Bangkok to Ayutthaya Train: Overview & Key Facts

Trains leave from Hua Lamphong Railway Station or Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station. You have 16+ daily services. Price range: 15-159 THB. Time: 56 minutes to 2 hours. State Railway of Thailand runs all trains. No private operators.

Train TypeTimeCostComfort
Special Express56 min – 1h 4m44-159 THB⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Premium AC
Rapid Train1h 30m – 2h15-159 THB⭐⭐⭐⭐ AC/Fan Mix
Ordinary Train1h 45m – 2h 10m15 THB⭐⭐ Fan Only

Special Express wins on speed. Ordinary Train wins on price. Rapid Train is the compromise most tourists pick.

gold and white concrete building under blue sky during daytime

Cheapest vs. Fastest vs. Most Comfortable: Train Type Comparison

Cheapest: Ordinary Train at 15 THB. You get what you pay for. Wooden benches. No AC. Stops at every village between Bangkok and Ayutthaya. Bring a hand towel to wipe sweat.

Fastest: Special Express at 56 minutes. Premium 2nd class seats. Direct routing. AC cranked to arctic levels. Costs 44-159 THB depending on seat class. Only 5 trains daily so timing matters.

Most Comfortable: Rapid Train with AC cars. Not as fast as Express but way more departure options. 53+ trains daily means you won’t miss your window. AC seats cost more but worth it if you value your sanity.

💡 SCAM ALERT: Unofficial ticket sellers outside Hua Lamphong will quote you 3x the real price. Buy directly at the ticket counter inside the station or book online via 12Go. Zero reason to use a middleman.

Complete Schedule & Departure Times

Ordinary Train: 11 daily departures starting 04:15. Last train 18:20. Departs from Hua Lamphong only. No Krung Thep Aphiwat option for Ordinary class.

Rapid Train: First train 04:15. Last train 23:05. Runs every 10-15 minutes during peak hours. Departs from both Hua Lamphong and Krung Thep Aphiwat.

Special Express: 5 daily trains. Departures at 06:10, 09:05, 18:40, 20:05, 21:05. Both stations. Book ahead or risk sold-out cars.

Check live schedules on 12Go before you go. Thai Railways changes times without warning during holidays.

gold and white concrete building

How to Book: Online vs. Station Purchase

Online Booking: Rapid and Express trains can be booked in advance via 12Go or Thai Railway official site. Pay with credit card. Get QR code ticket. Skip the line at the station.

Station Purchase: Ordinary Train tickets are ONLY available same-day at Hua Lamphong ticket counter. No online option. No advance booking. Show up early during weekends or you’ll stand the whole way.

💡 TIMING HACK: First train at 04:15 is empty. Last train at 23:05 is packed with drunk locals. Sweet spot is 09:00-11:00 for day trips. You arrive in Ayutthaya before lunch heat kicks in.

Advance booking rules: Express trains sell out 3-7 days ahead during Thai holidays (Songkran, New Year). Rapid trains usually have seats day-of unless it’s a weekend.

Day Trip Planning: Tips, Luggage, Temple Costs & Return Options

Most tourists do Ayutthaya as a day trip from Bangkok. Leave at 06:10 on Special Express. Arrive 07:10. Rent a bike (50 THB/day) or tuk-tuk (200 THB/hour). Hit 4-5 temples before 15:00. Catch return train by 18:00.

Luggage Policy: Standard allowance on all trains. Overhead racks fit backpacks and small suitcases. Ordinary Train racks are packed tight. Keep valuables on your lap. No baggage fees ever charged by Thai Railways.

Temple Costs: Wat Mahathat 50 THB. Wat Phra Si Sanphet 50 THB. Wat Chaiwatthanaram 50 THB. Buy a combo pass for 220 THB if you’re hitting 6+ sites. Temples close at 18:00 sharp.

💡 LUGGAGE CHECK: Ordinary Train overhead space is a joke during peak hours. Saw a guy try to fit a 28-inch roller bag. It didn’t fit. He held it between his knees for 2 hours. Travel light or take Express.

Return options: Last Ordinary Train from Ayutthaya leaves 18:20. Last Special Express leaves 21:05. Miss the last train and you’re stuck overnight or paying 1,500 THB for a taxi back to Bangkok.

brown concrete tower under white clouds and blue sky during daytime

Comfort & Amenities Breakdown: What to Expect

Special Express: Premium 2nd class AC seats. Cushioned. Recline slightly. Toilets are Western-style with soap and paper (usually). Luggage racks above seats. Water fountain near the toilet. No food service but vendors walk through at stops.

Rapid Train: Mix of AC and fan-cooled cars. AC cars have padded seats. Fan cars have hard benches. Toilets are squat-style. Bring your own paper. Luggage space depends on the car. Some have racks, some don’t. No onboard food sales.

Ordinary Train: Hard wooden benches. Ceiling fans that spin slow. Toilets are squat-style and smell like regret. No luggage racks in 3rd class. Keep your bag on your lap or under the seat. Locals bring entire picnic spreads so food smells fill the car.

AC specifics: Special Express keeps it at 18-20°C. Bring a hoodie. Rapid Train AC is inconsistent. Sometimes it’s arctic, sometimes it’s broken. Ordinary Train has zero AC. Just fans. In hot season (March-May) it’s brutal.

Overcrowding: Ordinary Train during morning rush (06:00-09:00) is standing room only. Rapid Train fills up on weekends. Special Express rarely overcrowds because of limited departures and higher price.

Comparing Bangkok to Ayutthaya Train with Other Routes

If you’re planning more trips from Bangkok, check out City Center to Kanchanaburi (3 hours by bus) or Hua Lamphong Station to Hua Hin Beach (4 hours by train). Both use the same station as Ayutthaya trains.

Ayutthaya train is easier than Mo Chit Bus Terminal to Kanchanaburi because you skip the hassle of getting to Mo Chit. Hua Lamphong is right on the MRT Blue Line.