Bangkok to Ayutthaya An hour by train.
The short answer: the train is the easy way. Around 16 long-distance trains a day leave Krung Thep Aphiwat and stop at Ayutthaya about an hour later, and a 3rd-class seat costs around 20 baht. Slow ordinary trains still run from Hua Lamphong, and minivans leave Mo Chit about every hour.
Below: the options compared with fares checked on 6 November 2026, the new air-conditioned Bangkok Connex train, how to get from Ayutthaya station across the river to the ruins, and when a day tour makes more sense.
Bangkok to Ayutthaya at a glance
Fares are what the railway and the van companies charged in autumn 2026; on 12Go, on 6 November 2026, train seats started at about US$1.30 and vans at about US$3.30, including the booking fee.
| Option | How long | Leaves from | Price (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long-distance train | About 50 – 80 min | Krung Thep Aphiwat | About 20 baht (3rd class); more in 2nd class | Most people |
| Bangkok Connex train | About 75 min | Krung Thep Aphiwat | Check at the station | Air-con without booking a seat |
| Ordinary train | About 1.5 – 2 hours | Hua Lamphong | About 15–20 baht | Starting in the old city centre |
| Minivan | About 1.5 – 2.5 hours | Mo Chit 2 van terminal | About 150–220 baht | Staying in north Bangkok |
| Grab or taxi | About 1.5 hours | Your hotel | About 900–1,500 baht per car | Groups, door to door |
Compare live times and prices: Bangkok to Ayutthaya on 12Go.
Which one should you pick?
Take a train from Krung Thep Aphiwat in almost every case. It is quick, it costs almost nothing, and there are morning departures to make a full day of it.
Take the ordinary train from Hua Lamphong if you are staying near Chinatown or the old city and are in no hurry. It is slow, 3rd class with fans, and very cheap.
Book a day tour if you want a guide, hotel pickup and no thinking about tickets, or if you want to go one way by boat on the Chao Phraya River.
Trains from Krung Thep Aphiwat
Most fast trains to the north and north-east now leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (at Bang Sue, on the MRT Blue Line), not from Hua Lamphong. About 16 of them a day stop at Ayutthaya, with several in the morning between about 06:10 and 10:35, and the trip takes 50 to 80 minutes.
A 3rd-class seat costs around 20 baht. Some trains, such as the special expresses, are 2nd class only and cost more. For a short hop like this, any class is fine.
The new Bangkok Connex train
Since 1 August 2026 the State Railway has run an air-conditioned commuter train, SRT Bangkok Connex (BNEX), from Krung Thep Aphiwat to Ayutthaya, stopping at Don Mueang, Rangsit and Bang Pa-in. Seats are not reserved, and tickets are sold at the station.
During the launch promotion, which ran until 31 October 2026, the fare to Ayutthaya was 50 baht. We could not confirm the fare after that date, so check at the station or call the railway's 1690 hotline.
Ordinary trains from Hua Lamphong
The old Hua Lamphong station still sends about 11 slow ordinary trains a day towards Ayutthaya, from about 04:15 into the evening. They take one and a half to two hours and cost about 15 to 20 baht. You buy the ticket at the station on the day.
Minivans and cars
Minivans leave the Mo Chit 2 van terminal, next to the Northern Bus Terminal, roughly every hour from about 06:00 to 18:00. The trip takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on traffic.
A Grab costs about 900 baht and a metered taxi about 1,300 to 1,500 baht, each about an hour and a half. If you want to stop at Bang Pa-in Palace on the way, a car with a driver is the easiest way.
From Ayutthaya station to the ruins
Ayutthaya station is on the east bank of the river; the old city with the temples is on the island opposite. A small ferry crosses for about 10 baht (20 baht with a bicycle) until around 17:30. Bicycles rent for about 60 to 100 baht a day, and a tuk-tuk from the station to the historical park is about 150 baht.
Our Ayutthaya guide covers the temples and how to plan the day.
Booking Bangkok to Ayutthaya on 12Go
12Go lists the long-distance trains from Krung Thep Aphiwat, the minivans from Mo Chit and private cars on one page, so you can pick a time before you go.
For the 3rd-class trains and the Bangkok Connex, buying at the station is simplest and cheapest. Booking online is more useful for 2nd-class seats and minivans on weekends.
Bangkok to Ayutthaya FAQ
How long is the train from Bangkok to Ayutthaya?
About 50 to 80 minutes from Krung Thep Aphiwat, and about one and a half to two hours on the ordinary trains from Hua Lamphong.
Which station do trains to Ayutthaya leave from?
The fast trains leave from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal at Bang Sue. Slow ordinary trains still leave from Hua Lamphong.
How much is the train to Ayutthaya?
About 20 baht in 3rd class from Krung Thep Aphiwat, about 15 to 20 baht on the ordinary trains, and more for 2nd class.
Can I do Ayutthaya as a day trip from Bangkok?
Yes. Take a morning train, cross the river to the old city, and come back in the late afternoon or evening.
How do I get from Ayutthaya station to the temples?
Take the small ferry across the river (about 10 baht), then walk or rent a bicycle, or take a tuk-tuk from the station.
Last checked: 6 November 2026. Train, van and car times and fares from 12Go and Visit Thailand Today (updated October 2026, citing the State Railway timetable); Bangkok Connex launch, stops and promotional fare from Nation Thailand and Khaosod English (July–August 2026); ferry, bicycle and tuk-tuk prices from Visit Thailand Today; Krung Thep Aphiwat departures cross-checked with Baolau. Timetables change, so check before you travel.