Planning a Trip

Orientation

Ayutthaya's old city is surrounded by a canal fed by three rivers -- Chao Phraya, Lopburi, and Pasak -- and thus is often referred to as the "island." The main ferry pier is located on the east side of the island, just opposite the train station. The Bangkok bus makes its last stop at the station adjacent to the Siam Commercial Bank Building, off Chao Prom Road in downtown. Buses from Phitsanulok stop 10km (6 miles) north of town; you'll need to take a 70B (US$2/£1.10) motorcycle taxi into the center.

Visitor Information

There is a Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) office at Si Sanphet Road opposite the National Museum (tel. 03532-2730-1). Stop by for maps and other information.

Getting Around

A tuk-tuk from the train station into town will cost about 40B (US$1.15/60p), but about 50m (150 ft.) from the station is a small river ferry that will take you to the central island for a few baht, from 5:30am to 9pm daily. From there you can take a tuk-tuk to your hotel. There are also a few samlors (bicycle taxis), which are a unique and environmentally friendly way to get around. Or you can take a noisier but faster long-tail boat to see the city for about 700B (US$20/£11) per hour for up to 10 people (look for the small independent operators on the northeast end of the island, near the night market). There is regular minibus service between Ayutthaya and the pretty 19th-century palaces at Bang Pa-In, departing from Chao Prom Market on the road of the same name (trip time: 50 min.; 20B/57¢/30p).

Fast Facts

Bank of Ayudhya (which uses yet another spelling of the city's name) has a branch on U Thong Road next to the ferry pier across the river from the train station, and there are plenty of ATMs in the city. The main post office is also on U Thong Road in the northeast corner of town (but any hotel or guesthouse can help with posting mail). A number of shops on Naresuan Rd. Soi 1 offer Internet service for 30B (85¢/45p) per hour.