Go back 700 Years in only ONE Hour | Train & Tour of Ayutthaya

Why I've never taken the one hour train journey to Ayutthaya before is a mystery! It should have been at the top of my list for trips to make. Even if it's just for a half day.
This video shows just how easy and worthwhile it is! You can get a train from either Bangkok (Hua Lumphong) Station or the new Krung Thep Aphiwat station. Third class travel is just 15 Thai Baht!
After arriving at Ayutthaya, you can rent a cycle or motorbike. Or do as I did and hire a tuktuk and driver for 200 Baht an hour and go exactly where you want to go.
I was inspired to go after reading a post on Richard Barrow's excellent Thai Train Guide.
www.thaitrainguide.com
00:00 Intro
00:32 Ayutthaya Tourist Attractions
00:52 Ayutthaya Railway Station info
02:30 Finding a tuktuk tour
04:40 Wat Yai Chai Mong Khon
06:54 Wat Maha That
09:00 Reclining Buddha Sai Yat
10:18 Back to Bangkok
#ayutthaya #thaitrain #bangkok

[@robertashley5186]

Another excellent video. It brought back pleasant memories of going there on my first ever trip to Thailand, back in 2004.

[@balloonchaser]

Thanks, Robert. Wow, 20 years ago! But probably Ayutthaya is a place that hasn't changed that much!

[@johnflynn4923]

Visited back around 2014 and saw the rising Buddha head at the time. Hard to believe your condo builders are the same workers who built around Ayutthaya back in the day. You should ask them their secret to a long life, they're obviously doing something right! 🙂

[@balloonchaser]

Thanks, John. If my condo stands the test of time half as well as ayutthaya, I'll be shocked 😲 !

[@sandgroper1980]

G'day BC mate , another well put together video. My last girlfriend was from Saraburi and we went to Ayutthaya 3 times , I really enjoyed taking our time exploring. A very peaceful place I thought . Cheers mate 👍🏼🍻🇦🇺

[@balloonchaser]

Couldn't agree more, SG! Very peaceful and relaxing. Just like stepping back in time. How they built all those structures 600 years ago, I'll never know. But they are pretty spectacular! Thanks for the comment, mate!

[@WanderlustReports]

Nice video, BC! For temple fan people like me, Ayutthaya is a gem, and may need more than 3 hours to visit (I'd say a day) but you did great in such limited time.

[@balloonchaser]

Thanks for the positive comment! Truthfully, when he said a 4 hour tour I thought that's way too long for me! But then I spent over 90 minutes at the first stop and needed more time! Much more interesting than I envisaged for me!

[@minimalistation]

Love your resolve mid narration with all the hubbub and passengers mingling in your shadow at the beginning.................Wot 20b dual pricing, and 600b/£13 for 3 hours for the whole tuktuk.... RU sure, how refreshing, that's a 3 mile trip only in UK......re dual pricing/note to self, factor everything into the equation b4 ranting!! ....................any excuse for a train ride, count me in....................!!

[@balloonchaser]

Many thanks for the comment. You're right, it's fantastic value compared to Western countries. Lots more train adventures in the pipeline. Appreciate your support and candid observations!

[@GioMixMusic]

Nice day trip. Always fun to go open window 3rd class train. BTW there are boat tours with bus over and return via chao praya river cruise, I did that a few years back and was nice change as well.

[@balloonchaser]

Cheers! Wasn't aware of the boat trip idea. Something else to add to the list!

[@DeanLancasterMusic]

Love your videos. I've mirrored 2 already based on your videos. Now I have to see Ayutthaya

[@balloonchaser]

Hey Dean, that's really nice of you to say so! I think Ayutthaya is a great day out - and you can't be the third class train for value for money in my opinion! Enjoy it!

[@bigbopper6311]

Excellent video, with you all the way on the elephant rides. Surely in 3rd class the open windows double as toilets.

[@balloonchaser]

Thanks, BB. The training and upkeep of elephants isn't always great. It's not for me (or you)! Tell you a true story. I almost missed the train. Ran onto it and immediately realised I was desperate for a pee. In the third class carriage, there was a spotlessly clean western style flush toilet, with a washbasin and soap! Luxury!! Last time, it was just a hole looking down at the tracks! Times have changed!

[@PATThaiA]

Liked นะครับ

[@balloonchaser]

Many thanks 😊 🙏

[@comedyhypnosisasia]

Dual pricing is a worldwide phenomenon. So I don’t really care. It’s just something we can’t control so no point worrying about it and most of us can afford it. Another good video!

[@balloonchaser]

Thanks! You make a very valid point. I don't deny it winds me up, but equally, in most cases, the actual amounts are small, so it doesn't really matter. Cheers for the comment!

[@comedyhypnosisasia]

@@balloonchasermy wife and I love your videos ❤

[@balloonchaser]

@@comedyhypnosisasia That's really nice of you both. I appreciate your support.

[@herrmeistermann2426]

Nice. Never been there, apart from driven through the city on a train. There is also Sukhothai some 350km further up north. It is about 100 years older than Ayutthaya, smaller and less well preserved, but certainly worth a visit if you like old ruins, temples, bricks and mortar. Though I would recommend 1 or 2 over night stays there, as the train station is in Phitsanulok about 50km from historical Sukhothai.

[@balloonchaser]

Many thanks for your comment. And for your excellent suggestion and the info about Sukhothai. It's been on my list for years. I'll definitely aim to do it this year. I've got the travel bug back!

[@jimmyboysmovies1972]

15 bhat for 1 hour train journey can’t even go 1 stop here 😂. It looks amazing BC I didn’t realise it was so close will have to go there next time. 200 bhat an hour bargin . Great dad joke “I hear all week “😂. I’m ok with the dual pricing if it’s only 50-100 bhat difference any more I just won’t go in . Thanks for a great vlog 🍻

[@balloonchaser]

Thanks, Jimmy! Glad you enjoyed it. The quickest trains take around an hour, so it's really not that far at all. And seriously, what can you buy that's better value for 15 Baht (even in Bangkok)?.I'm gonna give a few more details about the train journey itself in a short follow up video. So lool out for that, please!🙏

[@thecryptostrategist2433]

I visited Ayutthaya in 2016. Basically, temple after temple after temple. It was also super hot. Not the worst day out I ever had though and the area is nice to look at, no doubt. I recall I went by minivan in a tour group from Bangkok. The train is an interesting alternative option.

[@balloonchaser]

Thanks, David. I think the train is the best option. And if you travel on the tuktuk there you can decide exactly where to go and how long you stay. It threatened to rain all the time I was there. Although not much blue sky for the video, at least it was slightly cooler under the cloud cover.

[@joezip6389]

I get so tired of people bitching about dual pricing, it is like that way in many places. It is a privilege for you to see these sites. In the US the parks in some states also have dual pricing. I did enjoy the video in a whole

[@balloonchaser]

Thanks, and glad you enjoyed the overall video. Sorry if it came across as bitching. I think it's right to tell the prices, and for some dual pricing is a deal breaker. My opinion is that as I've lived here and paid tax here for over 13 years, I shouldn't be asked the same price as a one week tourist. But no big deal.

[@joezip6389]

@@balloonchaser ah ok, so you have been there so long you feel you should pay the same price as a local. Ok I understand now why you would say that you are like a local as of this point. Thanks

[@davidrussell8996]

Hi BC - another great video and it shows how much more there is to see in Thailand apart from ther usual tourist hotspots - sometimes you may need a break from Pattaya🤣🤣🤣 but it looks like a really relaxing day out for a change. Yes I am well aware of Dual Pricing and what lively debates in can make on both sides. Ultimately, the difference between 10 baht and 50 baht is comparing 25p to £1.25p - in reality you are on holiday, just enjoy it & go - - - or don't go - Up To You!!! Are there any similar types of trips / experiences starting from Pattaya?

[@balloonchaser]

Hi David. It's a great day out, or in my case more like a half day! But if you are looking for a change of pace, then it's ideal. I'm not sure if there's anything comparable without starting from Bangkok. The Sanctuary of Truth you've done already. The Lazee Buddha image on the mountain up towards the silver lake area is impressive. Indeed, that's my favourite area - just a shame the vineyard is no more. Pattaya does have the big Buddha Temple. Other than that maybe look out for Viharn Sien Sala Temple for Chinese influences. Thanks for the comment, hope you are both keeping well!

[@davidrussell8996]

@@balloonchaser Yes - done these on previous trips - just shows how much is available if you are willing to get out there & explore. Keep up the great work!!!

[@balloonchaser]

@davidrussell8996 Many thanks, David. I'll keep looking for slightly different things to do!

[@keithg271]

Hello BC... very interesting video. I intend to visit Ayutthaya in my next Thai trip. Just one question - did the train depart from Bkk's new train station or Hua Lamphong. Thank you and cheers from Keith in Adelaide

[@balloonchaser]

Hi Keith! Thanks for the question. To be honest, I started to make a video including more details about the trains, but it became unworkably long. So I might do a separate video just about the train. Anyway, to answer your question. Trains to Ayutthaya leave from BOTH Hua Lumphong (Bangkok) Station AND Krung Thep Aphiwat new station. The trains from the new station take a bit shorter time (an hour compared to 90 mins), and some are more expensive because they have reserved seats and air-conditioning. On my trip I left from the old station, but returned to the new, mainly because the times fitted better with my plans. Hope that helps. Regards to Adelaide.

[@PREPFORIT]

Great detailed Info B/C ! Why they did not build an escalator hundreds of years ago ? LMFAO,

[@balloonchaser]

Thanks, PFI! Or a lift down the outside of the building! 😀

[@raffylagamia7420]

Whats time is the last train schedule back to bangkok?

[@balloonchaser]

The last train I know of leaves ayutthaya at 21.42 and gets to Krung Thep Aphiwat station less than one hour later. That's a second-class air conditionined train costing 261 Thai Baht

[@benhogan4739]

Does Bolt or Grab work there?

[@balloonchaser]

Yes, Ben. Grab has been there for several years and I'm pretty sure Bolt is there as well