Chiang Mai to Sukhothai — Direct Bus in 5–6 Hours, Why Old Town and New Town Are 12 km Apart, and Continuing to Phitsanulok or Bangkok
Chiang Mai to Sukhothai Historical Park by direct bus in about 5–6 hours. Why you need to know the bus stops in the new town, not the old town, the rail option via Phitsanulok, and using Sukhothai as a stop between Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
Sukhothai sits almost exactly halfway between Chiang Mai and Bangkok, which makes it the most rewarding stop for anyone travelling overland to or from the north. The mistake people make most often is not in getting there. It is that Sukhothai has two towns, and most buses stop in the one without the ruins.
All options
| Option | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Direct bus Chiang Mai → Sukhothai | About 5–6 hours | Several a day via Lampang, Thoen and Si Satchanalai; the default |
| Train to Phitsanulok + 1-hour bus | 5–7 hours by train + 1 hour by bus | For rail travellers; Phitsanulok is the nearest station |
| Fly | No direct flight | Sukhothai airport only has flights from Bangkok |
Direct bus
Buses leave Chiang Mai's Arcade bus terminal several times a day from morning to mid-afternoon and run south through Lampang and Thoen in about 5–6 hours. Some call at Si Satchanalai, a second, quieter historical park. They terminate at Sukhothai bus terminal on the edge of the new town, not the old town. Songthaews and tuk-tuks run from the terminal to both.
- Book Chiang Mai–Sukhothai buses: open 12Go
Old town and new town
New Sukhothai (the district town) is where the bus stops, with the market, banks and budget hotels. Old Sukhothai, about 12 km west, is the site of Sukhothai Historical Park, ringed by guesthouses and resorts. A local songthaew shuttles between the two frequently in daylight, about 20–30 minutes. If the plan is cycling among the temples at dawn, book accommodation in the old town and tell the driver to take you there.
By rail via Phitsanulok
Sukhothai has no railway. The nearest station is Phitsanulok, about 60 km away. Trains from Chiang Mai to Phitsanulok run by day and by night, about 5–7 hours; from Phitsanulok station, a bus or minivan reaches Sukhothai in about an hour. This suits anyone continuing to Bangkok by train anyway, since Phitsanulok is the main station of the northern line.
Continuing to Bangkok
From Sukhothai there are direct buses to Mo Chit 2 in about 6–7 hours, by day and overnight. Alternatively, return to Phitsanulok for a special express train that reaches Bangkok in about 5–6 hours. A few daily flights link Sukhothai's small private airport north of town with Bangkok.
- See all Bangkok–Sukhothai options: open 12Go
Seasons
Sukhothai is very hot from March to May; start cycling before 8 am. The rainy season, June to October, brings afternoon showers, green scenery and few visitors. The cool season, November to February, has the best weather and includes Loy Krathong, when the old town is packed; book weeks ahead.
Common mistakes
- Getting off at the bus terminal and looking for the ruins. They are 12 km away; take a songthaew to the old town.
- Booking a new-town hotel because it is cheaper, then commuting every day. If the park is the reason you came, the old town is better value.
- Allowing a single day. The park has several zones, plus Si Satchanalai; two nights is about right.
Flights
Compare fares across all airlines in one search (prices depend on the date; last-minute is the expensive way): Bangkok → Sukhothai · Bangkok → Chiang Mai
Where to stay
Compare hotels and guesthouses along this route (prices change by season; check the live price on the booking page): Sukhothai · Chiang Mai
Summary
Take a morning bus from Arcade, reach Sukhothai bus terminal in the afternoon, and continue by songthaew to the old-town guesthouse you booked. Stay two nights for dawn cycling, then carry on to Bangkok by direct bus or by train from Phitsanulok.