Lop Buri is one of those places in Thailand that used to be famous for one very specific reason: monkeys. Lots of them. Everywhere.
When we visited, it was still very much “monkey town” chaotic, noisy, and completely unforgettable. These days, Lop Buri is a lot quieter, but honestly? Even without the monkeys, it is still absolutely worth visiting.
With its beautiful temple ruins, relaxed local feel, and deep historical roots, Lop Buri feels far more authentically Thai than many of the more tourist-heavy destinations and it makes a perfect day trip from Ayutthaya or Bangkok.
We visited Lop Buri as a day trip from Ayutthaya by taxi, and it fit perfectly into our Thailand itinerary.
In this guide, I’ll share:
- How to get to Lop Buri
- What to see and do
- What it’s like now that the monkey crowds have gone
- And whether it’s still worth visiting
Where Is Lop Buri?
Lop Buri is located in central Thailand, about:
- 150 km north of Bangkok
- Around 2 hours from Bangkok
- About 1–1.5 hours from Ayutthaya
It’s an easy stop if you’re already exploring Thailand’s historic heartland.
- Why You Should Stay in Kanchanaburi (And Not Just Day Trip from Bangkok)
- Things to Do in Bangkok with Kids (Plus Where We Stayed)
How to Get to Lop Buri
There are a few ways to reach Lop Buri:
🚆 Train from Bangkok or Ayutthaya
- Trains run regularly from Bangkok (Hua Lamphong or Bang Sue) to Lop Buri.
- Journey time: around 2.5–3 hours from Bangkok, shorter from Ayutthaya.
- Very cheap, very local, but not the fastest.
🚗 Taxi or Private Transfer (What We Did)
We visited Lop Buri from Ayutthaya by taxi, which was:
- Easy
- Comfortable
- And much faster than the train
It also gave us flexibility to explore at our own pace and head back when we were done.
👉 If you’re staying in Ayutthaya, it’s a really easy day trip to add on.
What Lop Buri Is Famous For: The Monkeys
For years, Lop Buri was known as Thailand’s monkey city.
When we visited, the monkeys:
- Were everywhere
- Climbed on buildings and cars
- Would try to steal food, drinks, sunglasses… anything
- Made the town feel absolutely wild and chaotic
Since then, the monkey population has been heavily reduced and relocated due to safety and health concerns.
So no, Lop Buri is no longer the crazy monkey town it once was.
But here’s the thing…
Is Lop Buri Still Worth Visiting Without the Monkeys?
Absolutely, yes.
Even without the monkeys, Lop Buri is:
- Full of beautiful ancient ruins
- Much calmer and more pleasant to walk around
- And still feels deeply historical and authentic
In many ways, it’s probably better now for actually exploring and appreciating the architecture.
The Best Things to See in Lop Buri
🏛 Phra Prang Sam Yot (The Famous Temple)
This is the iconic three-prang (three-towered) Khmer-style temple that used to be completely overrun by monkeys.
Even now, it’s:
- An impressive ancient structure
- Right in the centre of town
- And a great example of Lop Buri’s Khmer and Thai history
🏯 Lop Buri’s Temple Ruins & Old Town
One of the nicest things about Lop Buri is just wandering around:
- Old temples
- Crumbling ruins
- Quiet streets
- Local Thai life happening all around you
It feels far less touristy than many other historical spots in Thailand.
How Long Do You Need in Lop Buri?
We did Lop Buri as a day trip, and that felt perfect.
You only really need:
- Half a day to a full day
- Especially if you’re combining it with Ayutthaya or Bangkok
Our Honest Thoughts on Visiting Lop Buri
Even though we visited when it was still “monkey madness”, what stuck with us most was:
- The history
- The ruins
- The atmosphere
- And how different it felt from the usual tourist trail
Now that the monkeys are mostly gone, it’s probably even nicer to explore properly.
If you’re already in:
- Bangkok
- Or Ayutthaya
Lop Buri is 100% worth adding to your itinerary.
If you’re still struggling to finalise your itinerary, then perhaps these posts will help:
North vs South Thailand: North vs South Thailand – How to decide
Thailand Tips: How to make the most of Thailand
Additionally, if you want to travel smart, this blog post shares with you how we manage to get our hotels and other travel expenses such as excursions at wholesale rates: How we travel so often (and YOU can too!)
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