Summer Palace And Temples, 9 Hours

Ayutthaya Summer Palace and Temples Day Tour from Bangkok runs through One Asia. Rated 4.9 across 214 reviews. Runs 9 hours 0 minutes. From $36.65.

Overview

This is a full day out of Bangkok, nine hours from the meeting point, built around Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, Wat Yai Chaimongkol, Wat Mahathat and Wat Chaiwatthanaram. The summer palace sits about 12 miles (20 kilometers) outside the old city, which is one reason doing all four in one day on your own is a headache. A coach and a guide take care of the route, the tickets and the history, so the day moves along without you having to plan a thing.

The meeting point is the Hug Thai zone at CentralWorld in downtown Bangkok, and check-in takes place there 15 to 20 minutes before the 09:00 start. Hotel pickup is not part of this product, though pickup arrangements are confirmed on the live booking page before payment. The tour ends back at the same spot.

It suits travellers who want the story behind the ruins rather than just the photos. Reviewers repeatedly praise their guides' English and depth of knowledge, and one mentions a comfortable air-conditioned coach. It is a long day with walking in the heat, so it rewards people who pace themselves and dress for both sun and temple dress codes.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at CentralWorldThe meeting point is the Hug Thai zone at CentralWorld in downtown Bangkok, with check-in 15 to 20 minutes before the 09:00 start.
2. Bang Pa-In PalaceAround an hour at the royal summer palace. The entrance ticket is included.
3. Wat Yai Chaya MongkolAbout an hour at this temple. Admission is included.
4. Wat MahathatFifty minutes at Wat Mahathat. Admission is included.
5. Wat ChaiwatthanaramFifty minutes at Wat Chaiwatthanaram. Admission is included.
6. Return to CentralWorldThe activity ends back at the meeting point. Total duration is 9 hours.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical things will shape how this day goes, from dress codes to the heat.

• Dress code. Shoulders, underarms, back and knees must be covered at some sites, and the listing warns enforcement can be strict. Skip flip flops, shorts, tank tops and sleeveless shirts. A sarong or scarf to pull on is the easy fix.
• Heat and walking. Reviewers mention walking in the heat between ruins.
• Lunch on your own. Lunch is not included. One reviewer praised a food hall lunch and another enjoyed trying local food and products during the day, so budget for food separately.
• Group feel. This is a coach tour with a stated maximum of 100 travellers, so expect a large group moving on a schedule. One reviewer noted stragglers delaying boarding, so being back at the coach on time keeps the day smooth.
• Long day. Nine hours is a big commitment, and one reviewer flagged the length directly since the summer palace adds distance to the temple circuit.
• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup. You make your own way to CentralWorld, which sits near public transportation, and the listing asks travellers to arrive 15 to 20 minutes early.

Common issues. The group can be large, up to 100 travellers, and the day is long with walking in heat. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, and infants must sit on laps. Lunch, tips and hotel transport are extra. Changing the start time on the day of travel costs 650 THB and changing the date costs 500 THB, and entrance tickets are non-refundable. The operator also requires a minimum number of travellers and good weather, otherwise you are offered a different date or a full refund.

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