Bangkok to Ayutthaya by Train: Comfort, Class, and Convenience
Swap Bangkok’s skyline for Ayutthaya’s UNESCO temples in under two hours for as little as THB 15. At least 16 trains leave Krung Thep Aphiwat daily (plus a few from historic Hua Lamphong).
Use the search tool above or click here to book.
Contents
Departure Stations in Bangkok
Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal
All long-distance and most commuter trains start here. Ride the MRT Blue Line to Bang Sue and follow the red “State Railway” signs up to Level 2.
Three daily locals still originate from the heritage terminal. MRT Blue Line stops right under the concourse—look for the mural-covered staircases.
Most trains also stop at Don Mueang Station (Airport) about 17 minutes after departing Krung Thep Aphiwat, or about 30 minutes after Hua Lamphong. This makes catching a train directly from the airport a convenient option for travelers arriving at Don Mueang.
Train Schedule & Fares
Departures from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal
Daytime Departures (Before 18:00)
| Time & Duration | Train & Fare Options | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 06:10 – 07:30, ~1h 20m | #21: 2nd AC (฿245) | Early A/C |
| 07:30 – 08:40, ~1h 10m | #111: 2nd Fan (฿61), 3rd Fan (฿20) | Popular morning |
| 08:45 – 10:10, ~1h 25m | #75: 2nd AC (฿245), 3rd Fan (฿20) | Modern railcar |
| 09:05 – 10:20, ~1h 15m | #7: 2nd AC (฿310) | Fast premium |
| 10:35 – 12:00, ~1h 25m | #71: 2nd AC (฿245), 3rd Fan (฿20) | Mid-morning |
| 14:15 – 15:30, ~1h 15m | #109: 2nd Fan (฿61), 3rd Fan (฿20) | Open-window |
Evening & Night Departures (18:00 Onwards)
| Time & Duration | Train & Fare Options | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 18:40 – 19:45, ~1h 05m | #9: 2nd AC (฿310), 1st Sleeper (฿600), 2nd Sleeper (฿490) | Dining car |
| 19:25 – 20:40, ~1h 15m | #139: 2nd Fan (฿61), 3rd Fan (฿20) | Evening budget |
| 20:05 – 21:15, ~1h 10m | #13: 1st Sleeper (฿600), 2nd Sleeper (฿490) | Night sleeper |
| 20:25 – 21:40, ~1h 15m | #25: 1st Sleeper (฿600), 2nd Sleeper (฿490) | Night sleeper |
| 20:45 – 22:00, ~1h 15m | #107: 2nd Fan (฿61), 3rd Fan (฿20) | Evening budget |
| 21:25 – 22:40, ~1h 15m | #133: 2nd Fan (฿61), 3rd Fan (฿20), 2nd Sleeper (฿490) | Mixed options |
| 22:30 – 23:45, ~1h 15m | #51: 2nd Fan (฿61), 3rd Fan (฿20), 2nd Sleeper (฿490) | Last service |
Departures from Hua Lamphong Station
| Time & Duration | Train & Fare Options | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 09:30 – 11:27, ~1h 57m | #201: 3rd Fan only (฿15) | Super budget |
| 11:20 – 13:01, ~1h 41m | #209: 3rd Fan only (฿15) | Local experience |
| 11:40 – 13:06, ~1h 26m | #233: 3rd Fan only (฿15) | All stops |
Seat Classes
From comfortable air-conditioned cabins to authentic open-window carriages, find your perfect seat for the Bangkok to Ayutthaya railway journey:
| Class | Price (THB) | Experience | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Class AC Sleeper | 500-600 | Private 2-berth cabin, lockable, washbasin, AC | Couples, privacy seekers (evening trains only) |
| 2nd Class AC Sleeper | 350-490 | Open berths, curtains, bedding, AC | Solo travelers, groups (evening trains only) |
| 2nd Class AC Seats | 250-310 | Reclining seats, AC, footrests | Comfort seekers, daytime travelers |
| 2nd Class Fan Seats | 61-90 | Padded seats, open windows, fans | Photography, budget travelers |
| 3rd Class Seats | 15-20 | Basic benches, fans, local vibe | Budget travelers, authentic experience |
Private 2-berth cabin, lockable, washbasin, AC
Longer Trips
Open berths, curtains, bedding, AC
Longer Trips
Reclining seats, AC, footrests
Comfort seekers, daytime travelers
Padded seats, open windows, fans
Photography, budget travelers
Basic benches, fans, local vibe
Budget travelers, authentic experience
Note: Children receive discounts on train tickets. Those under 3 years (below 100cm) travel free without a seat, while children ages 3-11 receive half fare with their own seat.
2nd Class AC Seats
Reclining seats for daytime comfort with air conditioning. Available on trains like #7, #21, and #75. Popular with travelers seeking a balance of comfort and value on the short journey to Ayutthaya.
2nd Class Fan Seats
Classic open-window experience with padded seats and overhead fans. Available on trains like #111 and #109. Perfect for photography and enjoying the passing scenery, offering a more authentic travel experience.
3rd Class Seats
Basic and authentic, popular with locals and budget travelers. Available on all ordinary trains and most rapid services. At just ฿15-20, this is the most economical way to travel and offers a genuine Thai railway experience with vendors walking through the carriages.
Booking Your Train Ticket
You can buy seats up to 30 days ahead, yet same-day tickets are almost always free.
- Search: Pick Krung Thep Aphiwat or Hua Lamphong ➜ Ayutthaya, then choose your date.
- Select: Compare trains and classes; 3rd-class fan sells only at the station.
- Pay: Enter names, ID numbers and pay by card, QR, or e-wallet.
- Show ticket: E-ticket with QR lands in your email—scan it from your phone; printed pickup or hotel delivery is also possible.
Timeline Example: Train #111
Rapid Train #111 is a popular morning service with fan-cooled carriages. Below is the typical timeline for this Bangkok to Ayutthaya journey.
Detailed Journey (Train #111)
Luggage & Policies
| Policy Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard Luggage | Up to 30 kg (3rd), 40 kg (2nd), 60 kg (1st). Bags are rarely weighed. |
| Child Policy | Under 3 yrs < 100 cm: free, no seat • Ages 3–11: pay 50 % of the adult fare. |
| Ticket Changes | Allowed until 1 day before travel. Fee: ~20 % if changed 3+ days out, ~50 % if 1–2 days before. |
| Boarding Rules | Show your e-ticket (phone or print) plus the same ID/passport used to book. |
| Not Allowed | No pets (guide dogs OK), no smoking, alcohol, flammables or vapes. |
| Bicycles | Accepted on most trains—easiest on Ordinary. Fee about ฿90. Folding bikes travel best. |
Food & Onboard Services
The trip takes only an hour, yet food is everywhere. Vendors jump on, selling pork skewers, fried chicken, iced coffee and fruit. Most snacks cost just ฿10–20.
Food Options
- Food courts, cafés, 7-Eleven
- Grab drinks and bread
- Pass snacks through windows
- Local meat, rice, fruit
- Keep small notes (฿20)
- Walk the aisles in 3rd class
- Rice boxes, drinks, sweets
- Prices stay ฿10–20
Onboard Essentials
- Toilets in every coach
- Bring water; none on board
- No Wi-Fi, but 4-5 G signal is strong
- Plugs only on new SE trains
- Carry a light jacket for AC cars
- Staff call out Ayutthaya stop
Ayutthaya Arrival Station
Ayutthaya Station opened in 1896 on the east bank of the Pa Sak River. You will find a ticket desk, lockers (฿10), clean toilets and a small air-conditioned café. Walk 300 m to the ฿5 ferry that crosses to the temple island.
Transportation from Ayutthaya Station
- ฿5 per person (฿10 with bicycle)
- 2-minute crossing to the island
- 300m walk from station to pier
- Operates 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- ฿50-100 for point-to-point rides
- ฿200/hour for temple tours
- 4-hour guided tour: ฿800-1000
- Available directly at station
- ฿50-70 per day
- Available near station or across ferry
- Perfect for exploring the flat terrain
- Maps available at rental shops
FAQ
For an easy day return, board a morning train between 08:00 and 09:00—#202 at 08:18 is ideal. You’ll be in Bangkok before 10:30. Head back on #109 at 14:15 or Special Express #9 at 18:40, giving you 4–8 daylight hours downtown.
No through service exists. Ride to Bangkok first and change to the Airport Rail Link. From Krung Thep Aphiwat take the MRT three stops to Phetchaburi–Makkasan; from Hua Lamphong ride the MRT to Makkasan, then switch to the Link for the terminals.
All Ayutthaya–Bangkok trains pause at Don Mueang about 17 minutes before Krung Thep Aphiwat (30 minutes before Hua Lamphong). A covered footbridge joins the platform to both terminals, so you can walk straight into departures with your bags.
Yes. Train #142 passes Ayutthaya at 03:07, followed by several northern overnighters around 04:30–05:30. They reach Bangkok before 06:30—handy for dawn flights, embassy visits, or business meetings that start early.
Trains cost ฿15–20, give space to move, toilets, and scenic views, arriving in 70–90 minutes. Minivans charge ฿60–80, can be 10–15 minutes quicker, but feel cramped. Most travellers pick the train for comfort and value.
Summary
Bangkok–Ayutthaya rail is the cheapest, most scenic way to reach UNESCO ruins fast. Need the nutshell?
- 16 + trains daily • 55–110 min travel time
- Seats from ฿15 (fan) or ฿180 (AC)
- Main departures: Krung Thep Aphiwat • 3 locals from Hua Lamphong
- At Ayutthaya: ฿5 ferry, then bike (฿50) or tuk-tuk (฿200)