Ayutthaya day tour from Bangkok: Wat Mahathat's Buddha head

A Buddha head grown into a tree, and four temples that hold Thailand's oldest stories

This day tour from Bangkok takes you to Ayutthaya, Thailand's ancient capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site, with an English-speaking guide, gate pass and hotel pickup included. You'll visit four major temples across seven to nine hours: climb the 50-meter Chedi at Wat Phu Khao Thong for views over rice fields and the town, pray before a 42-meter reclining Buddha, see the famous Buddha head entwined in tree roots at Wat Mahathat, and explore Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon and Wat Phra Sri Sanphet. Lunch is on your own in the market area.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Ayutthaya1h
2. Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon30m · entry included

Explore Ayutthaya's historic temples

• Depart from hotel to Ayutthaya
• Climb Wat Phu Khao Thong Chedi
• Pray to reclining Buddha
• Visit Wat Mahathat and Buddha head
• Lunch in market area
• Visit Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon temple
• Visit Wat Phra Sri Sanphet temple

The experience

The tour picks you up from your Bangkok hotel and drives roughly 1–2 hours north to Ayutthaya. Your guide leads you through four temples that shaped Thai history, each one built centuries ago and still standing. The first stop is Wat Phu Khao Thong, where you climb the 50-meter-high Chedi (a steep, narrow staircase inside the structure) to reach the top and look out over surrounding rice fields and the town layout below. The climb itself is the point. It frames everything you'll see for the rest of the day.

Before lunch you'll visit Wat Mahathat, the temple most visitors come for. The Buddha head here is half-buried in the roots of a banyan tree, a photograph that has circled the internet for years. Seeing it in person is quieter than the images suggest. You also stop at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, built by King U-Thong in 1357 and one of Ayutthaya's oldest temples, and Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, which once stood on the grounds of the royal palace. Between these sites you'll pray before a 42-meter reclining Buddha. Lunch is freestyle in the market area, so you choose where and what to eat. Your guide speaks English throughout and the gate pass to the temples is included in the price.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Bangkok.
• English-speaking guide.
• gate pass to all temples.
• approximately seven to nine hours of touring with travel time included.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 10:30

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by MeMa Tour Ayutthaya Day Trip

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, so you'll follow the commentary without translation. This works well if you want historical context woven through the day rather than a self-guided walk, or if you're traveling with others who don't speak Thai.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is the Buddha head at Wat Mahathat actually like when you get there?

The Buddha head at Wat Mahathat is half-buried in the roots of a large banyan tree, a natural fusion that has happened over centuries. It's smaller and more intimate than photographs suggest, and you can walk close to it and photograph it yourself.

How much climbing is involved in this tour?

The main physical demand is climbing the 50-meter Chedi at Wat Phu Khao Thong, a steep interior staircase that takes effort but is manageable for most fitness levels. The rest of the tour involves walking between temples on relatively flat ground.

Does the tour include lunch, or do I need to arrange it myself?

Lunch is not included. You'll have free time in the market area of Ayutthaya to choose your own meal and restaurant, giving you flexibility to eat what you prefer.

How long is the drive from Bangkok to Ayutthaya?

The drive from your hotel in Bangkok to Ayutthaya takes approximately 1–2 hours, depending on traffic and your pickup location.

Which temples do you visit on this tour?

You visit four temples: Wat Phu Khao Thong (where you climb the Chedi), Wat Mahathat (home to the Buddha head in tree roots), Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon (built in 1357), and Wat Phra Sri Sanphet (built on the old royal palace grounds). You also see a 42-meter reclining Buddha at one of these sites.

Is the guide fluent in English?

Yes, your guide speaks English throughout the tour and provides commentary on the history and significance of each temple and site you visit.