Ayutthaya sunset tour from Bangkok: Temples and boat ride

Climb the 14th-century stupa at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, then watch the temples glow at dusk from the water.

This 8-hour guided tour departs Bangkok in the afternoon and takes you through Ayutthaya's three major temples (Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Wat Mahathat, and Wat Chaiwatthanaram) before a sunset boat ride on the Chao Phraya River. Pickup is at 1:30 PM from Central Bangrak Department Store (or optional hotel pickup on some options), and the tour includes admission fees, air-conditioned transport, a snack box at Chao Phrom Market, and the boat ride. The boat operates subject to river water levels and weather. Operations may be adjusted or cancelled for safety.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ayutthaya afternoon tour and boat ride

• Meet at Central Bangrak Department Store
• Visit Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon temple
• Explore Wat Mahathat temple
• Tour Wat Chaiwatthanaram temple
• Visit Chao Phrom Market and enjoy snack box
• Take scenic boat ride in Ayutthaya
• Return to meeting point

The experience

The tour picks you up around 1:30 PM from Central Bangrak Department Store near Starbucks, or from your hotel if you choose that option. From there, you travel by air-conditioned bus to Ayutthaya, arriving at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon in the early afternoon. This 14th-century temple was built by King Naresuan to mark his victory over the Burmese, and its massive stupa dominates the skyline. You can climb the prang for views across the surrounding area, then move on to Wat Mahathat, where the iconic Buddha head entwined in banyan tree roots is the site's most recognizable image. The temple complex, now partially in ruins, once anchored the religious and political life of the ancient kingdom.

Next is Wat Chaiwatthanaram, a 17th-century temple built during King Prasat Thong's reign and sitting on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Its Khmer-influenced prang and restored ruins show the scale of Ayutthaya's past. You return to this temple in the evening to see it lit up. Before the boat ride, you spend 45 minutes at Chao Phrom Market, where you explore the local area and eat a snack box included with the tour. The boat ride itself runs from around 5:30 PM to 6:15 PM, passing several landmarks along the river as the light fades. You're back at the meeting point by 8 PM.

A live English-speaking guide leads the tour (Spanish, German, and French guides are available on other options). You can book as a private group or join a shared tour, and hotel pickup is included if you select that option at checkout. The tour suits all fitness levels, though climbing the stupa at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon is optional. Infants sit on an adult's lap. Public transport is available near the meeting point if you prefer to make your own way there.

What’s included

• Admission fees to all three temples.
• air-conditioned round-trip transport from the meeting point (or hotel pickup if selected).
• snack box at Chao Phrom Market.
• scenic boat ride on the Chao Phraya River in the early evening.

Options for this experience

5 options

Private tour, conducted in ChineseGuide in English · 12:30Bus tour in Chinese, includes pickup

Group tour, conducted in English13:00Bus tour in English

Private tour, conducted in English12:30Bus tour in English, pickup is included

See 2 more options

Group tour with hotel pickup includedGuide in English · 12:30Hotel pickup in Bangkok, pickup is included

Guide in Spanish, German, FrenchGuide in English · 12:30Bus with guide, pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 12:30 and 13:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (3 to 61 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sightseeing Pattaya

Is this one for you?Choose the shared tour to travel with other visitors, or book private if you prefer to set your own itinerary through the temples without following a group schedule.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What can I see at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon on this tour?

Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon is a 14th-century temple with a large stupa you can climb for panoramic views of the area. The temple also holds a colossal statue of a reclining Buddha and was built by King Naresuan to commemorate his victory over the Burmese.

Is the boat ride included, and what happens if the water level is too low?

The scenic boat ride on the Chao Phraya River is included and runs for about 45 minutes in the early evening. However, boat operations are subject to river water levels, weather conditions, and passenger safety. The operator may adjust, suspend, or cancel the ride without prior notice if conditions require it.

When does the tour start and end, and can I arrange hotel pickup?

Pickup is at 1:30 PM from Central Bangrak Department Store (near Starbucks), and the tour returns by 8 PM. Hotel pickup is available if you select that option when booking. Check the available options at checkout.

What's included in the snack box at Chao Phrom Market?

The tour includes a snack box at Chao Phrom Market, where you also have time to explore the local area. The specific contents of the snack box are not detailed, but it is provided as part of the tour package.

How many temples do we visit, and what makes each one different?

You visit three temples: Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon (14th century, with a climbable stupa), Wat Mahathat (14th century, famous for the Buddha head in the banyan tree roots), and Wat Chaiwatthanaram (17th century, with Khmer-influenced architecture on the riverbank). You return to Wat Chaiwatthanaram in the evening to see it illuminated.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Climbing the stupa at Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon is optional, so you can skip it if you prefer. Most of the day is spent in the air-conditioned bus or on the boat.