Yes, renting a bicycle is one of the best and most popular ways to explore Ayutthaya. The old island city is remarkably flat, and the major temple ruins are spread across a compact enough area that cycling between them is both practical and enjoyable. Most visitors find that a bicycle gives them the perfect balance of freedom and pace, allowing you to cover far more ground than walking while still being able to stop whenever something catches your eye.
Bicycle rental shops are clustered around the train station area, along Naresuan Road, and near many guesthouses on the island. Standard single-speed bikes typically cost 40 to 50 THB per day (about 1 to 1.50 USD), which makes this by far the cheapest way to get around. You will usually need to leave your passport or a deposit of a few hundred baht. The bikes are basic but functional — check the brakes and tires before you ride off. Some shops now offer electric bicycles for 200 to 300 THB per day, which are a great option if you want to cover more distance without arriving at every temple drenched in sweat, especially during the hot season from March to May.
A good cycling route starts at the temples in the center of the island, beginning with Wat Mahathat and Wat Ratchaburana, then heading west to Wat Phra Si Sanphet and the adjacent Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit. From there, you can loop south along the river and cross the bridge to reach Wat Chaiwatthanaram, roughly a 15-minute ride from the central ruins. The total cycling distance for a comfortable circuit of the main sites is about 10 to 15 kilometers. Roads on the island are generally quiet, though you should stay alert at intersections where traffic from the main roads converges.
If cycling does not appeal to you, tuk-tuks are the main alternative. Drivers wait outside the train station and at popular temples, and you can hire one for a half-day tour of four to five temples for roughly 800 to 1,200 THB after negotiation. This is a reasonable option if you are short on time, visiting with young children, or if the heat is simply too much. Some visitors combine both methods, cycling to the island temples and then taking a tuk-tuk to reach the more distant sites like Wat Chaiwatthanaram or Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon across the river.
