How to Get to Sukhothai from Bangkok and Chiang Mai: A Stress-Free Travel Guide
Planning a trip to Thailand’s ancient kingdom is exciting, but figuring out the logistics of getting here can be a major headache for foreign travelers. Because Sukhothai doesn't have a major international airport or its own railway station in town, the journey requires a little bit of planning.
But don't worry—as your local experts at Sukhojai, we have broken down the journey into this simple, step-by-step guide to help you get here from Bangkok or Chiang Mai without the stress.
Read This Before You Book Your Tickets!
The biggest mistake foreigners make is not realizing there are two Sukhothais:
New Sukhothai: The modern city where the main bus terminal is located.
Sukhothai Old Town (Mueang Kao): The historical park where the ancient ruins are. This is likely where you want to be!
Local Tip: New and Old Sukhothai are 12 kilometers (about 7.5 miles) apart. When booking buses or airport shuttles, check if they drop off at the "Sukhothai Bus Terminal" (New Town) or near the "Historical Park" (Old Town). If you end up in the New Town, you can easily catch a local Songthaew (shared truck) or a Tuk-Tuk to the Old Town for a fee.
Getting from Bangkok to Sukhothai
Sukhothai is located roughly 400 kilometers north of Bangkok. You have four main ways to make the journey, depending on your budget and timeline.
Option 1: Direct Flight (The Fastest & Easiest)
If you want to maximize your vacation time, flying directly into Sukhothai is the way to go.
The Details: Bangkok Airways owns the boutique Sukhothai Airport (THS) and operates 2 direct flights daily from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).
Travel Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes approx.
Onward Travel: Sukhothai Airport is about a 40-minute drive from the Old Town. The airport offers a convenient joined-ride shuttle service directly to hotels in both the New and Old Town. This shuttle will cost no more than 400 THB per person, and depending on availability, you might ride in an air-conditioned minivan or an open-air local Songthaew.
Option 2: Fly into Phitsanulok (The "Smart Budget" Flight + Historical Bonus)
This is the ultimate travel hack for getting to Sukhothai. If you want to fly but want to save money, fly into the neighboring province of Phitsanulok instead.
The Details: Low-cost carriers like AirAsia and Thai Lion Air fly from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Phitsanulok Airport (PHS), typically offering 3 flights a day.
Travel Time: 1-hour flight + 1 to 1.5-hour drive to Sukhothai.
While the flight ticket is cheaper, you must calculate the extra cost and time of the transfer service from PHS to Sukhothai to see if it’s actually a better deal for you than flying directly with Bangkok Airways.
Onward Travel: Phitsanulok is only about 70 kilometers from Sukhothai.
Make it a Two-City Historical Trip: Since you are landing in Phitsanulok anyway, why not spend an extra night there? Phitsanulok is deeply tied to the ancient Sukhothai Kingdom and is incredibly rich in history. In fact, it was so strategically important that it even served as the capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom for 25 years during the 15th century. It is the perfect warm-up for Sukhothai, allowing you to see the magnificent Phra Phuttha Chinnarat (one of Thailand's most revered Buddha statues created in 14th century by Sukhothai king) before continuing your journey.
Option 3: The Direct VIP Bus (The Best Budget Option)
This is the most popular choice for backpackers and travelers who don't mind a road trip. Thailand’s VIP buses are air-conditioned, feature reclining seats, and usually provide a snack and water.
The Details: Buses leave from Bangkok’s Mo Chit Bus Terminal (Northern Bus Terminal). Companies like Wintour and Phitsanulok Yanyon are highly reliable.
Travel Time: 7 to 8 hours.
Day vs. Night: You can take a morning bus to arrive in the afternoon, or an overnight bus to save on a night’s accommodation (though you might arrive very early in the morning!).
Option 4: Train + Bus Combo (For the Scenic Route)
Sukhothai does not have a train station. However, if you love train travel, you can take a train part of the way!
The Details: Take a train from Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Phitsanulok (the nearest major city with a train station). From Phitsanulok, you can catch a local bus or minivan to Sukhothai. Check northern line train schedule and book a ticket of The State Railway of Thailand by clicking the link here.
Travel Time: 5 to 7 hours on the train + 1 hour on the bus.
Why do this? It breaks up the journey, the trains are comfortable, and the scenery in Northern Thailand is beautiful.
Getting from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai
If you are traveling south from the mountainous capital of the North, the journey is actually quite straightforward.
Option 1: The Direct Bus (Highly Recommended)
Because Chiang Mai and Sukhothai are relatively close, the direct bus is by far the most logical and popular choice. There are no direct flights between the two cities.
The Details: Buses depart from Chiang Mai’s Arcade Bus Station (Terminal 2 or 3). The company Sukhothai Wintour is the standard choice for this route.
Travel Time: Roughly 5.5 to 6 hours.
The Route: The bus winds through some beautiful, hilly terrain before flattening out as it enters Sukhothai province. Most Wintour buses from Chiang Mai will stop in the Old Town before terminating at the New Sukhothai Bus Station—just tell the driver or bus attendant where your hotel is!
Option 2: Train + Bus Combo (If you really want to)
Just like coming from Bangkok, you can take a train from Chiang Mai down to Phitsanulok, and then transfer to a bus to Sukhothai.
Travel Time: 6 to 7 hours on the train + 1 hour on the bus.
Our advice: Unless you have a specific desire to ride the train or want to spend a day exploring Phitsanulok, the direct bus from Chiang Mai is much faster and less complicated.
