A long full-day trip (12–13 hours) from Pattaya to Ayutthaya, capital of Siam for four centuries until its destruction in 1767 and a UNESCO site since 1991. You visit Wat Mahathat (the Buddha head in tree roots), Wat Phra Si Sanphet and riverside Wat Chaiwatthanaram. Around three hours’ drive each way; from roughly 2,300 THB.
Tour Highlights
- Wat Mahathat — the sandstone Buddha head wrapped in banyan roots
- Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the royal temple’s three iconic chedis
- Wat Chaiwatthanaram on the riverbank (the sunset postcard)
- UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991
- Optional longtail boat loop around the island city
Itinerary
- 106:00Early pickup from your Pattaya hotel — Ayutthaya is around three hours’ drive.
- 209:15Wat Mahathat: the Buddha head in the tree roots and the ruined central prang.
- 310:30Wat Phra Si Sanphet and the old Royal Palace grounds.
- 412:00Thai lunch in town (boat-noodle territory).
- 513:15Wat Chaiwatthanaram by the Chao Phraya river.
- 614:30Optional longtail boat ride around the island, or one more temple (Wat Lokayasutharam reclining Buddha).
- 715:30Depart Ayutthaya.
- 818:30Drop-off at your Pattaya hotel.
What's included
- Return transport from Pattaya
- English-speaking guide
- Hotel pickup & drop-off
- Bottled water
Not included
- Temple entrance fees (50 THB per major temple, ~220 THB combined ticket)
- Lunch
- Longtail boat option
Who is this tour best for?
- History-minded travellers — this is Thailand’s Angkor-lite
- Photographers: red-brick prangs, banyan roots, river light
- Repeat Thailand visitors who already know Bangkok
- Anyone comfortable with a genuinely long day on the road
Where to book & compare
| Provider | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DIY (bus via Bangkok + train) | cheap but slow | Realistically an overnight, not a day trip, from Pattaya. |
| Private car with driver | from ~4,500 THB per car | Your own pace; add a licensed guide for the history. |
| Join-in guided tour | from ~2,300 THB pp | Most practical from Pattaya; some itineraries include the longtail boat. |
Frequently asked questions
How far is Ayutthaya from Pattaya?
About 230–250 km depending on route — roughly three hours each way by motorway past Bangkok. Tours start very early (around 06:00) and return by early evening.
What does temple entry cost in Ayutthaya?
The major ruins each charge about 50 THB for foreign visitors, and a combined ticket covering six of the main historical-park temples is around 220 THB. Your guide buys tickets on the spot; budget 150–250 THB for a typical three-temple day.
What happened to Ayutthaya?
It was the Siamese capital from 1350 and one of Asia’s largest cities until the Burmese army sacked and burned it in 1767. The capital moved south (eventually to Bangkok), and the ruined temples you walk today were left largely as they fell — that is why the site feels so raw.
Is the famous Buddha head in the tree real?
Yes — at Wat Mahathat a sandstone Buddha head has been slowly enveloped by banyan roots, most likely after toppling during the 1767 destruction. Note the etiquette: crouch so your head is not higher than the Buddha’s when photographing close to it.
Bangkok or Ayutthaya — which day trip should I pick?
Different flavours: Bangkok is living royal splendour (Grand Palace, Wat Arun); Ayutthaya is atmospheric ruins with far fewer crowds per square metre. If you have two spare days, do both — they barely overlap.