What to expect when visiting Sukhothai
Sukhothai is home to one of Thailand’s most stunning World Heritage sites — Sukhothai Historical Park. With ruins dating back to the 13th century, the park gives us a glimpse of what was once the capital of the first Kingdom of Siam (the former name of Thailand).
The city’s name literally translates to “dawn of happiness.” And if you’re a history buff, that’s exactly what you will get in Sukhothai. In this often-forgotten city, you can escape from the backpacker trail and just get lost in an impressive collection of temples and ruins.
4 ways to get from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai
There are 4 ways to travel the distance of 310 kilometers (193 miles) from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai by bus (6 hours), private Transport (4 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours), train (7 hours 15 minutes to 9 hours 35 minutes) and flight (11 hours 30 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 4 hours 30 minutes to 11 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by private transport. The lowest priced tickets start from 243 THB ($7.30) for the train.Where to stay in Sukhothai?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Sukhothai at the bottom of this page.
Chiang Mai to Sukhothai by Train
The nearest train station to Sukhothai is located in Phitsanulok, which is 68 km southeast of Sukhothai.
If you want to travel by train to Sukhothai, you need to book a train ticket from Chiang Mai to Phitsanulok and then continue by bus to Sukhothai.
Step 1: Chiang Mai to Phitsanulok by Train
Trains going from Chiang Mai Railway Station to Phitsanulok Train Station are available in the morning and the evening.
Note that the last bus that connects Phitsanulok and Sukhothai leaves at 14:30. If you take a train from Chiang Mai in the afternoon, you won’t be able to catch the latest bus to Sukhothai anymore.
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TIP: Train tickets are sold up to 90 days before the day of departure. Book your ticket in advance as they tend to sell out fast!
We recommend booking your tickets online through BookAway. Their site is intuitive, provides a clear picture of what you can expect, and offers great customer service. If you’re eying the best deals, you might occasionally find slightly cheaper tickets on Baolau.
When you arrive at Phitsanulok Train Station, take a tuk-tuk to Phitsanulok Bus Terminal 2. This terminal is located 8 km away and the ride will cost you about 100 THB ($3).
From there you can continue your journey to Sukhothai by bus or taxi (step 2).
Step 2: Phitsanulok to Sukhothai
You have 2 options when travelling from Phitsanulok to Sukhothai: the bus and the taxi.
Phitsanulok to Sukhothai by Bus
Tour with Thai operates buses from Phitsanulok to Sukhothai. Ticket prices start from 130 THB ($3.90).
Buses depart from Phitsanulok Bus Terminal 2, about 8 km from the train station. The journey that takes around 1.5 hours ends at Sukhothai Bus Terminal, which is 2 km from the New Sukhothai city centre.
Phitsanulok to Sukhothai by Taxi
Since the buses are unavailable, the best option is to take a taxi from Phitsanulok to Sukhothai.
This option is also much more convenient than the bus because they can drop you off at your hotel in New or Old Sukhothai.
Expect to pay at least 2,600 THB ($78) for the journey that takes around 1.5 hours when you hail a taxi at the railway station.
You can also book a taxi online beforehand for only 2,400 THB ($72), and expect your ride to be waiting for you at the train station.
Phitsanulok to Sukhothai by Tuk-tuk
If you were thinking of getting a tuk-tuk straight from Phitsanulok to Sukhothai, better reconsider your idea. Travelling this 63 km distance by tuk-tuk will take much longer and it will be an extremely hot and bumpy ride. Taking a taxi is much safer for such a long trip.
Chiang Mai to Sukhothai by Bus
There is one bus company that connects Chiang Mai with the historical city of Sukhothai: Tour with Thai.
Tickets cost 545 THB ($16.40) for the buses on the Chiang Mai to Sukhothai route.
Departure station
Buses depart from Chiang Mai Bus Terminal 2 (Arcade Bus Terminal).
Bus schedules from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai
The total bus journey from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai takes about 6h, including a 20-min stop for food and bathroom breaks.
Arrival station
Buses park at the Sukhothai Historical Park, 13 km west of New Sukhothai. Hotels in this area are located along the perimeter of the Historical Park.
If you booked your hotel in the New Sukhothai, you can take the songthaew. The price for each trip ranges from 20 THB ($0.60) to 30 THB ($0.90). You can find the blue songthaews operating between Old and New Sukhothai just outside the bus station.
A tuk-tuk can also take you from the Sukhothai Historical Park to the New Sukhothai for about 150 THB ($4.50). Though it costs more, they will drop you off directly at your hotel in New Sukhothai.
To avoid any misunderstanding, give the driver the full address or show the location of your hotel on Google Maps. This will save you both time and energy in figuring out the best direction.
Chiang Mai to Sukhothai by Flight
There are no direct flights from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai.
All flights route through Bangkok. You can expect the entire trip to take around 11 hours 30 minutes, including the stopover at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.
If you add the time spent travelling from and to the airport, waiting and check-in time, it will end up being the slowest of all options. That’s also why we don’t recommend travelling this distance by plane.
While numerous airlines are flying from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, Bangkok Airways is the only airline flying to Sukhothai.
The cost of indirect flights from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai starts from 2,435 THB ($73).
Sukhothai Airport
Sukhothai Airport (THS) is located about 30 km north of New Sukhothai. This drive will take around 45 minutes from the Sukhothai Airport to Old or New Sukhothai.
Bangkok Airways provides a shuttle service for a fee. Contact them directly for more information on pricing, schedule, and availability.
You can also check with your hotel because they may offer a free or cheap transfer from the airport too.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Chiang Mai to Sukhothai by Private Transport
A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai.
Rates start from 5,152 THB ($155) for a 3-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s about 1,718 THB ($52) per person. Travel time is around 4 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours.
Private Transport options from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai
Best places to stay in Sukhothai
TR Guesthouse - Budget Friendly
TR Guesthouse is great value for money! For less than $20 you get to enjoy a HUGE and comfortable bed and meet one of the friendliest guesthouse owners in Thailand.
Staying here feels more like you’ve been welcomed into a home and is a great way to experience Thai culture and local life. The guesthouse is a 15-minute walk from the bus station or a short tuk-tuk ride away.
- Amazing host
- Great value for money
- 20-minute drive from Sukhothai Historical Park
- Cosy and clean rooms
Private rooms start from $19 per night.
Mango House - Budget Friendly
Mango House is centrally located in Sukhothai, just a few minutes walk to downtown New Sukhothai and a few meters from the bus to Old Sukhothai.
Cool off in the outdoor swimming pool and enjoy the garden and terrace area for relaxing. A wonderful breakfast is included with your stay and hosts are exceptionally friendly and helpful.
- Ideal location
- Swimming pool
- Breakfast included
- Walking distance to shops and restaurants
Private rooms start at $28 per night.
Scent of Sukhothai Resort - Mid Range
If you’re looking for something a little more luxurious, then be sure to check out the Scent of Sukhothai Resort.
This resort offers a stunning garden and lovely outdoor swimming. Breakfast is included daily with your stay. Located near the Historical Park, you can easily ride your bike there or hop in a taxi for a short ride.
- Swimming pool
- Near Historical Park
- Outdoor garden area
- Breakfast included
Private rooms start at $30 per night.
Thai Thai Sukhothai Resort - Mid Range
Fancy something a touch more luxurious, Thai Thai Resort is exactly that and great value for money! Enjoy a spacious private balcony adorned with traditional Thai decor.
And when you’re not relaxing in your room, you can go for a swim in the pool, chill in the gardens or even have a massage. Situated 1.5km from Sukhothai Historical Park, you’ll be staying in a great location. Don’t worry about getting hungry, the complimentary delicious breakfast will fill you up for the day.
- Beautiful bungalows
- Swimming pool
- Great location
- Delicious free breakfast
Bungalows start from $41 per night.
BaanSuk Sukhothai Resort - Treating Yourself
And if you want somewhere even more fancy, you have to stay at BaanSuk Resort. This place is amazing and feels like an oasis hidden from the world by all its lush greenery. The pool is the epitome of peace and the perfect place to cool off after a day exploring Sukhothai Historical Park.
Their family villas are spacious, bright and very clean. Forget about the pool, wait until you see the bathtub. A superb breakfast is also included in the price.
- Stunning swimming pool
- Huge and luxurious villas
- Amazing staff
- Free delicious breakfast
Villas start from $51 per night.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chiang Mai to Sukhothai
What is the distance from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai?
The distance from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai is 310 kilometers (193 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai?
The fastest way to get from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai is by private transport and takes 4 hours 30 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai?
The cheapest way to get from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai is by train with ticket costs starting from 243 THB ($7.30).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.
