Before Ayutthaya, before Bangkok, there was Sukhothai. Sukhothai Historical Park holds the ruins of the first great Siamese capital, from the 13th century: serene Buddhas, ponds and lotus-bud chedis. Here is how to get there from Bangkok, how to plan your visit and where to stay.
Getting to Sukhothai from Bangkok
Sukhothai lies about 430 km north of Bangkok. You have three options, depending on your budget and time.
By bus: the easiest
Buses leave from the Northern Bus Terminal at Mo Chit (Chatuchak). Allow about 6 to 8 hours depending on the company and stops, for around 370 to 500 THB (prices checked in 2026). There are morning departures and night buses. Most arrive at the bus station in the new town; a few services also stop near the historical park.
By train via Phitsanulok
Sukhothai has no railway station. Take the Northern Line from Krung Thep Aphiwat to Phitsanulok: about 5.5 to 7 hours, from around 200 THB in third class to around 800 THB for a second-class sleeper. Then a local bus reaches Sukhothai in about an hour, for 50 to 70 THB.
By plane
Bangkok Airways links Suvarnabhumi with Sukhothai Airport in about 1 hour 20 minutes, with only a few flights a day. The airport is far from town, so plan for a shuttle (around 300 THB per person). Another idea: fly from Don Mueang to Phitsanulok, then take the bus. Fares vary a lot, so compare before booking.
Park zones and tickets
The park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is split into several zones. The three main ones are paid separately: the central zone, the northern zone and the western zone, each around 100 THB for foreign visitors, with the ticket valid for the day. The smaller southern and eastern zones are often free or nearly free; check on the spot.
A bicycle adds around 10 THB per zone. The park opens early, at about 6.30am. The Ramkhamhaeng National Museum, right next to the main entrance, is paid separately (around 150 THB).
Exploring the park by bike
Cycling is the smart choice in Sukhothai. The ground is flat, the paths are wide and the zones are several kilometres apart. Rental shops opposite the main entrance charge around 30 THB for the day.
Set off early. At 7am the light is soft, it is still cool and the coach tours have not arrived. Between 11am and 3pm the heat quickly becomes hard going, so that is the time for lunch and a break in the shade. Come back in the late afternoon for sunset over the ponds.
Three temples you shouldn’t miss
Wat Mahathat
The heart of the central zone and the main temple of the old city, next to the remains of the royal palace. The great lotus-bud chedi rises above rows of columns and seated Buddhas. It is the most photographed spot in the park, so go there at opening time.
Wat Si Chum
In the northern zone. A tall, roofless mondop shelters a huge seated Buddha, around fifteen metres high, which you first glimpse through a narrow opening. The effect is striking. Legend says the statue “spoke”, thanks to a hidden passage in the wall.
Wat Sa Si
This small temple sits on an island in the middle of Traphang Trakuan pond, north of Wat Mahathat. You reach it by a wooden bridge. With its bell-shaped chedi reflected in the water, it is one of the loveliest places in the park at the end of the day.
How many days and where to stay
One full day is enough for the central and northern zones. With two days you can add the western zone, wilder and hillier, and the museum, without rushing. From Bangkok, plan at least two nights there.
The old town, around the park, is quiet. You will find guesthouses and a few boutique hotels a few minutes by bike from the temples. Perfect for being there at sunrise. The new town, about 12 km away, offers more choice, often lower prices, a night market and the bus station. Songthaews run to the park for around 30 THB. My advice: stay in the old town if you are only there for the temples.
Sukhothai is also famous for Loy Krathong, the festival of lights, celebrated on a grand scale in the park with shows and lanterns. The dates change every year with the lunar calendar, so check them before booking, as accommodation fills up fast. If you love old stones, combine it with an Ayutthaya day trip from Bangkok.
Mr Schaka’s practical tips
- Rent your bike as soon as you arrive and start with the central zone before 8am.
- Bring water, a hat and sunscreen: there is little shade between the zones.
- Dress respectfully for the temples: shoulders and knees covered, and no climbing on statues.
- The cool season, roughly November to February, is the most pleasant time to cycle.
- Book your bus or train a few days ahead at weekends and on Thai public holidays.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do Sukhothai as a day trip from Bangkok?
Not realistically. The bus takes at least 6 hours each way. Plan at least two nights there.
How much does Sukhothai Historical Park cost?
Around 100 THB per paid zone for foreigners, plus around 10 THB for a bike. Visiting the three main zones therefore costs around 300 THB, excluding the bike.
Is it better to stay in the new town or the old town?
The old town to be at the temples at dawn; the new town for more choice, more restaurants and gentler prices.
To go further
Mr Schaka’s guidebook, Secret Thailand – Where Nobody Goes – The Practical Guide, covers the essentials: transport, neighbourhoods, addresses, food, etiquette and safety, updated for 2026–2027.
