick the one that suits you when you book. No extra charge.
- Open in Google Maps
Khaosan / Chana Songkhram Police Station
Check-in 07:15
In front of Chana Songkhram Police Station at the end of Khaosan Road, opposite Wat Chana Songkhram.
- Open in Google Maps
Korea Town / Sukhumvit Plaza fountain
Check-in 06:30
At the fountain in front of Sukhumvit Plaza (Korea Town), between Sukhumvit 10 and 12, ~200 m from Asok BTS exit 2.
A driver collects you where you're staying. Your area sets the collection time.
Free pickup · 14 areasSee all 14 areasHide areas
Your exact pickup time depends on your area and departure time. You'll see it at checkout and we confirm it with your booking.
Bang Pa In checks clothing harder than the temples do, and people are genuinely turned away at the gate. Come with shoulders and legs covered, no sleeveless tops, skirts at least to the knee, no shorts and no torn jeans, and ideally closed shoes or sandals with a strap. The historical park itself is exposed brick with very little shade. The walking between the temple groups is on open ground, which makes the middle of the day hot in a way the photographs do not suggest. At Wat Mahathat you crouch to photograph the Buddha head in the tree roots, so that your own head stays below the Buddha's, and the staff there will remind you if you forget.
FAQs
Shoulders and knees covered for the temples. Bang Pa In Summer Palace is stricter: no sleeveless tops, skirts to the knee at minimum, no shorts and no torn jeans, with closed shoes or strapped sandals recommended. Visitors are turned away for shorts, so plan for it.
Six: Wat Yai Chaimongkhon, Wat Mahathat, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit, Wat Lokaya Sutha and Wat Phu Khao Thong, plus Bang Pa In Summer Palace.
Wat Mahathat, which is on the morning half of the itinerary. When you photograph it you are asked to crouch so that your head is not higher than the Buddha, and staff will remind you.
Yes. Vegetarian food is available on request on every full-day tour, and halal food can be arranged on the Kanchanaburi tours. Tell us when you book so the restaurant can prepare it.
Yes, if your hotel is in the central pickup area. Pickup times are set by area: Khaosan Road and the old town 06:50 to 07:15, Chinatown and Hua Lamphong 06:40 to 06:50, Sukhumvit, Silom, Sathorn and Pratunam 06:30 to 06:40, and Siam 06:30 to 06:45. If you are staying outside that area you make your own way to the meeting point on Khaosan Road, in front of the Chana Songkhram police station, for 07:15, or to Korea Town at Sukhumvit Plaza for 06:30.
Back in Bangkok at Khaosan Road, or at Sam Yot MRT station if you ask the guide on the day. Drop-off at your own hotel can be added for 150 THB per person, with a minimum of two people.
Yes, this tour needs at least two people to run. Group sizes vary with the season, from about two to nine people on a quiet day up to twenty or more in high season.
You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the tour starts and get a full refund. Inside 24 hours the tour is non-refundable, because the seat and the guide are already committed.
You might also like these Bangkok tours
Reviews
Based on 28 reviews
- Bronius JuknevičiusJuly 18, 20265.0
Our family wanted history without arranging separate transport, and this worked well. Each stop began with context and then allowed enough independent exploring.
- Zane StraumeJune 25, 20262.0
Several advertised stops felt reduced to quick photo breaks. We reached the palace with too little time to explore the grounds. The return arrangements changed without a clear explanation. Bang Pa In felt rushed compared with the temple section. Support afterward did not offer a useful response.
- Siim LeppJune 11, 20265.0
The journey from Bangkok was smooth and the vehicle stayed comfortably cool. Our guide connected the temples into one clear story instead of reciting dates. The Thai pavilion reflected in the water was one of my favourite photographs.
- Raffi DerianDecember 15, 20255.0
The schedule looked ambitious on paper but never felt chaotic. Historical information was detailed without becoming a lecture. Bang Pa In was peaceful, with lakeside lawns and buildings in several architectural styles. Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit added a living temple atmosphere among the ruins. A hat and sunscreen were essential around the exposed ruins.
- Areg BeridzeDecember 14, 20255.0
This day trip fitted an impressive amount of Ayutthaya into one itinerary. The explanation of Ayutthaya's rise and fall made the ruins much more meaningful. The palace grounds were immaculate and easy to explore at a relaxed pace. Wat Lokaya Sutha's reclining Buddha was larger than we expected. The air-conditioned drive between sites gave everyone time to recover.