Ayutthaya Temple Opening Hours 2026: Complete Schedule
Most major temples inside Ayutthaya Historical Park managed by the Fine Arts Department open at 8:00–8:30 AM and close between 4:30 PM and 6:00 PM daily. Wat Mahathat opens at 8:30 AM and closes at 6:00 PM. Wat Chaiwatthanaram opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 6:30 PM. Active temples such as Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon open at 8:00 AM and close at 5:00 PM. Free open-air sites like Wat Lokaya Sutha have no formal opening hours. All temples are open seven days a week including public holidays.
Knowing the opening hours before you visit Ayutthaya Historical Park is essential for planning your day — particularly if you want to arrive at the 8:30 AM opening when the ruins are at their least crowded and the light is best. Several temples close earlier than 6:00 PM, and missing this means being turned away at the gate after travelling to the site.
This guide gives accurate 2026 opening hours for every major temple in the Historical Park, separated by management type.
Fine Arts Department Temples (Paid Entry)
The major temples managed by Thailand’s Fine Arts Department open at 8:00–8:30 AM and close between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM daily, seven days a week. The most important temples — Wat Mahathat, Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Phra Si Sanphet — close at 6:00–6:30 PM, giving visitors time for an afternoon visit. Tickets are sold until 30 minutes before closing. Opening hours are consistent year-round with no seasonal changes.
These are the archaeological temples managed and maintained by Thailand’s Fine Arts Department. They charge entrance fees (50 THB per temple for foreign visitors, or covered by the 220 THB combo pass) and operate set opening hours with ticket booths.
| Temple | Opens | Closes | Entry Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wat Mahathat | 8:30 AM | 6:00 PM | 50 THB |
| Wat Ratchaburana | 8:00 AM | 4:30 PM | 50 THB |
| Wat Phra Si Sanphet | 8:00 AM | 4:30 PM | 50 THB |
| Wat Phra Ram | 8:00 AM | 4:30 PM | 50 THB |
| Wat Chaiwatthanaram | 8:00 AM | 6:30 PM | 50 THB |
| Wat Maheyong | 8:00 AM | 4:30 PM | 50 THB |
All six temples above are included in the 220 THB combo pass. Tickets are sold until approximately 30 minutes before closing time. See our Ayutthaya Temple Entrance Fees guide for full pricing details.
Important note on closing times: Wat Ratchaburana and Wat Phra Si Sanphet have a 4:30 PM closing time — earlier than many visitors expect. If you plan to visit these two temples, schedule them for the morning or early afternoon. Wat Mahathat and Wat Chaiwatthanaram, which have later closing times, are better suited to afternoon visits and benefit from the softer late-afternoon light.
Active Temples (Reduced Entry)
Active temples in Ayutthaya that still have resident monks charge 20 THB entry. These include Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon (opens 8:00 AM, closes 5:00 PM), Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit (opens 7:00 AM, closes 4:30 PM), and Wat Na Phra Mane (opens 8:00 AM, closes 5:00 PM). Wat Phanan Choeng (opens 8:00 AM, closes 5:00 PM) also charges 20 THB.
These temples are active Buddhist monasteries with resident monks. They charge a smaller entrance fee and typically have slightly different visiting conventions — arriving between prayers is considerate, and maintaining a quieter demeanour is expected.
| Temple | Opens | Closes | Entry Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon | 8:00 AM | 5:00 PM | 20 THB |
| Wat Na Phra Mane | 8:00 AM | 5:00 PM | 20 THB |
| Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit | 7:00 AM | 6:00 PM | 20 THB |
| Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan | 8:00 AM | 5:00 PM | 20 THB |
Free and Open-Air Sites
Wat Lokaya Sutha and Wat Phu Khao Thong are the two major free sites in Ayutthaya Historical Park. Both are open-air with no formal ticket booths or closing times — you can visit from early morning. Wat Lokaya Sutha’s reclining Buddha is accessible at any hour; Wat Phu Khao Thong’s platform is best visited before the midday heat.
These sites have no ticket booth and no formal closing time. They are accessible at all hours, though visiting in darkness is not recommended for safety reasons. The illumination at Wat Lokaya Sutha can be seen from outside the grounds at night.
| Temple | Hours | Entry Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Wat Lokaya Sutha (Reclining Buddha) | Open at all hours | Free |
| Wat Phu Khao Thong (Golden Mount) | Open at all hours | Free |
| Chedi Phra Si Suriyothai | Open at all hours | Free |
Museums in Ayutthaya Historical Park
Ayutthaya’s two national museums keep reduced hours: Chao Sam Phraya National Museum (open Wednesday–Sunday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, 150 THB) and Chantharakasem National Museum (open Wednesday–Sunday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, 100 THB). Both are closed Monday and Tuesday. The Chao Sam Phraya museum houses gold artefacts recovered from Wat Ratchaburana’s crypt.
| Museum | Opens | Closes | Entry Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chao Sam Phraya National Museum | 9:00 AM | 4:00 PM | 150 THB |
| Chantharakasem National Museum | 9:00 AM | 4:00 PM | 100 THB |
Both museums are closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and public holidays. If visiting a museum is part of your plan, confirm current days of operation before travel.
Nearby: Bang Pa-In Summer Palace
Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, approximately 20 km south of Ayutthaya, has different operating hours from the Historical Park temples:
| Site | Opens | Closes | Entry Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bang Pa-In Royal Palace | 8:00 AM | 4:00 PM | 100 THB |
Important: Bang Pa-In closes at 4:00 PM — earlier than most Ayutthaya temples. If you’re visiting Bang Pa-In and the Historical Park in the same day, visit Bang Pa-In first and proceed to Ayutthaya’s temples in the afternoon.
Book This TourThe Best Time to Arrive
The best time to arrive at Ayutthaya temples is at 8:30 AM when the first ticket windows open. Morning light is directional and photogenic, temperatures are at their daily minimum, and the most popular sites — particularly Wat Mahathat — are at their least crowded before Bangkok day tours arrive from 9:30 AM onwards. The second-best window is 3:30–5:30 PM when the heat eases and golden-hour light illuminates the ruins.
8:30 AM is the optimal arrival time at Ayutthaya Historical Park. This is when Wat Mahathat’s ticket window opens, and arriving at opening has three advantages:
- The morning light is directional and golden rather than harsh overhead — the ruins look better and photographs come out better
- The heat is at its daily minimum — the 8:30–10:30 AM window is when the temples are most comfortable to walk around
- The most popular sites — particularly the Wat Mahathat tree-root Buddha — are at their least crowded before tour groups arrive from Bangkok (typically 9:30–10:30 AM)
3:30–5:00 PM is the second-best arrival window. The heat has eased, the light turns golden again, and sites like Wat Chaiwatthanaram face west and are beautifully illuminated by the late afternoon sun. Note that Wat Ratchaburana and Wat Phra Si Sanphet close at 4:30 PM — plan accordingly.
Avoid 10:30 AM–3:00 PM if possible in the hot season (March–May). This is peak heat with harsh overhead light — the least comfortable and least photogenic window of the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Ayutthaya temples open?
Most major Fine Arts Department temples open at 8:00–8:30 AM daily. Wiharn Phra Mongkhon Bophit opens at 7:00 AM. Free open-air sites like Wat Lokaya Sutha have no formal opening time.
What time do Ayutthaya temples close?
Closing times vary. Wat Mahathat closes at 6:00 PM; Wat Chaiwatthanaram at 6:30 PM. Most other Fine Arts Department temples (including Wat Ratchaburana and Wat Phra Si Sanphet) close at 4:30 PM. Active temples like Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon close at 5:00 PM.
Are Ayutthaya temples open every day?
Yes. All temples within Ayutthaya Historical Park are open daily including weekends and most public holidays. The two national museums (Chao Sam Phraya and Chantharakasem) are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Can I visit Ayutthaya temples at night?
Not for entry. Most temples close between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM. However, select temples are illuminated after dark and visible from outside the grounds. During the cool season (December–February), the Fine Arts Department runs a special illumination programme on weekends and public holidays from 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM. See our Ayutthaya Temple Night Tour guide for details.
Is there a last entry time?
Most temples stop selling tickets approximately 30 minutes before the official closing time. Arriving at 4:00 PM to a 4:30 PM temple gives you little time inside. Aim to arrive at least 1 hour before closing for any meaningful visit.
Are opening hours the same during Thai public holidays?
Temple ruins within the Historical Park generally remain open during Thai public holidays. The national museums are closed on certain public holidays — verify before visiting.
What are the best temples to visit in the late afternoon?
Wat Chaiwatthanaram (closes 6:30 PM, faces west into the late sun — best temple for afternoon and dusk photography) and Wat Mahathat (closes 6:00 PM, interesting light on the Buddha head in late afternoon). Both are better visited in the afternoon than at midday.
