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Ayutthaya & the River Kwai: Route Guide

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Ayutthaya Buddha head roots — Ayutthaya & the River Kwai
Photo: Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

From Bangkok, spend six days with Ayutthaya's historic city and Lopburi's old streets before reaching Kanchanaburi's bridge and railway history. Arrange the road transfers between towns; scenic train rides, Erawan and the more remote parks can be added as separate outings.

Ayutthaya & the River Kwai is a 370 km one-way journey (with a driver). It works best as a 6-day trip; the plan below is the 6-day version for December, built from 1008 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

6
days
370km
distance
6
Stops
1,008
curated stops

View ready-made plans 6-day plan · best time to go

The route

Bangkok public heritage day→ 80 kmAyutthaya reserved transfer and public orientation day→Ayutthaya public historic-city day→ 70 kmLopburi reserved transfer and public heritage day→ 190 kmKanchanaburi reserved long-transfer and public bridge day→ 30 kmKanchanaburi public railway-history day
An aerial view of Wat Chaiwatthanaram beside the river in Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya · Day 2

Wat Chaiwatthanaram

Appreciate Khmer-influenced architecture in this stunning riverside temple.

6-day plan →

Photo: Average trinmo · CC BY-SA 4.0

What you'll see

Wat Arun
Marvel at the iconic Temple of Dawn, a stunning royal temple on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River.
Bangkok public heritage day
Wat Phra Mahathat
Witness leaning prangs and headless Buddhas amidst atmospheric ruins.
Ayutthaya reserved transfer and public orientation day
Ayutthaya public historic-city circuit
Use a bounded public historic-city circuit and confirm current site admission and opening.
Ayutthaya public historic-city day
Phra Prang Sam Yot
Admire the elegant Khmer-style towers linked gracefully together.
Lopburi reserved transfer and public heritage day
JEATH War Museum
Explore exhibits detailing the nationalities and sacrifices involved in the railway's construction.
Kanchanaburi reserved long-transfer and public bridge day
Kanchanaburi public railway-history circuit
Use a bounded public railway-history circuit without assuming a scenic train, Erawan or remote park transfer.
Kanchanaburi public railway-history day

Choose your length

6-day plan18 stops · 8.4 h transit3 stops/day · 1.4 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: November, December, January, February

Cooler and generally drier conditions suit open-air heritage days; current rail, road and attraction status still require checking.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

View ready-made plans