🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
First, get the lay of the land. Sukhothai splits clearly into two areas: New City (Mueang district) — where the bus terminal, markets, restaurants, and budget guesthouses are — and Old City (Tambon Mueang Kao) — where the Historical Park and ancient temples are. The two are about 12 km apart. The airport is north of town, another 27–30 km from New City. Keep this picture in mind and choosing how to get around becomes much simpler.
Getting to Sukhothai from Bangkok — Which Way Should You Go?
There are three main options from Bangkok: fly, take a bus, or drive yourself. Flying is fastest but fares vary by day. The bus is cheap and runs frequently — fine if you're not pressed for time. Driving gives you the most flexibility if you're travelling in a group. Compare the options below before you decide.
Flight — Bangkok Airways to Sukhothai Airport (THS)
Fastest option. The flight from Suvarnabhumi takes about 1 hour 20 minutes and runs daily, with morning departures from around 07:00 and afternoon flights around 16:00. Sukhothai Airport is privately operated by Bangkok Airways — it feels more like a boutique resort than a terminal. The catch: only one airline flies this route, so fares swing with demand. Book ahead for better prices.
Bus — Wintour (Sukhothai Thani) from Mo Chit 2
The most popular choice for Thai travellers. Buses leave Mo Chit 2 bus terminal nearly every hour from morning to late evening, taking around 6–7 hours. Options include VIP, Class 1, and Class 2 — all air-conditioned, with an onboard toilet, USB charging ports, and a snack service en route. Book online to choose your seat and pay at 7-Eleven or by QR code.
Overnight bus (VIP)
If you want to save a full day of travel, take an evening or late-night departure and arrive in Sukhothai in the morning — you get a full day of sightseeing without paying for a night's accommodation. VIP seats recline wide and work well for people who can sleep on the road. The downside is it's still not as comfortable as a real bed.
Minivan
Also from Mo Chit 2 (the minivan terminal nearby). Slightly faster than the full-size bus but seats are cramped. Good for solo travellers or pairs who want to get there a bit quicker. Not ideal if you have multiple large bags.
Drive yourself
From Bangkok, take Highway 32 then Route 1 through Nakhon Sawan and Kamphaeng Phet — roughly 430 km and about 5.5–6 hours without stops. Most flexible option, and it pays off with three or four people because you can use the car to explore once you arrive without depending on songthaews.
There is no train directly to Sukhothai
Sukhothai has no railway station. If you want to travel by train, ride to Phitsanulok first, then take a bus or minivan into Sukhothai — about another hour. A reasonable choice if you enjoy the scenery from a train window, but not the fastest route.
Arriving at Sukhothai Airport — How to Get into Town
Sukhothai Airport sits about 27–30 km north of New City, and a fair distance from the Historical Park in Old City too. Once you land, here are your main options for getting in.
- Bangkok Airways shuttle van — The airline runs transfer vans to partner hotels in the province. Schedules are tied to flight arrivals; ask at the counter when you land.
- Shared minivan/public van — Services run to New City for around THB 180/person. Some operators will drop you at a hotel in Old City or New City for around THB 300/person.
- Yellow songthaew — A few departures a day between the bus terminal and the airport (roughly 07:00 and late afternoon). Very cheap — tens of baht — but limited runs and inflexible timing. Check that the schedule lines up with your flight.
- Taxi / charter vehicle — Most convenient if you're travelling in a group or have a lot of luggage. Negotiate the fare before you get in.
For a stress-free arrival
Let your hotel know in advance that you're flying into Sukhothai Airport. Many places in Old City offer airport transfers or will arrange a car for you at a fixed price — much less hassle than finding a ride on the spot, especially if your flight arrives when the songthaews have already stopped running.
Getting Around Sukhothai — the Old City–New City Songthaew
The central challenge of exploring Sukhothai is moving between New City (your base for accommodation, markets, and food) and Old City (the Historical Park and ancient temples). Without your own vehicle, the songthaew is your best friend — and by far the cheapest.
- Blue songthaew (New City ↔ Old City) — Pick it up along Charot Withithong Road near the market in New City. It runs to the entrance of the Historical Park. Fare around THB 30/person; journey time about 20–25 minutes.
- Schedule — Runs frequently during the day, roughly 06:00–18:00. Services thin out in the evening. If you plan to stay at the park until late, have a backup plan for getting back.
- Tuk-tuk / charter — If you miss the songthaew or you're in a group, a chartered tuk-tuk between the two towns runs around THB 100–200 (shareable among 2–3 people). A full-day charter costs more — agree on the price before you go.
The thing most visitors miss
Always check whether your accommodation is in Old City or New City before you book. If you want to be out cycling the temples at dawn in the mist, staying in Old City is far more convenient. But if you want plenty of restaurant options, a busy market, and cheaper rooms to choose from, New City has more of that — and you just take the songthaew to the park.
Renting a Bicycle or Motorbike to Explore the Park Yourself
The Sukhothai Historical Park is most enjoyable by bicycle. The grounds are wide but flat — you can pedal comfortably between ancient temples and lily-covered ponds all day. If you want to venture out to the outer zones (north or west), which are farther apart, a motorbike gives you more range.
Bicycle rental
Several shops line up along the park entrance on the Old City side. Pick one with good brakes and solid tyres, then pedal around the Central Zone where the main temples cluster — Wat Mahathat, Wat Sa Si, and others. The paths are shaded in places and mostly flat.
Motorbike rental
Available from guesthouses and rental shops in both Old City and New City. Most require a deposit — usually an ID card or passport. Far more practical if you want to reach the Northern or Western Zones, which are spread further out, or if you want to ride between Old City and New City yourself without waiting for the songthaew. The trip between the two takes about 15 minutes on a motorbike.
Golf cart (select zones inside the park)
Available in certain parts of the park for visitors who prefer not to cycle — useful if you're travelling with older family members or simply want to see the main sites without the exertion. Less freedom than a bike or motorbike, and it won't reach every corner.
Note on zone entry fees
The Historical Park is divided into zones (Central, Northern, Western, Southern), each with a separate entrance fee. If you bring a bicycle or motorbike inside a zone, there's an additional vehicle fee per zone. If you're planning to cover multiple zones, riding one motorbike through them may be easier to budget than renting a bicycle per zone.
Sample 2-Day, 1-Night Itinerary
Short on time but want to make the most of it? This sample plan uses an overnight bus there and back, with one night in Old City. Adjust times based on actual bus schedules when you book.
Arrive in Sukhothai — Cycle the Old City
Morning at the Park, Then Head Home
Quick Summary — Which Option Is Right for You?
- Short on time, some budget — Fly Bangkok Airways into Sukhothai Airport, then take a shared van into town. Saves the most time.
- Watching the budget, no rush — Wintour overnight bus from Mo Chit 2, arrive in the morning, explore all day.
- Travelling in a group — Drive yourself. Petrol is shared cost, and you have a car for the whole trip — no waiting on songthaews.
- No private vehicle in town — Blue songthaew between New City and Old City plus a bicycle rental inside the park is the cheapest and most enjoyable combination.
Plan your full Sukhothai trip — hotels, food, and the best temples all in one place.
See the Sukhothai city guide →