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Phitsanulok–Sukhothai
2 Days 1 Night of Temples & Old Cities

Phitsanulok and Sukhothai sit only about 60 km apart — an hour's drive — so they pair up neatly for a trip built around temples and old-town wandering. Spend the first day getting your bearings in Phitsanulok and paying respects to Phra Buddha Chinnarat at Wat Yai, then cross over on day two to cycle around Sukhothai Historical Park, a World Heritage site you can explore for a whole day. This is a plan paced so you won't burn out and still cover both cities.

🛕 Wat Yai temple🚲 Cycle old Sukhothai🍜 Sukhothai noodles
Phitsanulok–Sukhothai 2 Days 1 Night of Temples & Old Cities

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

This trip suits anyone with a weekend free who wants both temple time and old-city atmosphere in one go. They're two separate provinces, sure, but the distance from central Phitsanulok to Sukhothai Historical Park is only about 58–60 kilometres — roughly a 1-hour drive along Highway 12. No car of your own? Vans and buses run between the two cities all day, taking around an hour and a half. So we've set it up to spend one night in Phitsanulok, then tackle Sukhothai for a full day on day two.

Trip Overview & Getting Around

  • Distance — central Phitsanulok ↔ Sukhothai Historical Park is about 58–60 km, roughly a 1-hour drive (Highway 12).
  • No car of your own — vans and buses run Phitsanulok–Sukhothai all day, starting in the low hundreds of baht and taking about 1.5 hours. Once in Sukhothai, hop on an old-city songthaew or rent a motorbike.
  • Where to stay — we'd stay in central Phitsanulok the first night, where the restaurants and cafés are, then drive to Sukhothai first thing in the morning.
  • Best time to go — Nov–Feb, when it's cool and cycling the park is most comfortable. In the hot season, go early or late to dodge the midday sun.

Planning tip

If you'd rather take Sukhothai Historical Park slowly without rushing, stretch this into 3 days and 2 nights and spend an extra night on the old-city side of Sukhothai. That gives you time to add the northern and western zones, which most visitors skip.

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Day 1 — Phitsanulok: Phra Buddha Chinnarat & the Nan Riverside

Day 1

Phitsanulok, the Two-River Town

09:00
Arrive in Phitsanulok, check in to your town-centre hotel, drop your bags and head outMost lodging sits near the Nan River and the train station, within walking distance of Wat Yai.
10:00
Pay respects to Phra Buddha Chinnarat at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat (Wat Yai)Phra Buddha Chinnarat is a Sukhothai-style image many consider one of the most beautiful in Thailand, with a graceful outline and an exquisite flame halo. No entry fee; dress modestly.
11:30
Stroll along the Nan River, taking in the houseboat life and the town's street artAcross from Wat Yai are shops selling local goods, like the sun-dried bananas from Bang Krathum that this town is known for.
12:30
Lunch — 'leg-dangling' noodles by the Nan RiverPhitsanulok's signature is sitting with your legs dangling over the water while you eat noodles. The original shops are along the Nan riverside near Wat Yai, from THB 40–60.
14:00
Stop by the Sergeant Major Thawee Folk Museum to see everyday village objects from the old daysA huge collection that paints a clear picture of life in the lower north. Entry is just a few tens of baht.
16:00
Wander Chan Palace, birthplace of King NaresuanA historical site in the middle of town, leafy and shaded — lovely for photos in the soft late-afternoon light.
18:00
Dinner at the Nan riverside market or a northern-Thai restaurant in townTry nam phrik ong, gaeng hang lay, or the mookata (Thai BBQ) that locals in Phitsanulok gather around.

Before bed

Set an early alarm. On day two you'll want to leave Phitsanulok before 8am so you reach Sukhothai right as the park opens, before the sun gets strong — cycling is far more pleasant that way.

Day 2 — Sukhothai: Cycling the World Heritage City

Sukhothai Historical Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, split into several zones. The busiest is the central zone (the old city walls), centred on Wat Mahathat. The best way to see it is to rent a bicycle and loop around inside the walls — the temples are spread out but the distances are short, and a cool breeze makes for an easy morning's ride.

Day 2

Old Sukhothai, a World Heritage Site

08:00
Leave Phitsanulok, drive ~1 hr to the Sukhothai old cityThere are coffee stops along Highway 12 if you didn't make it up in time for breakfast.
09:00
Arrive at the park, rent a bicycle at the central-zone entranceCentral-zone entry is THB 20 for Thais, with bikes around THB 10–30 each. The park is open roughly 06:00–18:00.
09:30
Wat Mahathat, the heart of the old city, with its lotus-bud stupaThe largest royal temple in the zone, with a principal Buddha image ringed by rows of stupas — the defining image of Sukhothai.
10:30
Wat Sa Si, set in a pond with lovely mirror-image reflectionsA Ceylonese-style stupa on an island in the middle of the water — a favourite of photographers, a short ride on from Wat Mahathat.
11:15
Wat Si Sawai, with its three Khmer-influenced prangsThe architecture stands apart from the other temples in the zone, with clear traces of Lopburi–Khmer art.
12:00
Lunch break — famous Sukhothai noodles at a shop outside the parkSukhothai noodles come with thinly sliced long beans and roasted peanuts, leaning sweet. Long-running shops like Ta Pui and Mai Klang Krung are on the old-city side.
13:30
Drive to Wat Si Chum to pay respects to the great Phra Achana in its mondopPhra Achana is a large Buddha in the Bhumisparsha pose seated inside a narrow mondop — an unmissable highlight, just outside the city walls to the north.
15:00
Stop at an old-city café to rest your legs before heading backThere are plenty of pleasant cafés around the old city, some serving Sukhothai noodles and local desserts too.
16:30
Pick up souvenirs, then head back to Phitsanulok or homeIf you're taking public transport, leave extra time for connections, as evening services start to thin out.

Temples & Worship Stops You Shouldn't Miss

1

Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat (Wat Yai), Phitsanulok

Phitsanulok · No entry fee · Dress modestly

Home to Phra Buddha Chinnarat, the beautiful Sukhothai-style image that Thais travel from all over the country to honour. It sits beside the Nan River in central Phitsanulok and makes the perfect first stop on a temple-focused trip.

TemplesMust-see
2

Wat Mahathat, Sukhothai

Sukhothai, central zone · Entry THB 20

The royal temple at the heart of the old city walls. Its lotus-bud stupa is a hallmark of true Sukhothai art, ringed by rows of stupas around the principal Buddha image.

World HeritageAncient site
3

Wat Si Chum, Sukhothai

Sukhothai, northern zone · Separate zone fee

Phra Achana, a great Buddha in the Bhumisparsha pose, sits inside a narrow mondop with an opening that frames its face — a memorable, almost solemn atmosphere. It's outside the city walls to the north.

TemplesHighlight
4

Wat Sa Si, Sukhothai

Sukhothai, central zone · In central-zone fee

A Ceylonese-style stupa on an island in the middle of a pond, with lovely reflections in the morning and evening — one of the most-loved photo spots in the central zone.

Photo spotAncient site
5

Wat Si Sawai, Sukhothai

Sukhothai, central zone · In central-zone fee

Three prangs in the Lopburi–Khmer style set it apart from the other temples in the zone, showing the cultural mix that came before Sukhothai's golden age. An easy stop on your ride inside the walls.

Ancient site
6

Chan Palace, Phitsanulok

Phitsanulok · No entry fee

A historical site in central Phitsanulok and the birthplace of King Naresuan the Great. Shaded and pleasant to walk through, it's a good late-afternoon stop on the first day.

History

What to Eat Along the Way

The two cities have quite different food scenes. Phitsanulok is known for leg-dangling riverside noodles and sun-dried bananas, while in Sukhothai you have to try proper Sukhothai noodles, made with thinly sliced long beans and roasted peanuts, sweet with a touch of sour — a dish you can chase across the whole town.

Phitsanulok

Leg-dangling noodles

Eat noodles while sitting with your legs dangling over the Nan River — a Phitsanulok signature. The original shops are near Wat Yai.

Sukhothai

Sukhothai noodles

Made with long beans and roasted peanuts, leaning sweet. Long-running shops like Ta Pui and Mai Klang Krung are local favourites.

Sukhothai

Khao poep Sukhothai

Steamed rice-flour sheets wrapped around a filling, a bit like rolled noodles in broth — a local dish you'll find around the old city.

Souvenir

Bang Krathum sun-dried bananas

Phitsanulok's well-known edible souvenir — sweet and chewy, sold at souvenir shops in town to take home.

Pack for the day

Sukhothai Historical Park has strong sun and little shade — bring a hat, sunglasses, and water. Cycling at midday is tiring, so start early or save the ride for the softer evening light.

Want a well-located base in Phitsanulok before crossing over to Sukhothai?

See Phitsanulok Hotels →

FAQ

How far is Phitsanulok from Sukhothai, and how do you get there?

From central Phitsanulok to Sukhothai Historical Park is about 58–60 kilometres, roughly a 1-hour drive along Highway 12. Without a car of your own, vans and buses run all day and take about an hour and a half.

How much is the entry fee for Sukhothai Historical Park?

The central zone (the old city walls) is about THB 20 for Thais and THB 100 for foreigners. Bringing a bicycle in costs a small extra fee, around THB 10. The northern zone (Wat Si Chum) charges a separate zone fee. The park is open roughly 06:00–18:00.

How many days does this trip need?

2 days and 1 night is just right if you want to catch the highlights of both cities — stay in Phitsanulok the first night, then take on Sukhothai on day two. If you'd like to explore the park without rushing and add Si Satchanalai too, stretching it to 3 days and 2 nights is more comfortable.

Should you rent a bicycle or drive around Sukhothai?

In the central zone we'd rent a bicycle and loop around — the temples are close together and the setting is lovely. Wat Si Chum and the temples outside the walls are further out, so a car or motorbike is handier for those.

When is the best time for this trip?

November to February, when it's cool and cycling the park is most comfortable. If you come in the hot season, sightsee in the morning or evening to avoid the fierce midday sun.

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