Locate your stop

How to get to Sukhothai from Bangkok, Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai

Quick summary

The quickest way to get to Sukhothai from Bangkok is the direct Bangkok Airways flight of about 1 hour and 20 minutes, or a drive of 420 km.

Route essentials

  • The airport is 25 to 38 km from the city8
  • No public bus or rail serves the airport5
  • By car it takes 4 to 5 hours3

Map of 33 stops

Sukhothai on the map

Choose a route, then tap a pin or stop for its note and a Google Maps link.

Map of central and northern Thailand with Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Phitsanulok, Chiang Mai, Sukhothai Airport and Sukhothai Historical Park

  1. TAT puts Sukhothai 420 km north of Bangkok, four to five hours by car or 1 hour 15 minutes by air.

    Google Maps

  2. The kingdom in the south that Sukhothai ended up joining, according to the Fine Arts Department.

    Google Maps

  3. Ayuthaya made Pitsanulok the seat of a viceroy over the northern state.

    Google Maps

  4. Centre of the Lan Na Kingdom, a rising power that put Sukhothai at risk.

    Google Maps

  5. The airport nearest to the park; UNESCO describes it as dedicated almost exclusively to bringing visitors to the historic towns.

    Google Maps

  6. The park lies 12 km from the town of Sukhothai on the Sukhothai-Tak highway.

    Google Maps

© OpenStreetMap contributors · map data

Where Sukhothai lies, how long the flight and the drive take, how the airport links to the ruins, and what to do when you start from Ayutthaya or Chiang Mai.

Editorial team, sukhothaihistoricalpark.click · Updated November 12, 2026 · A 6 min read

Basics

  • By airBangkok Airways flies direct to Sukhothai in about 1 hour and 20 minutes.1,2
  • By roadThe town lies 420 km north of Bangkok, 4 to 5 hours by car.3
  • Airport linkThe airport has no public bus or rail link, only shuttle, taxi or car.4,5
  • TransferA private airport transfer takes 45 minutes and starts from $35.
  • Our tourPickup is included within 15 km of the city on the cycling day.

Where Sukhothai sits on the map

Sukhothai is a province and a town in the lower north of Thailand, and where is Sukhothai is the first question for anyone planning from Bangkok. The Tourism Authority of Thailand puts it 420 kilometres north of the capital.3 That is far enough that nobody visits on a short detour, and near enough that an overnight stay or a long day is enough for the ruins.

The historical park itself is in Tambon Mueang Kao, in Amphoe Mueang of Sukhothai Province, according to the Fine Arts Department.6 That address matters, because the modern town people usually mean when they say Sukhothai is a separate place with the shops, bus stops and many of the hotels. The park is the old city, kept as a ruin, and the town and the park are not the same place on the map.

The park is also one corner of a wider heritage area. UNESCO lists Sukhothai together with Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet as a single property, which is why maps of the region show three historical parks.7 On this page the focus is Sukhothai itself, and we point to the others only when a route passes them.

Side by side

Ways to reach Sukhothai

RouteTimeNotes
Bangkok by air1 hour 20 min2Direct, from Suvarnabhumi
Bangkok by car4 to 5 hours3420 km
Airport to city30 to 40 min8Shuttle, taxi or car
Airport transfer45 minPrivate, from $35
Chiang Mai by car4.5 hoursPrivate, from $152
Chiang Mai, electric car6 hoursStops at Si Satchanalai

Times from the airline, the tourism authority and the listings; from-prices are starting prices, not quotes.2,3

Flying from Bangkok to Sukhothai

The quickest way is by air. Bangkok Airways flies direct from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Sukhothai Airport (THS), and the airline gives the flight time as about 1 hour and 20 minutes.1,2 The Tourism Authority of Thailand describes the same journey as 1 hour 15 minutes by air and notes that the airline offers daily flights from Suvarnabhumi.3,9 The figures differ by a few minutes, which is normal for a flight time quoted by different parties.

UNESCO mentions the airport in its own text, describing it as a nearby airport dedicated almost exclusively to bringing visitors to the historic towns.10 For a traveller that means the airport is not a hub with onward connections to many places, but a small field built for people like you. Check the schedule for your dates, as flights on a small domestic route can change.

Plan the journey from the airport with care, because it lies some way from the town. The airline puts it at about 25 to 38 km from Sukhothai city, a drive of 30 to 40 minutes.8 The ways in are an airport minivan shuttle, a taxi or a rental car, and the airline states that no public bus or rail service connects the airport.4,5 A pre-booked private transfer takes 45 minutes and starts from $35.

Distances quoted

Distances on this page in kilometres

  • Airport, near end25
  • Airport, far end38
  • Si Satchanalai55
  • Bangkok by road420

Distances from the airline, the Fine Arts Department and the tourism authority; the airport range is from the city, the others from the places named.8,11,3

By road from Bangkok

Travelling overland is the cheaper way for many visitors, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand gives the basic numbers: 420 kilometres, about 4 to 5 hours by car.3 That figure is for a car and assumes ordinary traffic, so allow longer for stops. Hiring a car with a driver spreads the cost across everyone aboard, which helps a larger party.

We did not find an official bus or train timetable that we could quote, so this guide does not give departure times or fares for public transport. The operators publish their own schedules, and those change. Check the intercity bus operator and the State Railway of Thailand for the date you plan to travel, and allow for the fact that the town and the park are some way apart.

If you drive yourself, note what the park says about cars. Park rules keep cars out of the walled centre and let them in at selected outer places in the north and west.12 A sensible plan is therefore to leave the car at the hotel and cycle into the ruins. Our fees page lists the other vehicle charges at the gate.

Pick your route

Which way of getting there fits you

Give your starting point and your priority, and a suitable route follows.

  • If I am in Bangkok and short of time

    Fly direct

    About 1 hour and 20 minutes from Suvarnabhumi.1,2

  • If I want to drive and see the countryside

    Go by car

    420 km and 4 to 5 hours, leaving the car at the hotel in the park.3,12

  • If I land at the airport with luggage

    Book a transfer

    45 minutes from $35, with the driver waiting at arrivals.

  • If I am coming from Chiang Mai

    A private car

    4.5 hours from $152, or 6 hours with Si Satchanalai from $104.

  • If I want a guide for the whole trip

    The 2-day tour

    Phitsanulok and Sukhothai with a hotel from $499.

Ways to arrive

Fly, drive or take a transfer

By air

Fly to Sukhothai

Shortest on the clock

  • Flight1 hour 20 min2
  • AirlineBangkok Airways1
  • ThenShuttle, taxi or car4
See this option

By road

Drive from Bangkok

Your own pace

  • Distance420 km3
  • Time4 to 5 hours3
  • Cars in the parkOuter areas only12
See this option

By transfer

Transfer from Chiang Mai

A driver does the work

  • Time4.5 hours
  • LanguageEnglish and Thai
  • Luggage2 suitcases
See this option

From Ayutthaya, Phitsanulok and Chiang Mai

From Chiang Mai the listings give the clearest numbers. Between Chiang Mai and Sukhothai, a private car transfer is listed at 4.5 hours and from $152; the driver works in English and Thai, and luggage is limited to 2 suitcases or big bags. A cheaper private option runs in an electric car for 6 hours in all, with a pause of 1.5 hours at Si Satchanalai Historical Park on the way, and starts from $104.

From Phitsanulok, which sits on the way for many travellers, a 2-day tour from Bangkok that includes Phitsanulok and Sukhothai with a hotel and a guide starts from $499. It is not a transfer, but it shows how Phitsanulok and Sukhothai are combined in a longer trip. If you are coming overland yourself, ask your hotel to help with the last leg.

Working out how to get from Ayutthaya to Sukhothai is simple in outline, since Sukhothai lies further north on the same side of Bangkok, so the journey is shorter than the 420 km from the capital,3 but we found no official figure for it and give none. UNESCO describes Ayutthaya as the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai, which is a good reason to see both in one trip.36 The hours depend on the route you choose, so ask the operator for the actual timetable.

The flight route

From Suvarnabhumi to the saddle

  1. Bangkok

    Suvarnabhumi flight

    The direct flight leaves from Suvarnabhumi Airport.1

  2. In the air

    About 1 hour 20 min

    The airline gives the flight time as about 1 hour and 20 minutes.2

  3. Sukhothai Airport

    Pick your ride

    Shuttle, taxi or rental car are the ways into town.4

  4. On the road

    30 to 40 minutes

    The drive to the city takes about 30 to 40 minutes.8

  5. The town

    Hotel check-in

    Pickup for the tour covers 15 km around the city.

  6. The ruins

    Saddle up

    The bikes come out in a village on the edge of town, and the route reaches the park by the Eastern Gate.

From the town to the ruins and the pickup zone

Once you reach Sukhothai, you still need to reach the park. The airline describes the next step as a ride from the airport to the New City or to the Historical Park, which tells you that the New City and the Historical Park are separate stops.4 You can base yourself in town and travel to the ruins each morning, or sleep beside the park. Our page on where to stay compares both options.

The cycling day sold on this site includes pickup and drop-off within 15 kilometres of the city area, and only within it. If your hotel lies outside that radius, ask the operator before you book. The booking page asks you to be in the lobby 10 minutes before the pickup time, a small detail that avoids a rushed start.

For the other parks on the same listing, the Fine Arts Department says to go along route 101 from the Sukhothai district to Sawan Khalok, about 55 kilometres, to reach Si Satchanalai.11 That is a trip for another day, as the main park deserves a full one.37 Hire a driver or join a tour for the longer run, and give yourself time to return before dark.

Video

From Bangkok to Sukhothai, what the trip is like

Mergim Vlogs on YouTube · The video stays unloaded until you press play.

There is no public bus or rail service connecting the airport.
Bangkok Airways (own page)5

Before you set off

Check these before you travel

Flights3

  • The schedule for your date on the airline site9
  • A shuttle, taxi or transfer booked for the airport4
  • Your booking confirmation on your phone

By road3

  • Where you will leave a car, as the inner zone refuses cars12
  • Cash in baht for fuel, tolls and snacks
  • Water and a hat for stops on a long drive

At the hotel3

  • A pickup point inside the 15 km zone
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
  • A note of the lobby time, 10 minutes early

Planning the journey around your visit

Work backwards from the day you want to ride. If you fly, take a morning flight so that the afternoon can go to an easy look at the ruins at the pace of a tired traveller, and book the airport transfer before you leave Bangkok. If you drive, start early, and expect the 420 km to take the better part of a day with stops.3

Think about the calendar too. UNESCO notes that visitation to the historic towns is heaviest during the annual Loy Krathong festival, and in 2026 the Sukhothai festival runs from 15 to 24 November at the historical park.38,39 Book transport and rooms early for those dates, and expect roads and the airport to be busier than usual.

Finally, consider the weather on the road. Rain and heat change how comfortable the long drive is. The tourism authority points to the stretch between November and February as the kindest window, with lower humidity.40 Whenever you travel, keep the confirmation of your pickup handy, and message the operator if a flight or a bus runs late.

FAQ

Fast answers to common questions.

How far is Sukhothai from Bangkok?
420 km by road.

The tourism authority gives about 4 to 5 hours by car, or 1 hour 15 minutes by air.3

Are there flights from Bangkok to Sukhothai?
Yes, direct and daily.

Bangkok Airways flies from Suvarnabhumi in about 1 hour and 20 minutes.9,1,2

How far is Sukhothai Airport from the city?
About 25 to 38 km.

The airline gives 30 to 40 minutes for the drive from the airport to the city.8

Is there a bus from the airport?
No public bus or train.

You reach the town by minivan shuttle, taxi or rental car, as the airline says.4,5

How do I get from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai?
By private car.

By private car the journey is listed at 4.5 hours, from $152 for the vehicle.

Can I drive into the historical park?
Not into the inner zone.

Not into the walled centre; the outer places that accept cars are listed on the park's fee page.12

How do I reach Si Satchanalai from Sukhothai?
Along route 101.

The Fine Arts Department gives about 55 kilometres via Sawan Khalok.11

Does the cycling tour pick me up?
Yes, within 15 km.

Pickup is included within 15 kilometres of the Sukhothai city area only.

Sources

  1. Bangkok Airways (own page) · Flight Ticket from Bangkok to Sukhothai ↩
  2. Bangkok Airways (own page) · Flight Ticket from Bangkok to Sukhothai ↩
  3. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Sukhothai Mini Light & Sound 2023 show starts 4 February ↩
  4. Bangkok Airways (own page) · Flight Ticket from Bangkok to Sukhothai ↩
  5. Bangkok Airways (own page) · Flight Ticket from Bangkok to Sukhothai ↩
  6. Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture (Virtual Historical Park) · Sukhothai Historical Park: map, hours and admission ↩
  7. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (Wayback copy) · Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns ↩
  8. Bangkok Airways (own page) · Flight Ticket from Bangkok to Sukhothai ↩
  9. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Sukhothai Mini Light & Sound 2023 show starts 4 February ↩
  10. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (Wayback copy) · Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns ↩
  11. Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture (Virtual Historical Park) · Si Satchanalai Historical Park: map, hours and admission ↩
  12. Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture (Virtual Historical Park) · Sukhothai Historical Park: map, hours and admission ↩
  13. Tourism Authority of Thailand (archived tourismthailand.org page) · Sukhothai Historical Park or Old Sukhothai City
  14. Tourism Authority of Thailand (archived tourismthailand.org page) · Wat Si Chum
  15. Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture (Sukhothai virtual historical park) · Historical Background and Importance
  16. Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture (Sukhothai virtual historical park) · Historical Background and Importance
  17. Tourism Authority of Thailand (archived tourismthailand.org page) · Sukhothai Historical Park or Old Sukhothai City
  18. Tourism Authority of Thailand (archived tourismthailand.org page) · Wat Si Sawai
  19. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Sukhothai Mini Light & Sound 2023 show starts 4 February
  20. Tourism Authority of Thailand (archived tourismthailand.org page) · Sukhothai Historical Park or Old Sukhothai City
  21. Tourism Authority of Thailand (archived tourismthailand.org page) · Sukhothai Historical Park or Old Sukhothai City
  22. Tourism Authority of Thailand (archived tourismthailand.org page) · Wat Sa-Si
  23. Tourism Authority of Thailand (archived tourismthailand.org page) · Sukhothai Historical Park or Old Sukhothai City
  24. Tourism Authority of Thailand (archived tourismthailand.org page) · Sukhothai Historical Park or Old Sukhothai City
  25. Tourism Authority of Thailand (archived tourismthailand.org page) · King Ramkhamhaeng Monument
  26. Tourism Authority of Thailand (archived tourismthailand.org page) · San-Ta-Pha-Daeng or Deity Shrine
  27. Tourism Authority of Thailand (archived tourismthailand.org page) · Sukhothai Historical Park
  28. UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns (archived page)
  29. UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns (archived page)
  30. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Sukhothai Mini Light & Sound 2023 show starts 4 February
  31. Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture (Sukhothai virtual historical park) · Historical Background and Importance
  32. Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture (Sukhothai virtual historical park) · Historical Background and Importance
  33. Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture (Sukhothai virtual historical park) · Historical Background and Importance
  34. UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns (archived page)
  35. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Sukhothai Mini Light & Sound 2023 show starts 4 February
  36. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (Wayback copy) · Historic City of Ayutthaya ↩
  37. Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture (Virtual Historical Park) · Si Satchanalai Historical Park: map, hours and admission ↩
  38. UNESCO World Heritage Centre (Wayback copy) · Historic Town of Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns ↩
  39. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Loi Krathong 2026 lights up Thailand’s rivers and historic cities ↩
  40. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Thailand’s comfortable, cooler months of November-February are a fantastic time to travel ↩

Read next

More to read before you ride

GuideSukhothai Historical Park entrance fee and hoursGuideSukhothai tours comparedGuideWhere to stay in SukhothaiGuideIs Sukhothai worth visiting?

Before you go

Hold a place on the ride.

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