7am and I'm waiting for the minibus to pick me up and whisk me off to the ancient city of Ayutthaya, boasting some of the oldest Siam temples. Ayutthaya was the second of four capitals of Thailand, with the capital moving when wars were won and lost or environmental changes made the current location unsustainable. It's the architectural capital of Thailand and most famously hosts the beautiful Buddha in the Tree, and the original reclining Buddha temple.
There are so many ways to do Ayutthaya for all levels of comfort, budget, and interest!
Getting there
If you're on a budget then you can get to Ayutthaya on the train for 20 baht (less than 50p) which is awesome. This would definitely come under the "experience" bracket though, as that ticket is for a 3rd class, non air-conditioned carriage and no guaranteed seat for 2.5 hours. Upwards of this, there are more comfortable options on the train, public busses, and minivans which leave central city locations frequently and for under 550 baht (around 11 GBP). The alternative is to book through a travel agency locally or online, which is usually a bit more expensive but there's some sense of organisation. All have their pros and cons - train is the most scenically pleasing and cheapest option for shoestring travellers, but having a guide for the temples and an organised day plan may be more suitable for a backpacking treat.
