Ayutthaya, the former royal capital about 80 km north of Bangkok, is built on an island ringed by the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lopburi rivers. Most temples of the UNESCO-listed Historical Park are on the island, so the real choice is between sleeping among the ruins, by the water or next to the train station.
The island old town is the best base for most visitors: the main temples are within cycling distance, and guesthouses, cafes and the night markets are close by. Couples and anyone wanting a treat should look at the riverside hotels, where evenings on a terrace over the water are the highlight. Backpackers on a tight schedule do well near the train station, just across the Pa Sak River. Bang Pa-In only makes sense if you want quiet or are visiting the Summer Palace.
Areas compared
The best areas to stay in Ayutthaya
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Island old town (near the ruins)
Cycle between temples from your doorstep
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The centre of the island, around Naresuan Road and the lanes near Chao Phrom Market, has the densest choice of guesthouses, small hotels, cafes and bike rental shops. Wat Mahathat, with its Buddha head in the tree roots, Wat Ratchaburana and Wat Phra Si Sanphet are all a short ride away. It is the most practical area for sightseeing and the best for food, with evening markets and simple restaurants. Some lanes near the backpacker strip have bars, so check the exact location if you are a light sleeper.
Best forFirst-timersCyclistsBudget travellers
Why stay here
Main temples within cycling distance
Widest choice of cheap rooms and food
Bike and scooter rental everywhere
Watch out for
Can feel busy with traffic and day-trippers
Some bar noise near the backpacker lanes
Getting around: Bicycles are ideal on the flat island; tuk-tuks can be hired by the hour to visit temples further out.
Several of Ayutthaya's most attractive hotels and guesthouses sit on the rivers around the island, some on the island's edge and others on the opposite banks. Many have terraces or restaurants on the water, where you can watch barges and long-tail boats pass and see temples such as Wat Chaiwatthanaram lit up at night. It is the most romantic area, with a slower pace. The trade-off is that places across the water can be a ride or a short ferry crossing away from the central temples and street food.
Best forCouplesHoneymoonersSlow travellers
Why stay here
Beautiful river views and sunsets
Quiet evenings
Some of the city's most characterful hotels
Watch out for
Higher prices
Properties across the river need transport to reach the centre
Getting around: Many riverside hotels offer bicycles or shuttle boats; otherwise use tuk-tuks or the small cross-river ferries.
Ayutthaya railway station is on the east bank of the Pa Sak River, just outside the island. A cluster of simple guesthouses and hotels sits around it, practical if you arrive on a late train from Bangkok or leave early for Chiang Mai, Lopburi or the north-east. A small passenger ferry crosses the river to the island in a couple of minutes, and bike rentals near the pier let you continue straight to the temples. The streets around the station are plain rather than charming, but very convenient.
Best forBackpackersShort staysTrain travellers
Why stay here
Walk off the train to your room
Cheap rooms
Quick ferry to the island
Watch out for
Little atmosphere
Ferry stops running in the evening, so you need a tuk-tuk or the bridge
Getting around: Take the cross-river ferry to the island by day; after dark, tuk-tuks cross via the bridges.
Bang Pa-In is a small district about 20 km south of Ayutthaya's island, best known for the Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, a 19th-century summer residence with European, Chinese and Thai-style buildings around ornamental lakes. A few resorts and riverside hotels are scattered in the area, which is otherwise residential and industrial. It suits travellers driving between Bangkok and Ayutthaya who want to visit the palace early and avoid city traffic, but it is too far from the ruins to be a good base for sightseeing without a car.
Best forRoad trippersTravellers wanting quiet
Why stay here
Close to the Summer Palace
Quiet and uncrowded
Easy access from Bangkok by road
Watch out for
About 20 km from the main temples
Few restaurants and little to do in the evening
Getting around: A car or taxi is almost essential; local trains and minivans link Bang Pa-In with Ayutthaya but are infrequent.
Island old town (near the ruins)The main temples, food and bike rental are all within easy reach.
The main temples, food and bike rental are all within easy reach.
Budget travellers and backpackers
Near the train stationCheap rooms and a quick ferry to the island, ideal for one-night stops.
Cheap rooms and a quick ferry to the island, ideal for one-night stops.
Couples
RiversideTerraces over the water and temples lit up at night.
Terraces over the water and temples lit up at night.
Families
Island old town (near the ruins)Short distances between sights, which matters in the heat, and plenty of food options.
Short distances between sights, which matters in the heat, and plenty of food options.
Budget
How much for a room in Ayutthaya?
Indicative nightly ranges for a double room in high season; expect lower prices from May to October.
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Budget
350-900 THB / night (indicative)
A basic room in a guesthouse on the island or near the station, often with bike rental.
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Mid-range
1,000-2,500 THB / night (indicative)
A boutique hotel or guesthouse with character, sometimes with a pool or river view.
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Upscale
3,000+ THB / night (indicative)
A riverside resort or heritage-style hotel with a terrace on the water.
Before you book
Booking tips from the ground
Ayutthaya is an easy day trip from Bangkok, but staying one night lets you see the temples lit up after dark and cycle in the cooler early morning.
Trains from Bangkok take roughly 1.5 to 2 hours and arrive on the east bank; minivans and buses usually stop on the island itself.
Parts of Ayutthaya, especially low-lying riverside areas, can flood late in the rainy season (around September to November); check recent news if travelling then.
Dress respectfully at the temples, with shoulders and knees covered, and do not pose above Buddha images.
Hotels fill up and raise prices during the annual World Heritage fair, usually held in December; book ahead if your dates coincide.
The island old town is the best all-round area, with the main temples, markets and bike rentals close together. Riverside hotels are the best choice for couples and a quieter, more atmospheric stay.
Is it worth staying overnight in Ayutthaya?
Yes, if you can. Day-trippers see the ruins in the midday heat; overnight guests can cycle at sunrise, see the illuminated temples and enjoy the evening markets.
How do I get from the train station to the old town?
Walk to the pier near the station and take the small passenger ferry across the Pa Sak River, which takes a couple of minutes. In the evening, take a tuk-tuk over the bridge.
Should I stay in Bang Pa-In?
Only if you have a car or mainly want to visit the Summer Palace. It is about 20 km from the main temples, so it is not a practical base for exploring Ayutthaya.
Is Ayutthaya good for families?
Yes. The island is flat, the ruins are open and fun to explore, and distances are short. Plan visits for early morning and late afternoon to avoid the heat.
By Kylian Dev